Tri-Cities Area Journal of Business Business-focused real estate and construction news for Benton and Franklin Counties, WA https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/rss/articles Smoky skies this weekend? New WSU tool has your forecast Planning outdoor activities this weekend? Before you head out, a new interactive map from Washington State University can tell you whether smoky skies will be a problem. Planning outdoor activities this weekend? Before you head out, a new interactive map from Washington State University can tell you whether smoky skies will be a problem. 

]]> Thu, 30 Jul 2026 21:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/smoky-skies-this-weekend-new-wsu-tool-has-your-forecast http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8186 Shop known for custom ice cream creations opens in Richland Richland has a new reason to scream for ice cream. Richland has a new reason to scream for ice cream. 

]]> Thu, 30 Jul 2026 21:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/shop-known-for-custom-ice-cream-creations-opens-in-richland http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8185 Bankrupt West Richland winemaker sells wine label A California-based winery has bought the branding for a West Richland winemaker that declared bankruptcy earlier this year. A California-based winery has bought the branding for a West Richland winemaker that declared bankruptcy earlier this year. 

]]> Thu, 30 Jul 2026 21:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/bankrupt-west-richland-winemaker-sells-wine-label http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8184 Spirit Halloween readies for spooky season It’s three months until Halloween and one of the holiday’s primary retailers has announced which vacant Tri-Cities storefronts it will bring back from the dead for the season. It’s three months until Halloween and one of the holiday’s primary retailers has announced which vacant Tri-Cities storefronts it will bring back from the dead for the season. 

]]> Wed, 29 Jul 2026 21:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/spirit-halloween-readies-for-spooky-season http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8183 A new spot for your chicken fix is open in Pasco Another fast-food restaurant specializing in southern-style chicken has opened in the Tri-Cities. Another fast-food restaurant specializing in southern-style chicken has opened in the Tri-Cities. 

]]> Wed, 29 Jul 2026 21:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/a-new-spot-for-your-chicken-fix-is-open-in-pasco http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8182 Opening date set for Tri-Cities’ first Nordstrom Rack Nordstrom shoppers, prepare yourselves: Nordstrom Rack has announced the opening date for its Kennewick store and there will be deals to be had. Nordstrom shoppers, prepare yourselves: Nordstrom Rack has announced the opening date for its Kennewick store and there will be deals to be had. 

]]> Wed, 29 Jul 2026 21:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/opening-date-set-for-tri-cities-first-nordstrom-rack http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8181 Completed student aid applications hit new high mark with WA’s Class of 2026 The achievement marks back-to-back years that Washington high schoolers set a record for the number of completed financial aid applications. The achievement marks back-to-back years that Washington high schoolers set a record for the number of completed financial aid applications. 

]]> Tue, 28 Jul 2026 21:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/completed-student-aid-applications-hit-new-high-mark-with-was-class-of-2026 http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8179 Yakama Nation, solar developer reach settlement The Yakama Nation has reached a settlement with the developers of a 1,300-acre solar energy project that tribal leaders said would encroach upon sites where the Yakamas traditionally gather food and medicine. The Yakama Nation has reached a settlement with the developers of a 1,300-acre solar energy project that tribal leaders said would encroach upon sites where the Yakamas traditionally gather food and medicine. 

]]> Tue, 28 Jul 2026 21:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/yakama-nation-solar-developer-reach-settlement http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8178 Hanford site team, partners complete melter test ahead of schedule Hanford site contractors, U.S. Department of Energy officials and other partners recently completed a test of technology for the still-under-construction High-Level Waste Facility of the site’s Waste Treatment and Immobilization Plant two months ahead of schedule. Hanford site contractors, U.S. Department of Energy officials and other partners recently completed a test of technology for the still-under-construction High-Level Waste Facility of the site’s Waste Treatment and Immobilization Plant two months ahead of schedule. 

]]> Tue, 28 Jul 2026 21:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/hanford-site-team-partners-complete-melter-test-ahead-of-schedule http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8177 WA postal workers unite for Day of Action to protect the USPS Postal workers in Washington state and across the country are joining together for a day of action July 28 to protect the U.S. Postal Service from what organizers call the threat of privatization. Postal workers in Washington state and across the country are joining together for a day of action July 28 to protect the U.S. Postal Service from what organizers call the threat of privatization. 

]]> Mon, 27 Jul 2026 21:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/wa-postal-workers-unite-for-day-of-action-to-protect-the-usps http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8168 Report highlights Washington’s changing business climate A new report from a business-focused nonprofit points to slowing job growth, a difficult tax environment and other pressures as suppressing business in the state. A new report from a business-focused nonprofit points to slowing job growth, a difficult tax environment and other pressures as suppressing business in the state. 

]]> Mon, 27 Jul 2026 21:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/report-highlights-washingtons-changing-business-climate http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8167 PNNL, Amazon look at AI to solve grid challenges Researchers at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory are teaming up with one of Amazon’s companies to find artificial intelligence tools that can help make the electric grid more reliable and secure. Researchers at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory are teaming up with one of Amazon’s companies to find artificial intelligence tools that can help make the electric grid more reliable and secure. 

]]> Mon, 27 Jul 2026 21:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/pnnl-amazon-look-at-ai-to-solve-grid-challenges http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8166 Report: Cost of construction materials continues to climb Builders saw slightly lower materials costs in June compared to May but prices are still highly elevated compared to a year ago. Builders saw slightly lower materials costs in June compared to May but prices are still highly elevated compared to a year ago. 

]]> Sun, 26 Jul 2026 21:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/report-cost-of-construction-materials-continues-to-climb http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8165 WA education savings plan sees growth Washington’s official investment education savings plan has seen strong growth in the last year, demonstrating an increased demand by families to save for their childrens’ education and career goals. Washington’s official investment education savings plan has seen strong growth in the last year, demonstrating an increased demand by families to save for their childrens’ education and career goals. 

]]> Sun, 26 Jul 2026 21:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/wa-education-savings-plan-sees-growth http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8164 Lamb Weston sees upward trajectory to wrap up fiscal year One of the Tri-Cities' largest employers closed out its 2026 fiscal year on a high note according to its latest quarterly report. One of the Tri-Cities' largest employers closed out its 2026 fiscal year on a high note according to its latest quarterly report. 

]]> Sun, 26 Jul 2026 21:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/lamb-weston-sees-upward-trajectory-to-wrap-up-fiscal-year http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8163 Pasco to unveil Peanuts Park statue The city of Pasco is unveiling a new statue at Peanuts Park tomorrow, honoring Noburo “Peanuts” Fukuda. The city of Pasco is unveiling a new statue at Peanuts Park tomorrow, honoring Noburo “Peanuts” Fukuda.  

]]> Thu, 23 Jul 2026 21:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/pasco-to-unveil-peanuts-park-statue http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8162 Study: Tens of millions of unhappy workers stay in jobs because of health insurance Nearly one in four U.S. workers – about 23 million adults – are staying put in jobs they want to leave because of the fear of losing healthcare coverage, according to a recent study. Nearly one in four U.S. workers – about 23 million adults – are staying put in jobs they want to leave because of the fear of losing healthcare coverage, according to a recent study. 

]]> Thu, 23 Jul 2026 21:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/study-tens-of-millions-of-unhappy-workers-stay-in-jobs-because-of-health-insurance http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8161 Report: Tri-Cities job market contracts over past year Unemployment is markedly worse in the Tri-Cities compared to a year ago according to the latest figures released by the Washington Employment Security Department. Unemployment is markedly worse in the Tri-Cities compared to a year ago according to the latest figures released by the Washington Employment Security Department. 

]]> Thu, 23 Jul 2026 21:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/report-tri-cities-job-market-contracts-over-past-year http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8160 Washington’s Board of Education proposes new high school graduation requirements High school students in Washington may soon have more options to connect coursework with their career plans. High school students in Washington may soon have more options to connect coursework with their career plans.   

]]> Wed, 22 Jul 2026 21:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8159-washingtons-board-of-education-proposes-new-high-school-graduation-requirements http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8159 BFT offers free shuttles to Art in the Park If trying to find a parking spot near Howard Amon Park in Richland to attend Art in the Park this weekend sounds tricky, consider hopping on one of Ben Franklin Transit’s free shuttles. If trying to find a parking spot near Howard Amon Park in Richland to attend Art in the Park this weekend sounds tricky, consider hopping on one of Ben Franklin Transit’s free shuttles. 

]]> Wed, 22 Jul 2026 21:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8158-bft-offers-free-shuttles-to-art-in-the-park http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8158 Gesa Credit Union to acquire Salem-based bank Gesa Credit Union has entered an agreement to acquire a Salem, Oregon-based community bank. If approved, the acquisition would establish Gesa’s first Oregon branches. Gesa Credit Union has entered an agreement to acquire a Salem, Oregon-based community bank. If approved, the acquisition would establish Gesa’s first Oregon branches.  

]]> Wed, 22 Jul 2026 21:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8157-gesa-credit-union-to-acquire-salem-based-bank http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8157 New effort underway to understand WA’s budget shortfalls Tue, 21 Jul 2026 21:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/new-effort-underway-to-understand-was-budget-shortfalls http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8156 WSU unveils AI-focused career certificate programs Washington State University’s Carson College of Business now has opportunities for those looking to bolster their skills or break into new roles in the realms of artificial intelligence, automation, analytics and project management. Washington State University’s Carson College of Business now has opportunities for those looking to bolster their skills or break into new roles in the realms of artificial intelligence, automation, analytics and project management. 

]]> Tue, 21 Jul 2026 21:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/wsu-unveils-ai-focused-career-certificate-programs http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8155 Workforce development council seeks new partners for services Has your organization developed an innovative way to help individuals develop workforce skills? The Benton-Franklin Workforce Development Council wants to hear from you. Has your organization developed an innovative way to help individuals develop workforce skills? The Benton-Franklin Workforce Development Council wants to hear from you. 

]]> Tue, 21 Jul 2026 21:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/workforce-development-council-seeks-new-partners-for-services http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8154 Richland launches community survey The city of Richland is looking for feedback from its residents on quality of life, city services and priorities for the future. The city of Richland is looking for feedback from its residents on quality of life, city services and priorities for the future. 

]]> Mon, 20 Jul 2026 21:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/richland-launches-community-survey http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8153 Effort to end AI-driven Medicare program fails A Medicare pilot program that uses artificial intelligence to make coverage decisions will continue to be used in Washington state for the time being. A Medicare pilot program that uses artificial intelligence to make coverage decisions will continue to be used in Washington state for the time being. 

]]> Mon, 20 Jul 2026 21:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/effort-to-end-ai-driven-medicare-program-fails http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8152 Weigh in on pending energy code changes for housing, other construction projects One of the state’s leading construction industry advocates is encouraging its members to weigh in on the good and the bad in the latest update of the state’s 2024 energy code before it’s adopted. One of the state’s leading construction industry advocates is encouraging its members to weigh in on the good and the bad in the latest update of the state’s 2024 energy code before it’s adopted. 

]]> Mon, 20 Jul 2026 21:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8151-weigh-in-on-pending-energy-code-changes-for-housing-other-construction-projects http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8151 Kraken CEO: ‘Fear in the business community’ Tod Leiweke, CEO of the Kraken NHL team and one of the key figures pushingto return the SuperSonics NBA franchise to Seattle, dished up some economic words of warning for state lawmakers on July 16. Tod Leiweke, CEO of the Kraken NHL team and one of the key figures pushingto return the SuperSonics NBA franchise to Seattle, dished up some economic words of warning for state lawmakers on July 16. 

]]> Sun, 19 Jul 2026 21:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/kraken-ceo-fear-in-the-business-community http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8150 Hydroplanes on display Hoping to get a close-up look at some hydroplanes before boat race weekend? You’ll have the chance on Wednesday, July 22. Hoping to get a close-up look at some hydroplanes before boat race weekend? You’ll have the chance on Wednesday, July 22.  

]]> Sun, 19 Jul 2026 21:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/hydroplanes-on-display http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8149 Richland road closes for pavement treatment Planning on using Leslie Road tonight? Look out for closures for pavement treatment.

Planning on using Leslie Road tonight? Look out for closures for pavement treatment.

]]> Thu, 16 Jul 2026 21:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/richland-road-closes-for-pavement-treatment http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8148