The greater Tri-Cities is rich with STEM jobs.The chart, taken from the Vitals of the Association of Washington Business Institute, makes this clear.The density of STEM jobs in 2021 in the two-county workforce was slightly over 5.6%. That places the metro area at the top of the heap for STEM...

Over the course of the pandemic, using technology to connect with family and friends was a lifeline for so many, but a switch away from 3G – third-generation wireless – could leave loved ones in a lurch.This year, wireless carriers are shutting off 3G coverage, forcing consumers to replace older...

By Derek Sandison Derek Sandison,Washington Department of AgricultureWhen it comes to growing food, it all starts with the weather. No doubt, the weather is having a substantial impact on agriculture of late.In 2021, the lack of spring rains and low soil moisture resulted in difficult growing conditions for dryland agriculture,...

By Mary CoffmanLike all agricultural producers in the state, Washington’s wine grape growers have faced myriad challenges since the onset of the pandemic.Tasting room closures, hot temperatures, wildfires, inflation.“It won’t go back to what the market looked like prior to Covid,” said Vicky Scharlau, executive director of the Washington Wine...

By Jared BalcomDespite all the changes the nation has experienced over the two-plus years of this pandemic, the U.S. potato industry remains as committed as ever to fighting for federal policies that protect our businesses, our families and the communities we support. Years ago, when I first attended the potato industry’s...

By Pam LewisonFor some farmers, growing potatoes is about a passion for growing things and connecting with consumers.Reagan Grabner, of CSS Farms, is one of those farmers. His family is one of the more than 300 families who make up Washington state’s potato growers.“I was raised on a wheat farm...

By Mary CoffmanMore than 84.6 million pounds of hops were grown in Washington in 2021, a 14.1% increase over 2020.“We were all kind of surprised to see a record crop last year, after the spring heat dome, which hit when the vines were vulnerable,” said Maggie Elliot, science and communications...

It’s hard to prepare for the future if you’re only checking the rearview mirror.That’s why the AWB Institute has launched a new tool called FutureCast to provide employers, policymakers and community leaders with a forward-looking view of how growth is likely to affect Washington state and every community within it.The...

Before the Covid-19 pandemic rocked the world, factory workers were humming along assembling products just after components were delivered. It was called “just-in-time” production. It was efficient, predictable and cost effective.Today, companies scramble just to find parts, lock in purchases (and hopefully prices) and work around estimated delivery schedules. It...

Parents who have built a successful business and have raised capable children might find the proposition of selling the family business to the children compelling.As with so many decisions in life, this proposition comes with pros and cons, but properly structuring the transaction is always vital.At the outset, the parents...