Laura Kostad

Laura Kostad

Laura Kostad is a freelance reporter for the Tri-Cities Area Journal of Business and Senior Times. After completing her bachelor’s degree in creative writing at the University of Washington in 2015, she moved to Kennewick to pursue new opportunities and launch her career. She has been with the Tri-Cities Area Journal of Business since 2017 and has enjoyed getting to know her new community through journalism. In her spare time, she enjoys working on the many book ideas she has and the occasional poem.

for Tri-Cities Area Journal of Business
Articles

ARTICLES

Virtual pets

Tri-City friends launch virtual pet store using cryptocurrencies

Laura Kostad
A group of Tri-City entrepreneurs hope to cash in on their new venture without traditional money.Their online virtual pet store allows customers to buy cartoon pets using digital currencies called cryptocurrencies.The crypto pets in the TricitiesCrypto store, called Tron Dogs, can be used as characters in an online game called...
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May find your center capoeira

Couple combine their passions for new dance, martial arts school

Laura Kostad
The Tri-Cities’ only flamenco, ballet and martial arts school is open for business and accepting new members.Find Your Center’s mission is to make dance and martial arts accessible to everyone, regardless of age, ability or background.A Pasco retiree said she feels more graceful and balanced after taking ballet classes created...
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May cda resort

Coeur d’Alene Resort completes $10 million in renovations

Laura Kostad
Guests visiting the lakefront Coeur d’Alene Resort are in for a treat this summer season, as the Idaho destination hotel recently completed a $10 million makeover of all 338 guest rooms and its conference center.“Our resort is in the midst of a wonderful renaissance,” said Todd Gillespie, director of sales...
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May nw paddleboard group

Northwest Paddleboarding to open shop in Richland

Laura Kostad
After three years of operating from the back of a van and tow trailer, Northwest Paddleboarding is opening a shop near Howard Amon Park in Richland.The new store will offer walk-up rentals and a wider range of equipment for sale.Krista Patterson, who owns the company with her mother, Cathie Hobson,...
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Apples jj bins 1618

Apple capital: State sends fruit to more than 60 countries

Laura Kostad
Washington’s $3 billion apple industry is not just the state’s biggest crop, but it also accounts for two-thirds of total U.S. apple production.Proactive international marketing campaigns, coupled with intensive breeding programs, are key factors in making the state the nation’s apple capital.Washington’s “nutrient-rich soil, an arid climate, plentiful water and...
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Cherries 2017 ar sample 0566

A gambler’s crop: Cherry orchards at mercy of Mother Nature

Laura Kostad
The Northwest saw one of the most perfect cherry crops last year, setting new production and export records. In 86 days, the nation’s leading cherry region shipped 26.4 million, 20-pound boxes of cherries to eager markets around the world.“We had fantastic weather last year,” said Denny Hayden, owner of Hayden...
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Hops imgp4019

Tops for hops: U.S. dominates world market

Laura Kostad
After five years of unprecedented growth, the Northwest hop industry has been almost single-handedly responsible for establishing the U.S. as the No. 1 producer of hops in the world, accounting for 42 percent of all production.Washington boasts nearly 70 percent of U.S. production, with 98 percent of U.S. hops grown...
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Asparagus 2235457

Focus on fresh: Asparagus yields improving after market collapse

Laura Kostad
After years spent recovering from the collapse of the U.S. asparagus industry, Washington has experienced steady growth as local producers find new ways to adapt to the changed market.Thirty years ago, Washington was the world’s center for asparagus production, producing   100 million pounds in 1990, said Alan Schreiber, an...
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Pok wine village

Redefining Kennewick’s downtown areas

Laura Kostad
A return to small towns and reconnecting to the waterfront is the idea behind the Port of Kennewick and city of Kennewick’s joint project to develop vacant riverfront property.The goal is to cultivate “new energy, vitality, business and jobs and provide a gathering place for people,” said Kennewick Mayor Steve...
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Port of pasco airport 4

Port plans more airport improvements

Laura Kostad
The new Tri-Cities Airport terminal opened in February 2017 and the Port of Pasco is planning more improvements in coming months.Also on the horizon are plans to develop the port’s 60-acre marine terminal area just east of the cable bridge.The $41.9 million airport project nearly doubled the size of the...
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