Articles by Guest Contributor
Double Canyon to build winemaking facility near Red Mountain
By Wine News Service for Tri-Cities Area Journal of Business A winery focused on producing Cabernet Sauvignon from the Horse Heaven Hills will build a 47,000-square-foot winemaking facility near Red Mountain. Double Canyon, a winery that began in 2007 and is owned by Crimson Wine Group of California, will break ground on its new building…
‘Pinch theory’ offers reasoned approach to managing conflict
By Allen Johnson It happened at an executive staff meeting. I was presenting a new organizational development program, and it seemed to be going well. At least the staff of 12 was attentive, occasionally nodding in approval. When I had finished, the CEO said, “This could make a big difference in our company,” he said.…
PNNL to lead regional smart manufacturing center
By Susan Bauer Advances in smart sensors, digital process controls and information technology could radically reduce energy use in manufacturing and improve manufacturing productivity in the Northwest. The Department of Energy’s Pacific Northwest National Laboratory will lead the Northwest Regional Manufacturing Center, a public-private partnership that is part of a national Smart Manufacturing Innovation Institute. The regional…
Boeing’s 100th anniversary made possible by small businesses
By Kris Johnson One hundred years ago, on June 15, 1916, Bill Boeing founded the company that would grow to become a global icon and a bedrock of the Washington state economy. The company’s story, including its long history of innovation and its many contributions to the Puget Sound region, are well-documented. But the 100th…
Buy-out plan for deceased disabled owner’s shares requires careful consideration
By Beau Ruff As most Tri-Cities Area Journal of Business readers likely know, organizational documents are imperative for entrepreneurs starting a business. I will now dig a little deeper into a specific issue that comes up in the organizational documents: the buy-out of a deceased owner’s share of the company. Let’s use Linda and Jane…
Agencies launch Tri-City ozone study after high readings in area
By Ranil Dhammapala Ground-level ozone, not to be confused with “good” ozone in the earth’s upper atmosphere that shields us from harmful ultraviolet radiation, is toxic to human health. Exposure to ozone irritates the eyes, nose, throat and the respiratory system. It is especially bad for people with chronic heart and lung disease, pregnant women…
PNNL-led effort seeks to improve energy stored in electric car batteries
By Frances White Electric cars with significantly smaller, lighter and less expensive batteries could be on the horizon if a new national research effort achieves its ambitious goal of significantly improving upon the batteries that power today’s electric vehicles. Led by Pacific Northwest National Laboratory in Richland, the Battery500 consortium will receive up to $10 million…
The clean dozen: 12 techs near commercial use
By Frances White A dozen clean energy technologies that enable everything from lightweight, fuel-sipping cars to the expansion of renewable energy and cleaner fossil fuel use are getting a boost at the Department of Energy’s (DOE) Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. DOE is awarding PNNL about $4.4 million to bring the 12 technologies closer to commercial use,…
Maintaining low-cost electricity vital for state’s clean-tech industries
By Don C. Brunell Since the construction of Grand Coulee and Bonneville dams, Washington has enjoyed an abundance of low cost, reliable hydropower. It has been one-key competitive advantage for energy intensive industries and now it is vital to our state burgeoning “clean-tech industries.” Hydropower, along with nuclear, solar and wind, produce no greenhouse gases.…
Financing via means other than traditional may be subject to securities laws
By Beau Ruff for TCAJoB Finding a source of capital for a new or existing business is often a challenge. Consider the following scenario: Diana has a great idea for a new business and she has the experience and know-how to make it work. But, she needs capital funding. She tells her friend Deidre about…
