By Lew MooreDriving down I-5 or along I-90, it doesn’t take long to see where the information economy starts and the manufacturing economy stops. Lew Moore,Washington Research CouncilWashington has, essentially, become two Washingtons. In the big cities like Seattle, construction cranes dot the skylines. In outlying rural areas, it is...

The city of Kennewick and Historic Downtown Kennewick Partnership are asking the public to take a short survey about what they like about the downtown area.The input collected on shopping and eating preferences, events and what attracts people to the historic downtown and waterfront district will be used in business...

The Tri-Cities’ economy appears to be all “rainbows and unicorns” judging from all the upbeat updates provided at TRIDEC’s recent economic outlook conference.That’s what Jeff Losey, president of the Home Builders Association of Tri-Cities, said during his report on residential construction during the Feb. 1 event.“We’re a very affordable place...

The Tri-Cities’ longtime champion of securing federal dollars to clean up Hanford and invigorate the local economy plans to retire next month. Gary PetersenGary Petersen, Tri-City Development Council’s vice president of federal programs, leaves his post March 3 after 14 years with the agency.The 76-year-old Richland man came to the...

The Port of Benton plans to kick-start a new 21-lot development with a $2 million building in Prosser designed to attract boutique businesses to complement the neighboring Vintner Village.Construction on the new building, which will include three bays for businesses, as well as an adjacent office building for a nonprofit,...

Lois Evanson knew she needed to see a doctor when she couldn’t stop coughing.So she drove to an urgent care clinic only to find she would have to wait about four hours before she could see a provider. She returned home and asked for a house call instead.Trios Health in...

The No. 1 job needed in the area is truck driving.That’s what Janese Thatcher, Columbia Basin College’s dean for Computer Science, Engineering and Technical Programs, said she recently learned when looking at the top jobs that companies were hiring for in Benton and Franklin counties.“People running many companies in this...

Two community leaders recently were recognized for their commitment to professional excellence and community service at the sixth annual Tri-Cities Women in Business conference.The longtime CEO of SIGN Fracture Care International in Richland received this year’s Athena Leadership Award for her longtime work with the nonprofit during the Jan. 25...

By Sean BassingerThe Tri-Cities ended the year with the largest labor force ever and the fastest-growing job market in the state.Kennewick, Richland and Pasco added more than 3,800 jobs in December, or 3.6 percent growth over the same month the previous year.The next fastest growth rates in the state include...

What does the new Trump administration in the White House mean to the banking industry and region’s economy?It’s too early to tell.But two banking industry experts have simple advice for local business owners: keep your eye on what you do best.“There’s lot of noise in the media. … Focus on...