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 Groundbreaking for Kennewick VA clinic announced On the cusp of Veterans Day, officials from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs medical center in Walla Walla will come to the Tri-Cities to officially break ground on the planned outpatient clinic in Kennewick. On the cusp of Veterans Day, officials from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs medical center in Walla Walla will come to the Tri-Cities to officially break ground on the planned outpatient clinic in Kennewick. 

]]> Thu, 29 Oct 2026 21:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/groundbreaking-for-kennewick-va-clinic-announced http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8582 The percentage of people without health insurance is growing The percentage of working-age adults without health insurance has increased in the past two years, largely because many people can no longer afford Obamacare coverage after Congress allowed federal subsidies to expire at the end of last year. The percentage of working-age adults without health insurance has increased in the past two years, largely because many people can no longer afford Obamacare coverage after Congress allowed federal subsidies to expire at the end of last year. 

]]> Thu, 29 Oct 2026 21:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/the-percentage-of-people-without-health-insurance-is-growing http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8581 Historic Preservation Grant application window open Agencies and organizations pursuing historic preservation projects or programs in Benton County are encouraged to apply for a grant from the county’s Historical Preservation Fund. Agencies and organizations pursuing historic preservation projects or programs in Benton County are encouraged to apply for a grant from the county’s Historical Preservation Fund. 

]]> Thu, 29 Oct 2026 21:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/historic-preservation-grant-application-window-open http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8580 Hanford marks new record for pre-treating tank waste The system that removes nearly all the radioactivity from tank waste stored at Hanford before it is stabilized in glass processed the most waste ever in a single run in September. The system that removes nearly all the radioactivity from tank waste stored at Hanford before it is stabilized in glass processed the most waste ever in a single run in September. 

]]> Wed, 28 Oct 2026 21:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/hanford-marks-new-record-for-pre-treating-tank-waste http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8576 WSU Tri-Cities grad named head of WSU College of Nursing A two-time WSU Tri-Cities alumna who has led the WSU system’s College of Nursing on an interim basis for the past year now has the job permanently. A two-time WSU Tri-Cities alumna who has led the WSU system’s College of Nursing on an interim basis for the past year now has the job permanently. 

]]> Wed, 28 Oct 2026 21:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/wsu-tri-cities-grad-named-head-of-wsu-college-of-nursing http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8575 Numerica to merge with Oregon credit union Spokane Valley-based Numerica Credit Union will merge with Oregon’s SELCO Community Credit Union, creating an institution with $8 billion in assets, nearly 40 branches and more than 325,000 members across three states. Spokane Valley-based Numerica Credit Union will merge with Oregon’s SELCO Community Credit Union, creating an institution with $8 billion in assets, nearly 40 branches and more than 325,000 members across three states. 

]]> Wed, 28 Oct 2026 21:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/numerica-to-merge-with-oregon-credit-union http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8574 Ironman Foundation donates to Tri-City organizations The philanthropic arm of global organization that has brought the Ironman triathlon to the Tri-Cities for the past three years provided $18,000 in grants to organizations that volunteered at the 2026 competition. The philanthropic arm of global organization that has brought the Ironman triathlon to the Tri-Cities for the past three years provided $18,000 in grants to organizations that volunteered at the 2026 competition. 

]]> Tue, 27 Oct 2026 21:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/ironman-foundation-donates-to-tri-city-organizations http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8572 Washington lawmakers will weigh universal primary care bill A bill headed to Olympia in the coming legislative session would move Washington down the path toward universal healthcare, creating building blocks to guarantee every resident access to low-cost or free primary care.

A bill headed to Olympia in the coming legislative session would move Washington down the path toward universal healthcare, creating building blocks to guarantee every resident access to low-cost or free primary care. 

]]> Tue, 27 Oct 2026 21:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/washington-lawmakers-will-weigh-universal-primary-care-bill http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8569 State receives $13.2M to aid worker training, job hunting Two federal grants worth $13.2 million will be used by state labor officials to help workers train for and secure new jobs following layoffs and even reimburse employers for training workers in key industries. Two federal grants worth $13.2 million will be used by state labor officials to help workers train for and secure new jobs following layoffs and even reimburse employers for training workers in key industries. 

]]> Tue, 27 Oct 2026 09:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/state-receives-132m-to-aid-worker-training-job-hunting http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8573 Avian influenza detected in Benton County dairy herd State agriculture officials announced they have found highly pathogenic avian influenza, or HPAI, in a Benton County dairy herd, marking a new county where the virus has spread to. State agriculture officials announced they have found highly pathogenic avian influenza, or HPAI, in a Benton County dairy herd, marking a new county where the virus has spread to. 

]]> Mon, 26 Oct 2026 21:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/avian-influenza-detected-in-benton-county-dairy-herd http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8570 Heritage receives $2.5M grant to expand nursing education Toppenish-based Heritage University recently received a $2.5 million federal grant intended to create a new pathway for rural high school students to pursue four-year nursing degrees. Toppenish-based Heritage University recently received a $2.5 million federal grant intended to create a new pathway for rural high school students to pursue four-year nursing degrees. 

]]> Mon, 26 Oct 2026 21:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/heritage-receives-25m-grant-to-expand-nursing-education http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8568 Nuclear waste made workers sick. Despite a law meant to help, DOE keeps fighting their claims Lonnie Rouse shuffled into a wood-paneled conference room at the Washington state Capitol in March 2018. It had been nearly a decade since medical experts diagnosed him with a neurological disease they attributed to his exposure to chemicals at work. In the time since, he had acquired a stutter, begun limping and lost several teeth biting into a banana. Lonnie Rouse shuffled into a wood-paneled conference room at the Washington state Capitol in March 2018. It had been nearly a decade since medical experts diagnosed him with a neurological disease they attributed to his exposure to chemicals at work. In the time since, he had acquired a stutter, begun limping and lost several teeth biting into a banana.

]]> Mon, 26 Oct 2026 21:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/nuclear-waste-made-workers-sick-despite-a-law-meant-to-help-doe-keeps-fighting-their-claims http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8567 Banner Bank announces third quarter results Walla Walla-based Banner Bank saw its net income decline but its net interest income climb as it completed its acquisition of Western Washington bank. Walla Walla-based Banner Bank saw its net income decline but its net interest income climb as it completed its acquisition of Western Washington bank. 

]]> Sun, 25 Oct 2026 21:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/banner-bank-announces-third-quarter-results http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8560 Largest gas pipeline network in Northwest could grow The Oklahoma-based company that owns one of the largest gas pipeline networks in the Northwest is beginning to pursue permits to expand that network, and to pump more gas to the region to meet rising electricity demand. The Oklahoma-based company that owns one of the largest gas pipeline networks in the Northwest is beginning to pursue permits to expand that network, and to pump more gas to the region to meet rising electricity demand.

]]> Sun, 25 Oct 2026 21:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/largest-gas-pipeline-network-in-northwest-could-grow-as-oklahoma-based-owners-pursue-expansion http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8561 Survey: Cost of employer-sponsored health insurance plans rises again The price health insurance companies charge for employer-sponsored plans increased again this year, as did the deductible many people must pay before those plans begin covering most healthcare costs, according to a survey released Oct. 22 by the nonpartisan health organization KFF. The price health insurance companies charge for employer-sponsored plans increased again this year, as did the deductible many people must pay before those plans begin covering most healthcare costs, according to a survey released Oct. 22 by the nonpartisan health organization KFF.

]]> Sun, 25 Oct 2026 21:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/cost-of-employer-sponsored-health-insurance-plans-rises-again-nonpartisan-survey-finds http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8562 Cheaper manufactured homes could be having a moment, if only states can catch up For decades, manufactured home builders have been working to shed the old image of boxy trailer homes reserved for the outskirts of cities and suburbia. Now, a small change in federal regulations could open the door for architecture welcomed in more neighborhoods. For decades, manufactured home builders have been working to shed the old image of boxy trailer homes reserved for the outskirts of cities and suburbia. Now, a small change in federal regulations could open the door for architecture welcomed in more neighborhoods.

]]> Thu, 22 Oct 2026 21:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/manufactured-homes-having-a-moment http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8559 WA hospitals anticipate losing billions in revenue from Medicaid cuts Washington’s hospitals anticipate losing nearly $6 billion in revenue through 2033 due to steep Medicaid cuts in the coming months. Washington’s hospitals anticipate losing nearly $6 billion in revenue through 2033 due to steep Medicaid cuts in the coming months.

]]> Thu, 22 Oct 2026 21:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/wa-medicaid-cuts http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8558 Tri-City unemployment hits three-year low The percentage and number of workers claiming unemployment benefits in Benton and Franklin counties in September was at its lowest level in years, according to the state. The percentage and number of workers claiming unemployment benefits in Benton and Franklin counties in September was at its lowest level in years, according to the state.

]]> Thu, 22 Oct 2026 21:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/tc-unemployment http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8557 Alaska Airlines adds nonstop flights from Seattle to Tahiti and Japan Is the chill in the air making you dream of a tropical escape? Come mid-2027, you’ll be just a hop and a skip from Tahiti as Alaska Airlines once again expands its route offerings. Is the chill in the air making you dream of a tropical escape? Come mid-2027, you’ll be just a hop and a skip from Tahiti as Alaska Airlines once again expands its route offerings. 

]]> Wed, 21 Oct 2026 21:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/alaska-airlines-adds-nonstop-flights-from-seattle-to-tahiti-and-japan http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8556 Umatilla declares emergency over lost revenue from data center permit pause An eastern Oregon city that has for the last decade welcomed some of the largest data centers in the state is fighting Gov. Tina Kotek’s recent order meant to temporarily pause data center development, saying it could cost the city millions in direct financial losses. An eastern Oregon city that has for the last decade welcomed some of the largest data centers in the state is fighting Gov. Tina Kotek’s recent order meant to temporarily pause data center development, saying it could cost the city millions in direct financial losses. 

]]> Wed, 21 Oct 2026 21:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/umatilla-declares-emergency-over-lost-revenue-from-data-center-permit-pause http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8555 Amazon announces hundreds of seasonal jobs in the Tri-Cities Looking for a job, potentially something part time to help pay for your holiday celebrations? Amazon has opportunities. Looking for a job, potentially something part time to help pay for your holiday celebrations? Amazon has opportunities. 

]]> Wed, 21 Oct 2026 21:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/amazon-announces-hundreds-of-seasonal-jobs-in-the-tri-cities http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8554 X-energy, Amazon pursuing another SMR project Two of the companies planning to bring small modular nuclear reactors to the Tri-Cities are already planning for their next project. Two of the companies planning to bring small modular nuclear reactors to the Tri-Cities are already planning for their next project. 

]]> Tue, 20 Oct 2026 21:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/x-energy-amazon-pursuing-another-smr-project http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8551 Hispanic chamber announces annual award winners Members of the Tri-Cities Hispanic Chamber of Commerce have spoken and selected their 2026 Annual Gala Awards winners. Members of the Tri-Cities Hispanic Chamber of Commerce have spoken and selected their 2026 Annual Gala Awards winners. 


]]> Tue, 20 Oct 2026 21:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/hispanic-chamber-announces-annual-award-winners http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8550 Pasco High grad named top teacher in Nevada A Pasco High School graduate will compete to be the nation’s best teacher after being named 2027 Teacher of the Year in Nevada. A Pasco High School graduate will compete to be the nation’s best teacher after being named 2027 Teacher of the Year in Nevada. 

]]> Tue, 20 Oct 2026 21:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/pasco-high-grad-named-top-teacher-in-nevada http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8549 Data centers are now the largest financial bet in US history The sheer size of investment in data centers is drawing concern as it surpasses all other historical booms and crowds out other more job-creating ventures. The sheer size of investment in data centers is drawing concern as it surpasses all other historical booms and crowds out other more job-creating ventures. 

]]> Mon, 19 Oct 2026 21:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/data-centers-are-now-the-largest-financial-bet-in-us-history http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8546 Invasive beetle arrives in Eastern Washington, threatens ash trees The emerald ash borer, one of the most destructive invasive pests in the nation, has been detected in multiple trees outside of Walla Walla in Eastern Washington. The emerald ash borer, one of the most destructive invasive pests in the nation, has been detected in multiple trees outside of Walla Walla in Eastern Washington.

]]> Mon, 19 Oct 2026 21:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/invasive-beetle-arrives-in-eastern-washington-threatens-ash-trees http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8545 County learns about cloud seeding in response to drought Benton County commissioners are considering a cloud seeding pilot project for the Horse Heaven Hills in response to the persistent drought that is affecting the region. Benton County commissioners are considering a cloud seeding pilot project for the Horse Heaven Hills in response to the persistent drought that is affecting the region. 

]]> Mon, 19 Oct 2026 21:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/county-weighs-cloud-seeding-in-response-to-drought http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8544 Give feedback that moves people forward Feedback can be uncomfortable whether we’re giving it or receiving it. But here’s the reality: Without feedback, growth stalls. Feedback can be uncomfortable whether we’re giving it or receiving it. But here’s the reality: Without feedback, growth stalls. 

]]> Mon, 19 Oct 2026 10:49:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/casey-oct-2026 http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8547 Cost of construction materials continues to climb It’s becoming more expensive each month for builders to absorb cost increases for many construction materials, and that’s if they can get those products delivered on time. It’s becoming more expensive each month for builders to absorb cost increases for many construction materials, and that’s if they can get those products delivered on time. 

]]> Sun, 18 Oct 2026 21:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/cost-of-construction-materials-continues-to-climb http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8543 Washington energy debate centers on clean energy deadlines, rising utility costs Washington’s rising utility rates have exposed a central policy divide: Should the state make it easier for utilities to meet its clean energy mandates, or relax those mandates to contain costs and protect reliability? Washington’s rising utility rates have exposed a central policy divide: Should the state make it easier for utilities to meet its clean energy mandates, or relax those mandates to contain costs and protect reliability?

]]> Sun, 18 Oct 2026 21:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/washington-energy-debate-centers-on-clean-energy-deadlines-rising-utility-costs http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8542