The recent Ironman triathlon once again brought thousands of visitors and millions of dollars in spending to the Tri-Cities. With a new three-year agreement in place, the region can expect that economic boost each September through 2029.

A Richland-based company that developed a way to convert waste to alternate energy sources such as hydrogen has filed for bankruptcy, indicating federal contracts canceled by the Trump administration cost it upward of $50 million in potential revenues.

A bus carrying lawmakers, students and business leaders rolled through the Tri-Cities as part of a statewide tour highlighting Washington manufacturers and their role in the economy.

This year’s Benton Franklin Fair & Rodeo broke records with its Market Stock Sale. The five-day event drew thousands of visitors, creating millions of dollars of economic impact.

Realistic budgeting. Restraint and thorough review of new taxes. Reduce regulation and permitting and licensing timelines. 

The latest projections of job growth for Washington state aren’t anything to write home about, but the Tri-Cities appear to be a relatively bright spot among a lackluster jobs forecast.

With contract negotiations nearing a critical deadline, hundreds of Washington state workers recently walked off the job for an hour to highlight demands for wage hikes in their next two-year deal.

The president of a nonprofit coalition of the state’s largest companies doesn’t deny business owners are feeling pressured from all sides. But Rachel Smith, president of Washington Roundtable, is “not part of the Chicken Little crowd."

The cost to buy a home is up, inflation is wreaking havoc and fuel prices are reaching record highs, but you’d never know from looking at Americans’ spending habits. 

Employers are becoming more pessimistic about the state economy and increasingly looking outside Washington to expand. At this pivotal moment, Washington needs a long-term economic development plan that gives employers the confidence to invest, grow and build their future here.