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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

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$11.3 million in financing secured for The Commons apartments

June 14, 2018

Laura Kostad

Less than a year since construction wrapped up on The Commons at Innovation Center apartments in north Richland, $11.3 million in permanent financing has been secured as the complex closes in on full occupancy.Located in the Tri-Cities Research District across the street from The Lofts apartments, the 95,102-square-foot, 150-unit Commons...

Adams County to build waste treatment plant to lure food processors

June 14, 2018

Laura Kostad

Tri-Cities’ northern neighbor, Adams County, is moving forward with plans for infrastructure to support the growth of its food processing and distribution sectors, based on positive projections for the area’s potential as a low-cost hub for these industries.Results from two recent site selection studies conducted by The Boyd Company, a...

Waste treatment plant project relies on contracts with local businesses

May 16, 2018

Laura Kostad

With 79 percent of the Department of Energy’s waste treatment and immobilization plant’s support facilities having transitioned from the construction phase to startup, Bechtel is encouraging local small businesses to contribute their products and services to the project.“More opportunities are becoming available for small businesses as we get up and...

Tri-Cities’ first animal urgent care clinic opens in Kennewick

May 16, 2018

Laura Kostad

The Tri-Cities now has a walk-in veterinary clinic to handle daytime pet emergencies.Horse Heaven Hills Pet Urgent Care opened this month in the Southridge area of Kennewick.“We’re trying to fill a gap in the community,” said owner and veterinarian Dr. Sheila Erickson, who explained that previously there was no place...

Tri-City friends launch virtual pet store using cryptocurrencies

May 16, 2018

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...

Couple combine their passions for new dance, martial arts school

May 15, 2018

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...

Coeur d’Alene Resort completes $10 million in renovations

May 14, 2018

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...

Northwest Paddleboarding to open shop in Richland

May 14, 2018

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,...

Apple capital: State sends fruit to more than 60 countries

May 6, 2018

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...

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

May 6, 2018

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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