Articles by Robin Wojtanik
Tri-City businesses find success with new locations in Spokane
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 new black – to…
Longtime community leader works to make an impact
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 invisible and works…
Food truck pavilion targets spring opening
First stop – Kennewick. Followed by the remainder of the Tri-Cities, every college town, and then the rest of America. Chris Corbin’s dream for his food truck pavilion has no bounds – and why should it? He’s already overcome a huge obstacle by cementing private financing for the $3.5 million development after getting turned down…
As pandemic pushes people to be healthier, pharmacy is ready to help
Since the start of the pandemic, Malley’s Compounding Pharmacy has weathered a prescription-filling rush, a shutdown, a slowdown and then a shift to steady business with more customers focused on prioritizing health and wellness, including adding more supplements to their routine. “We’ve seen an increase in business with people just wanting to be healthier,” said…
Tri-Cities’ largest gyms see mixed demand in wake of pandemic
The largest fitness centers in the Tri-Cities are seeing mixed results on membership numbers since getting the green light to reopen after initial Covid-related shutdowns. At a time of year when gyms tend to see a boom of interest from those with a “new year, new me” mentality, CBRC Health & Wellness Clinic in Richland…
Richland improves metering efficiency, renewable energy use
Richland is preparing to launch final testing of a new utility metering system prior to its rollout in 2022, ending the need for dedicated meter readers to visit the 27,000 homes and businesses throughout the city. Officials hope to have new electric and water meters installed in most locations by the end of next year.…
Richland IT support startup acquired by Utah company
Years after a Richland entrepreneur launched a business and grew it into an established IT support provider, a Utah company has acquired it, transforming Elevate into Executech. The service will stay local, all jobs will remain, and the former CEO of Elevate, Paul Carlisle, is proud to report that each employee “got a piece of…
Port of Kennewick: Vista Field, Columbia Gardens ready for sale
Almost a decade after closing Vista Field, the Port of Kennewick is poised to start selling land and to welcome new construction after challenges and delays brought on by the Covid-19 pandemic. “Everything has to be talked about against the backdrop of where we’re still at in 2021,” said Tim Arntzen, the port’s chief executive…
Port of Pasco: Industrial expansion targets open land
The Port of Pasco is set to become the home base for the largest milk protein facility in North America – employing hundreds of people with well-paying jobs at a new Darigold facility that will anchor the Reimann Industrial Center. Darigold Inc. expects the project to employ more than 1,000. Those at the plant will…
Tri-Cities Airport: Pandemic has air travel in a holding pattern
Covid-19 has taken a bite out of air travel at the Port of Pasco-operated Tri-Cities Airport, which hasn’t rebounded as hoped, just as the end of summer tends to “dry up” leisure travel, said Airport Director Buck Taft. “I don’t have the confidence to say anything for certain. It’s taking a dip as of right…
