One of the Tri-Cities’ biggest cheerleaders is going to lead a Kennewick-based nonprofit focused on empowering and supporting people with disabilities.Michael Novakovich is leaving his post as the head of Visit Tri-Cities to join Columbia Industries as its new CEO and president. CI announced the news May 9.“Michael is a...
Nearly 5,000 new and existing homes sold in the Tri-Cities in 2021.While most would be considered midrange, a small but growing number carried seven-figure price tags.The top tier of the housing market tends to get overlooked in an economy where midrange homes – currently considered those in the $300,000-$500,000-plus range...
Local Bounti Corp., the Montana ag startup behind one of the biggest economic development wins in 2021, has “paused” construction of its $40 million greenhouse complex in east Pasco.The Pasco facility was supposed to be the second in a network of high-tech complexes where Local Bounti planned to cultivate lettuce,...
The city of Pasco will raze the Thunderbird Motel and turn the site into a parking lot after reaching a $1.2 million deal to buy the “nuisance” property.The deal is expected to close by late April, with the city set to take possession by May 25.The city will demolish the...
HPM Corporation, the occupational health services contractor to the Hanford site, and its owners, Grover Cleveland Mooers and Hollie Mooers, will pay $2.94 million in restitution and penalties to resolve civil and criminal liabilities associated with allegations they defrauded the federal Paycheck Protection Program (PPP).Vanessa Waldref, U.S. attorney for the...
While many business owners felt fortunate to have emerged from the pandemic still operating, a handful of Tri-City entrepreneurs decided to take the plunge and expand – often to Spokane.After noticing other businesses entering the market two hours north, Rich Breshears of Breshears Professional Photography jokingly questioned, “Is that the...
Non-retirement investment accounts are often set up with wealth management firms.When the account is set up, there is an option to put a beneficiary designation on the account and oftentimes the account is then designated as a TOD (Transfer on Death) or a POD (Payable on Death) account.With this type...
Pasco’s oldest continuously operating restaurant has been serving the Tri-City community for 58 years.Chinese Gardens at 1520 N. Fourth Ave. has been a Pasco cornerstone since late founder Jack Lee opened it in 1965.The building is hard to miss with its mashup of pagoda-esque midcentury brick architecture and flamboyant, dragon-flanked...
Chauné Fitzgerald continues to make a mark on the Tri-City community through her volunteer work and advocacy, operating her own business and starting a successful nonprofit.She’s also working to launch a Tri-City chapter of the Washington African American Chamber of Commerce.But the Richland entrepreneur says she regularly feels unseen or...
Naima Chambers-SmithCEOTri-Cities Diversity & Inclusion CouncilNaima Chambers-SmithNumber of employees you oversee: We have less than five paid employees. However, we have approximately 30 members of the council and over 130 volunteers in the last year alone.Brief background of your businessor organization:Tri-Cities Diversity & Inclusion Council (TCD&IC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit...
