Local News Archives - Tri-Cities Area Journal of Business

State sales of marijuana have topped $1.7 billion, but marijuana remains classified as an illegal Schedule I controlled substance under federal law — the highest and most serious tier. This presents tax and banking challenges for business owners. (Courtesy Michael Schroeder of AgingEnt.com)

Thriving marijuana businesses face sober financial realities

By Michelle Dupler Marijuana retail sales were a nearly $1.7 billion business in Washington in the 2016 fiscal year, but business owners who are still technically breaking federal drug laws are left to ponder, “What do we do with the money?” For Steve Lee, owner of Finley-based Green2Go, the answer is to re-invest some of […]

Finley pot shop moving to larger space

1 week ago by Guest Contributor

By Michelle Dupler The legal marijuana business is booming for Finley-based Green2Go. The retail shop soon will move to a larger space where it can accommodate more cash registers and more customers. Green2Go obtained a $78,200 building permit for a commercial remodel of the property at 214307 E. Highway 397. Owner Steve Lee said the […]

Capital budget impasse ties up several Mid-Columbia projects

1 week ago by John Stang

Plans to speed up construction of a new Washington National Guard center in the Horn Rapids area have stalled because state lawmakers can’t resolve an unrelated water rights dispute. That water rights impasse also has slowed work on upgrading a Highway 395 interchange in south Kennewick, building a science center at the LIGO site, constructing […]

The 1978 Leonetti Cab is hailed as one of the greatest wines in Washington history. (Courtesy Andy Perdue/Great Northwest Wine)

Kennewick man donates rare wine collection to charity auction

1 week ago by Guest Contributor

By Andy Perdue A complete vertical of Leonetti Cellar’s legendary Cabernet Sauvignon — including perhaps the single most important wine ever made in Washington — will go up for bid at the 30th annual Auction of Washington Wines. The Auction of Washington Wines takes place Aug. 17-19 on the grounds of Chateau Ste. Michelle in […]

Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory Director Liyuan Liang, right, shares a laugh with former EMSL Director Thom Dunning during a two-day celebration earlier this month recognizing 20 years of scientific achievements at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory in Richland. (Courtesy PNNL)

EMSL celebrates 20 years of scientific achievement

1 week ago by TCAJOB Staff

A unique user facility in Richland that has helped scientists around the world shape their ideas and find answers to some of the most challenging scientific questions celebrated two decades of achievement this month. Scientists, community leaders and others gathered Aug. 3-4 to celebrate the first 20 years of the Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory, or EMSL. […]

Columbia Label owner, Steve Hall, stands next to a new $1 million digital press inside his Benton City company. A second machine, the 2018 Digicon finishing press, will arrive in January. The business provides labels for more than 75 wineries, including Tagaris and Badger Mountain Vineyards, as well as specialty food clients.

Columbia Label expands to better serve Northwest wine industry

1 week ago by Jessica Hoefer

Columbia Label recently installed its first of two $1 million dollar machines to help better meet the needs of Northwest wineries. The company provides labels for more than 75 wineries, including Tagaris and Badger Mountain Vineyards, as well as specialty food clients. Its new Indigo WS6800 Digital Press is the top digital wine label printer […]

CBC narrows presidential search to three candidates

1 week ago by TCAJOB Staff

Three finalists seeking to serve as the president of Columbia Basin College are scheduled to visit the campus this month for interviews with students, staff and the college’s Board of Trustees. They are seeking to fill the position formerly held by Rich Cummins, who resigned as president of the college in March after 27 years […]

Where do we go from here to provide a Hirst fix to Washington families?

1 week ago by Guest Contributor

By Madilynne Clark “Where do we go from here?” seems to be the question at the top of everyone’s minds, after the failure of the Legislature to find a solution to the problems caused by the Hirst decision. The third special legislative session concluded unceremoniously on July 20 and our elected officials left Olympia without […]

Rural Washington business would benefit from manufacturing tax relief

1 week ago by Guest Contributor

By Kris Johnson The state Legislature took longer than anyone wanted to finish its priority project – the two-year state operating budget. None of us wanted to see that, but good results came of that extra time: a bipartisan budget and tax plan that not only put record amounts of new dollars — $7.3 billion […]

Mustang Sign Group in Kennewick is a state-certified woman-owned business. Owner Lauran Wang has completed one project because of the designation.

Certifications aim to help women-, minority-owned companies

1 week ago by Guest Contributor

By Robin Wojtanik An entrepreneurial spirit, combined with ingenuity and determination has helped Salina Savage grow her Richland-based business to the point where she may no longer be designated a small business. She’s had help along the way from the Washington State Office of Minority and Women’s Business Enterprises, or OMWBE. The Olympia-based office certifies […]