Our View

We must take care of Hanford’s legacy to embrace our energy future

Thu, 09 Apr 2026 10:30:00 -0400

Each year, Hanford becomes less a question of science and safety and more a recurring budget battle. But the mission is neither optional nor temporary: It is a legal and moral obligation. If there were ever a time to move beyond stop-and-go funding and commit to finishing the job, it is now.

When government goes silent, trust suffers

Thu, 12 Feb 2026 12:00:00 -0500

Government works best out in the open and in the light. When public agencies make critical decisions behind closed doors, the people they serve are left guessing and trust suffers.

Resolve is important in a year of rising costs, uncertainties

Thu, 15 Jan 2026 12:00:00 -0500

Across the Tri-Cities, there is shared recognition that the path forward is less predictable than in years past, but also a determination to adapt and endure.

Celebrating a year of community, connection and shared success

Fri, 12 Dec 2025 12:00:00 -0500

As we reach the close of another year, all of us at the Tri-Cities Area Journal of Business want to extend our gratitude to those who make our work possible: our readers, advertisers, community partners and the broader Mid-Columbia community.

We can’t afford to lose this much talent. PNNL layoffs put scientific progress at risk

Thu, 11 Sep 2025 09:00:00 -0400

The real risk of PNNL layoffs is brain drain on a national scale.

Attracting great workers starts with understanding what they value

Thu, 12 Jun 2025 11:00:00 -0400

This year marks our second annual Best Places to Work Mid-Columbia program that recognizes Tri-City area employers creating cultures that make employees proud to work there. Does your business have a workplace culture like this?

SMRs will bring opportunities, challenges and jobs. Are we ready?

Thu, 15 May 2025 12:00:00 -0400

Small modular reactors offer a pragmatic and scalable path to reliable energy. With backing from government and the private sector, the Tri-Cities and the broader U.S. have a chance to lead a nuclear energy renaissance.

Federal cuts, tariffs spark alarm but let’s take the long view

Thu, 13 Mar 2025 12:25:00 -0400

It’s too soon to know what the Tri-City repercussions will be from the federal government’s mass layoffs and tariff wars.

Let’s consider measured approach to ag innovation in the Tri-Cities

Thu, 13 Feb 2025 12:00:00 -0500

The question isn’t whether innovation is needed, but how this proposed center can best complement and enhance existing efforts.

Let’s remain united behind our legacy of energy leadership

Thu, 16 Jan 2025 12:32:02 -0500

The Tri-Cities has mobilized a unified front to attract a major nuclear supply chain manufacturer.

It’s been a year of milestones and major developments

Fri, 13 Dec 2024 12:00:00 -0500

After a year of milestones and major developments in our community – from the Amazon warehouse coming online in Pasco to Costco’s decision to open a warehouse in Richland, we’re pleased to present our final edition of 2024 to you.

Let’s choose business-minded leaders this election

Mon, 14 Oct 2024 11:00:00 -0400

We have some advice and resources to offer for making business-minded decisions when voters sit down to tick off the boxes on their ballots, which hit mailboxes in mid-October.

A necessary step for Pasco’s future

Thu, 16 May 2024 12:00:00 -0400

After years of financial mismanagement and controversy, the decision by the Pasco City Council to disband the beleaguered Downtown Pasco Development Authority reflects a commitment to accountability and transparency. It also provides an opportunity to set things right – and perhaps rebuild public trust.

To fortify our economy, we must face the coming workforce challenges

Mon, 15 Apr 2024 09:00:00 -0400

Each year the Tri-Cities Area Journal of Business shines a spotlight on the work being done at the Hanford site north of Richland and how the robust injection of federal dollars weaves a vital thread through our local economy.

Is your business among the Best Places to Work? Sign up to find out

Fri, 15 Mar 2024 10:00:00 -0400

The Tri-Cities Area Journal of Business, along with some outstanding partners, have launched the Best Places to Work Mid-Columbia program. The business-focused program will recognize Tri-City area employers doing things right and creating cultures that make employees proud to work there.

Hats off to Tri-Cities nonprofit working to expand EV rideshare program

Wed, 14 Feb 2024 10:00:00 -0500

By summer’s end a Tri-Cities nonprofit expects to have a fleet of 10 electric vehicles and possibly an accessible electric van available for use as part of a community car share program.

Addressing state’s child care challenges is a tall order

Fri, 12 Jan 2024 08:12:27 -0500

It is crucial for policymakers, businesses and communities to collaborate on innovative solutions that address the growing need for quality child care, which relies on offering livable wages and benefits to child care employees.

Join us as we chart course for the year ahead. We think it’ll be an exciting one

Thu, 14 Dec 2023 08:27:11 -0500

In an industry known for cuts and scale backs, we’ve been adding rich content.

Welcome to our new website

kristina@tcjournal.biz — Mon, 27 Nov 2023 15:22:35 -0500

We are proud to pull back the curtains on this project that’s been several months in the making: our new and improved website.

Want to support local economy? We have a few suggestions

Tue, 21 Nov 2023 11:07:02 -0500

Community land trusts unlock affordable way to get homeowners their own place

Thu, 12 Oct 2023 12:00:29 -0400

We write a lot about housing, from homebuilding to home sales and the housing market. This edition is no exception, but it also offers stories about the need for affordable homes for the working middle class and features a nonprofit providing housing...

Our new business-focused lists will be a valuable resource

Thu, 14 Sep 2023 16:57:12 -0400

In today’s rapidly evolving business landscape, staying informed and connected is key to success.

We’re excited to launch a new feature this month that we know will become a valuable resource to the Tri-Cities business community – business-focused lists.

Each month the Journal will run at least two business-focused lists...

Wanted: Mentors ready to invest in young people

Thu, 14 Sep 2023 15:58:48 -0400

I think we can all agree that the experiences we had growing up built us into the adults we became. To ensure a positive future for our community, we need to provide young people with positive experiences that encourage, empower and equip them to dream and grow to...

We’ll be glad to see more pint-size places popping up in the Tri-Cities

Mon, 14 Aug 2023 12:44:18 -0400

They’re known by many names – backyard cottages, in-law suites, granny flats, mother-in-law apartments, guest homes, casitas – but building codes don’t have cutesy names for them. They’re designated as “accessory dwelling units,” or ADUs.

No matter what they’re called, we expect to see more of them in the...

Tri-Cities’ population continues upward trajectory

Thu, 13 Jul 2023 12:26:50 -0400

We’ve all heard grumblings about delays from road construction projects and the dread of adding more traffic in areas where new construction is underway or planned.

But let’s pause to consider what this means for our economy.

The Tri-Cities grew at a faster rate than the state average in the...

Our ag industry thrives on robust trade connections. Let’s keep it that way

Wed, 14 Jun 2023 14:42:46 -0400

Washington may be well known for its shiny Red Delicious apples, but the rest of the world also really wants our potatoes – and more specifically, our tasty french fries.
Nearly $970 million in frozen french fries – made from Washington-grown potatoes – were exported to other countries...

There’s value in listening to our readers

Fri, 12 May 2023 12:22:21 -0400

When we asked our readers to participate in our recent survey about their habits and priorities, they didn’t disappoint.

We had a terrific response, far exceeding our modest expectations.

We’re also happy to announce the winner of our survey drawing for the Dust Devils entertainment basket: Todd Nelson. Congratulations!

Among the...

We’re listening, and it’s your turn to share (Pssst … you can even win a prize!)

Thu, 13 Apr 2023 12:56:00 -0400

When we take the time to listen to one another, we often learn a lot.We’re hoping to discover more about you, dear reader.That’s why we’re asking you to fill out a short online survey – it shouldn’t take more than 5-10 minutes – so we can better understand you and...

Tri-Cities boasts ag, energy and innovation trifecta

Fri, 10 Feb 2023 15:12:32 -0500

If Tri-City visionaries get their way, we soon could be home to think tanks focused on ways to support the agriculture and energy sectors.That’s welcome news in a region where the two industries help to bolster our economy.Plans to establish an Agricultural Innovation Center were announced at Tri-City Development Council’s...

Pasco council gets serious about addressing ‘systemic issues’ at DPDA

Wed, 14 Dec 2022 17:05:43 -0500

The Pasco City Council faced a difficult decision in its final meeting of 2022.Should it fund the Downtown Pasco Development Authority, the troubled nonprofit responsible for managing the Pasco Specialty Kitchen, Cinco de Mayo, Fiery Foods Festival and downtown business revitalization efforts?In the end, it said “yes,” voting 5-2 to...