Articles by Robin Wojtanik
Unique children’s boutique offers one-of-a-kind, handcrafted items
‘Local Etsy’ store in Kennewick offers custom children’s items A Kennewick children’s boutique is striving to make its mark with handcrafted and custom items, offering what Pipsqueaks owner Lisa Steele lovingly refers to as “fluff.” “I’m not one that carries gear, like cribs. It’s really just the fun, finer things of life,” she said. Steele…
Bosnian proprietor serves up European desserts, appetizers
Downtown bakery sells individual desserts, cakesto order, charcuterie platters in downtown Kennewick Decades after Nena Cosic was forced out of her homeland as a young child and separated from immediate family for years, the Bosnian refugee is finding success as a baker and caterer. Cosic recently launched European Desserts & Appetizers by Nena with a…
Developers can reap tax benefits by investing in Opportunity Zones
Time is running out for investors looking to capitalize on the first phase of incentives available to those wanting to develop or improve land in the Mid-Columbia’s three Opportunity Zones. “This is a great opportunity for local and regional investors to sell existing projects and reinvest their gains, while eligible, into quickly growing areas of…
DOE awards $4 billion support services contract
A new contractor will head up support services at the Hanford site, replacing Mission Support Alliance for the $4 billion contract paid out over five years. The contract went to Hanford Mission Integration Solutions of Richland, a company owned by Leidos Intergrated Technology, Centerra Group and Parsons Government Services. The first two companies also are…
New $20M Framatome facility to open by year’s end
Richland plant set to begin operating new 11,000-square-foot scrap uranium recovery facility A $20 million facility is set to open before the end of the year at Richland’s Framatome, coinciding with the nuclear fuel manufacturing company’s 50th anniversary in town. “The longevity of the Richland facility illustrates our employees’ commitment to innovation and excellence, year…
Economic leaders reflect on top accomplishments of 2019
Expansions, visions cited as year’s biggest successes Those focused on growing, promoting and improving the Tri-City economy are counting up their 2019 successes and looking ahead to plans for the upcoming year and decade. Recent wins include plans for an expansion of the Three Rivers Convention Center, a new nonstop flight from Pasco to Chicago,…
Land use questions draw concern in West Richland
Some West Richland, Benton County residents worry about fate of their land due to an obscure 81-year-old law Whose land is it anyway? When it comes to portions of lots in West Richland, it depends on who you ask. “Legally, under my impression, this land has been mine, because Benton County has done all their…
Energy Northwest delivers decades of joy to area preschoolers
Santa and his elves will surprise hundreds of Pasco students for the 39th year running when Energy Northwest employees deliver presents as part of the Head Start holiday program that’s served 14,000 children since it began. “People are just so giving at our company,” said Michelle Curtis, a training specialist for Energy Northwest and the…
Fitness studio franchise expands to Kennewick
Orangetheory Fitness to open in Southridge area this spring A popular fitness studio is opening a second Tri-City location at a visible Southridge corner in Kennewick this spring. Orangetheory Fitness franchise owner Richard Cote said he’d been searching for a location for a while, making offers on three different places before moving quickly when the…
Minimum wage increase likely means higher costs for consumers
Tri-City fast food restaurant owners say there’s no way to avoid raising prices when the latest minimum wage increases kick in at the start of 2020, requiring workers be paid at least $13.50 an hour. “Anybody who thinks that prices aren’t going to go up, you’re fooling yourself,” said Tom Tierney, owner of the Tri-Cities’…
