By Robin WojtanikThe Tri-Cities has seen the creation of thousands of new jobs in manufacturing, despite a loss of manufacturing jobs across the state.Jobs in food processing led the way for the region, with gains in non-durable manufacturing up 2.9 percent between March 2016 and March 2017, which translates to...
By Michelle DuplerWhen your job is to make the best hydraulic jack you can, also understanding how to reach customers on Facebook might be outside your toolbox.But for manufacturing businesses in Washington state, help is available through a program that aims to help small and medium-sized manufacturers to change, grow...
By Laura KostadMiramac Metals Inc. opened a new manufacturing facility a year ago in Pasco and is already considering a future expansion.The Mead-based company supplies a diverse offering of customized steel products, including corrugated, ribbed and snap-lock panel profiles, to commercial and residential customers in the rapidly growing Tri-City region.Miramac...
By Robin WojtanikThe availability of inexpensive fitness options is increasing in the Tri-Cities with the opening of COR Fit in Richland and the new Planet Fitness in Kennewick. Each gym is available to users on a month-to-month basis, with no long-term contracts required.COR stands for “city of Richland” and is...
An expanded Verizon Wireless store is under construction at Columbia Center mall in Kennewick.The cellphone store is expanding into 1,400 square feet that will encompass the former Starbucks shop inside suite 802 to create more space for suite 805.Starbucks moved to a kiosk in front of the mall’s food court...
By Paul G. NeifferFarm couples can be worth about $11 million and not owe any federal estate tax. However, farmers in Washington state are subject to a state estate tax which starts at a little more than $2 million of net worth and the tax rate reaches 20 percent at...
By Michelle DuplerBenton County and Washington state marijuana retail sales bloomed in fiscal year 2016, and the high appears to have continued into 2017, according to data from the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board.[blockquote quote="We’re your grandma’s cannabis store." source="Steve Lee, owner of Green2Go" align="right" max_width="300px"]Retail sales in Benton...
By Marilou SheaThis column is exclusively about one of our universally favorite things: food. Marilou Shea,Pasco Specialty KitchenIt contributes to our economy in all kinds of ways, from agriculture, processing and manufacturers, to talented entrepreneurs, cultural heritage, restaurants, food trucks, farmers markets and farm-to-table efforts.Farm-to-table is a cool concept but...
By Beau RuffAs the center of Washington’s agricultural empire, it is important to recognize the planning opportunities afforded the Washington farmer in the Tri-Cities. This column explores the use of the family farm LLC for business succession planning. Beau Ruff,Cornerstone Wealth StrategiesThe quintessential farmer is land rich and cash poor....
By Aaron SparksIn a tight agricultural labor market, many Washington state farmers and fruit growers struggle to find workers during harvest season. In Washington, of course, much of the discussion revolves around apples, the state’s top crop, which, at $2.4 billion, accounts for nearly 25 percent of the state’s agricultural...
