Journal of Business - August 2023

Will ADUs help with Tri-Cities housing squeeze?

By Sara Schilling sara@tcjournal.biz

It’s a scenario that’s growing increasingly common across the state:

“I’m thinking of building a guest home/mother-in-law suite in my backyard,” a woman wrote recently in a local online group, asking for advice on how to start the process and a general picture of the cost.

She signed off by saying, “(I’m) hoping our city codes let us.”

The woman lives in West Richland, but others in the Tri-Cities and across Washington are grappling with those same questions as the demand for more diversified and lower-cost housing options grows.

One of those options is an accessory dwelling unit, or ADU, sometimes called a “mother-in-law apartment” or “backyard cottage.” An ADU can be attached to or detached from a main residence; it’s a small, self-contained unit on the same lot as a single-family home.

ADUs are often used for relatives of the property owner, from young adults just starting out to aging parents or grandparents. But they’re increasingly becoming an option beyond family as well, especially as communities across the country continue to feel a housing squeeze.

Interest in ADUs is exploding on the west side, particularly in Seattle, which updated its ADU rules in 2019.

It remains to be seen whether there will be similar demand in the Tri-Cities, although Pasco has seen a significant increase in ADU permit applications since it changed its ADU rules last year.

While that city is ahead of the pack locally when it comes to easing the path for ADUs, Kennewick is in the process of making its own code changes. And a new state law loosening ADU regulations means other local jurisdictions will be making adjustments to their rules in the next few years.

“I don’t know if the need is the same as in King County. It’s a different ballgame over there,” said Steve Donovan, planning manager for the city of Kennewick. But the coming changes “are defi-

Southridge senior kick-starts nonprofit to promote teen financial literacy

By Robin Wojtanik for Tri-Cities Area Journal of Business

While some teens used the pandemic shutdown to play Minecraft or learn TikTok dances, Ashwin Joshi was reading “Rich Dad, Poor Dad,” a book published decades ago about increasing your financial IQ.

It was the start of the 17-year-old’s mission to empower youth and educate them about financial literacy through the nonprofit, school club and online resources he developed for the Ashwin Teen Financial Academy, or ATFA. It’s all a “teens teaching teens” effort to be money wise.

“My parents never told me to save my money, it was just innate,” Ashwin said.

It helped that he had his first checking account at age 6, a lemonade stand at age 7, and started asking his dad about the stock market at age 9, building on a shared interest with his father in growing investments.

The senior at Southridge High School in Kennewick continued reading more on the topic, including “Think & Grow Rich,” a self-help book first published in the 1930s, and boned up on Warren Buffett’s annual letters to shareholders, helping to amass his wealth of money knowledge.

Since age 15, he’s been developing his own custodial stock market account.

He’s eager to share what he’s learned.

Ashwin’s not trying to offer stock tips

This Tri-Cities-based company is on a path of transformational growth

By Sara Schilling sara@tcjournal.biz

Senske is a well-known name in the TriCities.

If you spot a crew working on a lawn, trees or in pest control around town, you’re likely to see “Senske Services” emblazoned on their rigs. And if you’ve ever been to the popular annual holiday light show on North Quay Street in Kennewick, you’ve been in the Senske orbit.

That’s a Senske Services production, staged at the corporate headquarters.

But the company that started as a family-run operation 76 years ago has a reach far beyond the Tri-Cities. It now has 27 locations across eight states – and a great

deal more growth is planned.

Senske late last year partnered with the private equity firm GTCR, and it has acquired six other lawn care or pest control companies in the months since – on the top of the transformational growth it already had experienced in the months and years leading up to that deal.

Since 2012, more than 28 companies have joined Senske Services.

There are no plans to slow down, said Casey Taylor, chief executive officer. “We expect to do 10 to 15 acquisitions a year, some small and some large. We’ve got a lot of the U.S. to cover,” he said.

Recent acquisitions have ranged from

uADU, Page A11

Photo by Ryan Jackman

Ashwin Joshi, a Southridge High School senior, has already started his own nonprofit and developed a curriculum focused on boosting knowledge about money. He’s also launched a school club on financial literacy in Kennewick and Richland.

uJOSHI, Page A17

A new airline – and a new nonstop route – are coming to Pasco

By Sara Schilling sara@tcjournal.biz

The Tri-Cities Airport is getting a new nonstop flight to Phoenix and a new air carrier.

And the Pasco airport’s top official isn’t stopping there when it comes to working for even more growth. Buck Taft, airport director, said the hope is to add additional nonstop connections, including Portland, California (Los Angeles in particular), Dallas-Fort Worth and Chicago.

“We are always trying to get new air service here. Outside of safety and security of the airport, air service development is my No. 1 priority – ensuring the community has the air service it needs, deserves and wants,” Taft said. “It’s hard to give a timeline, but I think in the next five years, you’ll start seeing growth and markets popping in. That’s what I feel is going to happen.”

The new daily American Airlines flight to Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport starts Feb. 15. It will mark the Texas-based airline’s debut in Pasco; Phoenix is a major hub for American.

The route is scheduled to leave Pasco at 3 p.m. and arrive in Phoenix at 7 p.m.; travelers flying from Phoenix to the Tri-Cities will depart Arizona’s capital at 11:20 a.m. and land in Pasco at 1:30 p.m. Arizona doesn’t observe daylight saving time, so for part of the year it’s an hour ahead of the Tri-Cities.

American Airlines will use a dual-class Embraer 175 with seats for 76 passengers.

The new flight “will mark our 100th nonstop destination from (Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport), providing local residents easy access to all that Arizona has to offer and convenient one-stop access to the places customers want to visit most,” said Philippe Puech, American Airlines director of short-haul network planning, in a statement provided to the Tri-Cities Area Journal of Business.

Taft said the addition of the flight is great news for the region, offering more connections for passengers and providing American Airlines with incentive to add more routes if the Phoenix connection is popular.

There’s precedent to think it will be.

The Tri-Cities Airport is rebounding after the Covid-19 pandemic turned air travel on its head. In fact, nearly 800,000 passengers flew through the airport in 2022, making it one of the busiest years ever.

Airport statistics for this year show that it’s on track to beat those numbers.

And the airport, owned by the Port

of Pasco, leads the Pacific Northwest in load factor, or the percentage of available airline seats that are filled. The airport’s load factor for the fourth quarter of 2022 was 91%, compared to an average of 82% for the Pacific Northwest. After Tri-Cities, the next closest markets in terms of load factor were Portland with 87% and Walla Walla with 86%.

Those figures are from a July presentation to port commissioners by Volaire Aviation Consulting.

The Tri-Cities Airport currently is served by Alaska, Allegiant, Avelo, Delta and United airlines. The addition

of the American Airlines will bring the airline count to six.

And it will bring the number of nonstop destinations available (some seasonally) from the local airport to 11. They are: Burbank, Denver, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, Phoenix-Mesa, Phoenix-Sky Harbor, Salt Lake City, San Diego, San Francisco and Seattle.

Tickets for the new American Airlines Pasco-Phoenix route are on sale at aa.com.

For more information about the TriCities Airport, go to flytricities.com.

TCAJOB file photo

Buck Taft

509-737-8778

Mailing address:

8524 W. Gage Blvd., #A1-300

Kennewick, WA 99336 tcjournal.biz

uBUSINESS BRIEF

Vitrification plant takes ‘positive step’ forward

The Waste Treatment and Immobilization Plant at Hanford has taken “another positive step” toward waste treatment operations, officials announced. The first batches of glassforming beads, called frit, recently were poured into a melter heated to 2,100 degrees Fahrenheit.

The beads melted and created the first molten pool inside the melter.

“This is a proud time for our Hanford

Kristina Lord Executive Editor 509-344-1261 kristina@tcjournal.biz

Sara Schilling Reporter 509-344-1286 sara@tcjournal.biz

Tiffany Lundstrom Associate Publisher for Sales  509-344-1271 tiffany@tcjournal.biz

Chad Utecht Advertising Account Manager 509-344-1274 chad@tcjournal.biz

Vanessa Guzmán Production Manager 509-344-1278 vanessa@tcjournal.biz

Erin Landon Business Assistant 509-344-1285 erin@tcjournal.biz

Rachel Visick News Assistant / Researcher 509-344-1281 rachel@tcjournal.biz

Paul Read Group Publisher 509-344-1262 paul@tcjournal.biz

Liqui-Lawn in Denver to Emerald Lawns in Austin.

Some acquired companies take on the Senske name, while others keep their own.

That’s part of Senske’s philosophy and strategy for growth.

“We might buy a business in Florida that’s been around 50 years and has a great name in the area. We want to retain that and retain the culture of that business as well,” Taylor said.

“(We’re looking to) gain some efficiency and productivity while also maintaining the existing culture of the business, the family feel and the customer service focus,” he added. “We’re not really looking to build your traditional national business where everything is done the same way. We’re looking to maintain the strengths of each of these businesses (that we acquire).”

A pioneer history Senske Services traces its history back to World War II.

Bill Senske, who started the business with his wife, Elizabeth, served in the U.S. Army’s Chemical Corps. As part of his work, he learned about some chemicals that had applications in agriculture.

That planted a seed, and when he returned to his native Spokane, the company now known as Senske Services was born. Bill developed a wheelbarrow and pump system, and he’d charge 50 cents for clearing a lawn of dandelions, said son Chris Senske, who eventually took over the company.

“He was a pioneer,” Chris Senske said of his father, noting that the company was

team as we have established a molten glass pool in our first melter,” said Hanford site Manager Brian Vance in a statement. “It’s a tremendous success made possible through the entire team’s dedication to safely progressing our important cleanup mission.”

The Waste Treatment and Immobilization Plant, known as the vit plant, is being brought online to transform nuclear waste into glass for safe disposal through a process called vitrification.

During the process, treated waste is fed into the melters at the plant’s LowActivity Waste Facility. The waste then will be mixed with frit and poured into

one of the first providing commercial weed control on lawns in the United States.

Senske Services expanded to Kennewick in 1976 and to Yakima in 1984.

In the mid-2010s, it started down a path of more rapid growth.

The deal with GTCR closed last December; the terms haven’t been disclosed.

Chris Senske said he was looking to bring in partners to help the company continue to grow and help him “take some chips off the table.” The arrangement with GTCR was the right fit, he said.

He’s stayed on as a board member and as an “acquisition ambassador,” meaning he helps recruit other companies to come into the Senske fold.

Looking ahead

GTCR is based in Chicago, with offices in New York and Florida.

It’s invested more than $25 billion in 270-plus companies since it started in 1980, and it currently manages more than $35 billion in equity capital, according to company information.

As for Senske Services, the company brought in $62.1 million in 2022, according to a list compiled by Lawn & Landscape magazine that ranked the Top 100 companies in the field based on revenue.

Senske was no. 45. With all the growth that’s happened and is in the works in 2023, “we expect to be closer to 20 (on the list) next year, depending on what other people do,” Taylor said.

steel containers, which will be moved to the nearby Integrated Disposal Facility for disposal.

Bechtel is designing, building and commissioning the vit plant for the Office of River Protection, which is part of the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Environmental Management.

The Richland-based Fluid Controls and Components Inc. provided the frit. It’s also working with Bechtel on a ground launcher project that’s a key part of NASA’s Artemis program. The vit plant team began heating the first melter on June 24.

In the long term, the company hopes to have a presence in 30 to 35 states and perhaps Canada, he said. And it aims to continue fulfilling its mission of creating and maintaining environments where people live, work and play, and supporting and providing growth opportunities for its employees, he said.

Chris Senske concurred. “The fun part has been creating opportunities for employees – watching them be able to make a living and grow their families and grow in the business and their professional careers,” he said, adding that those advancement opportunities will keep expanding as the company does.

Senske has 840 employees across all its locations, with 128 in the Tri-Cities. One local tradition that won’t change as Senske Services continues to grow is the annual holiday light show. Taylor and Chris Senske both pledged that the show will continue this year and beyond.

Chris Senske said it’s fulfilling to see his family’s company continue to expand and to see the Senske name spread. And it’s special to think about how far the company has come since his late father –Bill Senske died in 2007 at age 93 – started eradicating weeds in Spokane.

“I’m thinking he’d be proud of what we started and where it got to,” Chris Senske said.

SENSKE, From page A1

Casey Taylor

Chris Senske

Tri-City medical supply company filed for bankruptcy, still is open for business

By Sara Schilling sara@tcjournal.biz

A durable medical equipment and supply company with a long history in the TriCities has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. But Washington Medical Supplies Inc., known as Densow’s Medical Supplies, remains open for business and in fact has tripled its revenue in recent years, its coowner said.

“I’m hopeful for the future. I have an amazing team and we work as hard as we can every single day to ensure the success of the business,” co-owner Lisa Lewis said. “I’m looking forward to, in the next year, this being in the rear view. It will be a little blip as we move forward.”

Lewis said she and her business partner filed for bankruptcy as costs piled up dealing with billing errors made by the business’ former owners as well as ongoing litigation with those former owners.

The Covid-19 pandemic also played a role, she said.

Lewis and Paul Protzman bought Densow’s Medical Supplies at 1019 Wright Ave. in Richland in 2018.

In making the purchase, “we brought some money to the table for the initial closing,” she said.

In a move typical with those types of deals, “we did a holdback because we knew there were going to be some invoices that should have been paid by them that we’d have to pay on their behalf, and things like that. So then, at the one-year mark, we would work out what the difference is,” she said.

But then they discovered billing errors, including patients without prescriptions on

Like them apples? The 2023 forecast is full of good news

A larger and more diverse fresh apple crop is forecast for 2023.

The Washington State Tree Fruit Association estimated this year’s crop at just over 134 million standard 40-pound boxes of fresh apples, a 28.8% increase from 2022’s 104.3 million boxes.

The association’s forecast also shows a continued trend of varietal diversification, with Honeycrisp, Ambrosia, Envy and Cosmic Crisp representing more than a quarter of forecast production.

Cosmic Crisp, a proprietary varietal grown only in Washington state, continues to grow in its share of the total crop, making up about 6% of the forecast harvest.

Washington apples are vital to the state’s economy and its leading agricultural commodity by production value. Apples represented 21% of the state’s total agricultural value in 2021. Twenty percent of last year’s harvest was exported, down from the five-year average of 28% due to lower overall production in 2022.

Apple harvest typically begins in August and continues into November, and as a result, the association noted that its forecast is subject to several months of variable weather which can affect final harvest total.

file, Lewis said. They hired auditors and had to pay back “tens of thousands” of dollars to Medicare, she said.

In 2019, former owners Jonathan and Joelle Reynolds sued Lewis and Protzman in Benton County Superior Court, saying they still were owed $90,160 for the business, plus a 5% late fee and interest. They eventually were awarded more than $488,000 including those costs and attorney fees.

Lewis and Protzman filed their own suit in 2022, alleging breach of contract, negligent misrepresentation and fraud. That case was dismissed; Lewis said it was because of legal errors, and they plan to re-file. In that case, the Reynoldses were

awarded about $39,000 in attorney fees and interest.

David B. Trujillo, the attorney for the Reynoldses handling the Superior Court cases, said he didn’t have authority to discuss the matter beyond pointing to the court record. The Reynoldses denied the claims in Lewis and Protzman’s lawsuit. Metiner G. Kimel, an attorney representing the Reynoldses’ interests in the bankruptcy proceedings, declined to comment.

Lewis and Protzman filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy this past June in U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Washington. Chapter 11 is often called “reorganization bankruptcy” and generally involves debtors making a plan to keep the

business going and pay back creditors.

Densow’s has been in Richland since 1949. It provides durable medical equipment and supplies ranging from custom manual wheelchairs to lifting and transfer devices, mobility scooters, compression garments, bathroom safety items, wheelchair ramps and wound care, ostomy, incontinence and urological supplies. The Medicare-accredited facility also repairs medical equipment.

Lewis said she loves that Densow’s has a long history in the Tri-Cities, and for her and Protzman and their staff of six employees, the work is meaningful. “It’s about changing people’s lives,” she said.

AUG. 16

• The Home Builders Association: How ‘Bout Appetizers?: 4:30-6 p.m., EleMar Oregon LLC, 1879 N. Commercial Ave. in Pasco. Register at web.hbatc. com/events or email heather@hbatc. com

• Audit Like a Jedi Knight presentation: 6-7:30 p.m., online event from ASQ Columbia Basin. Cost: free. Email: denise.clements@ aecom.com.

AUG. 22

• Ask the Experts: Designing a Culture that Attracts and Retains Employees: 3-4:30 p.m., Bechtel Board Room, 7130 W. Grandridge Blvd., Kennewick and via Zoom. Cost: free. Go to: tricityregionalchamber.com.

• L&I Essentials for Business Webinar: 10-11:30 a.m., virtual. Go to: lni.wa.gov/workshops-training. Contact: 1-800-987-0145 or SmallBusiness@lni.wa.gov.

AUG. 23

• Congressional Update

Membership Luncheon: 11:30 a.m.

DATEBOOK

to 1 p.m., Three Rivers Convention Center, 7016 W. Grandridge Blvd. in Kennewick. Cost: $30 for Regional Chamber members, $40 for guests. Go to: tricityregionalchamber.com.

AUG. 30

• Procurement Power Hour: 3-4 p.m. English, 4:30-5:30 p.m. Spanish, Bechtel Board Room, 7130 W. Grandridge Blvd., Kennewick. Cost: free. Go to: tricityregionalchamber.com.

AUG. 31

• Kennewick Public Hospital District Board of Commissioners Meeting: 5 p.m., Trios Care Center at DeBit – First Floor Conference Room, 320 W. 10th Ave., Kennewick, or on Zoom. Go to: kenkphd.com/ meetings.

SEPT. 5

• Prosser Chamber of Commerce Membership Luncheon: noon to 1 p.m., location to be determined. Email info@ prosserchamber.org or go to prosserchamber.org.

SEPT. 6

• Intro to Business Live Webinar: Washington Center for Women in Business, 9-10 a.m., online. Cost: free. Email: ylee@thurstonedc.com or call 360-754-6320.

SEPT. 8

• Wine Country Classic Charity Golf Tournament: 8 a.m. to noon, Canyon Lakes Golf Course, 3700 W. Canyon Lakes Drive, Kennewick. Proceeds benefit Prosser Memorial Health programs. Go to: tourprosser. com.

• Parade of Homes Appreciation Night & Awards Ceremony: 6-9 p.m., HAPO Center, 6600 Burden Blvd., Pasco. Cost: $25. Call 509-735-2745 or email sarah@hbatc.com.

SEPT. 9

• Cancer Crushing Challenge, a 5K/10K Run/Walk: 8-10 a.m., John Dam Plaza/the fingernail stage area, Howard Amon Park, Richland. Admission: $25-$35, proceeds benefit local cancer care. Register at cancercrushingchallenge.org. Email carrie.almquist@kadlec.org or call 509-737-3373.

SEPT. 13

• West Richland Chamber of Commerce Membership Networking Luncheon: noon to 1:30 p.m., The Mayfield Gathering Place, 331 S. 41st Ave., West Richland. Cost: $20 for members, $25 for nonmembers. Go to: westrichlandchamber.org.

• Survival Skills in a Changing Market: Tri-City Association of Realtors, 7151 W. Clearwater Ave., Kennewick, or virtual. Cost: $39. Go to: tricityaor.com/events/ survival2023.

SEPT. 14

• Business After Hours: 4-6 p.m., Empowered Health Institute, 503 Knight St., Suite B, Richland. Cost: free. Go to: tricityregionalchamber. com.

SEPT. 14-16

• International Council on Systems Engineering Regional Conference: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory and virtual. Cost: $550 for in-person, $450 for virtual. Go to: incose.org/wsrc.

OPINION OUR VIEW

A big green bus with an image of a boy wearing a superhero cape rolled across the state the first week of August.

By Tri-Cities Area Journal of Business

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 coming years.

The state Legislature passed a law this year to expand housing options by easing barriers to building and using ADUs, citing a statewide housing affordability crisis.

Not everyone can afford to buy a house in the Tri-Cities when the median home price is more than $400,000. And not everyone can afford to rent an apartment when the average monthly cost is $1,320.

Benton and Franklin counties added nearly 5,000 people in the past year for a total population of nearly 317,000, and the region continues to grow at a faster clip than the state average. All these people need a place to live.

ADUs, which are built on the same lots as single-family homes, can provide lower-cost options for renters and

owners. They can allow elderly family members to age at home, or young adults struggling to find an affordable first home to gain a foothold as they join the workforce.

Our new state ADU law doesn’t require cities and counties to update their building codes immediately –they can tackle them when they update their comprehensive plans – but we’re encouraged to see the Tri-Cities are already beginning this work.

Pasco is taking the lead, revising its code in early 2022. The public’s enthusiastic response proves the changes were needed and wanted. The city has received 41 applications for ADUs since its code update and reported brochures outlining the new code were “flying off the shelves.”

Kennewick could begin public hearings on ADU code changes as early as this fall, with its new code rolling out next year. Richland and West Richland won’t be far behind, as their next comprehensive plan updates are scheduled for 2026.

We expect to see more of these pintsize homes pop up around the Tri-Cities. ADUs won’t solve the affordable housing crisis but they’re certainly a good place to start.

The boy, as well as a young girl leaping in the air on the other side of the bus, were certainly eye catchers. And that’s the point of the bus tour, which was aimed at raising awareness of child care as an issue that must be addressed for the sake of our families, our communities and our economy.

The Association of Washington Business Institute and the Children’s Campaign Fund Action partnered in the tour, which began Monday, July 31 in the Puget Sound region and ran through Friday, Aug. 4. The bus stopped in Pasco on Thursday, Aug. 3.

Along the way, the bus visited child care facilities in every corner of the state, providing elected officials, policymakers, business leaders and others an opportunity to learn firsthand about the issues facing the child care sector.

In addition to visiting child care centers, the tour included meetings where employers, community leaders and others can participate in roundtable discussions about the state of child care in local communities. Information gathered will be shared in a report after the tour, with the aim of addressing child care affordability and accessibility in ways that work for everyone, including families and employers.

The bus tour was a project of the Legislator Education & Action Project, or LEAP. The partnership, which launched

in January, is hosting a series of educational events to develop a better understanding of early childhood issues and how they impact children, families and the workforce.

Child care has emerged as a major issue, both here in Washington and across the country, and AWB has been part of the discussion for several years. No longer regarded solely as a social issue or something for families to address on their own, the growing lack of affordable child care is now understood as one of the major factors – along with changing demographics and the housing crisis – responsible for the current workforce shortage.

It’s a costly issue for both families and employers. A report from the Annie E. Casey Foundation found it costs about $14,355 per year to care for a toddler in a child care center, which is more than the cost of some college tuition. And a 2019 report from the Washington State Child Care Collaborative Task Force found the lack of child care costs businesses more than $2 billion each

Kudos to Rio Tinto for cleaning up Holden mine site

Today, good works are often brushed aside or ignored, especially if done by one of the world’s largest mining companies. However Rio Tinto deserves kudos for its half-billion-dollar mine cleanup in Holden, a remote village in the picturesque North Cascade mountains just south of Lake Chelan.

Rio Tinto did not mine an ounce of copper or other precious metals at Holden. It acquired the site as part of a larger purchase. It gathered interested stakeholders together and ironed solutions outside the courtroom. Rio Tinto chose to remediate rather than litigate.

During World War II, Holden was one of the nation’s largest operating copper mines. Between 1937-57, Howe Sound Mining Company extracted 200 million pounds of copper, 40 million pounds of zinc, 2 million ounces of silver and 600,000 ounces of gold.

However, when the rich copper veins ran out, Howe Sound closed the mine and abandoned the site. The buildings were vacated, acid water was allowed to seep from the mine, and water from

melting snow leached through mine dumps, filling streambeds with dissolved heavy metals.

Fish and aquatic life died.

EPA estimates 70% of Superfund cleanups have been paid for by the “potentially responsible parties” (PRPs). The term “potentially” sparks litigation. However, 30% of the time the responsible party is unknown or unable to pay. In that case, public funds are necessary, but they are often insufficient and slow in coming.

One example is Vermont’s Pike Hill copper mines which opened in the 1800s. For decades, workers there mined millions of pounds of copper, but it was shuttered in 1919.

Mine owners deserted a 20,000-ton toxic waste pile laced with metals and

sulfides. Those sulfides combined with water leached sulfuric acid into nearby streams. However, with no PRPs to foot the costs for remediation, cleanup has languished.

EPA project manager Ed Hathaway recently told Vermont Public: “The stream runs clear on the side of Corinth’s Pike Hill. But the air smells of sulfur. And the water is more acidic than lemon juice. Its pH is about 2, which means heavy metals like aluminum, manganese, iron and zinc are dissolved in the water.”

Vermont received $38 million through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law that passed in 2021. State leaders plan to direct part of the money to cleanup.

However, since the Holden remediation was privately funded, it was completed in 2016. It took three years and cost nearly $500 million – all expensed to Rio Tinto.

A decade ago, Holden was a beehive of workers and machinery cleaning up mining and ore process operations. Acidic water and toxic sludge were diverted into a state-of-the art water pro-

cessing plant. Waste dumps were walled off from Railroad Creek, an important tributary flowing into the upper end of Lake Chelan, one of our nation’s deepest and most pristine lakes.

Today, fish and aquatic life flourish in the Holden watershed.

In 1961, the property was sold to the Lutheran Church for $1 and today it is one of the church’s largest Bible camps. Holden is open year around. Its remoteness and restored environment make it a popular retreat site.

Thankfully, companies such as Rio Tinto stepped forward. Hopefully, as more mining worldwide is needed to meet skyrocketing metals demand for electric vehicles, batteries and wind turbines, avoiding contaminations will be a high priority and cleanup will be immediate.

If McKinsey & Co’s. critical metals assessment is accurate and “investments in mining, refining and smelting increase between $3 trillion and $4 trillion by

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

The wheels on the bus go round and round to raise awareness of child care challenges

Kris Johnson Association of Washington Business GUEST COLUMN

Don C. Brunell Business analyst GUEST COLUMN

Pasco Chamber launches school supplies drive

The Pasco Chamber of Commerce is hosting a school supplies drive through Aug. 30. Proceeds will be distributed throughout the Pasco School District. Interested in participating? Donation boxes can be found at these locations:

• Red Lion Hotel, 2525 N. 20th Ave., Pasco.

• Speck Hyundai of Tri-Cities, 2910 W. Clearwater Ave., Kennewick.

• Pasco Grocery Outlet, 5710 N. Road 68, Pasco.

• Pasco Chamber Office, 1110 Osprey Pointe Blvd., Suite 101, Pasco.

• Blue Compass RV, 1002 N. 28th Ave.,

Pasco.

If you are unable to visit any of the listed donation boxes but are still interested in donating, contact Kelly at kelly@ pascochamber.org.

Kiwanis Foundation offers drawing for car

Kennewick Kiwanis Young Professionals and the Kennewick Kiwanis Foundation are holding a drawing for a new car in support of the Kennewick nonprofit B5, which helps refugee families.

A new Subaru CrossTrek has been donated as the prize.

McCurley Subaru and Community First Bank/HFG Trust are the title sponsors, and more sponsorships are needed from local companies and individuals. Sponsor-

ships start at $1,000 for individuals ($800 sponsorship plus $200 to purchase two tickets), and at $3,000 ($2,400 sponsorship plus $600 to purchase six tickets) or $5,000 ($4,000 sponsorship plus $1,000 to purchase 10 tickets) for businesses.

Lampson International, Adams Enterprises – McDonald’s Restaurants, Lamb Weston, Gravis Law, Golf Universe and Paramount Communications already have stepped up as $5,000 signature sponsors.

Four more signature sponsor spots are available.

The drawing will be the week of Nov. 27 at the Three Rivers Convention Center in Kennewick.

For more information, call 509-7357507.

Walmart celebrates truck driver graduates

Walmart is celebrating 10 employees from Eastern Washington and Oregon who’ve finished the associate-to-driver program. A graduation ceremony recently was held in Richland.

The graduates will be able to earn up to $110,000 their first year as part of Walmart’s private fleet of drivers, with many moving from hourly roles in TriCities, Hermiston or Grandview stores or supply chain facilities, a Walmart news release said. They’ll also have flexible schedules with consecutive days off and regionalized delivery territories so they can go home every week, the release said.

The associate-to-driver program has the goal of increasing Walmart’s private fleet, which has grown to 13,500-plus drivers in recent years, the release said. This year’s class is the first to feature Walmart stores and Sam’s Club associates, and it’s the largest ever nationally with more than 70 graduates.

The program has more than 190 graduates total, and it’s set to expand by the end of the year to all transportation offices, allowing even more associates to become drivers.

Go to: drive4walmart.com.

BRUNELL, From page A7

2030 – a 50% annual increase compared with the previous decade” there will be a giant spike in mining worldwide.

Hopefully, expanded mining won’t trigger another round of water contamination and cleanup. We have the technology to do better today. Meanwhile, Rio Tinto and its partners deserve long overdue kudos.

Don C. Brunell is a business analyst, writer and columnist. He retired as president of the Association of Washington Business, the state’s oldest and largest business organization, and now lives in Vancouver. He can be contacted at theBrunells@msn.com.

JOHNSON, From page A7

year in employee turnover or missed work and costs the state economy more than $6.5 billion per year.

The issue isn’t going away on its own. A July survey from the Association of Washington Business found that 13% of Washington businesses report a lack of child care as one of the major challenges facing their business, and more than 50% continue to report a lack of qualified workers for open positions.

Solving these challenges won’t be easy, but it’s critical that we develop a shared understanding of the issues – and a shared vision of how we can begin to address them. Touring the state’s child care facilities in a big green bus with eye-catching images of children is one way to start the discussion.

Kris Johnson is president of the Association of Washington Business, the state’s chamber of commerce and manufacturers association.

uBUSINESS BRIEFS

Shoppers dig for deals at Tri-City liquidation stores

By Robin Wojtanik for Tri-Cities Area Journal of Business

Items that once lined the shelves of Target, Walmart, Costco, Best Buy, JCPenney or the virtual shelves of Amazon are now ending up at a handful of local retailers specializing in liquidation sales.

Three stores have opened in the last year, the latest being Daily Deals in Pasco in the former Go Bowl on West Lewis Street. Another Pasco liquidator, Best Prices Ever (BPE) at 3431 W. Court St., has been open for seven years.

BPE has doubled its original footprint in the plaza it shares with Goodwill and other shops, taking over half of a former Payless store.

BPE sells items likely to have been returned or to have languished on a shelf before the original retailer packaged them up to sell as a lot to liquidators, who buy the bulk goods at a discount and then resell them individually in hopes of making a profit.

Pallet liquidation businesses typically buy sight unseen, receiving a stack of boxes without knowing their exact contents.

“We do have somewhat of an idea of what we’re getting when we buy from them, whether it’s kitchen appliances or toys or whatever,” said Jordan DeHoyos, who has worked at BPE for about a year and a half. But they don’t know exactly what the kitchen appliances or toys might be. They could get dozens of the same

item, like the same obscure Funko Pop character, or a single Lego box.

“We price everything at least 40% off the original retail price. If an item has been used or is damaged, we increase the discount from there,” said DeHoyos.

He said he typically prices about 50 to 100 individual items every shift, constantly restocking merchandise, encouraging some regulars to hit the store daily in search of unexpected treasures.

BPE is the second liquidation location

for its owner; the original is Walla Walla Overstock Outlet.

The Pasco store opened seven years ago and sees a lot of customer interest in items arriving from Costco, including lighting fixtures and bedding, but not all stores carry Costco products due to their higher upfront cost for the liquidator.

This is the case for the new Family Deals, which opened in early June at 525 N. Edison St. in Kennewick. It’s the second liquidator venture for Tino Flores,

who originally opened Hot Deals on West Ainsworth in Pasco last summer with two other business partners. Flores sold his interest in that business and decided to go out on his own with this family.

Flores joked that his daughter, Daniela, currently isn’t being paid, but she seems to serve as the store’s chief marketing officer, hosting a weekly bilingual broadcast on Facebook live every Thursday, offering customers a preview of items up for sale the following day.

Family Deals is open each day but Thursday, when it does most of its restocking.

On a recent Friday morning, Daniela Flores said customers had lined up outside the door before the store’s 9 a.m. opening, hoping to be the first to grab an item seen on the broadcast.

She said was surprised to learn three people had come to buy a single cereal dispenser while other customers had interest in an automatic vegetable chopper, proving you can’t always predict what will be most in demand.

Family Deals usually pays about $300 to $600 per pallet for the unknown goods, then divides the items from there. It prices those of a higher value individually, which circle the perimeter of the store that shares a plaza with Traffic Jams.

The remaining goods for sale are placed on large tables with prices dropping daily each week, starting at $10 Fri-

uFAMILY DEALS, Page A10

Photo by Robin Wojtanik

Daniela Flores, Tino Flores and Sandra Gomez own and operate Family Deals Liquidation, a Kennewick store at 525 N. Edison St. that sells discounted items often returned to retailers.

day and falling to $1 by Wednesday before the closure and major restocking on Thursday.

Items that remain will continue to be discounted to whatever it takes to get them out the door, though the store restocks daily, ensuring tables never get too bare.

Customers willing to sort through the mishmash may be rewarded with a bargain. In mid-July, the store had desirable items like Starbucks tumblers, bedding and a slew of Target-brand jeans for $10 and under.

Best Prices Ever doesn’t sell a lot of clothes, as DeHoyos described it as “more of a hassle” often due to the limited sizes they’d receive, though they had a bin of Kirkland Signature men’s dress shirts available recently.

BPE has become the initial stop for customers Elvie and Juan Gonzalez when they’re looking for something in particular. “With gas prices, and the price of everything going up, the furniture store or the mall is the last place I’d go,” Elvie Gonzalez said. “We come here first before we go anywhere or even before checking Amazon.”

They’ve been shopping the West Court Street liquidation store for about two years and recall scoring a great bargain on a nursery glider with their daughter that matched her decor “perfectly.”

On a recent weekend they had just come to browse. “It’s convenient because they have a little bit of everything,” Juan said. “We’ll go to a big store if we have to, but this is generally our first stop.”

The National Retail Federation reported lost sales of $761 billion due to customer returns in 2021, and a report in The New York Times said that amounted to about 16.6% of purchases that same year, up from 10.6% the year before and double the rate from 2019.

Even if some of these go back on store shelves, it still amounts to a glut of items

available for liquidation.

A midwestern TV station tested out a pallet purchase and spent $325, resulting in items typically sold for more than $1,500 in all, but also included items that were broken or unable to be resold.

The Flores family said they check all items beforehand and will not sell anything visibly broken. Right now, they buy about 24 pallets every week, which results in about 500 boxes of tightly packed goods, and estimate 80% of the items they receive are new and the rest come used or broken and are not placed for sale.

During a recent visit, Tino Flores opened a box to find a soft-sided dog carrier, tiara headbands and a glass beverage dispenser, among other things.

Daniela Flores said they’ll scan the barcode to try to find the retail price and list it for half that. If there’s no barcode, they’ll try to research its value and price accordingly. “We want to be a place for people to get affordable things. There are great deals for every budget,” she said.

Tino Flores has even had some customers want to get in on the fun and buy a box sight unseen.

“I tell them no complaints,” he laughed, since he has no idea of what’s inside either. The family moved to the Tri-Cities from the Yakima area last fall as part of the opening of the Pasco liquidation store, feeling there were already enough similar locations open in Yakima and hoping to tap into a new market.

A Yakima Daily Deals closed last year, but the one planned for 2799 W. Lewis St. has the same name and same owners as its location on East Gregory Avenue in Sunnyside, and those answering the phone in Sunnyside said its target opening is sometime this month. It will have a similar structure to Family Deals and Hot Deals with flat pricing for items on tables that drop as the week progresses.

The liquidation stores can all be found on Facebook, under Pasco Best Prices Ever, Daily Deals Yakima, Family Deals Liquidation and Hot Deals Liquidation.

RASS

nitely going to open some doors for people who want to do an ADU. It’s going to make it easier to have them.”

New state law

The state Legislature earlier this year approved a bill that eases regulations around ADUs.

Among the changes: two ADUs are now allowed on lots that meet requirements; ADUs don’t have to be smaller than 1,000 gross square feet; local governments can’t impose setback requirements and similar restrictions on ADUs that are more severe than for the principal unit; and the property owner isn’t required to live on the lot that’s holding the ADU or ADUs.

Cities and counties don’t have to update their codes right away; that’s not required until six months after the local government’s next periodic update of its comprehensive plan.

In Seattle, ADUs are becoming more and more common.

Last year, the city issued nearly 1,000 permits for ADUs, an all-time record, according to the city’s annual ADU report. The permits were fairly evenly split between detached and attached ADUs.

What about the Tri-Cities?

In the Tri-Cities, Pasco may be a bellwether of how greater ADU flexibility will look here.

Like Seattle, that city has seen a spike in the number of ADU permit applications since it made sweeping changes to its ADU rules. Those changes, done in early 2022, were part of a slate of code updates aimed at removing barriers and creating more housing opportunities.

“Since that time, we’ve been operating on a substantially more flexible and modern zoning code,” said Jacob Gonzalez, community and economic development director. Because of the changes, the ADU rules already are largely aligned with the new state law and are even more flexible in some areas, he said.

The city has received 41 applications for ADUs since its code update, which is a “significant” increase over the application numbers from before the changes were made, Gonzalez said.

The city also worked with the engineering and planning firm AHBL to create a guide to ADUs in English and Spanish. The guide explains the different types of ADUs and provides an overview of the process.

“It’s been flying off the shelves. Even though we simplified the code, it’s still municipal code. The guide is written in plain and simple language versus the planning and technical jargon,” Gonzalez said.

Although it’s not as far along as Pasco, the city of Kennewick already was looking at updating its ADU rules and now is folding in the requirements needed under the new state law.

“We’ll be changing our code pretty extensively,” said Donovan, the planning manager. “Currently, we have quite a few restrictions in regards mainly to detached units – in terms of size, how they’re supposed to look, who can live in them, number of bedrooms, minimum lot sizes,” he said.

He anticipates public hearings in the fall and consideration by the city council by early next year.

Donovan said he’s not sure whether the city will see a glut of applications once the

rules change.

“I don’t know if it’s going to be this huge product that everybody is moving to. I think it’s going to be helpful for family members who want to provide that accessory structure,” he said.

In Richland, the city sees a handful of ADU applications a year, said Mike Stevens, planning manager. They’re typically for property owners who want to add housing for relatives, and Stevens expects that to continue being the prevailing use as the rules change.

Richland will have to make changes to its code around ADUs to bring it in line with the state updates. West Richland – where the citizen made the ADU inquiry in an online group – also will need to make changes. Both cities are set for their next periodic comprehensive plan updates in 2026.

‘Beef up options’

Gonzalez, from Pasco, said housing is a pressing need in his city and beyond.

Pasco has a population of about 81,000 people, according to the latest state estimate, and another 50,000-or-so residents are expected to be added in the next roughly 20 years.

“In the very near future, Pasco will be home to over 100,000 residents. Our other neighboring communities of Richland, Kennewick and West Richland are also going to see significant growth. So, if we’re under supply right now, we need to beef up those options available for folks,” Gonzalez said.

Pasco is working to do just that. Along with updating its ADU rules, the city also made code changes last year that added flexibility in housing types and lot sizes.

And it’s working on a Housing Action and Implementation Plan, among other efforts.

The city has received recognition for its work to address housing challenges, including winning a 2022 Municipal Excellence Award from the Association of Washington Cities.

In Gonzalez’s view, ADUs are a tool in the toolbox.

“They offer a flexible option for residents to provide housing at their own discretion. If they want to have an ADU for their grandmother, or for their parents as they age in place, or for their children who are having trouble finding private market housing, (it’s an option),” he said. “It’s an opportunity to keep families and neighborhoods intact. To have the opportunity to keep your family in the same neighborhood, that’s pretty cool.”

BANKING & INVESTMENTS

She never expected a high school internship to lead to her career path

By Laura Kostad for Tri-Cities Area Journal of Business

It’s rare for employees to stick with a single company for a long time and even more rare for them to stay with their first employer.

Amber Merrill, Gesa Credit Union’s new community relations manager, unknowingly began her career with Gesa during her senior year at Hanford High School, when her business teacher recommended she take part in Gesa’s high school credit union program.

She’s been with the Richland-based credit union ever since, bucking a national trend. The median number of years workers stay with their current employer was four years, according to the US. Bureau of Labor Statistics data for January 2022.

Merrill has continued working at the credit union for the past decade, while earning her bachelor’s degree and later a master’s degree.

Her hard work and focus have paid off as Gesa recently promoted her to community relations manager.

“We knew early on that Amber was destined to accomplish great things, and it’s been incredible to have a front row seat to her success story,” said Don Miller, president and chief executive officer of Gesa Credit Union, in a statement. “Every step of the way, Amber has embodied Gesa’s values while making exceptional contributions to many of our programs that have left a lasting impact on others. We cannot wait to see what else she accomplishes.”

Gesa Credit Union, which celebrated its 70th anniversary this summer, has grown to become one of the largest credit unions in the state with 285,000 members.

High school program

Merrill, who got her foot in the door with Gesa as a teenager, said the experience influenced her career path in ways she never could have imagined.

Hanford High is among 12 Eastern Washington high schools currently hosting student-run Gesa “campus branches” open

during lunch periods. They include Chiawana, Delta, New Horizons and Pasco high schools in Pasco, Richland and Hanford high schools in Richland, and Kennewick, Southridge and Kamiakin high schools in Kennewick.

Campus branches offer the same basic services as a regular Gesa branch. Students and staff can open an account, cash checks and make withdrawals and deposits.

The program is administered through the school’s financial literacy class, overseen by the teacher providing the course and supported by Gesa’s education team. Students who complete the course receive a financial sector career launch certificate – the first of its kind in Washington state.

Merrill said those who earn it are recognized by financial institutions across the state as being ready for an entry-level position within the financial industry.

Though all students participate in every-

day branch operations, one intern is selected from each class to serve as the school’s campus branch manager to supervise fellow classmates during daily operations. In addition, the campus branch manager also receives a paid teller position outside of school hours at their home Gesa branch. Merrill was the intern selected from her class.

“I was involved in Key Club and DECA so was dipping my toes into those business realms. What really sparked my interest

was that this would really give me the reallife hands-on work experience to decide if I wanted to pursue business in college,” she said.

“At that time, I could never have imagined what my career could look like with Gesa,” she said. “I have been extremely fortunate to have been picked for that position because it really influenced the trajectory of my career and influenced my decisions going into my undergrad degree and later my graduate degree.”

During her time as campus branch manager, Merrill said she not only gained soft skills, teller skills and money skills, but also management and supervisory experience.

The experience “has really come in handy throughout my career and really helped me develop what I am passionate about,” she said.

From intern to management

The summer before she headed off to George Fox University, a private Christian college in Oregon, she asked her manager at Gesa if she could job shadow the back office to help her get an idea of what she might want to focus her studies on.

“I was supposed to go on this back-office journey. They started me off in marketing, but I never left. I was with the team for about an hour when they offered me an internship on the spot for that summer before college.

“I learned everything from graphic design, marketing campaign ideation and community relations and through that I found my passion for community rela-

Photo by Laura Kostad

Amber Merrill, Gesa Credit Union’s community relations manager, started in 2014 as a high school intern. Each summer during college, she returned to Gesa to work. The Richland-based credit union hired her full time after she graduated with her bachelor’s degree and promoted her to a management role in June.

tions and decided to pursue an undergrad (degree) in marketing and management,” Merrill said.

While away at school, she worked various jobs to make ends meet and also was the recipient of a Gesa scholarship. She came back during the summers to work as an intern until she completed her bachelor’s degree, gaining valuable experience along the way.

“When I worked (at Gesa) during the summertime, that money went into paying my living costs for the year ... the paid internship really got me through,” she said.

Before graduating college, Merrill checked to see if there might be a job posted in community relations at Gesa, but

there wasn’t.

She applied for a collections department position with the hope that something in her desired field would become available. Just before she graduated, a job opened up to teach adult financial education and she jumped on it.

Merrill said the role later morphed, perhaps not coincidentally, into overseeing the high school credit union program. She said there are many interns who continue to work for Gesa for years after their high school internship.

After Gesa signed a partnership contract with the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA), her role transitioned into managing multiple partnerships, including with WIAA and Washington State University.

In 2022, Merrill obtained her master’s in business administration from Grand Canyon University, making use of Gesa’s tuition reimbursement and employer-assisted student loan repayment programs.

“It’s why I’m so passionate about not just the work that I do, but the company I work for,” she said. “I’ve had such amazing leaders who’ve shaped who I am and helped me throughout my career and they still are ... they like to hire and promote internally and support learning.”

Community relations

As Gesa’s new community relations manager, Merrill is responsible for overseeing strategic initiatives for the credit union’s sponsorships, partnerships, charitable giving and the Gesa Community Foundation.

“I have the best job at the credit union because I get to oversee the team that does all the work in the community,” she said.

Merrill’s community relations work doesn’t stop with Gesa, however. She serves on the Gesa Carousel of Dreams board, Girl Scouts of Eastern Washington and Northern Idaho board and is a member of the Advocacy Subcommittee for the GoWest Credit Union Association.

Away from the world of business, she and her husband have a 3-year-old. As a family, they like to hike, run, paddleboard and get outside and stay active.

Learn more about Gesa’s high school internship program at gesa.com/category/ high-school-credit-unions.

Interested students can inquire at their school about how to get involved.

Number of employees you oversee: 660

Brief background of your business: Numerica Credit Union understands life and money are in constant motion. We help protect and advance more than 170,000 members’ financial health by offering better rates, lower fees, no-stress services and outstanding support. Numerica gives back to support the communities where our members live, work and play. The credit union partners with hundreds of organizations that focus on uplifting youth and families. Numerica does this through philanthropy, volunteerism and corporate sponsorships.

How did you land your current role?

How long have you been in it?

Credit unions have been a part of my life since I was a teenager. My first job was with a small credit union in my hometown of Los Angeles. At a young age, I was told that women don’t become CEOs of large credit unions. I became determined to be a CEO by the age of 35. At 32, I moved my family from LA to Oshkosh, Wisconsin, to become the president and CEO of CitizensFirst (now Verve) Credit Union.

When the CEO position at Numerica Credit Union became available in 2011, I was contacted by a recruiter to apply. I interviewed with the board and it was a match. I can proudly say that every day with Numerica’s team has been a gift.

CARLA CICERO President & CEO Numerica Credit Union

Under my leadership, the organization has grown from 13 branches to 21, doubled the amount of team members and increased assets by more than $2.5 billion.

How has the credit union industry evolved since you first started working in it?

The credit union industry has, I would say, grown up since I started working in it. When I started, credit unions only offered basic consumer products, that is savings, checking, certificates of deposit, auto loans and perhaps home equity loans. Today, like Numerica, most credit unions offer a full range of consumer products including the basic ones, first mortgages, recreational vehicles, boats, etc. In addition, many offer, as Numerica does, a suite of business deposit products, commercial loans and wealth management services.

Can you talk about Numerica’s presence and growth in the Tri-Cities, and why this is an important market for you?

Across the Tri-Cities, Numerica’s membership has grown 78% in the past five years. This past decade, we expanded from three branches to six. Our Tri-Cities presence started with only five departments. It consisted of areas like retail, home loans and business services teams. Currently, we have 15 departments that include a digital member service center, operations and training teams, accounts control and

Be a safe, responsible driver

You can MAKE A DIFFERENCE in our community by committing to ALWAYS DRIVE DISTRACTION FREE.

TIPS for driving distraction free:

• SET IT AND FORGET IT: Turn your phone off, set it to do not disturb, or put it in airplane mode.

• PLAN AHEAD: Schedule 10 minutes before you hit the road to take care of things that could distract you.

• TAKE A BREAK: For longer trips, build in breaks every two or three hours to use your phone, change playlists or have a snack.

• SET THE EXAMPLE: Always put your phone out of reach when you drive to help your family members pick up the habit. Remember: no matter how old your kids are, they’re learning to drive from your example.

more. In the digital service center, there are a dozen team members, many of whom are bilingual, to serve members right where they live.

Throughout the TriCities, I wanted more people to experience the Numerica difference. By expanding our team and reach, the community is able to receive more than great products and services from our amazing team. We’re also able to partner with nonprofit organizations and make a difference for youth and families across Central Washington.

If you had a magic wand, what would you change about your industry?

I would make sure everyone understood the value of credit unions. Many people still believe banks are their only options. Credit unions are not-for-profit, financial cooperative which is member owned. We are a great choice for consumers and businesses.

What advice would you give someone going into a leadership position for the first time?

Hire talented people, empower them and

then get out of their way to let them shine. They will delight you with their creativity and performance every single day. Who are your role models or mentors?

First, I have to say my parents. They had a really strong work ethic and taught us by example. Then, early in my career, I had two people who mentored me, one of them was my boss and the other was a friend and colleague. They taught me what skills were important for being an effective leader and supported me as I traveled that journey.

For the last 11 years, it has been the Numerica team. Numerica has a culture that supports each other and promotes

• MAKE THE CAR A DEVICE-FREE ZONE: Enjoy the ride and surroundings rather than letting people use their phones or game systems in your car.

• PASSENGER PARTNERSHIPS: Ask passengers to assist with responding to phone messages, music or even settling down other passengers in the vehicle.

• WATCH OUT: Keep a special eye out this school year for little pedestrians.

Carla Cicero

or hot takes on the best way to invest. It’s about teaching the overall picture of all the pieces that go into making, saving, investing and growing money.

“I always tell people it’s like going into a flower shop,” he said. “You can buy one flower or a whole bouquet. One flower has a much higher chance of dying, but if you have a bouquet, even if a few are dying, there are a few others that bring it up. That’s how I explain diversification and mutual funds to kids in our program.”

Ashwin also has learned plenty about how the business world works, thanks to his parents and through a two-year internship in the hospitality industry.

His father, Dr. Sandeep Joshi, is a medical internist. His mother, Sunanda Joshi, is a businesswoman who, along with his dad, co-owns and manages multiple real estate properties. Ashwin helps his parents manage their international and local businesses.

He also has learned “every operational job” through his internship with A-1 Hospitality Group, where he works as a project fund associate in the corporate office. By teens, for teens

With a year still to go in high school, the 4.0 student – who speaks three languages in addition to English – is the president and chief executive officer of his 501(c) (3), and the face of the nonprofit.

He has grown the club at Southridge to over 300 members, expanded it to Kamiakin and Richland high schools, created a curriculum with two years’ worth of content, and authored a study that looked at

the financial acumen of his fellow students, citing just 22% reported feeling confident in their ability to handle financial challenges and problems.

Not finding a “by teens, for teens” method out there, Ashwin spent much of 2020 creating the curriculum himself and launched the after-school club, called an ATFA financial chapter, when Covid-19 restrictions lifted in late winter 2022.

By the end of the school year, it had become the largest club at Southridge with 55 members and Ashwin felt he had just scratched the surface, especially with students headed out the door for good.

“Graduating seniors were asking, ‘What’s a free resource to keep learning about this?’” he said.

He directs them to his free online curriculum, hosted by prominent online course provider edX, where anyone can log on and learn about the money topics they’re most interested in, including credit, crypto and taxes, at their own pace.

Seth Alderman joined the Southridge ATFA chapter during his junior year. He’s off to Washington State University in Pullman this fall.

Alderman found himself swept up in Ashwin’s enthusiasm for financial literacy.

“I was a little skeptical about the club and I didn’t join at first because I’m pretty busy and I wasn’t sure I could dedicate my time to that, but I went to one meeting, and, honestly, the vibe and the community there really helped with everything. I thought it was worth my time and worth putting my time into,” he said.

Alderman recalled an especially effec-

tive lesson on credit taught by Ashwin’s mom.

“I knew a little bit about it from my own parents, but she gave us the full rundown and it inspired me to get my first credit card through my bank to start building my credit score. A lot of kids are scared to get a credit card because of the stigma around it – you can ruin your credit or credit cards aren’t good for you – but if you use them correctly, like Ashwin has taught, I feel it can be very beneficial to young people to build their credit early,” he said.

The after-school ATFA club meetings are intended to be fun and engaging with information on a variety of topics, guest speakers, lessons and competitions, including one designed to simulate the popular TV show, “Shark Tank.”

The club’s success caught the attention of Kennewick School District Superintendent Traci Pierce, who invited Ashwin to talk about it during a school board meeting last year. “Ashwin’s club has been very successful at Southridge, and his passion for financial literacy is inspirational,” she said.

Finding a mentor

Anyone with concerns that these high school teens might not be getting the full picture can rest assured. Ashwin vetted the accuracy of his online curriculum with help from Ty Haberling, a certified financial planner and founder of HFG Trust in Kennewick.

Haberling said he appreciated Ashwin’s passion for financial literacy, as it’s the same reason he started his own business 40 years ago.

“There’s a lot of misinformation out

there, a lack of interest, or inaccuracy on the topic. I was impressed with how he grasped the information, and his passion is infectious,” he said.

Haberling said he expected Ashwin to be looking for some kind of financial backing when he first met the teen. “But he didn’t need money, he just needed my time and some mentoring, and I found that refreshing,” he said.

Ashwin has built his nonprofit’s team to include a board of directors, with students holding various positions, including chief operations officer, chief technology officer and creative director.

“The fact that we’re all together on a journey to empower each other and reach our maximum potential is something that’s become rare in our society. It just shows that one person can do a lot, but if everyone works together, you have a movement,” Ashwin said.

Financial literacy for all

Financial literacy classes are graduation requirements in the Richland (1 credit) and Pasco (0.5 credit) school districts, but they are not a statewide graduation requirement.

Kennewick school officials expect this school year to make a recommendation to the school board on whether to require a personal finance/financial literacy class to graduate. Ashwin advocated for the board to consider it last year.

Ashwin said he wants more students to become financially literate.

“I’m not just fighting for my future and the students in the Tri-Cities, this is for the entire state,” he said.

Go to: atfaacademy.org.

CICERO, From page A15

being brave in our conversations. We follow “Fierce Conversations” practices. The freedom to have fierce conversations holds each of us, including me, to a higher standard. I am a better leader when my teams give me honest feedback, whether that feedback is bad or good.

How do you keep your employees motivated?

Creating an organization where team members love to come to work, feel valued, cared for, challenged, invested in and have a shared sense of working for something bigger than themselves was my personal commitment when I became CEO. I set goals for employee and member wellness, financial strength and growing Numerica’s footprint across the Inland Northwest.

Since then, Numerica has been recognized as a top credit union with the Raddon Crystal Performance Award. This is a nationwide evaluation that looks at growth, financial ratios and efficiency. Numerica ranked among the top 11 for organizations larger than $1 billion in assets.

Numerica established Washington state’s first cannabis-banking program to make sure these all-cash businesses had a safe place for their cash and putting us on the map as an industry pioneer. We’ve volunteered more than 140,000 hours in the past decade and contributed more than $13 million in our communities. Above all else, our commitment to each other and to fulfilling our core purpose of enhancing lives, fulfilling dreams and building communities is at the forefront of everything we do.

What do you consider your leadership style to be?

Participative, transparent, communicative and compassionate. How do you balance work and family life?

At Numerica, we believe in developing and supporting the whole person and therefore put family first. Most people work to have a happy life. We support our team members so they can have better work-life balance (flexibility, supportive benefits) and care for their families while doing good work for Numerica.

For me, I take time for myself and for my family, including my husband, kids and grandkids. Each morning I start with quiet time, meditating, catching up on emails and current events, then I exercise. It’s important to take care of oneself so there is enough left to give to others. When I had small children, commuted in the LA traffic and went to school to earn my Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, I made sure my two young daughters were well taken care of at all times. This allowed me to focus on work and on school. During those really stressful times, I just took a deep breath realizing all is temporary, this too will pass. What do you like to do when you are not at work?

Spend time with my family, sail, bike ride, hike with my husband and dogs, cross country ski.

What’s your best time management strategy?

Don’t put things off, get them done when you have the time.

BANKING & INVESTMENTS

Wheatland Bank to be acquired by Glacier Bancorp

By Tri-Cities Area Journal of Business

Wheatland Bank, which has a branch in Pasco, is set to join the Glacier Bancorp family of banks.

Community Financial Group Inc., the Spokane-based holding company of Wheatland Bank, has entered into an agreement with the Kalispell, Montanabased Glacier Bancorp. The action still must be approved by Community Financial Group Inc. shareholders and by banking regulators.

Wheatland Bank is expected to officially become part of Glacier in the fourth

Community Concerts announces 2023-24 season

Looking for music events? Community Concerts of the Tri-Cities has announced its 2023-24 lineup.

Season memberships are available at a discounted price before Sept. 1.

This season starts in October and features Locarno; Brigham Young University Ballroom Dance Company; Sara Hagen: Perk up, Pianist!; The Black Market Trust; and Rodney Marsalis Philadelphia Big Brass.

Community Concerts of the Tri-Cities was founded in Richland in 1944, bringing in internationally touring performers.

Go to: CommunityConcertsTC.org.

Longtime appliance store owner dies at age 77

A longtime Tri-Citian who owned an appliance store and served as a Rotarian and Mason died July 4 at age 77.

Harry Garrison moved with his family to the Tri-Cities in 1976 to work at Hanford for Westinghouse during the development of the Fast Flux Test Facility, according to information in his obituary.

In 1983, in his spare time, he and his wife, Patricia, started a small appliance business, operating from their garage, fixing and cleaning up old appliances.

They eventually opened Northwest Appliance, which expanded into two stores, in Kennewick and Hermiston. Today, they’re called Garrison’s Home Appliance.

Harry served as a 50-year Mason (1971-23) and past master and secretary from 1988-2010 at the Richland Masonic Lodge 283.

He also was a member of the Columbia Center Rotary, serving as chairman of the International Service Committee and helping to shepherd projects in foreign countries that benefitted children and families without resources.

He and his wife also were board members of the Richland Yacht Club for many years.

He is survived by his wife, Patricia, daughter Pamela Frick, and her husband, Glenn, and grandsons, Justin and Chance Frick.

Services were July 21 at Mueller’s TriCities Funeral Home.

quarter of 2023, a news release said.

“Not only is Glacier one of the strongest and highest performing banking companies in the nation, but their community banking operating model and decentralized culture make them a perfect fit for our customers, employees and shareholders,” said Susan Horton, Wheatland’s president and chief executive offi-

cer, in the release.

Glacier’s Chelan-based North Cascades Bank, with nine branches and about 100 employees, will merge into the new Wheatland Bank division under Horton’s leadership.

The new division will have 23 branches and about 250 employees in eastern and central Washington.

“We are excited and proud to welcome Wheatland to the Glacier family of banks,” said Randy Chesler, Glacier’s president and CEO, in the release. “Wheatland’s footprint complements our current presence in eastern Washington, a market

which has been experiencing tremendous growth. We have truly admired the impact this franchise has had on its community and are focused on fostering the relationships it has developed with its customers.”

The acquisition marks Glacier’s 25th since 2000 and its 13th announced transaction in the past 10 years.

As of June 30, Community Financial Group’s total assets were $754 million, with total loans of $475 million, and total deposits of $609 million, according to a news release.

The combined division will have $1.6 billion in assets.

Susan Horton u

Sports tourism rebounding after pandemic slump

By Jamie Council for Tri-Cities Area Journal of Business

Sports tourism hasn’t returned to prepandemic levels yet, but Visit Tri-Cities is working hard to change that.

“Sports was one of the first groups to open back up (after the pandemic),” said Hector Cruz, vice president of development and community engagement for Visit TriCities. “It was needed for our hospitality industry. We really relied on the sports market to help drive tourism back to the Tri-Cities.”

In 2019, 209 sports and convention groups generated more than $33.6 million in visitor spending. While Visit Tri-Cities lumps sports and conventions together in its reporting, sports events account for 40% to 50% of those figures.

In 2020, visitor spending for sport and convention groups dropped when the pandemic hit to $4.2 million.

In 2023, it’s estimated that more than $26 million will be generated from sports and convention groups. In August alone, the expected economic impact is projected to be $1.3 million, with 18,750 participants, thanks to four confirmed conventions.

The Tri-Cities is a terrific sporting event destination for a variety of reasons, Cruz said.

“Tri-Cities has the venues, the infrastructure to host events at a local, regional and now at a national level. We’re right in the middle of these major metropolitan areas, so we can draw all these participants where they are only driving three to five hours,” he said.

But many organizations still aren’t fa-

miliar with the area’s amenities so constant promotion is a must, Cruz noted.

“A lot of them don’t know about our location,” he said. “Our job is to sell the TriCities as a premiere sports destination.”

Besides the ability to successfully support sports events, Cruz said the region’s customer service is attractive to event organizers.

The Tri-Cities Sports Council, founded in 1996, also plays a role in promoting the area to sports organizers. It exists to curate a team-driven effort among those in the sports tourism industry.

Visit Tri-Cities attends five trade shows

a year to meet with about 20 prospective event planners. Most recently in July, the team attended an esports convention in Toronto.

Cruz said Visit Tri-Cities is trying to take it a step further and provide top-notch cus-

tomer service for event organizers to make it a one-stop shop experience.

“We build trust with these event owners,” said Cruz. “We go out and meet one on one with them. The next step is we invite them to the Tri-Cities to show them what we can offer.”

Several high-profile sporting events already have found success in the Tri-Cities. The Water Follies hydroplane races and air show generate an estimated $2.8 million in economic impact.

The National Softball Association’s state softball championships brings in an estimated $1.3 million.

The tourism agency recently secured the National Horseshoe Pitchers Association world championships in 2024 and 2027. Each event is expected to have a $1 million economic impact as 1,000 participants travel to the area to compete for the world title.

“The two-week event will showcase the best pitchers in the world, and we look forward to welcoming them here,” said Kevin Lewis, chief executive officer and president of Visit Tri-Cities in a news release.

The Northwest Athletic Conference (NWAC) basketball tournament returned

Photo by Jamie Council

Night racing returned to the Tri-City Raceway in West Richland after two decades. Visit Tri-Cities officials say sports tourism is on the upswing.

SPORTS TOURISM, From page A23

this year to the Tri-Cities for the first time since 2015. The construction of Columbia Basin College’s new student recreation center helped secure the three-year bid for the tournament. The event was last at the Toyota Center in 2015.

“It was nice to bring it back here,” Cruz said. “It was a big win as we were trying to build business back into the community. It means a lot not only to CBC and the city of Pasco, but to the whole region because of the economic impact that event creates.”

In 2019, Visit Tri-Cities conducted a sports facility feasibility study to find out where and what the need was for the sports world. It showed the need for new infrastructure for sports facilities. That study was given to the individual cities to implement as their budgets allow.

Pasco is in the middle of the multiphase A Street soccer complex project with an estimated completion date of 2025.

The 30-acre West Village Community Park will have basketball, pickleball and sports fields in the Badger Mountain South area. The project’s first phase begins this fall.

Kennewick recently installed 15 pickleball courts with the hopes of getting certified by the USA Pickleball Association to host competitive events.

“It’s one of the fastest growing sports, and we’d be one of the only venues in the region to offer it,” said Cruz.

The Red Mountain Event Center and Tri-City Raceway in West Richland were revived in 2021, with an economic impact just shy of $1 million.

Columbia Cup Sponsor: The Water Follies

Over the River Air Show: STCU

Grand Prix World Hydroplane Sponsor: Plumbers & Steamfitters

UA Local 598 and Signatory Contractors

Vintage Legends Atomic Cup: Corwin Ford of Tri-Cities

H1 Unlimited Dash for Cash: Tri-City Water Follies

2.5 Liter Stock Hydroplanes: International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 112 and National Electrical Contractors Association

Marketing Sponsor: Visit Tri-Cities Tri-City Regional Hotel-Motel Commission City of Richland

Volunteer T-Shirts: Apollo Mechanical Contractors

Special Needs Viewing: Tri-Cities Sunrise Rotary Club

Official Ticket Outlet: Event Sprout

Official Kid’s Ticket Sponsor: Steve Lee & Family

Official Kid’s Zone Sponsor: Inland Imaging

Official Merchandiser: Atomic Screen Print & Embroidery

Official Television Station: KNDU

Official Radio Station: KONA 610 AM

Official Malt Beverage:

Columbia Distributing

Official Soft Drink: Coca Cola

The “Lagoon Saloon” & “Margarita Village”:

CG Public House and Catering

Official Trophy Sponsor:

Sandy’s Trophies

Preferred Catering Services:

CG Public House and Catering

Castle Event Catering

Official Equipment Provider: Pape’

Official Hotel: My Place Hotel

Patrol Boat Sponsor: Pasco Machine

Official RV Provider: Broadmoor RV

Official Pizza Sponsor: Papa John’s

Corporate Sponsors:

Apollo Mechanical Contractors

Lampson International, LLC

Unlimited Heat Sponsors:

CO-Energy

Parr Lumber

The Truss Co.

Airport Hospitality Sponsor:

ATI

A Special Thanks To:

The Cart Company

Basin Disposal, Inc.

Ben Franklin Transit

waterfollies.com

Bergstrom Aircraft Inc.

Cat Rental Store

City of Kennewick

City of Pasco

City of Richland

CG Public House

Clover Island Inn

Clover Island Yacht Club

Columbia Marine Center

Columbia Basin College

Columbia Park Golf Course

Federal Aviation Administration

Fowler Construction

Ice Harbor Brewing Company

Kay Metz

Luke’s Carpet

McDonalds

NOAA National Weather Service

OXARC

Pacific Clinic

Pasco Air Traffic Controllers

Pasco Chamber of Commerce

RAD Towing

Rattlesnake Brewing Co.

Ray Poland and Sons, Inc.

Kennewick Red Apple

Safety Kleen

Safeway, Inc.

Sierra Electric Star Rentals

Sunbelt Rentals

Stratton Survey

Town Square Media

Tri-Cities Airport

Tri-City Sign and Barricade

Under Sea Adventures

United States Coast Guard

Our sincere appreciation goes to the sponsors and partners who made the 2023 Tri-City Water Follies possible for our community!

Meet the Richland man who helps lead veterans up Washington’s tallest mountain

By Sara Schilling sara@tcjournal.biz

Dustin Wintczak has stood atop some of the Northwest’s tallest and most challenging peaks.

But for the Richland man – an accomplished mountaineer and mountain climbing instructor – it’s not reaching the summit itself that’s most meaningful. It’s the journey it takes to get there.

That’s especially true when it comes to the mountain work Wintczak has taken up lately.

He volunteers with the nonprofit Veterans Adventure Group, which trains and equips military veterans for outdoor adventures, including scaling Washington’s iconic Mount Rainier.

“It’s very rewarding to watch how much mountaineering and mountain climbing changes people,” said Wintczak, who spent a week in July at Rainier helping 15 veterans attempt the summit. “Getting up there with them and watching their reaction is awesome. The people are the reason I keep going back.”

Transformative experience

At 14,410 feet, Mount Rainier is the tallest mountain in Washington and the tallest singular peak in the lower 48 states. Reaching its summit is a feat of both physical endurance and mountaineering skill.

Justin Matejcek, founder and president of Veterans Adventure Group, said having Wintczak along on his organization’s Rainier climbs has been invaluable. “His technical expertise and his fitness level are both really helpful. I’ve learned so much from him,” Matejcek said.

Matejcek started the nonprofit in 2016 after serving in the U.S. Army.

The group aims to help veterans find passion and community in outdoor sports, including skydiving, kitesurfing, scuba diving, rock climbing and mountaineering. Those pursuits put veterans who’ve transitioned out of military life back into the thick of things, where they tend to thrive.

“As veterans, we’re trained to survive in chaotic environments. When we get back to civilian life, those chaotic environments don’t even exist. (But on the mountain), we’re making decisions that matter again. We all rely on each other. We tend to do well in environments where we’re relied upon, trusted and are expected to perform,” Matejcek told the Tri-Cities Area Journal of Business.

Wintczak first joined Matejcek’s group on a Rainier climb in 2018.

He was turned on to the nonprofit by a veteran friend, who was planning to climb Rainier with the nonprofit and wondered if Wintczak’s climbing skills might be of use.

On the most recent trip, the 15 veterans taking part attempted the summit in small

groups over seven days, with 10 reaching the top. Wintczak’s role was to help prepare the veterans for the climb and then lead a rope team, or group of climbers linked together by a safety rope.

Many of the veterans who participate in climbs through the nonprofit have little to no mountaineering experience beforehand, although they must go through training and meet physical requirements.

It’s something special to watch the veterans put themselves to the test, Wintczak said.

Often, “we’ll get up to Camp Muir (at 10,188 feet) and they’re totally wasted and done, and they’re like, ‘there’s no way I’m getting to the summit,’ and then two days later they’re up there,” Wintczak said. “Mountaineering in a team environment like that is a transformative experience. People who have never done it before and go climb Rainier, it changes something in the way they view their life. It is a very difficult thing to do, and it does put

a lot of things in perspective.”

‘Grateful as always’

For Wintczak, that’s a big part of what makes mountaineering special.

uMOUNTAIN CLIMBING, Page A27

Courtesy Dustin Wintczak Dustin Wintczak of Richland is an accomplished mountaineer and mountain climbing instructor. He volunteers with the nonprofit Veterans Adventure Group, helping military veterans climb Washington’s iconic Mount Rainier.

It’s physically and mentally challenging, and the decisions you make at elevation have stakes as high as the peaks themselves. Being able to navigate that builds confidence and provides perspective, he said.

Wintczak got into the sport several years ago.

The Tri-Cities native – he graduated from Hanford High School in 1997, then went onto Columbia Basin College, Eastern Washington University and a career in banking – enjoyed hiking, especially along the Interstate 90 corridor. In 2017, he enrolled in the local Inter-Mountain Alpine Club’s mountaineering school and plunged headfirst into the world of mountaineering.

The mountaineering school is a multiweek course, taught by volunteer experts, that gives aspiring climbers the instruction and information needed to begin ascending peaks.

Wintczak climbed Mount Hood in Oregon – that state’s tallest peak at 11,249 feet – as his graduation climb. He’s since summited six more times. With his latest Rainier trip factored in, he’s reached that summit four times. He’s also climbed other peaks, including Mount Adams and Mount Baker.

He’s had some thrilling experiences along the way, and some close calls, too –including the time he and a climbing partner narrowly avoided being struck by lightning on Mount Hood. Wintczak could feel his metal ice axe buzzing on his pack from the rapidly approaching lightning storm.

For all his memorable mountain moments, the time he’s spent on Rainier with

the Veterans Adventure Group ranks at the top. This year’s trip offered a mix of weather, with 70-90 mph winds and rain at Camp Muir the first couple of days and sun for the rest of the trip. Overall, “it was a very satisfying experience and I’m grateful as always to be a part of this event each year,” Wintczak said.

‘You learn a lot about yourself’

Along with his physical fitness and technical expertise, Matejcek said Wintczak brings another asset to the Veterans Adventure Group trips: the fact that he’s a civilian and not a former service member.

“That’s one thing I love about having Dustin there. It shows (our participants) that you don’t always have to connect with only veterans. Having Dustin out there as a leader exemplifies our ability to not just be a little niche of veterans,” Matejcek said.

“I think it really helps bridge that veterancivilian gap.”

He added that, “I’m grateful Dustin always comes through for us and helps us out.”

Wintczak balances his adventurous side – which takes him to Rainier and other peaks, and also has propelled him into ice climbing and rock climbing – with his family life. He and his partner, Molly, have three kids between them: Shaelyn, 14, Hunter, 10, and Thatcher, 5.

Wintczak also makes time to give back to the local outdoor community. He serves as an instructor with IMAC’s mountaineering school, helping aspiring mountain climbers – like he once was –learn the sport. He shares his technical knowledge, the wisdom he’s gained, and his passion for the pursuit.

Each climb he’s set out on has given him something, whether he’s reached the summit or not, he said.

“When you do something very difficult, everything else seems a bit more trivial. You learn a lot about yourself having to make consequential decisions. You may learn things about yourself you didn’t know, find places in your soul you didn’t know existed,” he said. “We should all do things that scare us, whether that’s mountain climbing or something else.”

Dustin Wintczak and members of the nonprofit Veterans Adventure Group on Mount Rainier in 2021.

Courtesy Dustin Wintczak

WSU Tri-Cities’ Institute for Northwest Energy Futures appoints inaugural director

By Tri-Cities Area Journal of Business

The two directors selected to oversee the Washington State University Tri-Cities’ new Institute for Northwest Energy Futures have the expertise and experience to establish the Tri-Cities as an energy hub for the state and nation, officials say.

Noel Schulz has been appointed the inaugural director of the institute known as INEF. Yonas Demissie will serve as assistant director.

“INEF provides an excellent opportunity for WSU to leverage system expertise including all campuses and extension to advance clean energy solutions across the region, state and beyond,” Schulz said in a

statement. “I look forward to relocating to the Tri-Cities area and working more closely with WSU TriCities and local leaders on energyrelated topics.”

Earlier this year, the state approved $7.7 million for the 2023-25 biennium to hire researchers and staff and secure a new facility to house the institute. Gov. Jay Inslee had sought $10 million.

INEF will hire eight scientists and engineers – five will be located at WSU Tri-

Cities in Richland, and three will be at WSU Pullman.

Experienced team

Schulz is the Edmund O. Schweitzer III Chair in Power Apparatus and Systems in the WSU Voiland College of Engineering and Architecture. Her experience includes teaching courses in renewable and distributed energy generation, energy conversion and smart grid technologies. Her published research focuses on power

systems modeling and analysis, smart grid applications, microgrids, renewable energy and shipboard power systems, and her work has been funded by several agencies, including the U.S. departments of Energy, Defense and Homeland Security.

“As a nationally recognized expert in power systems engineering, Noel brings a wealth of scientific knowledge that will help to establish connections and collaborations needed to integrate WSU’s relevant scientific capacity with the Institute, communities, industry, and policymakers,” said Christopher Keane, vice president for research at WSU and vice chancellor for research at WSU Pullman, in a statement.

One of those research partners is Pacific Northwest National Laboratory.

“Her work with the PNNL/WSU Advanced Grid Institute is of particular relevance and will serve her in building out INEF. She is a proven leader, educator, researcher and collaborator ready to bring INEF to its full potential,” said Sandra Haynes, chancellor of WSU Tri-Cities, in a statement.

Schulz is the wife of Kirk Schulz, who has been WSU’s president since 2016. The couple have two sons, Tim and Andrew. Demissie is an associate professor of civil and environmental engineering at WSU Tri-Cities. His research interests include systems analysis and optimization of waterenergy-climate nexus to improve sustainability and resilience of the energy system.

Before he joined WSU, he was at Argonne National Laboratory studying the relationship between water resources and biofuel and other renewable energy sources.

“The center can serve as a central hub for coordinating, facilitating, and accelerating the ongoing efforts towards building a cleaner, more sustainable energy future in Washington,” Demissie said.

INEF’s role

Centered at the WSU Tri-Cities campus, INEF will use scientific expertise to guide the transition into maintaining safe, economic and reliable energy systems.

INEF aims to help to bridge the gap between science and policy for innovations in clean energy by leveraging WSU research expertise in power, transportation, fuels and other areas in a systems analysis approach. For more information about INEF and WSU Tri-Cities, go to: tricities.wsu.edu/ inef.

uBUSINESS BRIEF

Registration for October mediation training underway

The Dispute Resolution Center is offering 40-hour mediation training in October for people interested in volunteering with the center, professionals seeking to resolve conflicts in their workplace, or anyone who would like to improve their ability to manage conflict.

These training sessions will provide the necessary skills to more effectively address disputes and communicate with others. Sessions are Oct. 13, 14, 15, 28 and 29 at The Dispute Resolution Center, 5219 W. Clearwater Ave., Suite 11, in Kennewick.

To register or for more information, go to drctc.org or call 509-783-3325

Noel Schulz

Yonas Demissie

Basin Pacific Insurance joins Highstreet brokerage

By Laura Kostad for Tri-Cities Area Journal of Business

Basin Pacific Insurance and Benefits’

Kennewick branch will unveil a new name later this month: Highstreet Insurance and Financial Services.

Founder and Managing Partner Brad Toner, along with his two sons, Justin and Josh Toner, and the Basin Pacific leadership team decided to merge their Kennewick and Othello offices and Manley Crop Insurance division in Prosser with Highstreet, a Traverse City, Michigan-based insurance provider.

“We’ve always been ferociously independent but … we shared a lot of common values and goals and working together made a lot of sense. Long term, I think it’s also better for the Tri-City community because there is a lot of benefit from combining with Highstreet,” Justin Toner said.

Highstreet is the 26th largest privatelyowned insurance broker in the U.S., according to a May 2023 Hales Report. It’s backed by Abry Partners private equity firm of Boston and was founded five years ago when it acquired Peterson McGregor & Associates of Traverse City.

Since then, the company has acquired over 150 agencies, employing over 2,300 insurance professionals across 275 offices in 31 states to be named one of the fastestgrowing insurance agencies in the country.

Other local acquisitions

Basin Pacific joins four other local in-

surance agencies that also were recently acquired: JPI Insurance Solutions of Kennewick, Legacy One Insurance of Richland, Good Oman Insurance of Pasco and The Stratton Agency of Pendleton.

All Basin Pacific offices are independently owned, so the remaining 13 locations across Washington, Oregon and Idaho not owned by the Toners will remain in the Basin Pacific family.

“It really is a partnership more than an acquisition,” Brad Toner said. “Together we form a strong regional presence while maintaining localized management and expertise.”

Unlike a traditional buyout, Highstreet employs a partnership model where the local insurance offices and their teams remain in place.

“Seventy-one percent of (Highstreet) to-

day is owned by guys like me and Justin –founders and owner-operators,” said Jacob Neighbors, an agency president of Highstreet Insurance and Financial Services.

Basin Pacific was founded in 1997 in Moses Lake by Gary Trautman. Brad Toner opened the Kennewick branch in 2010.

Economies of scale

Many of the agencies joining Highstreet have second-generation owners.

“The communities we serve have come to depend on our expertise and helping them protect their assets, their homes, their businesses,” Neighbors said.

Justin Toner said serving their local communities is their highest priority. “We want people to do business with us because they know they can trust us and that we offer the best services and products they can find,” he said.

The partnership network model serves to strengthen all agencies choosing to join it.

“A lot of the traditional buyoffs you see in the marketplace today are not very collaborative,” Neighbors said. “They sell their company and tomorrow they have a new boss in San Francisco … Our unique approach is we partner together, and we are the ones driving the decision-making locally, but we have other folks at the company that can help us at the highest level.”

Neighbors was previously a partner at Simmons Insurance Group in Hermiston before its merger with Highstreet. He said running a small insurance business can be

uBASIN PACIFIC, Page A31

Hometown | Richland

Kevin McClure

Store Manager

Photo by Laura Kostad

Basin Pacific Insurance and Benefits soon will become Highstreet Insurance and Financial Services, thanks to a merger with Highstreet Insurance Partners.

Justin Toner, left, and his dad, Brad Toner, right, flank Jacob Neighbors, the local agency predident of Highstreet Insurance Providers West, at their 6816 W. Rio Grande Ave. office in Kennewick.

challenging.

“We join together to garner economies of scale, combine resources to get the best technology, build stronger carrier relationships that (individual agencies) might not be able to build on (their) own to bring best-in-class service to our clients,” Neighbors said.

“I think of it like a sports team,” he continued. “All the best players want to be playing together and that’s what (Highstreet) is about. We bring really great folks together who are like-minded, customerfocused and who value their employees and communities in a strong way.”

Market conditions

Current market conditions are also causing insurance professionals to get creative

with their business direction. Inflation and ongoing supply chain disruption have caused replacement rates of assets to creep up, resulting in increases to insurance premiums.

At the same time, the increasing occurrence of natural disasters due to extreme weather such as wildfires and hurricanes was caused the number and value of claims to skyrocket. When insurance companies have to pay out more benefits, rates go up for all.

Another driving factor locally is the ongoing rapid growth of both the Tri-City region and Oregon’s border communities to the south, which have seen an explosion in recent years in warehouses, data centers and renewable energy farm construction that challenge both small-town dynamics and the resources of small insurance of-

fices.

Growing businesses also have increasingly complex insurance needs. “All of us – including me – were raised in small towns,” Brad Toner said. “I want small towns to survive without them having to think they have to go to Seattle or Portland for their insurance needs.”

Another benefit is that customers, especially those who were previously in outlying areas, will now have more locations under the Highstreet banner where they can manage their insurance needs.

Those outside the Tri-Cities, Prosser and Othello area will likewise benefit from the unique lines of products Basin Pacific brings to the collective table in the form of crop insurance and bonding.

Two changes are coming to the Basin Pacific team, however, with the merger:

Brad Toner will be moving up into Highstreet regional management to provide leadership in the agribusiness sector, and Justin Toner will oversee all of Highstreet’s partner offices across Tri-Cities, providing leadership for 50 employees.

The local office will continue to be overseen by the Toner family.

“We’re excited to serve the Tri-Cities community under a new banner with the same great folks but expanded services,” Justin Toner said. “If you haven’t done business with us in the past, it might be a good time to explore those options.” search Highstreet Insurance Partners: hsip. com. search Basin Pacific Insurance and Benefits: 6816 W. Rio Grande Ave., #C120, Kennewick; 509-735-7506, basinpacifictricities. com.

This handyman service will get small home projects checked off your list

By Jeff Morrow for Tri-Cities Area Journal of Business

For 20 years, Jason Chambers toiled in the coating industry, working as a regional manager for Sherwin-Williams.

But while he knew what he did was important for the company and his job was filled with responsibilities, he wanted a change.

He was never able to be “on vacation” with his family, as he was always looking at his phone and answering emails and texts, he said.

“I couldn’t be a dad or the husband that I needed to be,” said Chambers, who is married with two children. “But I didn’t know

what I wanted to do.”

The Indiana native had been transferred to Washington state from St. Louis by the company in 2019.

Time for a change

His familiarity with the construction sector led him to explore operating an Ace Handyman Services franchise.

“I knew that in the handyman industry, people didn’t know where to go for help,” Chambers said. “After doing my own re-

search, I decided to purchase a franchise for Ace Handyman Services.”

In September 2019, Ace Hardware purchased a company called Handyman Matters based in Denver, Colorado, which was a franchiser of home repair, maintenance and improvement services. It took the model nationwide.

“Obviously Ace rebranded it. They’re very scrutinizing with who they work with,” he said.

Chambers started looking into launching an Ace Handyman Services franchise in April last year.

There was no franchisee in the Tri-Cities until Chambers dived in.

“I created my LLC on June 30, 2022,

acquiring the rights to all of the Tri-Cities,” he said. “We went live Feb. 6.”

Despite sharing the “Ace” name, his franchise is not tied into the Griggs family’s enterprise that owns and operates the Ace Hardware stores in the Tri-Cities. Still, Chambers reached out to Charles and Charlie Grigg to make sure they were OK with what he was doing.

With the Ace name, Chambers hopes to build on the established brand.

“A lot of credit goes to the Griggs family, and rightfully so,” said Chambers. “I want to show them that actions speak louder than words. I want to protect that Ace name and enhance it.”

The results, Chambers said, have been great so far.

“If you look on the Google reviews, it can tell our story. It boils down to having the right employees,” he said.

Customer service focus

Here’s how the service works: Customers can go to the Ace Handyman Services website at acehandymanservices.com/ offices/tri-cities-washington to schedule a job or get an estimate. Or they can call 509-219-0029 and talk to someone.

“About 95% of what we do is schedule and estimate over the phone,” Chambers said. “But some people will text a photo of what they need done to our number.”

The service is for those needing to complete small projects that they don’t have time to do, or maybe can’t physically do.

Chambers employs five full-time craftsmen, whom he says have a combined 45 to 50 years of experience.

“My guys are awesome,” he said. “We had a slew of applicants for these jobs.”

Chambers holds a team meeting every two weeks to listen and talk about what’s working and what’s not.

“Our motto is to bring ethics and integrity to home improvement. It’s working,” he said.

Chambers said if a customer schedules an appointment, his people contact that client the night before to confirm.

And there’s no waiting in a six-hour window for that craftsman to show up.

“We say we’ll be there at 8, we’re there at 8,” he said. “I try to think through the lens of a customer. By the time they come to us, they really want something fixed as soon as possible.”

Smaller jobs

While his team has tackled some bigger jobs such as remodels, Chambers wants to keep things simple.

“We’re really staying in the handyman home repair area,” he said. “Things like door repair, holes in drywall, a window seal that needs fixing. The smaller jobs are a niche need.”

The company’s most popular services are smaller projects that involve doors, floors, bathrooms, painting, fencing, drywall and carpentry.

The company also offers several service packages:

• A half- or full-day package, in which a customer can get items checked off a todo list.

• A mount a TV package to have a television wall-mounted and wired up.

Jason Chambers

Poutine, ice cream shops serve up fearless flavors

By Jeff Morrow for Tri-Cities Area Journal of Business

On the office wall at his Poutine, Eh? restaurant in Kennewick, Robert Chapin has two strategies to spark creative ideas for his neighboring ice cream shop: his thought board and his flavor bible.

It’s where he comes up with some of his outrageous – yet tasty – ice cream concoctions at What’s the Scoop?

The shop’s most popular flavors have been Mexican hot chocolate, poblano mole, maple bourbon pecan pie, and a cherry port for adults.

He also works with Moonshot Brewing to make ice cream with beer.

The idea for the What’s the Scoop? ice cream shop took shape while hunting for fresh cheese curds for the poutine restaurant.

“We wanted to name the store with a question mark in it, like we did Poutine, Eh?” said Mallory Chapin, Robert’s wife and business partner.

They operate their two shops in a Kennewick strip mall at 3902 W. Clearwater Ave., in suites 119 and 120.

The poutine restaurant opened in December 2020 and the ice cream store opened last December.

“Business has been getting better and better,” Robert said. “I had supreme confidence this (ice cream) store was going to go. I created a demand for ice cream.”

He’s not being arrogant. He’s just confident.

It was his same attitude when he and Mallory opened Poutine, Eh?

How’d it start?

Robert was a chef for 22 years, many of those at the Toyota Center in Kennewick. But during the Covid-19 pandemic, when it was time to come back to work, he wasn’t rehired.

No matter. He and Mallory already had an idea of what they wanted to do.

“We were in Vancouver (British Columbia) about 10 or 11 years ago when we came across a poutine restaurant,” Mallory said.

They wanted to open one in the Tri-Cities.

What is poutine?

It’s a dish of French fries and cheese curds topped with brown gravy. Chapin adds a protein – bratwurst, sirloin, chicken, etc. – if customers prefer.

Robert is nothing if not fearless. He

likes to experiment.

“We do Eggs Benedict one Thursday a month,” he said. “The other three

Thursdays we do tacos.”

He raves about the butter chicken tacos. But there is another dish that is even more intriguing: chicken fried steak tacos with gravy and mashed potatoes in the tortilla.

The couple were also fearless when they opened Poutine, Eh? – smack dab in the middle of a pandemic.

“That first December, we were destroyed. We couldn’t serve anyone inside. Customers would come by for carry out. There was a line out the door. We had $4,000 days that first week,” he said.

They still don’t have much local competition when it comes to poutine, he said.

“We’re still getting new people coming in all of the time,” Chapin said.

Just recently, the Chapins said two couples from Spokane told them they drove down just to get the poutine. What’s the Scoop?

At one point in early 2021, the Chapins went looking for fresh cheese curds for their poutine.

He discovered Jeff Adams, owner of the Walla Walla Cheese Company in Milton-Freewater, through an internet search.

“(The cheese curds) were fresh,” Mallory said. “And I started doing a satellite store there on Saturdays.”

In addition to the fresh curds, the

uWHAT’S THE SCOOP, Page A34

Photo by Jeff Morrow

Robert and Mallory Chapin love to sell customers exciting flavors of ice cream in their What’s the Scoop? store in Kennewick. The shop is next door to their other venture, Poutine, Eh?, which serves up FrenchCanadian poutine dishes. The restaurants are at 3902 W. Clearwater Ave., suites 119 and 120, in Kennewick.

HANDYMAN, From page A32

• A pet door package, in which a craftsman will create a door which enables the pet to go in and out of the house.

• A kitchen fire safety package, allowing a craftsman to set up safety systems in the kitchen.

While Chambers’ craftsmen are busy fixing things for appreciative clients, he’s out in the public trying to get the word out

WHAT’S THE SCOOP, From page A33

Chapins enjoyed Adams’ ice cream. It was smooth, rich and tasty. So they started selling it by the pint at Poutine, Eh?

Last year, when the tenants in suite 119 – next door to Poutine, Eh? – moved out, the Chapins were able to swing a deal with the owner to open What’s the Scoop?

Adams was on board.

And then Robert became fearless once again. He wanted to sell his own ice cream. He knew people liked the usual suspects of ice cream – chocolate, vanilla, strawberry – and that’s what Adams mostly sold.

But Robert wanted to, well, go crazy.

Robert works with Adams and the Walla Walla Cheese Company to get the ice cream, but some of the flavors at What’s the Scoop? are out of this world.

Like black licorice. Thai coconut curry with cashews. Pomegranate. French toast and bacon. Jalapeño cheesecake. Bourbon bacon caramel. Beet-goat

about his company.

He does that by introducing himself at service clubs, events and reaching out to real estate agencies.

“Word is getting out about us, week by week,” he said. “But there are people who have no idea we exist.”

Chambers is also diving in to help the community. His company donates $10 from each job to the Children’s Miracle

cheese-honey.

So far, Chapin has come up with more than 100 flavors in the seven months they’ve been open.

“It’s a challenge. I challenge myself all of the time. I have to push the envelope,” he said. “A lot of my inspiration comes from Home Goods, from all of the worldly flavors they sell. Olive oil, salts, sugars. A lot of that.”

Texture is important to him, too. He likes a little crunch to go with his products. And while sweet is usually the way to go, savory is not out of the question.

The ice cream is made 2.5 gallons at a time.

If something works, more of it can always be made. If it doesn’t work, they’ll move on to the next flavor.

POG with Carolina reaper is a combination of POG (passion orange guava) and one of the hottest peppers around.

It works, although Chapin had to get rid of the pepper seeds the first time around. It starts out sweet, then smacks you at the end with the heat.

At any time, What’s the Scoop? will

Network.

It ties in to what he’s doing with his company.

“What we do improves people’s lives. And I see that every day,” he said. “I get people telling me, ‘Oh my gosh, thank you for answering your phone.’ It’s a simple thing, but people appreciate that.

“We handle what some people can’t handle. Our team gets satisfaction. It

offer 12 flavors. There always will be the traditional mainstays for those less adventurous.

If a customer can’t find enough flavor in what’s available, they can add flavor crystals – rose, hibiscus, habanero, cilantro and mint.

Once a flavor of ice cream sells out, a new flavor will be added.

Theme week flavors

The Chapins also have started getting into doing theme weeks once a month. At the time of this writing, the theme was Harry Potter.

Some of their Harry Potter offerings included Malfoy’s Attitude Adjustment; Ravenclaw’s Tea & Cookies; Hermione’s Summer Limeade; Dumbledore’s Favorite Rolls (King’s Hawaiian and pineapple swirl); and Goblet of Fire (POG with Reaper).

“And we have muggle flavors: chocolate, vanilla, strawberry,” Mallory said. “Scoop manager Micki Swentik is the driving force behind Harry Potter week.”

makes a big impact on my team,” Chambers said. “I would never have imagined just how important it is what we do. What we do, it’s a relief for people.”

search Ace Handyman Services: 7325 W. Deschutes Ave., Suite B, Kennewick; 509219-0029; acehandymanservices.com/offices/tri-cities-washington.

Hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

The creativity that Chapin and his wife have is creating new customers.

“It’s trial and error at 2-and-a-half gallons at a time,” Robert said. “We are creating a clientele for this.”

And the Chapins do it with joy and without fear.

“Watching the customers react to the poutine or the ice cream, whether it’s the first time or the sixth time, is what I love,” Robert said. “It’s a bit different. This is what motivates me when they say, ‘Wow!’ I like to give people an experience.”

search What’s the Scoop?: 3902 W. Clearwater Ave., Suite 119, Kennewick; 509-820-5347; Facebook; Instagram.

Hours: 4-8 p.m. Wednesday-Thursday, noon-9 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

search Poutine, Eh?: 3902 W. Clearwater Ave., Suite 120 next door; 509-8205347; poutineehwa.com; Facebook; Instagram. Hours: 10:45 a.m. to 6:45 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday.

Both shops are closed Sunday-Tuesday.

Senior-focused agency welcomes new leadership

By Kristina Lord kristina@tcjournal.biz

Though the top leadership is changing at Senior Life Resources Northwest, its focus on serving seniors remains stronger than ever.

The Richland-based nonprofit is ready to welcome its fourth executive director as it prepares to celebrate its 50th anniversary next year.

Executive Director Grant Baynes plans to retire before the end of the year, though he’s not leaving just yet. He’s training his replacement, Brandy Hickey, and he’s got a hard deadline for handing over the reins. On Dec. 6, he flies to his native New Zealand for an extended trip to kick off his second retirement.

In 2015, he retired from the city of Richland as fire chief after more than 35 years in the fire service. It’s also the year he started at SLR.

With Baynes’ retirement, SLR’s board of directors spent considerable time analyzing the knowledge, skills and talents needed in its next leader, said Dave Sanford, board president.

“We developed a rigorous process to screen and evaluate candidates to ensure we selected a successor who will not only hold the gains the organization has made under Grant’s leadership, in terms of both our client services, as well as our workplace culture, but is also able to meet the challenges of the future. Brandy Hickey is a proven leader with a strong passion for helping others, building teams and fostering positive relationships,” Sanford said.

Sanford said SLR has skilled and passionate directors for its programs and a dedicated, hard-working team of staff and volunteers. “Now we have a new leader who fits our organization well and will work closely with the board to support the programs that are at the heart of our mission,” he said.

Hickey, who has 15 years’ experience working in nonprofits, said she knows she has big shoes to fill, but she’s excited to take on the executive director role at the agency that offers senior home care and food services.

Hickey served as director of Cork’s Place at Chaplaincy Health Care for eight years and most recently as chief development officer of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Benton and Franklin Counties. She earned

a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration, management and operations from Seattle University and has certifications in crisis intervention management and mental health.

Hickey said she loves serving the senior community.

“The job chooses you in a lot of ways,” she said. “This is where I wanted to land. This is home.”

New Meals director

Carla Martinez is the new Meals on Wheels director after initially being hired to oversee fundraising for the program. When her predecessor left, Martinez agreed to step into the role.

Martinez has a master’s degree in organizational leadership from Gonzaga University and a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Western Washington University. She spent 15 years as a health care administrator and 18 years as a public affairs manager at Energy Northwest. Most recently, she worked at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Benton and Franklin Counties as a donor relations director.

She’s come full circle, as her first job was working in a senior dining facility.

“I have a passion for seniors,” she said.

It’s a theme that runs through the agency, Baynes said. “It’s not about us but the people we serve,” he said.

Serving seniors

The agency serves seniors in a variety of ways. It operates two different programs: Home Care Services, providing inhome assistance to seniors in eight counties; and Mid-Columbia Meals on Wheels, which offers home-delivered meals and well-checks for homebound clients, and a dining center program that serves hot meals for seniors.

The nonprofit’s workforce includes 30 people on the Meals on Wheels side of the operation, and 48 nonunion and 740 union staff on the home care side.

There also are 15 staffers in human resources/finance/administration.

Meals on Wheels also relies on the help of about 500 volunteers.

SLR’s total budget in 2023 is $34 million, with $2.8 million earmarked for Meals on Wheels operations.

During the pandemic, Meals on Wheels closed its dining centers and instead delivered frozen meals and later offered drivethru hot meals.

Its eight dining centers eventually re-

opened, but it’s taking a while to return to prepandemic attendance, Baynes said.

In 2019, 57,576 meals were served at group dining sites. In 2022, 49,002 meals were served.

The centers serve seniors hot meals five days a week in Kennewick, Pasco, Richland, Benton City, Prosser and Connell.

The Meals on Wheels program serves 600 to 700 meals per day to seniors age 60 and older with about three-quarters delivered to individual homes, and a quarter served in a group setting.

In May, the agency served up 21,562 total meals. Of those, 5,249 were meals at a dining site and 16,313 were delivered. The numbers are up more than 20% over the previous May.

The agency served 256,000 meals total last year.

Baynes noted there are more seniors to feed in the community.

“We know there are more in need and want to meet that need,” he said.

Martinez said Meals on Wheels offers more than a hot meal, too. It provides a well check for homebound seniors. Sometimes Meals on Wheels volunteers are seniors’ only link to the rest of the world. With the nation’s mental health crisis, this is more important than ever, Hickey said. “Those connections grow so important. It’s really a big thing,” she said.

Martinez said checking in on seniors who may not feel valued or as if they have a purpose is critical. “I know we offer that connection,” she said.

There are no financial qualifiers for service, and all meals are provided on an optional, confidential, donation-only basis. Seniors are asked to donate only what is comfortable within their own budgets. No senior is denied service, and there is no waiting list. Call 509-735-1911.

Oktoberfeast

The meals program has an $800,000 funding gap.

To help plug the shortfall, planning is underway for an Oct. 7 fundraiser, Oktoberfeast, which features a 5K fun run along the Columbia River, food, beer (and root beer) and live music. The familyfriendly event welcomes kids and dogs. Participants can run on their own or on a team.

The registration bundle includes entry

Photo by Sara Schilling

Senior Life Resources Northwest has hired two new leaders. Carla Martinez, left, is the new Meals on Wheels director, and Brandy Hickey is SLR’s incoming executive director. They are standing inside the Fowler Street Cafe in Richland where lunch is served from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday to Friday. u

uAPPOINTMENTS

• Walla Walla winery L’Ecole

No 41 has appointed Ryan Pennington as its chief operating officer. Pennington spent the last 10 years at Ste. Michelle Wine Estates, where he was most recently vice president of communications and corporate affairs, and he previously worked as communications director for the Washington Wine Commission for five years. Additionally, Pennington has served on multiple boards, including the Washington Wine Commission, Washington Wine Institute, Northwest Wine Coalition, and WineAmerica.

uRETIREMENT

• Kennewick City Manager Marie Mosley has announced plans to retire at the end of the year. She’s spent 40 years in municipal government service, working as Kennewick’s city manager for the last 13 years. Mosley started as an accountant for the city of Kennewick before going on to work in Renton and Federal Way. She returned to the Tri-Cities in 2001, working as Kennewick’s finance manager and then support services executive director before being promoted to city manager in 2010. Mosley also has held leadership roles with numerous other Tri-City organizations. In 2019, she was recognized for her leadership and public service as the Kennewick Woman of the Year.

uAWARDS & HONORS

• Leadership Tri-Cities has announced its next class. Class 27 is comprised of: Karina Aispuro, Washington State University Tri-Cities; Alice Amaya, Pasco School District; Megan Biever, Kennewick School District; Christopher Bonilla, Solutions In-Home Care; David Chavey-Reynaud, Benton Franklin

Workforce Development Council; Dana Dollarhyde, city of Kennewick; Kelly Ebert, U.S. Department of Energy; Mauricio Gomez, Lourdes Health; Holly Harmon, Numerica Credit Union; Jill Harvill, Hanford Mission Integration Solutions; Darrell Herling, Battelle NW Division; Cara Hernandez, Chaplaincy Health Care; Karlee Hodges, Richland School District; Avonte Jackson, Grace Clinic; Jessie Tomren, Mid-Columbia Libraries; David Jordan, Energy Northwest; Wendy Krause, Kadlec Tri-Cities Cancer Center; Jennifer Kuklinski, Energy Northwest; Kevin Lewis, Visit Tri-Cities; Amy Marinoni, Lutheran Community Services Northwest; Christopher Mortensen, Pasco Fire Department; Ryan Nell, INTERA Inc.; Kylie Peel, city of Kennewick; Timmy Song, Columbia Basin College; Madison Evangelista, Mid-Columbia Libraries; Max Schneider, Empowered Health; and Mike Saffell, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory.

• The Auction of Washington Wines has named Andy Perdue as its Wine Industry Champion Award winner for 2023. Perdue, a preeminent wine journalist, has written for the TriCity Herald, Seattle Times and numerous other publications, including the Tri-Cities Area Journal of Business and Senior Times. He helped launch Wine Press Northwest magazine for the Herald and its owner, McClatchy News, in 1998, and he is cofounder of Great Northwest Wine. The Auction of Washington Wines is one of the top five charitable wine auctions in the U.S. Perdue received the award as part of the TOAST! Honoree Celebration on Aug. 10 at Château Ste. Michelle.

• The Washington Airport Management Association has recognized the Port of Benton’s Richland Airport for project of the year for its electrical replacement project. The Federal Aviation Administration fully funded the $3.2 million project, which required strategically planning phased runway and taxi closures between July and November 2022.

Additionally, the Port of Benton re-

ceived a Community Outreach Award from the Washington Public Ports Association for the Van Giesen railroad crossing replacement project. The port communicated with the community throughout the project, which involved a closure of the Highway 224/Van Giesen Street intersection in August 2022.

• Heritage University nursing program director Christina Nyirati, Ph.D., received the 2023 Nurse Educator Award from the Washington State Nurses Association. She was one of 10 individuals recognized at the WSNA convention in May. The awards are given biennially. Nyirati was recognized for her work in bringing nursing education to underrepresented populations. She founded the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program at Heritage in 2014 with the mission to advance health in rural communities and among multicultural families.

• Kiona Vineyards has been recognized as one of USA Today’s Top 10 Winery Tasting Rooms in 2023. A set of wine industry experts nominated tasting rooms across the US and readers voted for their favorites, resulting in this top 10 list. Kiona Vineyards, one of the first vineyards on Red Mountain, is now a three-generation family estate with over 270 planted acres.

• Prosser Memorial Health has received a 5-star overall hospital quality rating from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. The rating is the highest, and PMS is one of 483 hospitals in the country, eight hospitals in Washington and the only Critical Access Hospital in the state to receive it.

• Richland’s Reborn Bike Shop has received the Retailer Excellence Award from the National Bicycle Dealers Association. One hundred bicycle shops are selected for this award, and Reborn Bike Shop has won three years in a row. This year, it is the only winner in Washington. Reborn Bike Shop carries pre-owned bicycles, e-bikes and parts from both national and international brands.

• Skip Novakovich, a Port of Kennewick commissioner, was honored for his military and civilian service at the Chief Joseph Days Rodeo in Joseph, Oregon, on July 29. No-

vakovich enlisted in 1969 and then rose to the rank staff sergeant. He received a direct appointment to first lieutenant from the president during the Vietnam War and was a lieutenant colonel when he officially retired in 2007. Rodeo announcer Jody Carper recognized Novakovich and his wife Shannon during the rodeo finals.

• Materials scientist Tiffany Kaspar with Pacific Northwest National Laboratory in Richland has been named a fellow of AVS. The interdisciplinary society, founded in 1953, focuses on materials, interfaces and processing.

AVS recognized Kaspar for her work in synthesizing and characterizing epitaxially grown oxide thin films and for her educational outreach in STEM. Kaspar joined PNNL in 2000 and her work with oxide materials improves understanding of the relationship between structures and properties. She will be honored in November at the AVS 69th International Symposium and Exhibition in Portland, Oregon.

• The 2023 rankings for America’s Best Real Estate Professionals were recently released. The rankings are broken down into several categories: individuals and small, medium, large and mega teams. Together, these rankings feature the top 1.5% of real estate professionals in the United States. Here are those from the Tri-Cities:

Top agents: Amy Leicht, Coldwell Banker Tomlinson; Jared Retter, Retter & Company Sotheby’s International Realty; Scott Kiehn, Coldwell Banker Tomlinson; Geoff Bowlsby, Century 21 Tri-Cities; Carol Fuller, Retter & Company Sotheby’s International Realty; Laura Harris-Hodges, Coldwell Banker Tomlinson; Jemima Crosby, Coldwell Banker Tomlinson; Jordan Barnhill, Century 21 Tri-Cities; Shana Brown, Keller Williams Columbia Basin; Toni Stanford, Keller Williams Columbia Basin; Arielle Hays, ERA Skyview Realty; Kelley Gravenslund, Century 21 Tri-Cities; Lisa Green, Keller Williams Columbia Basin.

Top small team: 3 Cities Real Estate, RE/MAX Northwest Realtors.

Top medium teams: Community Real Estate Group, Keller Williams Columbia Basin; My Home Real Estate, Keller Williams Columbia Basin.

Top large teams: Krista Hopkins Homes, Keller Williams Columbia Basin.

Ryan Pennington

Marie Mosley

Andy Perdue

Skip Novakovich

uCERTIFICATION

• Dr. Allison Tillack of Inland Imaging, which has a location in the Tri-Cities, has become a Certified B Reader, a certification requiring specialized training through the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. B Readers must be proficient in reading diagnostic imaging associated with pneumoconiosis, a lung disease caused by airborne particles, such as dust and fibers. B Readers can provide a diagnosis and follow up with patients exposed to such particles. In the United States, there are only 207 Certified B Readers. Tillack is the first to hold this certification on Inland Imaging’s professional radiology team.

uBOARDS

• Washington State University Tri-Cities master’s student Isaac Marroquin joined the Board of Regents as student regent for the year. He has been involved at WSU Tri-Cities since he arrived as an undergraduate student, becoming first a student senator, then vice president of the Associated Students at Washington State University Tri-Cities the following year, finishing his final year as president of the organization. He also spent time as a part of WSU TriCities Chancellor’s Leadership Council. Marroquin plans to be vocal and present

early on in his new role, advocating for mental health resources and voicing the concerns of his fellow students. Outside of his education and student leadership, Marroquin works at a Starbucks and is also the president of the campus boxing club that he restarted.

• Michelle Moyer, professor and viticulture extension specialist at Washington State University, is the 2023-24 president of the Washington State University American Society for Enology and Viticulture. Moyer has been an ASEV member since 2009 and has earned several recognitions from the organization. She became a board member in 2018 and also serves as the ASEV Foundation president. Moyer received her bachelor’s degree in genetics and plant pathology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and her Ph.D. in plant

pathology from Cornell University before beginning work at Washington State University in 2011. Her work there involves addressing knowledge gaps and needs across the grape industry, connecting pest biology and plant physiology through her research and developing resources for all knowledge levels.

• Lamb Weston Holdings Inc. has appointed Rita Fisher to its board of directors. Fisher has been the chief information officer and executive vice president, supply chain, at Reynolds Consumer Products since 2017. Previously, she worked at Kraft Heinz Co. for 22 years in various roles in the areas of information technology and supply chain, ultimately becoming the vice president and head of global business services.

to the race, lunch, a drink, a collectible beer mug, and a collectible T-shirt.

Following the run, there’s a Bavarianstyle lunch prepared by the Meals on Wheels kitchen team (last year’s menu featured bratwurst sandwiches, German potato salad, German red cabbage, sauerkraut and black forest cake. Vegetarian sausage and regular hot dogs are available, too.).

There also will be a Kid Zone, a dog corner with snacks for the pups, a beer garden featuring local craft beer, music and more.

Proceeds benefit the Meals on Wheels program.

Go to: runsignup.com/Race/WA/ Richland/Oktoberfeast2023.

Isaac Marroquin

uPROMOTIONS

• The Port of Kennewick has added a second deputy chief executive officer to its ranks. Nick Kooiker has been promoted to the position, which he’ll hold alongside current Deputy CEO Tana Bader Inglima. Kooiker is the port’s chief financial officer, and he’ll continue with those duties and take on additional responsibilities, including expanded work with the port’s Board of Commissioners. The promotion is part of the port succession planning. “I’ve been working to ensure that we have people identified and in place well in advance of, and to help mitigate for, any transitions in employment,” Port CEO Tim Arntzen said in a statement, noting that Bader Inglima has said she’ll retire in a few years. Kooiker joined the port as an assistant auditor/accountant in 2013 and became the CFO in 2016. He holds a Master of Business Administration and a Bachelor of Arts in accounting and finance from Eastern Washington University. He’s also a licensed real estate broker.

• Mark Clarke is the new nuclear facilities manager at the Hanford vitrification plant. He has nearly 40 years of experience in nuclear operations with experience in radiological operations and facility startups and has worked at the vit plant in several roles. He joined the vit

plant in 2016 as deputy operations manager, working on the plant’s startup and construction. Since then, he has taken on roles with increasing responsibility, including shift operations manager, operations manager and deputy nuclear facilities manager. Previously, Clarke had worked as a nuclear plant operator and instructor with the U.S. Navy. He also spent 12 years in the decommissioning field at the Naval Reactors Facility and then returned to nuclear operations in his work at the Idaho Waste Treatment Unit as the operations manager.

• Walt Taylor is the new mission assurance manager for the Waste Treatment Completion Company at the Hanford vitrification plant. Most recently, he served as Bechtel’s Direct-Feed LowActivity Waste area project manager, safety and health technical representative, and interim manager of quality for the vit plant. His 30 years of experience also include spending three years as a risk and task manager for Bechtel Power. He also served 20 years as a naval officer,

including as a technical advisor for naval nuclear propulsion for 11 aircraft carriers; an assistant reactor officer on USS Nimitz; and executive officer of a guided missile cruiser. Taylor graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy with a bachelor’s in political science and from Old Dominion University with a master’s in engineering management.

Replacing Taylor as the safety and health technical representative is Tony Campbell, who joined the project in March as deputy safety and health technical representative.

Campbell has worked in safety and health in the food and chemical manufacturing industries for 25 years. His roles prior to Bechtel included director of health and safety at Lamb Weston and safety manager for ConAgra Foods and FMC. He received his bachelor’s in chemistry and master’s in environmental waste management from Idaho State University.

• Martin Valadez has been promoted to vice president for strategic initiatives at Heritage University and will oversee regional university operations and lead the development of strategic initiatives. He previously served as director of Heritage’s regional site in the Tri-Cities. Before joining Heritage, Valadez was vice president for diversity and outreach at Columbia Basin College in Pasco. He holds numerous leadership roles in the community, including serving as president of the Tri-Cities Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and chair of the Mid-Columbia Libraries Board of Trustees. He also serves on the Tri-City Economic Development Council and the state Board of Community and Technical Colleges.

• Inland Imaging has promoted John Crowley to director of operations at its Tri-Cities imaging center in Kennewick. He has worked in medical imaging since 1985 when

Inland Imaging opened its first outpatient facility. He became a registered technologist specializing in ultrasound in 1989 and received a certification in vascular ultrasound in 1993. After working a year for Advanced Technology Laboratories in 1995, Crowley returned to Inland, where he became the team leader in the ultrasound department and later the director of ultrasound services. He received a master’s degree in health care management from Southern New Hampshire University. He replaces LuWanda Leskinen, who is taking an extended leave to spend time with family.

uNEW HIRES

• Bryan Larson has joined United Family Center as a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner. He has provided comprehensive psychiatric services for the last four years and began working Aug. 1 at the United Family Center in Kennewick, where he will help those struggling with mental health and provide medication management, a new service for the center. He received his bachelor’s in nursing from Walla Walla University and worked in emergency medicine for more than a decade before pursuing a Doctorate of Nurse Practice at Washington State University.

• Nurse Practitioner Liz Vossenkemper has been hired as a provider at United Family Center in Kennewick. She received her bachelor’s degree in nursing from Chamberlain University and her master’s in pediatric nursing from Marysville; she is also certified as an advanced registered nurse practitioner, a nurse practitioner in primary care, and a pediatric primary care mental health specialist. She has spent more than a decade of her career specializing in neurodevelopmental and behavioral pediatrics, and has focused on primary care, developmental and mental health needs since moving to the Tri-Cities in 2017.

• Rachel Visick has joined the Tri-Cities Area Journal of Business as a news assistant and researcher. Visick, originally from Illinois, received her bachelor’s degree in English and French (comparative literature) this spring from the University of Puget Sound.

• Dr. Joel Wassermann is the new chief medical officer for Providence St. Mary Medical Center in Walla Walla. Wassermann began work with Providence in 1995 upon completion of his family medicine residency at the former Providence Seattle Medical Center. He continued to work at Providence facilities throughout much of his career, including his most recent position as the CMO for Providence Swedish hospital in Edmonds, where he was also on the Swedish Board of Trustees. In his new role, he joins Chief Nursing Officer Louise Dyjur as the local executive level clinical leadership for Providence St. Mary.

Nick Kooiker

Mark Clarke

Liz Vossenkemper

Walt Taylor

Tony Campbell

John Crowley

Martin Valadez

Bryan Larson

Rachel Visick

Dr. Joel Wassermann

uNEW HIRES

• Visit Tri-Cities has hired four new staffers.

Julie Woodward is the new director of marketing, helping to brand, encourage visits to, and increase economic impact in the Tri-Cities through her guidance of marketing, advertising and communications. Woodward most recently served as director of marketing at the Oregon Coast Aquarium, and she has 30 years of experience in marketing focused on the Pacific Northwest. Her work includes involvement with brands such as Boeing, REI, Gates Foundation and Boys & Girls Clubs.

Michele York has joined Visit Tri-Cities as the business development manager. York started her career in sales, marketing and media in Portland, Maine, where she gained recognition from the Maine Association of Broadcasters for Best Promotion.

Lillian Martin has been hired as the media relations manager, where she will oversee social media and digital communications, promoting the Tri-Cities as a destination not only for leisure travel, but also for sporting events and conferences. Martin received her bachelor’s in marketing and economics from Western Washington University.

Mariah Brush has joined Visit Tri-Cities as the convention development manager. In this role, she will help develop targeted outreach strategies and build relationships to ultimately showcase the Tri-Cities. She received her bachelor’s degree in business administration from Washington State University Tri-Cities and she has a strong background in sales within the tourism industry. Brush also brings the diverse experience of working on cruise ships.

• The Tri-City Americans has hired Taylor Curry as athletic therapist for the team. Curry received her bachelor’s degree in athletic training from Washington State University and her master’s in sports medicine and injury studies from California State University, Long Beach. She most recently served as a volunteer assistant athletic therapist for the Seattle Thunderbirds during the 2022-23 season,

making her well qualified to help improve athlete health in her new role with the Americans.

• Jonathon Blanchard has joined Prosser Memorial Health as a family nurse practitioner. He graduated from Washington State University summa cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in nursing, then worked as a registered nurse while he obtained his Doctorate of Nursing Practice from the same university. He’s worked as a charge nurse for the emergency department at Lourdes Medical Center. Blanchard is certified in basic life support, advanced cardiovascular life support, pediatric advanced life support and family practice. Blanchard’s studies have focused on rural care and community engagement. His grandmother and mother were nurses and his father was a combat medic.

• Dr. Josh Macke has joined the Prosser Memorial Hospital Emergency Department. He received his bachelor’s degree from Central Washington University, his master’s from Heritage University, and his doctorate from Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences. He has researched in the areas of public wellness and the impact of Covid-19, and he holds certifications for emergency neurologic life support, advanced trauma life support and pediatric advance life support. Prior to Prosser Memorial, Macke worked in a medical center at Midwestern University in Arizona, where he had been awarded Save of the Month and placed first in an EKG diagnostic competition.

• The Rude Mechanicals has hired two new directors. Liz Fenstermaker has joined as the new interim executive director. She has over 20 years of experience in nonprofit theater and school settings, and she earned her bachelor’s degree in theater from Smith College and a self-designed master’s degree in arts leadership and education from

Lesley University. Fenstermaker has won awards as an arts educator, theatre artist and administrator, and she also holds a Washington state teaching license.

Cyndi Kimmel is the new artistic director. Experienced in a mix of performance, dramaturgy and directing along with scholarly research, Kimmel has a bachelor’s degree in theater performance and Spanish from George Fox University and a Master of Letters and a Master of Fine Arts in Shakespeare and performance from Mary Baldwin University. She has taught and performed in the Tri-Cities since 2014.

• General surgeon Dr. Garrett M. Pool has joined Lourdes Surgical Specialists. He has more than 20 years of experience and is a board-certified general surgeon. He received his medical degree from Oregon Health & Science University School of Medicine and completed his residency in general surgery at Bassett Healthcare Network in Cooperstown, New York. His training includes general, trauma, colorectal, bariatric, breast and endocrine surgical procedures, as well as minimally invasive robotic surgery.

• Petersen Hastings has hired Andrew Perez as an associate wealth advisor for the Kennewick firm. Perez graduated from Central Washington University in 2023 with a bachelor’s in business administration, specializing in personal financial planning. In his new role, he will help to support the development and management of client relationships.

• Dr. Paul Monié, Fellow of the American Academy of Family Physicians, has joined Empowered Health Institute in

Richland, with office hours beginning in October. Monié has practiced medicine in the TriCities for more than a decade. He completed a residency in family medicine

at the University of Wyoming and a residency in sports medicine at Riverstone Health in Billings, Montana. Monié holds a master’s degree in public health, is board-certified in Family medicine and sports medicine, and is a member of the American Medical Society for Sports Medicine, the American College of Sports Medicine, the American Academy of Family Physicians and the American Medical Association.

• Fulcrum

Environmental

Consulting of Yakima has hired two new environmental technicians, Mary Jo Barker and Tarell Manjarrez. Barker graduated from UC Merced with a bachelor’s degree in environmental engineering, and Manjarrez received his bachelor’s degree in environmental sciences from Western Washington University.

uSCHOLARSHIPS

• The Kennewick Kiwanis Foundation awarded 22 scholarships totaling $44,000 to seniors graduating from Kennewick and Finley high schools, including the renewal of scholarships previously awarded to graduates continuing their academic careers. The scholarships ranged between $1,000 and $2,500 per student. Ten readers were recruited to review and score anonymous student applications, which were weighted by student and family need (45%), service (15%), scholastic record (10%), essay (10%), leadership (10%), and personal references (10%).

Julie Woodward Cyndi Kimmel

Michele York

Lillian Martin

Mariah Brush

Liz Fenstermaker

Dr. Josh Macke

Dr. Garrett M. Pool

Andrew Perez

Dr. Paul Monié

Mary Jo Barker

Tarell Manjarrez

Tax exemption prompts Richland plant expansion

By Sara Schilling sara@tcjournal.biz

The Dallas, Texas-based company ATI Inc. has confirmed its plans to expand the plant in north Richland where it melts titanium for aerospace and defense productions.

And the multimillion-dollar project, which is expected to come online next year, is the first in the state to be granted a property tax exemption for manufacturing under a new incentive program.

The program aims to encourage manufacturers to build or expand in urban areas.

“Twenty-five years after the Richland facility was first commissioned, it’s exciting to expand our presence there,” said Bob Wetherbee, ATI Inc’s board chair and chief executive officer, in a statement. “We appreciate the region’s strong support and are honored to be the

city of Richland’s first recipient of the manufacturing property tax exemption.”

The city said in its own statement that it’s “proud to collaborate with ATI on this valuable program and (we) are eager to proceed with future opportunities.”

Karl Dye, president and chief executive officer of the Tri-City Development Council, or TRIDEC, added that, “this not only helps the city, but it helps our entire region be competitive on a national scale with recruitment of manufacturing jobs.”

ATI confirmed the Richland expansion plans in an announcement on July 19, the day after the Richland City Council approved the company’s application for a Targeted Urban Area tax exemption. The TUA program, adopted by the state Legislature last year, is meant to help communities bring in livingwage jobs by enticing manufacturers to urban areas.

Companies that build or expand within a targeted area get a break on city property taxes on new improvements for 10 years. Their projects must meet certain qualifications, including that they’re valued at $800,000 or more and create at least 25 family living wage jobs.

Richland’s Targeted Urban Area –designated by the city council earlier this year – includes the Horn Rapids Industrial Park and land around the Richland Airport.

ATI’s Richland plant is at 3101 Kingsgate Way in the Horn Rapids Industrial Park.

The company plans to add three new buildings at its 100-acre site there and create 93 new jobs as part of the expansion valued at $111 million, according to information from the city.

About 100 people work at the plant now.

ATI was considering expanding in

North Carolina, but the TUA program drew it to Richland, the city said. The city estimates it will waive $2.6 million in property tax revenue over 10 years.

ATI said its Richland expansion will increase production of aerospace and defense-grade titanium by about 35% over the 2022 baseline levels, helping support the $1.2 billion in new sales commitments the company announced in June. “The expansion is projected to be online by the end of 2024, with product qualifications occurring in 2025,” the company said.

With the expansion, “we’re essentially doubling the capacity of this operation and upgrading its capabilities to deliver the high-quality premium materials our customers value,” said Kim Fields, ATI president and chief operating officer, in the statement.

Small nuclear reactor project coming to Tri-Cities area

By Tri-Cities Area Journal of Business

Plans for an advanced small modular nuclear reactor project in the Tri-Cities area that will generate carbon-free electricity have taken a major step forward.

Energy Northwest, which operates the Columbia Generating Station north of Richland and several other clean energy generating facilities, has signed a joint development agreement with the Maryland-based X-energy for the project.

X-energy is a nuclear reactor and fuel design engineering company.

The project is set to include up to 12 Xe-100 advanced small modular reactors, designed by X-energy, with the first module expected to be brought online by 2030.

In all, the project will be able to generate up to 960 megawatts total of carbon-free electricity, according to a joint statement from Energy Northwest and X-energy.

“The Xe-100 high-temperature gascooled reactor technology can power a broad range of applications through its high-temperature steam output that can address the needs of large regional electricity providers as well as industrial manufacturing systems,” the statement said.

The modules are designed to be roadshippable, to drive scalability and to ac-

celerate construction timelines and help manage construction costs.

U.S. Rep. Dan Newhouse, R-Washington, praised the project.

“It is exciting to see Energy Northwest and X-energy keep Central Washington at the forefront of energy innovation in this country while delivering on the growing need for clean energy technologies,” he said in a statement.

“Advanced nuclear technology is bringing next-generation development to the

marketplace, strengthening our nation’s energy security and providing economic security for businesses in Tri-Cities and beyond. I look forward to seeing the great benefits this project will bring to our communities and our nation.”

The project is planned for land next to the Columbia Generating Station.

Energy Northwest and X-energy have been working on plans for an Xe100 project in the region since 2020. It was once in the running to be the first

of its kind in the nation, but X-energy and the company Dow Inc. announced in May their joint development agreement to demonstrate the first grid-scale advanced nuclear reactor for an industrial site in North America.

That project, at Dow Inc.’s UCC Seadrift Operations site in Texas, is being paid for through the U.S. Department of Energy’s Advanced Reactor Demonstration Program, or ARDP.

J. Clay Sell, CEO of X-energy, said his company is “eager to bring the insights and learnings from our ARDP experience to successfully deliver an Xe-100 nuclear power plant in Central Washington. Energy Northwest’s experience as a leading nuclear operator in the region uniquely positions it to showcase the benefits and scalability of advanced nuclear.”

Bob Schuetz, CEO of Energy Northwest, said X-energy’s advanced reactor technology “will be a valuable addition to our existing portfolio of carbon-free electric generating resources.”

He added that, “X-energy’s Xe-100 advanced reactor technology possesses many attributes ideally suited to a carbon-constrained electric system, and this agreement reflects our determination to deliver the technologies to meet growing clean energy needs.”

Courtesy Energy Northwest

Energy Northwest owns or operates numerous clean energy generating facilities throughout the Northwest, including Columbia Generating Station north of Richland, which is the only commercial nuclear energy facility in the region.

REAL ESTATE & CONSTRUCTION

Pasco church plans multimillion-dollar expansion

By Sara Schilling sara@tcjournal.biz

The Pasco church Hungry Generation plans a multimillion dollar, three-phase expansion to increase not only its local capacity and offerings but also its global reach.

The first phase involves transforming a building on North Edison Street in Kennewick into a church space with room for 1,000 people. Two future phases will include creating a media center and building a school of ministry and a private Christian school, according to information on the church website.

The price tag is estimated at $12 million.

“We have now reached the new phase in HungryGen’s expansion. We recently have purchased a new facility and we are currently remodeling it, preparing it for hosting of 1,000 or so people that will be able to fit in that sanctuary,” said Pastor Vlad Savchuk in a video posted on the church’s website.

Project manager Paul Govorukhin told the Tri-Cities Area Journal of Business that the building at 1120 N. Edison St. used to

uBUSINESS BRIEFS

New urgent care clinic opens in West Richland

Three Rivers Family Medicine, a Richland primary care office, has opened its first urgent care clinic in West Richland.

be a roller rink and a government facility over the course of its life. It’s one story, but part of the work is creating a second story. Construction is expected to take about 1 ½ to two years.

Govorukhin’s company, Innovative Solutions Construction in Pasco, is the general contractor.

The cost is about $3.7 million, according

Three Rivers Urgent Care is the first satellite clinic for the privately-owned family physicians office that has operated at 945 Goethals Drive in Richland for more than 20 years.

Physician Assistants Ric Melendez and Steve Zirker, and Candace Degenstein, an advanced registered nurse practitioner, are

to a building permit filed with the city of Kennewick.

Govorukhin said the new building is needed because of growth at Hungry Generation, which holds four services at its West Sylvester Street home on Sundays to accommodate all those who want to attend.

People regularly travel from outside of the Tri-Cities – even outside of the state –

the West Richland clinic’s providers.

The walk-in clinic is open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. seven days a week at 1507 Bombing Range Road in Suite A, across from Yoke’s Fresh Market.

The clinic offers on-site X-rays, testing services, physicals and treatment for minor illnesses and injuries.

to take part in Hungry Generation services and events, Govorukhin said.

The church – and Savchuk as its senior pastor – have a significant presence on social media, with hundreds of thousands of followers across Facebook, Instagram and other sites. The accounts share teachings on topics from marriage roles to homosexuality, gender identity, culture and more.

Future stages of the expansion project involve building out office space for church staff and operations, buying additional broadcast equipment and creating a media center for global reach, building a school of ministry, adding classrooms and housing and building HungryGen Academy, a private Christian school with a state-of-the-art science lab, kitchen and recreation area, the information posted online says.

The church started in 2001, after founding Pastor Vasiliy Parkhotyuk immigrated from Ukraine to the Tri-Cities. It moved into its Pasco home at 3203 W. Sylvester St. in 2003.

The church’s mission “is to bring salvation to this generation,” the website says.

Call 509-591-4003, or go to: 3riversurgentcare.com.

Downtown Kennewick building damaged in fire

A suspicious fire damaged the historic Cascade Building in downtown Kennewick on Aug. 4.

Firefighters were called to the building at 300 W. Kennewick Ave. – which was boarded up, under construction and unoccupied – a little after 2 a.m. and saw signs of smoke and fire on the second floor.

“Crews quickly gained access to the second floor from an adjacent roof and were able to locate and extinguish the bulk of the fire. However, they discovered a large hole in the floor in the building’s interior, likely created by a fire, which prevented firefighters from safely entering from that location,” the Kennewick Fire Department wrote in a news release.

“Because of the complexity of the fire and risks posed by a building undergoing a remodel due to a previous fire, a second alarm response was dispatched to the scene. Crews ultimately accessed the second-floor roof using aerial ladder trucks and cut holes in the roof to extinguish additional fire that appeared to have traveled up a pipe chase into newly installed insulation under the roofline. Fortunately, sheetrock on the second floor held the fire and limited overall damage,” the release said.

A fire investigation team determined the blaze was suspicious.

“Upon arrival, crews identified an unsecure door and a portable ladder leading into the second floor in the area of the fire. It is not known whether the unsecured door is linked to the fire or how long the door was unsecure,” the release said, noting there were no injuries.

The building was heavily damaged by a previous fire that displaced several businesses in February 2022.

TCAJOB photo

The Hungry Generation church in Pasco plans a multimillion dollar and multiphase church expansion at 1120 N. Edison St. in Kennewick.

Designers work to bring dream homes to life

By Robin Wojtanik for Tri-Cities Area Journal of Business

A longtime Kennewick gift shop now offers a personalized approach to interior home design by helping customers visualize different looks featuring the rooms in their own homes.

The new 3D experience provides a way to experiment with different color palettes, materials and styles before buying any furniture or decor, said Linda Pasco, owner of Lemon Grass Gifts.

The Lemon Grass design center helps customers immediately see how different styles could change the look of their rooms, “rather than getting in your 100-degree car and driving from store to store to store and trying to put things together that don’t go together, only to wind up with the wrong size furniture, the wrong size rug,” Pasco said.

Instead of homeowners “just running around picking out stuff that doesn’t work,” the Lemon Grass team provides a white-glove approach, she said. Not only can homeowners see what their space could look like with different decor and furnishings, they can discuss ideas and a vision with designers.

The design center sources its merchandise from wholesale vendors, not necessarily from Lemon Grass’ inventory.

The store, at 8901 W. Tucannon Ave., Suite 165, just off Steptoe Street and Gage Boulevard in Kennewick, has been in business nearly 25 years, selling an array of gifts, home decor, gourmet foods, bath products and organic body care items.

The locally-owned store, like bigger chains nationwide, is embracing virtual experiences that allow customers to better visualize designs in their own homes.

Many companies – from Home Depot to Amazon to Ikea – offer a variety of ways to shop using technology. Shoppers can virtually try on a pair of new sunglasses when they upload a photo of themselves. They can snap a picture of the exterior of their home and see how a new paint color would look. They can “grab” a photo of a rug or couch and virtually place it in their own room.

Embracing technology allows retailers to “provide customers with a more personalized and engaging shopping experience, ultimately leading to higher customer satisfaction and driving sales,” according to the Home Furnishings Association.

A personable approach

At Lemon Grass, customers can review their curated designs on a big screen.

If they like what they see, they can order those items and have them shipped directly to the store. The Lemon Grass team can even take care of unboxing them, disposing of the packaging and confirming everything arrived without damage. For an added cost, they’ll deliver or hang pieces on the wall or ceiling.

Linda Pasco’s daughter, Melanie Pasco, recalled hanging a glass chandelier inspired by Dale Chihuly’s designs made of over 100 individual spirals of glass. She’s been a part of the design service offered by Lemon Grass for more than 16 years and was a manager at Co2 Furniture in Pasco.

“It’s kind of incredible for me because Sarita creates these thoughtfully curated home designs,” Melanie Pasco said. “Then I get a hold of it and I’m the first one who actually gets to see it. And then the client

gets to come down and it’s like Christmas morning. They get to see what the room was, and what it could be, and it’s overwhelming for most people.”

The process is an upgrade from their old system of creating a collage of photos. The women estimate it takes up to 80 hours to edit the photos taken inside customers’

homes so they can present an array of design options via 3D technology.

Tomlinson typically spends about two weeks looking for merchandise to complement the homeowners’ vision for their space.

“We want them to feel like this was what they wanted. We ask an extensive set of questions when we meet the client in their home, to find out their wants and needs, their color palettes, dogs or cats, kids and husbands. This service really is a custom home design, and I don’t know that anybody else can say that,” Melanie Pasco said.

The team takes detailed measurements and lays out the project on graph paper to confirm each item selected will work in the space.

“We have to keep in mind every single square on those grids because everything has to fit,” Melanie Pasco said. “They’re banking on us knowing that we know what we’re doing.”

Design fees are $100 per hour with a five-hour minimum and include a free consultation. “We’ve been doing this long enough that we can generally gauge how many hours are needed,” Tomlinson said.

Linda Pasco said she’s proud its prices haven’t gone up in seven years.

Bringing a vision to life

The design team tries to work within a client’s budget to create a new look and

Melanie Pasco works with Sarita Tomlinson, who contributes an artistic vision to the partnership.

Photo by Robin Wojtanik Lemon Grass Gifts’ design center offers 3D technology to showcase how different color palettes, materials and styles look in a home before buying any furniture or decor. The Lemon Grass team consists of, from left, Robbi Nieman, who handles customer service; decorating specialists Melanie Pasco and Sarita Tomlinson; and owner Linda Pasco.

FRANK PRIOR

1st Priority Detail

1stprioritydetail.com

(509) 531-3589

Auto, boat and RV detailing services.

The Truss Company thetrussco.com

(509) 607-8537

jacob.mesner@thetrussco.com

Engineered wood trusses for residential, commercial and agricultural buildings.

MARCIE TORRES

Gutter Girl waguttergirl.com (509) 873-6654

Professional installation, repair and maintenance of seamless gutters for your home

The Village Bistro thevillagebistrotricities.com

(509) 735-8584

Locally owned restaurant serving breakfast, lunch and dinner.

JASON SIMONIS

Columbia Basin Plumbing columbiabasinplumbing.com

(509) 308-9367

Residential and commercial plumbing.

– ADDITIONAL MEMBERS –

Mark Monteith AAA of Washington

Angela Dryden

Action 2 Awareness

Marcia Spry

Aloha Garage Door Company

Dennis Miller Artmill

Greg & Sandy Brown

Brown Bear Construction

Joseph Castro

Castro Coaching & Consulting

Omar Garcia Chem-Dry of Tri-Cities

Michael Thorn Cliff Thorn Construction

James Atwood Cornerstone First Mortgage

Debbie Thornington Cornerstone First Mortgage

Jim Carey

Cruise Holidays

Justin Dodd

Dayco Heating and Air

Al Thiemens

Gesa Credit Union

Greg Hammer Inline Computers and Communications

Elijah Famiy Homes elijahfamilyhomes.org

(509) 943-6610

Providing stable housing and supportive services for low-income families, including those with a history of felonies or substance abuse

Jennie Oldham Kennewick Flower Shop

Tim Mether

Kestrel Home Inspection Services

Westin Mick

Minuteman Press of Kennewick

Andrew Ziegler Moon Security Services Inc.

Troy Woody

Mr. Electric

Emily McKee Non Stop Local Tri-Cities

Jeffery Prause Northwest Injury Clinics

Rudy’s Tree Service rudytree.com

(509) 302-1948

Tree and shrub pruning, removal, planting and stump grinding.

Chugh, LLP

Partner & Immigration Lead chugh.com

(509) 703-5405

Full-service law and tax firm. Employment and family-based immigration applications and petitions

Mike Duarte

Paintmaster Services Inc.

Tim Rosenthal

Perfection Glass

Kim Palmer

Perfection Tire

Matt Sweezea

Primerica

Allyson Rawlings

Rawlings Flooring America

Michael McKinney

Riverside Collision

Zane Lane Smooth Moves

Dawn King

Spectrum Reach

Jeff Sperline

Sperline Raekes Law

Tiffany Lundstrom

Tri-Cities Area Journal of Business

Victoria Yocom

Victoria Lynn’s

Steve McPeak

We Know Medicare

Jenny Callies

Windermere Group One

LISA GODWIN

will include pieces the client would like to keep on display when presenting a final product with a range of options.

“Typically, people have overbought for their home,” Tomlinson said. “They feel they have to fill every space, section of wall, and that’s not the case if they have their proportion of scale and balance right. Then you don’t need all that you think you do, and things take care of themselves if they’re foundationally right.”

“We really want them to have a home they can love, and it can be affordable,” Melanie Pasco said. “Nine times out of 10, most people have great things and just don’t know how to pull it together.”

Tomlinson said most consultations are for updates to open-concept homes that incorporate a few living spaces into one.

“Because anywhere you stand, you can see something else in another area, right? So, it all has to work. We do things from the ideal point. It’s just an artistic approach. But in the end, it’s not our vision, it’s theirs. We bring their vision to life,” she said.

Diane Gessner of Richland hired the team to revamp a room at her house. She was so enthralled with the outcome, the one-room project quickly became a threeroom contract.

“I had gone to the store to shop and change the look of my house, and they told me about the 3D program,” Gessner said.

Jack in the Box coming to Prosser this fall

A Jack in the Box restaurant is scheduled to be open to serve up its burgers this fall in Prosser.

The restaurant at 701 Wine Country Road will be south of Interstate 82 near Love’s Travel Plaza.

Feast Properties LLC plans to build a $1.1 million, 2,681-square-foot building.

Jack in the Box said the projected opening date is in October.

Saucerman Construction of Meridan, Idaho, is the general contractor.

Grocery Outlet plans to open store in Prosser

Grocery Outlet plans to turn the vacant Food Depot store in downtown Prosser into an independently owned and operated store for bargain-minded shoppers.

About $900,000 in tenant improvements are planned at 1309 Mead Ave.

DT Rathdrum LLC of Riverton, Utah, is the owner of the 27,620-square-foot building.

Baker Construction & Development Inc. of Spokane is the general contractor.

The company’s buying model allows it to sell quality, name-brand products at prices generally 40% to 70% below those of conventional retailers.

Grocery Outlet says it expects store growth to be the primary driver of its net sales growth over the long term. It leases almost all its store locations. Initial lease terms on stores are typically 10 years, with options to renew for two or three successive five-year periods, according to documents filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

“It was huge because when you go in, they showed me three different styles to choose from in my current living room.” Gessner had her living room, dining room and primary bedroom redone.

Established business

Lemon Grass Gifts started in a corner spot next to the Village Bistro in Marineland Village on West Clearwater Avenue before growing and filling a larger space. When the plaza changed hands, Linda Pasco couldn’t come to an agreement on a lease with the new owner and was ready to throw in the towel after not finding a suitable space to relocate to.

Tomlinson suggested she tour the westernmost suite in the two-level building on West Tucannon Avenue and Linda Pasco –with a lot of help from family – moved the shop in November 2021.

“It was a scary thing to move a 21-yearold shop two months before Christmas, but it’s been a wonderful space for us,” Linda Pasco said. “The first Christmas we had here, the top floor wasn’t even open yet because the stairs weren’t done. But our customers were so good to us, and they came out and supported us, and we had the best Christmas.”

She expected to lose 10% of customers with the move and says some are still finding Lemon Grass in the new building.

Linda Pasco started in the late 1990s selling mainly soaps and lotions, recalling that she used to drive to the west side of the state to buy “fancy soap.” It was always her intention to sell only high-end products, similar to what’s found at Anthropologie or Nordstrom.

“Our customers can usually find it here

for the same price,” Linda Pasco said.

She said many locally-owned gift shops have closed or been swallowed up by vendors or online retailers.

“You realize rents are terribly expensive. Everybody’s salaries have gone up, all the taxes have gone up, everything has increased. So, your business plan has to change with the times,” she said.

Those changes included offering more home decor and eventually the design service as a way to keep reinventing.

“If you somehow have that entrepreneurial spirit inside of you, you don’t give up,” Melanie Pasco said.

search Lemon Grass Gifts: 8901 W. Tucannon Ave., Suite 165; 509-737-1994; Facebook; Instagram. Hours: 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Monday-Friday; 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday.

Investment group buys Pasco apartments for $65 million

By Tri-Cities Area Journal of Business

A San Francisco-based company recently bought a Pasco apartment complex on Chapel Hill Boulevard for $65 million.

Glencrest Group bought The Crossings at Chapel Hill, a 300-unit multifamily community at 6626 Chapel Hill Blvd. It was built in two phases in 2016 and 2012 and features 13 three-story residential buildings and offers one-, two- and threebedroom floor plans.

Glencrest bought the property from Crossings at Chapel Hill ICG LLC, ac-

cording to Franklin County property records. The sale closed July 20.

“Glencrest is excited to celebrate our entry into the burgeoning Tri-Cities market with the acquisition of The Crossings at Chapel Hill, which is a perfect fit for our Generations investment program,” said John Adair, managing partner of Glencrest Group, in a statement. “We look forward to delivering a great experience to our residents and being part of the Tri-Cities apartment community for many years to come.”

Glencrest said its investment program aims to build long-term wealth via ownership of a conservatively leveraged and

geographically diverse portfolio of apartment businesses that deliver tax-sheltered cash flow and equity appreciation over decades.

Pasco’s rapid population growth, attractive demographics and growing demand for rental housing made it a strong investment and successful exit for the seller, said Phil Oester of Dallas-based CBRE, which represented the seller.

“The Crossings’ central location and proximity to nearby major retail centers, recreation areas and colleges position it well to provide residents with well-located, high-quality housing. These fundamentals

stand to bolster demand for the buyer in the years to come,” Oester said in a statement.

CBRE said the community features the largest apartments in the Tri-Cities, with one-bedroom floor plans averaging 950 square feet and an overall average unit size of 1,172 square feet.

The community features a wide range of amenities, including an outdoor pool with a year-round jacuzzi, resident lounge, cybercafe, billiards room, 24-hour fitness center with playroom, pet area and playground.

The apartments sit on 13.5 acres south of Interstate 182.

Planning underway for new apartments, gas station, car wash

By Tri-Cities Area Journal of Business

Documents filed under Washington’s environmental review process reveal a list of projects in the works for the MidColumbia.

The State Environmental Policy Act, or SEPA, often provides the first look at the mixed-use projects, mini storage facilities, apartments, industrial expansions, subdivisions and more that are working their way through the various planning departments of Benton, Franklin and Walla Walla counties.

Here’s a look at projects that appeared in the SEPA register in the past month.

Haffner short plat

Kennewick

Sally Haffner submitted plans to divide a 21.74-acre parcel at 110107 E. 196 PR SE into two lots.

Solid waste plan

Benton County

The Benton County Public Works Department submitted a proposal to update the Solid Waste and Moderate Risk Waste Management Plan in accordance with state law, which requires solid waste plans to be regularly reviewed and updated.

Land use change request

Kennewick

Daniel Kapsi submitted plans to change the land use designation of 1.18

acres at 1215 S. Cedar St. from lowdensity residential to medium-density residential and zone the property residential, medium density.

Raeder proposal

Kennewick

Courtney Raeder submitted plans to change the land use designation of 12.33 acres near South Oak Street and East Third Avenue from industrial to low-density residential with the potential to add an additional 3.79 acres for a total of 16.12 acres.

Kellogg zone change

Kennewick

Knutzen Engineering submitted plans for a comprehensive plan amendment and future change of zone for about half an acre at 208 N. Kellogg St. from lowdensity residential to commercial.

Hildebrand townhomes

Kennewick

Harms Engineering submitted plans for a development with 40 duplex and triplex-style townhomes totaling 107 units. The project at 6443 W. Hildebrand Blvd. includes grading, roads, utilities, buildings, and miscellaneous site improvements.

Cannabis sales

West Richland

K&B Weaver LLC applied for a text amendment to the West Richland Zoning Code to allow cannabis retail sales in commercial general, commercial

light industrial and light industrial districts.

Leslie Road flex space

Richland

Knutzen Engineering submitted plans for flex-use pre-engineered metal buildings with office and warehouse space at 4101 Leslie Road. The project will be broken into three phases, starting with mass grading of the site and construction of a 57,736-square-foot building with parking and improvements along Leslie Road. The second phase will include a 56,613-square-foot building with parking and the third phase will include a 78,400-square-foot building with parking.

Southridge development

Kennewick

Dean Maldonado submitted plans to develop a 12-lot binding site plan at 4003 Southridge Blvd. The site has a land use designation of industrial and commercial and is zoned industrial, light and commercial, community. The proposed property lines will match existing zoning district boundaries.

Southridge apartments

Kennewick

Cordillera Southridge LLC submitted plans for a 182-unit mixed-use development totaling 220,000 square feet and 314 parking stalls. The proposal is at 3700 Southridge Blvd. and has a commercial land use designation and is

zoned commercial, community.

KID leveling

Benton County

Kennewick Irrigation District submitted plans to level property near 506 PR SE in unincorporated Benton County. The work will result in the excavation of about 71,000 cubic yards of excess fill material that will be used in canal lining projects in parts of an adjacent KID canal.

Surf Thru Car Wash

Kennewick

SynTier Engineering Inc. submitted plans to build a 5,800-square-foot car wash with associated site improvements on the 600 block of South Ely Street.

Dinah Lane project

Benton City

Benton City submitted plans to extend water and sewer along a new alignment of Dinah Lane. The street alignment is planned over a previously installed abandoned railroad track and partial irrigation canal.

KID road grading

Kennewick

Kennewick Irrigation District submitted plans for a main canal division IV uphill road grading project, which will involve expanding the existing uphill canal maintenance road, excavating and stockpiling materials and installing a gravel surface road. The project will

uSEPA, Page B9

occur next to about one mile of canal.

Red Mountain Communication Tower

Benton County

Benton County submitted plans to build a 200-foot public safety communication facility tower and an associated access road. The project is on the north side of Red Mountain in unincorporated Benton County near Benton City.

Creason Ridge subdivision

Prosser

John Fetterolf submitted plans to modify a portion of the Creason Ridge subdivision from roughly 74 lots to 56 single-family home lots. The project involves turning about 24.8 acres of undeveloped land into residential lots and includes installing water, sewer, streets, curbs, electrical systems and street lighting.

Cartmell multifamily

Pasco

Robert McCleod with Knutzen Engineering submitted plans for two twostory triplexes and frontage improvements at 1629 W. Cartmell St. The site is currently vacant.

West truck parking

Pasco

John Fetterolf with JF Engineering

PLLC submitted plans on behalf of West Enterprises to grade and gravel property at 2501 E. Lewis Place. The proposed use for the property, which currently has a service repair garage, is to park truck trailers.

Gas station/convenience store

Pasco

LCR Construction LLC submitted plans for a 3,750-square-foot convenience store with four gasoline pumps at 3210 Road 44. The building will be a coffee/doughnut shop with drive-thru window and no indoor seating, and the pumps will be served by a 30,000-gallon underground fuel storage tank. Parking and landscaping also are planned, and two more 3,200-square-foot buildings are anticipated in the future.

Richview booster station

Pasco

Randy Mullen submitted plans for a booster station, water storage tanks and a back-up generator for a new potable

water system facility at 1603 Richview Drive. The facility will serve multiple properties slated for future residential development along the Fraser Road north-south alignment.

Helena Street rezone

Pasco

Stephen Bauman of B4 Development, on behalf of Jubilee Foundation, submitted plans to rezone about 3.2 acres from general business to lowdensity residential for a single-family residential cul-de-sac. The property is along the south side of East Helena Street and about one block east of Heritage Boulevard.

Chapel Hill apartments

Pasco

Damon Kluck submitted plans for a 204-unit apartment complex on about 10 acres of vacant land north of Chapel Hill Boulevard, south of Interstate 182 and west of Road 76.

Glacier Park rezone

Pasco

Peter Harpster of Aqtera Engineering, on behalf of Big Sky Developers LLC, submitted plans to rezone a 10.2acre site located near the intersection of Burns Road and Ochoco Lane. The proposal would amend 80% of the site from commercial zoning to mediumdensity, matching the zoning of the adjoining property.

Brantingham Industrial Park

Pasco

Jay Brantingham submitted plans for a 10,000-square-foot warehouse building with a 1,370-square-foot office at 3210 N. Rainier Ave. He also submitted plans for a 12,000-square-foot warehouse with a 1,567-square-foot office at 3002 N. Rainier Ave.

Tierra Vida III Apartments

Pasco

Jubilee Foundation submitted plans for a 120-unit apartment complex on a vacant parcel.

Trilogy MedWaste West LLC

Pasco

Chad Plata, acting on behalf of Trilogy MedWaste West LLC, submitted plans to collect and transport medical waste to a trailer at 1620 E. Salt Lake St., Suite B. A rented warehouse on site will be used as office space and for storage of empty, clean waste containers.

For over 70 years, Tri-City Construction Council has provided its members a wide range of benefits including:

• Regional Plan Center: Online Source of Construction Leads for Governmental and Commercial Bidding Opportunities Across the Northwest.

• Virtual Plan Room: 24/7 Access to the Project Details and Documents –Features Include Advanced Search and Customized Filters to Find the Exact Work You Want with Instant Alerts to Stay Informed of Important Changes.

• Reprographics: Print, Copy, and Scanning Services in Color or B&W at competitive, flat-rate costs.

• Programs: Employee Healthcare Insurance and L&I “Retro” Safety Incentive Programs.

• Access: Browse the Membership Directory and View Our Network of Contractors and Suppliers.

Kennewick Ave., Kennewick

uBUSINESS BRIEFS

Real Deals in Richland is closing by month’s end

The boutique Real Deals in Richland is closing at the end of the month.

It’s owned by the mother-daughter duo of Vikki Butler and Brittini Van Heel and offers home decor and women’s clothing and accessories at 364 Jadwin Ave. in the Uptown Shopping Center.

Van Heel announced on social media in June that she and Butler were looking to sell the shop, as Butler planned to retire and Van Heel planned to “head back to my other passion, serving in the medical field.”

“Since 2017, we have loved owning Real Deals. All of you are truly amazing

and we are grateful to have visited each and every week at the shoppe,” Van Heel wrote in the Facebook post.

The store is having a liquidation sale.

Local Bounti greenhouse complex in Pasco is on track

Local Bounti’s Pasco facility is on track to open next year.

The 3-acre greenhouse complex will cultivate lettuce, herbs and leafy greens sold through grocery stores. The structural steel work is complete and glass installation is progressing, company officials said.

They provided the update as part of a report on Local Bounti’s second quarter 2023 financial results.

“The (Pasco) facility will help bolster

H.D.

H.D. Fowler Co. recently moved into a new building at 1336 Dietrich Road in Pasco that consists of a two-story office area and an attached warehouse.

The office area is about 7,000 square feet and is constructed with concrete masonry units, stucco and structural steel. Inside, there are various office spaces, a conference and lunch room, and a large open-entry customer service area.

The attached warehouse is a pre-engineered metal building that is roughly 10,000 square feet.

The total project cost $5.4 million. The 7.27 acres of land was purchased in December 2016 for $1.05 million.

H.D. Fowler specializes in the distribution of waterworks, pumps, landscape and wastewater equipment. It has a vast selection of large-diameter PVC, ABS, ductile and HDPE pipes available for purchase in its outdoor yard. Additionally, the fully enclosed warehouse holds a wide range of smaller fittings and supplies.

The Fowler team consists of estimators, sales staff, project coordinators and managers.

The project was completed in March 2023.

Spokane-based Baker Construction & Development, Inc. is the general contractor.

COLE Architects of Boise is the architect

the company’s distribution capabilities in the Pacific Northwest and is still expected to commence operations early in the first quarter 2024, which reflects the company’s decision to stagger construction to accommodate the commissioning of its Texas facility in the fourth quarter of 2023,” the company wrote in the report, which was released on Aug. 9.

Kennewick Walmart unveils $1 million remodel

The Kennewick Walmart store recently debuted its $1 million remodel.

The work at the store at 2720 S. Quillan St. features what Walmart is calling “customer-centric improvements,” which include a variety of updates, according to plans filed with the city of Kennewick.

Fowler Co. 1336 Dietrich Road, Pasco

Walmart store manager Carley Rooney highlighted several upgrades and interactive features during an Aug. 4 community celebration. They include expanded grocery offerings; an updated pharmacy; a refreshed money center; new interactive home decor displays; expanded online and pickup delivery to decrease customer wait times; an improved front entrance and additional checkout areas; new signs, ceilings and concrete floors throughout the store; and updated landscaping around the exterior.

Store officials also unveiled a new Kennewick-focused mural that reflects the diversity and local cultures of Kennewick. ESI Construction of Meridian, Idaho, is the general contractor.

Design work is by SGA Design Group of Tulsa, Oklahoma.

continentaldoorco.com

uBUSINESS BRIEFS Kennewick’s Taco John’s to close at end of August

Queensgate recycling drop boxes get new home

The recycling drop boxes in Richland’s Queensgate area can now be found at 2990 Queensgate Drive, just west of the city shops.

The boxes, originally located on Windmill Road, were moved to a temporary location on Truman Avenue during the spring of 2022.

Residents can use these containers to recycle flattened cardboard, newspapers, magazines, scrap paper, glass bottles and jars, tin, aluminum and plastic containers.

The Queensgate Drive site will be permanent.

The Taco John’s restaurant at 701 W. Vineyard Drive in Kennewick is expected to close at the end of August.

Listed with Kiemle Hagood, the property will be available to rent for $6,760 a month.

The 1,868-square-foot quick-serve restaurant was built in 1981 and is owned by Larry King Enterprises Inc. of Burien, which also operates the Walla Walla Arby’s.

There are two other Taco John’s restaurants in the state, Moses Lake and Spokane.

The Kennewick property is owned by MM Properties Vineyard LLC of Vancouver, Washington.

EleMar Oregon LLC: Tri-Cities

1879 N. Commercial Ave., Pasco

EleMar Oregon LLC: Tri-Cities completed construction on a new two-story building in Pasco that features office space, a lobby with countertop displays and an active warehouse for slab materials.

The 29,000-square-foot building at 1879 N. Commercial Ave. features standard tilt-up construction.

The project cost about $10 million.

EleMar will use the building to warehouse, show and distribute solid surface slabs for kitchen countertops, bathrooms and shower claddings and other architectural uses.

This facility will serve as a logistics hub for all of EleMar’s warehouses, as well as receiving containers directly from the ports in Seattle and Tacoma.

EleMar is a distributor of granite, marble, soapstone, quartzite, manmade quartz and porcelain slabs.

Jagroop Malhi is the owner and manager of D&J Investment Properties LLC and EleMar Oregon LLC. EleMar was founded in 2005, opening its first warehouse in Tualatin, Oregon. A second warehouse was purchased

in Medford, Oregon, in 2013, and a third warehouse in Redmond, Oregon, in 2017.

RM Construction & Interior Design of Richland is the general contractor.

Baker Architecture of Richland is the designer.

A grand opening celebration for the new warehouse and showroom is planned from 4:30-6:30 p.m. Aug. 16. EleMar Oregon and the Home Builders Association of the Tri-Cities are hosting the event, which includes appetizers, beverages and tours.

Shoot 360 Tri-Cities opened its new 10,000-square-foot tech-focused basketball gym at 2541 Logan St. in Richland on June 30.

The facility at 2541 Logan St. features high-tech skills courts that help to develop players’ decisionmaking, reaction time, speed and accuracy.

Owned by Ryan and Robin Burck, it is the fourth Shoot 360 franchise in the state alongside Spokane, Kirkland and Vancouver.

Matson Construction is the general contractor.

Numerica Credit Union

2307 W. Court St., Pasco

Numerica Credit Union’s new Court Street branch in Pasco is now open.

The 3,200-square-foot single-story building at 2307 W. Court St. features a high lobby ceiling, teller pod design and storefront glazing/glass.

The branch offers three full-service ATMs, a modern architecture style and bilingual team members who speak Spanish and English.

The total cost of the project, not including the land, is $2 million.

The new Court Street branch replaces the current Sylvester branch at 1817 W. Sylvester St.

Across the Tri-Cities, Numerica’s membership has grown 78% over the past five years. Numerica said it is excited to welcome its Pasco members to the larger space.

Leone & Keeble of Spokane is the general contractor.

Bernardo Wills of Spokane is the architect.

GENERAL CONTRACTOR

PUBLIC RECORD

uBANKRUPTCIES

Bankruptcies are filed under the following chapter headings:

Chapter 7 – Straight Bankruptcy: debtor gives up nonexempt property and debt is discharged.

Chapter 11 – Allows companies and individuals to restructure debts to repay them.

Chapter 12 – Allows family farmers or fishermen to restructure finances to avoid liquidation for foreclosure.

Chapter 13 – Plan is devised by the individual to pay a percentage of debt based on ability to pay. All disposable income must be used to pay debts.

Information provided by the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Spokane.

CHAPTER 7

Christopher Thomas Immele, 209609 E. Schuster Road, Kennewick.

Jessica Francine Harris, 2506 S. Johnson St., Kennewick.

Arin Christine Reining, 1346 Haupt Ave., Richland.

Yaquelin Perez-Orue, 7701 W. Fourth Ave., #B107, Kennewick.

Kristopher Kyle Bryant, 7992 W. 10th Ave., #G120, Kennewick.

CI Construction and Consulting, 209609

E. Schuster Road, Kennewick.

Bryce Kelly Kawaoka, 1405 W. 16th Ave., Kennewick.

Jacquelyn Nichole Smith, 3101 W. John Day Ave., #C207, Kennewick.

Nathan Uzury Daos-Zapata, 7902 S. Toro Place, Kennewick.

Jason Harold Telles Jr. & Hannah

Kathleen Telles, 83301 W. Snipes Road, Prosser.

Kristofer Wildman & Jenna Wildman, 28603 E. Ruppert Road, Benton City.

Christopher Eric Wildman & Jeanette

Lyn Stephenson, 386 Cottonwood Drive, Richland.

Candice Marie Gurrola, 2920 Cashmere Drive, Richland.

Thomas P. Sjogren & Christine Nichole

Sjogren, 4410 S. Irby Loop, Kennewick.

Mary G. Simpson, 2607 W. Entiat Ave., Kennewick.

Heather Ann Quarisa, 3071 Bruce Lee Lane, Kennewick.

Aaron Lance, 10251 Ridgeline Drive, #290, Kennewick.

Joi Devoir, 5514 Pierre Drive, Pasco.

Melissa Jean Rivard, 5812 Chapel Hill Blvd., Pasco.

Luis Ramon Preciado & Darlene Preciado, 1305 Haupt Ave., Richland.

Serafin Garcia Jr., 804 S. Gum St., Kennewick.

CHAPTER 11

Washington Medical Supplies Inc., 1019 Wright Ave., Richland.

CHAPTER 13

Jose Diaz, 1037 Park Ave., Prosser.

Carole Redman, 130801 W. Shelby Road, Prosser.

Jean Waters, 1622 S. Dennis Place, Kennewick.

John Aubrey Sullins & Michelle Renae Sullins, 93006 E. Chelsea Road, Kennewick.

Eric Christian Gunderson, 73549 N. Pederson Road, West Richland.

uTOP PROPERTIES

Top property values listed start at $700,000 and have been rounded to the nearest hundred figure. Property values are public record and can be found by visiting the county assessor’s office.

BENTON COUNTY

1914 George Washington Way, Richland,

3,548-square-foot home. Price: $705,000.

Buyer: Carlos Eduardo Trujillo Sahagun.

Seller: Angela Sandra & Jonathan Scott Gregorich. 2890 Karlee Drive, Richland,

2,171-square-foot home. Price: $759,000.

Buyer: Robert L. & Margaret A. Immele.

Seller: Carrie L. Conley.

2468 Maggio Loop, Richland,

3,324-square-foot home. Price: $825,000.

Buyer: Andrew Roehrig & Alexa Ellingsen Roehrig. Seller: Riverwood Homes Washington LLC.

525 S. Morain St., Kennewick,

1,136-square-foot home on 1.8 acres.

Price: $740,000. Buyer: Jeremy Brock.

Seller: Dave Main.

245 Torbett St., Richland, 4,829-squarefoot commercial building. Price: $1.05 million. Buyer: Je Carter Holdings LLC. Seller: Cocoro Properties LLC.

3003 Mt. Stuart Court, West Richland,

2,457-square-foot home on 1.65 acres.

Price: $740,000. Buyer: Brandon Keith

Nance. Seller: Raymond T. Charvat & Karen Kris Charvat.

1516 W. 51st Ave., Kennewick,

2,039-square-foot home. Price: $802,000.

Buyer: Jason & Amy Constans. Seller: Justin Jonathan Dinius & Susan Lynn Tucker.

89357 E. Calico Road, Kennewick,

2,803-square-foot home on 1 acre. Price: $1 million. Buyer: Deborah & Victor Callins.

Seller: JK Monarch LLC.

89927 E. Summit View Drive, Kennewick, 2,702-square-foot home. Price: $1.1 million. Buyer: Steven & Kristina Berg.

Seller: James P. & Tiffany L. Madsen.

2405 W. Canal Drive, Kennewick,

2,573-square-foot home on 1.55 acres.

Price: $915,000. Buyer: Frank Newhouse & Jennifer Brindle. Seller: Roderick S. & Thelma A. Coler.

370 Falconridge St., Richland,

2,763-square-foot home. Price: $799,000.

Buyer: Dewayne L. & Mary A. Billings.

Seller: Margo D. Kiki.

2975 Riverbend Drive, Richland,

2,652-square-foot home. Price: $925,000.

Buyer: Victoria P. & Steven D. Halstead.

Seller: Nathan & Susan Merz.

4876 S. Reed St., Kennewick,

2,211-square-foot home. Price: $975,000.

Buyer: Laurie M. & Steven C. Duff. Seller: McKey Construction LLC.

1220 E. Donelson Road, Kennewick,

3,270-square-foot home on 1.9 acres.

Price: $935,000. Buyer: Bruce A & Janet Denise Patterson. Seller: Diana Lam.

1220 Glenwood Court, Richland,

3,739-square-foot home. Price: $865,000.

Buyer: Sunco LLC. Seller: Nathan R. & Angela V. Croskrey.

1550 Manchester St., Richland,

3,390-square-foot home. Price: $764,000.

Buyer: Johnny R. & Stephanie C. Plesha.

Seller: Christopher Hancock.

1634 Sorrento Lane, Richland,

2,928-square-foot home. Price: $1.3 million. Buyer: Melissa & Christopher Hancock. Seller: Sueanne Rizzuti.

1409, 1450, 1403 Jones Road, Richland, 44 acres of irrigated pasture. Price: $700,000. Buyer: Reisenauer Land and Livestock LLC. Seller: Cleve & Hollie Mooers.

219 Hillview Drive, Richland,

3,386-square-foot home. Price: $760,000.

Buyer: Kendra Lee & Jason Sadler. Seller: Karen Miller.

98904 E. Brandon Drive, Kennewick, 3,124-square-foot home on 1 acre. Price: $730,000. Buyer: Erik Dare & Sara Jean Glass. Seller: John & Donna Squillace.

3905 N. Levi St., Richland, 2,659-squarefeet. Price: $746,000. Buyer: Andrea Laura & Evan Alan Aho. Seller: Gregory L. & Shannon M. Pace.

4771 W. Van Giesen St., West Richland, 3,950-square-foot commercial building on 1.4 acres, along with two 0.6-acre lots. Price: $1.5 million. Buyer: Seahurst LLC.

Seller: Heyden Properties LLC.

240 N. Ely St., Kennewick, 2,347-squarefoot commercial building. Price: $3.7 million. Buyer: Wong Trustees Lin & Frank Shiangling. Seller: Northwest QSR RE Owner II LLC.

FRANKLIN COUNTY

12415 Clark Fork Road, Pasco, 2,740-square-foot home. Price: $810,000.

Buyer: Sandy & Elizabeth A. Angotti. Seller: Gary A. & Mary J. Nobriga. 5202 W. Margaret St., Pasco, 2,121-square-foot home. Price: $850,000.

Buyer: Logan Michael & Heather Lin Daniel. Seller: Muzzy Construction LLC.

11318 Arrow Shelf Drive, Pasco, 2,376-square-foot home. Price: $825,000.

Buyer: Vince & Denise Holt. Seller: Kenneth A. & Laurie L. Berger.

1430 Glade North Road, Pasco, two 14,840-square-foot commercial material storage buildings. Price: $875,000. Buyer: Vipond Properties LLC. Seller: Group Bronco Holdings LLC.

6626 Chapel Hill Blvd., Pasco, 13 apartment buildings and a clubhouse, about 13.5 acres total. Price: $65 million. Buyer: Glencrest Pasco SPE LLC (Et al). Seller: Crossings at Chapel Hill ICG LLC. 350 W. Lewis St., 321 W. Columbia St., Pasco, a 15,686-square-foot bank and a 325-square-foot mini bank drive-thru.

Price: $1 million. Buyer: LG Business Center LLC. Seller: Pascoboa LLC.

2270 Mesa Kahlotus Road, Connell, 1,658-square-foot home, frame barn, grain bins, utility building and utility shed on 1,175 acres of agricultural land. Price: $1.7 million. Buyer: CBT Holdings LLC. Seller: GS Cattle Ranch LLC.

uBUILDING PERMITS

BENTON COUNTY

Shane Markel, 284 Columbia Park Trail, $5,000 for grading. Contractor: owner. WA State Patrol, NB I-82, $317,000 for a weigh station. Contractor: owner. KS Vineyards, 38121 N. Demoss Road, $40,000 for antenna/tower. Contractor: Ascendtek Holdings LLC.

In Step Church, 201512 E. Finley Road, $22,200 for commercial reroof. Contractor: Mid-Columbia Integrity Roofing LLC. A Quality Insulation, 50 Verbena PR, $755,000 for accessory building. Contractor: PNW Development.

Greenbrier Rail Services, 228919 E. Cochran Road, $3.88 million for accessory building. Contractor: RFW Construction Group.

Judkins Family Farm, 62412 & 62404 N. Hysler Road, $44,000 for ag building and $616,000 for an ag building. Contractor: O’Brien Construction.

Agriym US Inc., 22715 E. Bowles Road, $5,400 for heat pump/HVAC. Contractor: Campbell Cooling Electrical Plumbing Corp.

FRANKLIN COUNTY

Northwest Pipeline, 8924 N. Railroad Ave., $17,000 for accessory building. Contractor: Brother Pipeline Corp. Harms Holding Co. LLC, 3220 Glad North Road, $13,800 for accessory building.

uPUBLIC RECORD, Page B17

Contractor: Monarch Machine & Tool.

Prairie Electric Inc., 6931 Road 76 North, $7,200 for solar misc. Contractor: Prairie Electric Inc.

Old Apostolic Lutheran Church, 4077 Oak Crest Road, $96,000 for grading.

Contractor: Rotschy Inc.

KENNEWICK

Wallace Properties-Kennewick, 2905 W. Kennewick Ave., Suite B, $7,000 for a sign.

Contractor: Mustang Sign Group.

Dan Aden, 6116 W. Brinkley Road, $150,000 for commercial remodel, $15,000 for plumbing, $30,000 for mechanical.

Contractor: Aden Masonry Inc.

Stuart John Logg, 111 W. First Ave., $8,500 for commercial remodel. Contractor: Booth & Sons Construction.

Footwedge LLC, 6509 W. Rio Grande Ave., $250,000 for a commercial remodel, $50,000 for mechanical, $25,000 for plumbing. Contractors: Hummel Construction and Development LLC for the remodel, to be determined for mechanical and plumbing.

Benton Franklin Elder Services, 10 N. Washington St., $7,400 for plumbing, $19,000 for heat pump/HVAC. Contractor: Columbia Basin Plumbing for the plumbing, to be determined for the heat pump/ HVAC.

Kennewick Housing, 425 S. Olympia St., Suite A101, $26,400 for a commercial reroof. Contractor: Royal Roofing Inc.

H & G Royal 2 LLC, 3401 W. First Place, $5,600 for a commercial re-roof. Contractor: Royal Roofing Inc.

Kennewick School District, 105 W. 21st Ave., $30,000 for a sign. Contractor: Cascade Sign & Fabrication.

Hungry Generation, 1120 N. Edison St., $3.7 million for commercial construction, $600,000 for mechanical, $200,000 for plumbing. Contractor: Innovative Solutions Construction LLC for the construction and mechanical, Riggle Plumbing Inc. for the plumbing.

Gene Roosendaal, 715 S. Jean St., $1.04

million for new commercial, $42,000 for plumbing. Contractor: Elite Construction and Development for the new commercial, Mullins Enterprises LLC for the plumbing. Ford Group LLC, 400 S. Steptoe St., $42,000 for mechanical, $10,000 for plumbing. Contractor: Hummel Construction and Development.

Sergio Alvarez, 3809 Plaza Way, $13,800 for commercial remodel. Contractor: MH Construction Inc.

Grandridge Investors LLC, 8131 W. Klamath Court, $6,000 for plumbing. Contractor: to be determined.

Benton County Roy Rogers, 7122 W. Okanogan Place, $80,000 for mechanical.

Contractor: JRT Mechanical Inc.

Hansen Park Development Phase 2 LLC, 814 S. Columbia Center Blvd., $3.12 million for commercial new multi-family construction, $480,000 for mechanical, $420,000 for plumbing. Contractor: to be determined for the construction, Americool Heating and Air Conditioning for the mechanical, Mullins Enterprises LLC for the plumbing.

BFK Associates, 751 N. Columbia Center Blvd., $72,400 for a sign. Contractor: ES&A Sign & Awning.

Kent Business Builders LLC, 731 N. Columbia Center Blvd., Suite 11, $7,000 for a sign. Contractor: Cascade Sign & Fabrication.

Greg Ford, 400 S. Steptoe St., $1.8 million for new commercial. Contractor: Hummel Construction & Development.

Tuscan Suites LLC, 7401 W. Grandridge Blvd., $12,800 for mechanical. Contractor: to be determined.

Jake Melville, 3250 W. Clearwater Ave., $30,000 for commercial remodel. Contractor: Associated Construction.

Waverly Apartments, 178 N. Waverly Place, $144,200 for a commercial re-roof.

Contractor: Flattop Roofing & Construction.

M & J Investment Company, 8362 W. Gage Blvd., $21,600 for mechanical. Contractor: to be determined.

Greenlake Columbian, 5615 W. Umatilla

Ave., $10,300 for mechanical. Contractor: Campbell Cooling Electrical Plumbing Corp. Loveco LLC, 2515 W. Falls Ave., $15,000 for mechanical. Contractor: to be determined.

Davinderpal Shergill, 320 N. Ely St., $5,000 for a sign. Contractor: Inland Sign & Lighting.

SR McConnell LLC, 326 N. Columbia Center Blvd., $9,500 for a sign. Contractor: Cascade Sign & Fabrication.

Roy Kintzley Trust, 9115 W. Clearwater Ave., $12,000 for a sign. Contractor: Mustang Sign Group.

Jim Gauley, 1701 W. Kennewick Ave., $747,200 for new commercial, $22,000 for plumbing. Contractor: Long Shadows Consulting.

Benton County, 7122 W. Okanogan Place, $10,000 for heat pump/HVAC, $1.8 million for commercial construction. Contractor: Bruce Mechanical Inc. for the heat pump, Banlin Construction Co. LLC for the commercial construction.

Costco Wholesale, 8505 W. Gage Blvd., $600,000 for commercial addition, $25,000 for mechanical, $25,000 for plumbing. Contractor: Lydig Construction.

Bruce Co. LLC, 5003 W. Brinkley Road, $12,500 for mechanical, $27,500 for commercial construction, $15,000 for plumbing, $27,500 for commercial construction, $12,500 for heat pump/HVAC, $15,000 for plumbing. Contractor: Bruce Co. LLC for the mechanical, Bruce Mechanical Inc. for the commercial construction and heat pump, BNB Mechanical for the plumbing. The Brae LLC, 1350 N. Grant St., $11,100 for plumbing. Contractor: to be determined. Halle LLC, 4209 W. Clearwater Ave., $38,000 for mechanical, $30,000 for plumbing, $240,000 for a commercial remodel. Contractor: Peak Contractors Inc., Silverline Electric/Plumbing.

TTB Investments LLC, 5216 W. Okanogan Place, $550,000 for new commercial, $50,000 for mechanical, $80,000 for plumbing. Contractor: Hummel Construc-

tion & Development.

TTB Investments LLC, 5216 W. Okanogan Place #130 and #110, $177,000 and $135,000 for commercial remodels, $50,000 and $75,000 for heat pump/ HVAC, $25,000 and $50,000 for plumbing. Contractor: Hummel Construction & Development for the commercial remodels, Total Energy Management Inc. for the heat pump, Riggle Plumbing Inc. for the plumbing.

Dana Ward, 910 S. Columbia Center Blvd., Suite C, $200,000 for a commercial remodel, $30,000 for mechanical, $20,000 for plumbing. Contractor: Stephens & Sons Inc. for the commercial remodel and mechanical, Cascade Plumbing for the plumbing.

Kennewick School District #17, 505 S. Highland Drive, $5,500 for new commercial. Contractor: Pacific Mobile Structures. Columbia View Buildings LLC, 2415 W. Falls Ave., $8,200 for a commercial remodel. Contractor: Roberts Construction. Benton Franklin Elder Services, 10 N. Washington St., $15,000 for plumbing. Contractor: Columbia Basin Plumbing. Shanna Larter, 628 N. Arthur St., $8,400 for a commercial remodel. Contractor: MD Rock Construction LLC. Walkers Furniture, 205 N. Morain St., $20,000 for mechanical. Contractor: to be determined.

PASCO

MGSC LLC, 1840 W. Court St., $487,000 for new commercial. Contractor: MH Construction Inc.

Hogback Three Rivers LLC, 5818 Road 68, $236,000 for new commercial. Contractor: to be determined.

Hogback Three Rivers LLC, 7501 Three Rivers Drive, $100,000 for tenant improvements. Contractor: to be determined. Franklin County PUD, 1411 W. Clark St., $58,000 for tenant improvements. Contractor: Kaizen Construction.

uPUBLIC RECORD, Page B18

B18 TRI-CITIES AREA JOURNAL OF BUSINESS | AUGUST 2023

Port of Pasco, 3070 Rickenbacker Drive, $58,100 for tenant improvements. Contractor: LCR Construction LLC.

McCurley Chevrolet Property LLC, 1325

Autoplex Way, Suite B, $41,800 for demolition. Contractor: Ray Poland & Sons Inc.

Yesmar Properties LLC, 8425 Chapel Hill Blvd., $50,000 for a sign. Contractor: Yesco LLC.

Meheen Enterprises LLC, 325 N. Oregon Ave., $68,200 for tenant improvements.

Contractor: owner.

Port of Pasco, 3130 Varney Lane, Suite 105, $64,600 for tenant improvements.

Contractor: Construction Services of Washington LLC.

St. Patrick Catholic Parish Pasco, 1320

W. Henry St., $49,900 for mechanical.

Contractor: Bruce Mechanical Inc.

Pasco Family Housing LLC, 801 N. 22nd Ave., Suite C08, $7,000 for heat pump/ HVAC. Contractor: Campbell Cooling Electrical Plumbing Corp.

Interstate Concrete and Asphalt, 11919

Harris Road, Building A, $8,300 for heat pump/HVAC. Contractor: Campbell Cooling Electrical Plumbing Corp.

Crossings at Chapel Hill ICG LLC, 6626 Chapel Hill Blvd., Suite A306, $7,300 for heat pump/HVAC. Contractor: Bruce Mechanical Inc.

Terry Gilmore, 5330 Road 68, $1.59 million for new commercial. Contractor: CB Construction Inc.

Pasco School District, 6091 Burns Road, $75.7 million for new commercial. Contractor: Fowler General Construction. Washington TV LLC, 2807 W. Lewis St., $100,000 for tenant improvements. Contractor: Tri River Paving LLC.

Columbia Basin College, 2600 N. 20th Ave., $248,200 for tenant improvements.

Contractor: to be determined.

City of Pasco, 3624 Road 100, $7,000 for a sign. Contractor: G2 Commercial Construction Inc.

Seahurst LLC, 2010 N. Commercial Ave., $28,000 for miscellaneous. Contractor:

CUSTOM LABELED BOTTLED WATER

Pacific Environmental Services CC.

Grigg Enterprises Inc., 801 W. Columbia St., $5,200 for heat pump/HVAC. Contractor: Campbell Cooling Electrical Plumbing Corp.

Franklin County, 1016 N. Fourth Ave., $14,000 for a security door. Contractor: to be determined.

McCurley Chevrolet, 1325 Autoplex Way, $26,400 to replace fire water line and for a new driveway. Contractor: Ray Poland & Sons Inc.

Creative Property Solutions LLC, 9530

Bedford St., $7,000 for a sign. Contractor: Cascade Sign & Fabrication.

Walla Walla Self Storage, 6615 Chapel Hill Blvd., Suite A105, $18,000 for tenant improvements. Contractor: Campbell Cooling Electrical Plumbing Corp.

City of Pasco, 3624 Road 100, $100,000 for a generator. Contractor: G2 Commercial Construction Inc.

Circle K Stores Inc., 4823 Broadmoor Blvd., $25,000 for a charging station. Contractor: to be determined.

U.S. Postal Service, 3500 W. Court St., $28,200 for heat pump/HVAC. Contractor: Bruce Mechanical Inc.

The Vine Church Tri-Cities, 9915 W. Argent Road, $20,000 for a patio/patio cover. Contractor: owner.

Jodh’s Development LLC, 2525 N. 20th Ave., Suite B, $6,200 for a sign. Contractor: Inland Sign & Lighting DBA.

BKG Enterprises Inc., 508 N. Fourth Ave., $26,000 to replace asphalt. Contractor: Empire Asphalt Service LLC. Pasco School District No. 1, 2515 Road 84, $311,800 for a public building reroof. Contractor: Palmer Roofing Co. Faith Assembly Church, 1908 Road 72, $10,000 for a deck/pergola. Contractor: Mickey Construction LLC. Crossings at Chapel Hill, 6626 Chapel Hill Blvd., $7,900 for heat pump/HVAC.

Contractor: Bruce Mechanical Inc.

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Feast Properties LLC, 701 Wind Country Road, $1.1 million for new commercial. Contractor: Saucerman Construction. DT Rathdrum LLC, 1309 Meade Ave., $900,000 for commercial construction, $38,500 for plumbing. Contractor: DT Rathdrum LLC for the construction, Sloan’s Plumbing Inc. for the plumbing. Travis Hartliep, 610 Sixth St., $7,800 for a sign. Contractor: High Desert Maintenance.

RICHLAND

Badger Mountain Irrigation District, 540 Columbia Park Trail, $1.16 million for tenant improvements. Contractor: Tapani Inc. WA Securities & Investments, 2290 Keene Road, $50,000 for tenant improvements. Contractor: WA Securities & Investments.

Richland School District, 1219 Thayer Drive, $45,000 for tenant improvements. Contractor: G2 Commercial Construction Inc.

Lola Tutor, 2309 Boulder St., $12,700 for demolition. Contractor: Cliff Thorn Construction.

Columbia River Investments, 1766 Fowler St., $16,000 for a commercial reroof. Contractor: Palmer Roofing Co. Wal-Mart #3261, 2801 Duportail St., $80,000 for tenant improvements. Contractor: Deem LLC.

JCLTG LLC, 1353 George Washington Way, $24,000 for tenant improvements. Contractor: Roto-Rooter Service. Gunnison Court LLC, 1415 Gunnison Court, $9,300 for heat pump/HVAC. Contractor: Bruce Mechanical Inc.

CV The Franklin LLC, 1515 George Washington Way, $20,000 for plumbing., $120,700 for patio/patio cover. Contractor: Columbia Basin Plumbing for the plumbing, Flaminco LLC for the patio. Illahee Holdings LLC, 69 Jadwin Ave., #9, $5,900 for heat pump/HVAC. Contractor: All Climate Services LLC.

Reliant Properties, 2211 Morency Drive, $10,500 for heat pump/HVAC. Contractor: 3 Rivers Heating and Air LLC.

City of Richland, 2110 Battelle Blvd., $6,100 for mechanical. Contractor: Power City Electric, Inc.

Christ the King Parish, 1122 Long Ave., $223,200 for a commercial re-roof. Contractor: Leslie and Campbell Inc.

The Daisy Ranch Saloon, 1319 George Washington Way, $75,000 for tenant improvements. Contractor: Flaminco LLC. Badger Communities, 2201 Storehouse Ave., $380,000 for grading. Contractor: Goodman & Mehlenbacher Enterprises Inc. Guardian Angel Homes, 245 Van Giesen St., Suite D, $9,900 for heat pump/HVAC.

Contractor: Campbell Cooling Electrical Plumbing Corp.

Charis Homes LLC, 1308 Van Giesen St., $8,000 for plumbing. Contractor: Sant

Construction & Development.

Pahlisch Homes Inc., 3200 Village Parkway, $1.1 million for a public building, 1.25 million for a public building, $450,000 for a pool/spa/hot tub. Contractor: Pahlisch Homes Inc.

Lamb Weston Corp., 2452 Saint St., $21,200 for a patio, $21,200 for a patio, $10,600 for miscellaneous, $10,600 for miscellaneous, $305,000 for concrete, $102,500 for an accessory building and $10,000 for an accessory building. Con-

tractor: Martin Construction Resource LLC. Illahee Holdings LLC, 50 Jadwin Ave., Buildings B and T, $5,800 each for two heat pump/HVACs. Contractor: Bruce Mechanical Inc.

Inland Management, 2250 Robertson Drive, $531,600 for new commercial. Contractor: Inland Mechanical Inc.

Badger Communities, 2341 Gateway Ave., $159,000 for grading.

Contractor:

Goodman & Mehlenbacher Enterprises Inc.

Liberty Christian School of Tri-Cities, 2200 Williams Blvd., Unit P3, $50,000 for a public building. Contractor: Siefken & Sons Construction.

Matson Development LLC, 1339 Tapteal Drive, Suite 104, $25,000 for tenant improvements. Contractor: Hummel Construction & Development.

WEST RICHLAND

Sign Corp., 3205 Kennedy Road, $6,500 for a sign. Contractor: owner.

uBUSINESS LICENSES

KENNEWICK

Silver Creek Contracting LLC, 565 N. Minor St., Heppner, Oregon. Stork Care LLC, 3125 Sixth St., Lewiston, Idaho.

Nomad Transit LLC, 95 Morton St., New York, New York.

Dirty Deeds Transportation LLC, 81360

W. 4 Road, Irrigon, Oregon.

Commercial Contractors Inc., 8225 Badger Lane, Caldwell, Idaho.

Kasco LLC, 1569 Tower Grove Ave., Saint Louis, Missouri.

Spokane Environmental Solutions LLC, 3810 E. Boone Ave., Spokane.

Roldan Construction Services Inc., 642

E. Oregon Ave., Hermiston, Oregon.

RFP MFG., 4640 W. Klamath Ave. William Forsythe Do PLLC, 1910 S. Zinser St.

T & C Ramps & Decks Plus LLC, 13818

W. White Road, Spokane.

Lydig Construction Inc., 11001 E. Montgomery Drive, Spokane Valley.

S A Transport, 210506 E. Cochran Road.

R.Homes LLC, 6855 W. Clearwater Ave.

Boys & Girls Clubs of Benton and Franklin Counties, 3315 W. Clearwater Ave.

SeaTac Distribution Inc., 10202 Pacific Ave. South, Tacoma.

MPL, 432 E Brown Ave., Moses Lake.

Contractors Equipment Maintenance Company, 7121 W. Argent Road, Pasco. Firestop Company, 3203 NE 65th St., Suite 2, Vancouver.

Hermanson Company LLP, 1221 Second Ave. North, Kent.

All Star Fence Company, 903 E. Pacific Ave., Spokane.

Crystal-Clear LLC, 5307 Tarragona Court, uPUBLIC RECORD, Page

Pasco.

Hudson Bay Insulation Co., 210 S. Hudson St., Suite 375, Seattle.

Trojan Wall Products Inc., 3530 C St. NE, Auburn.

Finer Side Construction LLC, 1924 W. 39th Ave.

Gams Parkridge Apartments, 3523 W.

Hood.

Spotless Cleaning, 4503 Saguaro Drive, Pasco.

Andrew Miller, 17221 Ironwood St.,

Arlington.

JTN Construction LLC, 241 Summit

Loop, Eltopia.

Makeup by Mika, 609 S. Huntington

Place.

Rose Cleaning Services, 1712 N. 24th

Ave., Pasco.

Empire Lawn Care, 119 Vista Way.

Creation Home Services LLC, 5102 Sinai

Drive, Pasco.

Langa Construction & Services, 5215

Remington Drive, Pasco.

JVL Remodeling & General Construction

LLC, 228 E. 19th Ave.

Quality Roofing, 331 E. 27th Ave.

ICA Asphalt Maintenance LLC, 113002

W. Old Inland Empire Highway, Prosser.

Velasco Construction, 60 Compton Lane, Richland.

VL Construction, 2325 Copperhill St.,

Richland.

Innov8 Coatings LLC, 4021 S. Quincy

Place.

Evolution General Construction, 146402

W. Buena Vista Road, Prosser.

Angulo & Son’s Janitorial LLC, 26742 Ice Harbor Drive, Burbank.

CM Excavating Services, 25705 S. 1545

PR SW, Prosser.

Alanna at B4salon, 1207 Aaron Drive, Richland.

The Quaint Home, 2115 W. Hood Ave.

Tiny Cottage Builders, NW 26650 Ice

Harbor Drive, Burbank.

Handy Monkey LLC, 815 S. Beech St.

Pro Impact Lawn Care LLC, 915 S.

Arthur Place.

G&A Construction & Remodeling LLC, 302 N. Alder St., Toppenish.

JZW Bathroom Renovations LLC, 4005

W. 42nd Ave.

Gamache Maintenance LLC, 1212 Co-

lumbia Park Trail, Richland.

R&R Handyman Construction, 1913

Benson Ave. Prosser.

Spun Fun, 1321 N. Columbia Center Blvd.

Greenstar Landscaping, 3500 W. Court

St., Pasco.

AD Tacos Y Mas, 2400 W. Kennewick

Ave.

A&D Hotel Renovation LLC, 1130 Rose

Place, Othello.

Veneto Homes LLC, 194109 E 447 PR

SE.

C&M General Contractor LLC, 2568 Anvil Court, Richland.

Adam & Sons Construction LLC, 3503

Fargo St., West Richland.

Future Networking, 1836 Terminal Drive, Richland.

New Style Swimming Pools LLC, 4320

Ivy Road, Pasco.

L&R Masonry LLC, 5609 Hartford Drive, Pasco.

Premier Tree Service, 1537 W. 32nd Ave.

Rise Up Construction LLC, 921 W. 24th

Ave.

Quality Remodeling General Contractor

LLC, 2421 S. Conway St.

Innovated Hardscaping & General Contracting LLC, 224230 E. Access PR SE.

JS Johnson Enterprises LLC, 2504 W.

Klamath Ave.

M40A, 115 Hills West Way Richland.

Inland Auto Recon, 20405 E. Ruppert

Road, Benton City.

MC Masonry LLC, 1548 N. Edison St.

Planable LLC, 4104 S. Neel Court.

Three Rivers Nursing Services LLC, 7136 W. Second Place.

Detailed Dental Solutions, 3414 S. Newport St.

Desert Wind Gardens AFH, 8606 W.

Bruneau Ave.

Desert Wind Gardens LLC, 8606 W.

Bruneau Ave.

Your Go-to Finance Guy LLC, 2121 W. 19th Ave.

Mackie and Associates, 3602 S. Johnson

St.

Legacy Concrete 22 LLC, 209 S. Fir St.

Desert Wind Cottage LLC, 8602 W.

Bruneau Place.

Ethington Homes & Remodel, 3305 S.

Van Buren St. Movement Mortgage LLC, 8479 W.

Clearwater Ave.

Between The Covers Coaching, 4321 W.

Ninth Place.

G&D Residential Services LLC, 200802

E. Game Farm Road.

All Star City Roofing LLC, 9126 W. Yellowstone Ave.

Ballet Folklorico Alegrias De Mexico,

1631 W. Marie St., Pasco.

Tri-Cities Glass and Auto Services, 4804

W. Seventh Ave.

Fat Cat North Condominium Association, 5204 W. Okanogan Ave.

Hair By Fabz, 1321 N. Columbia Center

Blvd.

Flores Integrity Construction LLC, 1109

E. 23rd Ave.

Bucketz Bar and Grill, 206 N. Benton St.

Chisa Blair Design & Events, 1117 W.

53rd Ave.

Skellenger, Steven Jay, 214315 E. Cochran Road.

Simply Gorgeous Boutique, 1408 S.

Olympia Place.

Keeton B. Hutchins, 4931 W. 24th Place.

Jana .925, 1548 N. Edison St.

Jorge S. Torres, 319 N. Fillmore St.

David Duncan, 2105 N. Steptoe St.

Rae Studio LLC, 1321 N. Columbia Center Blvd.

Invest Northwest Financial LLC, 552 N. Colorado St.

Mariposa, 3311 W. Clearwater Ave.

Christie E. Oar, 5321 W. 26th Ave.

Loving Paws Creations, 6201 W. Clearwater Ave.

RX Wealth Management, 4307 S. Irby

Loop.

Bountiful Living, 1030 N. Center Parkway.

4 Whistles Winery, 10 E. Bruneau Ave.

Jami’s Crafts N’ Creations, 4711 W. Metaline Ave.

B Street Pasco Property LLC, 8842 W.

Seventh Place.

Tri-City Capital LLC, 2304 W. 42nd Court.

2exotic LLC, 5650 W. Metaline Ave.

Picnic Vibes Events LLC, 506 S. Juniper

St.

Nielsen Realty LLC, 8200 W. Grandridge Blvd.

Art & Design by Ana Quiroz, 3324 W.

19th Ave.

Chere Bundy, 9385 W. Eighth Place. Quality Driving School, 7 S. Dayton St. Barks & Bubbles, 9200 W. Clearwater

Ave.

Northwest Esthetics Academy LLC, 109

N. Ely St.

Premier Career Resources LLC, 8709 W.

Fifth Ave.

Sandbox Software, 4201 W. Okanogan

Ave. PDRF LLC, 723 W. 32nd Ave.

Global Health Ultd. LLC, 89605 E. Sagebrush Road.

A&B Corner Properties LLC, 8842 W. Seventh Place.

E.A.S. Waterworks LLC, 4208 Meadowsweet St., Pasco.

Northwest Winegrowers, 26806 S. 1005 PR SE.

Golden Skull Tattoo, 13 S. Cascade St. Maria Delida Ramirez, 227 E. Third Ave.

Robin Abraham Country Financial, 8479

W. Clearwater Ave.

Nelly & Lush Works Beauty Bar, 4415 W. Clearwater Ave.

Romero’s, 8903 W. Gage Blvd.

Masisi LLC, 2120 W. A St., Pasco.

Crazy Rays Sunshine Days, 100 N. Morain St. Crepe Zone, 1321 N. Columbia Center Blvd. Kellen’s Consoles, 1964 W. 15th Place. Michael J. Rees DMD PLLC, 8208 Dune Lake Road SE, Moses Lake. PMU by Carmen, 609 N. Tweedt St. Effortless Exteriors LLC, 9424 W. Fifth Place.

Poop Scoopin’ Boogie, 9 S. McKinley St. Bre Studios, 323 S. Zillah St. BLV Ride Service, 4403 S. Kent St.

B20 TRI-CITIES AREA JOURNAL OF BUSINESS | AUGUST 2023

Ave., Pasco.

Torres Quality Lawn Care, 200 S. Union

St.

Sixty Mountain PLLC, 1009 N. Center

Parkway.

Time Magic Studios, 4928 S. Benton

Place.

Tammie Rae McCalmant, 710 S. Garfield

St.

Vivid Machines, 8350 W. Grandridge Blvd.

Heritage Healing Massage, 124B Vista

Way.

Jagged Edges Crystal Collective, 3030

W. Fourth Ave.

MBR, 714 S. Nelson St.

Yanet Morfin, 200 E. Sixth Ave.

PASCO

Adan Sanchez-Via, 1534 E. Spokane St., Suite B21.

Kim’s Market, 1909 W. Court St.

Lucy Preschool Homedaycare, 8711

Packard Drive.

Air-Trac Inc., 4322 Stearman Ave.

Jugando Y Aprendiendo Con Paty, 821

Road, #46.

Urban Doll Nails & Spa NW LLC, 6311

Burden Blvd., Suite B.

Roofing Rodriguez LLC, 1505 S. Road 40

East, #817.

PSC Properties LLC, 4322 Stearman Ave.

R&S Ranch LLC, 1320 Road 40.

Botanas Culichi LLC, 325 E. Columbia

Drive, Kennewick.

Makeup by Mika, 609 S. Huntington

Place, Kennewick.

NLB Properties LLC, 4322 Stearman Ave.

7B Properties LLC, 4322 Stearman Ave.

Zavala’s Trucking LLC, 1317 Road 38.

Ni Mode LLC, 813 Douglas Court.

Aretes De Sol, 5810 Rio Grande Lane.

FNS Collision Group, Inc., 1416 W. Ainsworth Ave.

Little Bubble’s Daycare LLC, 5406 Pierre

Drive.

VF Interpreter LLC, 5601 Hartford Drive.

Icariah LMT, 3330 W Court St., Suite H.

Salon Casa De Belleza, 516 W. Lewis St.,

Suite B.

Taylor Rogers, 6217 Cashmere Lane.

The Ciao Wagon, 110 S. Fourth Ave.

Tiny Cottage Builders NW, 26650 Ice

Harbor Drive, Burbank.

E.A.S. Waterworks LLC, 4208 Meadowsweet St.

New Style Swimming Pools LLC, 4320

W. Ivy Road.

Nissi Nails & Beauty, 226 W. Lewis St.

Diamond Taxi, 1707 W. Brown St.

Decoraciones Garcia, 604 N. Elm Ave.

Gpsongrade, 4315 Des Moines Lane.

Tri-Cities Mattress LLC, 3604 Stearman

Ave.

Solgen Distribution LLC, 5715 Bedford

St.

Eagle’s Auto Glass, 216 N. Fifth Ave.

Christie E. Oar, 5321 W. 26th Ave., Kennewick.

On Time Taxi, 2116 E. Alvina St.

Trenchman Shoring Services Inc., 1821 Mayes Road SE, Olympia.

Zultys Inc., 785 Lucerne Drive, Sunnyvale, California.

Premier Cleaning Services, 250 Linderman Road, Mabton.

Stein Skin & Care, 704 Ninth St., Benton City.

Atomic Bakes, 212 W. Kennewick Ave., Kennewick.

Imagination Party Creation, 4809 Truman

Lane.

Cesar Larios Beauty World, 118 N. Fourth Ave.

QuinnBellLaw LLC, 5608 Chapel Hill Blvd.

Henry’s Catering, 7107 W. Fifth Place, Kennewick.

Mellifluous Interpreting LLC, 1705 E. Salt Lake St.

Pie Sharks, 1769 Larch Court, Richland.

Gomez’home Design & Remodeling LLC, 1105 W. 10th Ave., #C205, Kennewick.

Gala Express, 516 W. Clark St. Dance Connection, 104 Vista Way, Kennewick.

Bryan’s Butcher Block, 525 N. Commercial Ave.

Lightning Meals LLC, 104 S. Tacoma Ave. Nzibarega, Come, 2894 Salk Ave., #260,

Richland. Norse Floors LLC, 6430 118th Drive SE, Snohomish. Good Wood Work, 25001 S. Haney Road, Kennewick.

Sine Wave Electric, Inc., 3759 S. 74th St., Tacoma.

La Maison De Chantelle, 5960 Burden

Blvd.

MSK Uber, 4333 Campolina.

Tammie Rae McCalmant, 710 S. Garfield St., Kennewick. De Los Santos Transport, 5524 Cleveland Lane.

Joshua H Barthuly, 1000 W. Fifth Ave., #A106, Kennewick.

Tri-Cities Fantasy Faire, 821 S. Gum St., Kennewick.

RICHLAND

Perry Weather Inc., 1355 Motor Circle, Dallas, Texas.

Barracuda Steel Drums, 1202 Frontera Lane, Austin, Texas.

Earth Sales Group Inc., 206 S. Rogers St., Waxahachie, Texas.

Deem LLC, 11201 USA Parkway, Fishers, Indiana.

Kurita America Inc., 6600 94th Ave. North, Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Babies First, 18321 Monrovia St., Bucyrus, Kansas.

Swift Current LLC, 13300 E. Via Linda, Scottsdale, Arizona.

Lakeland Restoration, 6736 Highway 2, Priest River, Idaho.

Baker Fluid Dynamics, 50 Douglas Way, Wallula.

Alder St. Design LLC, 7126 SE Alder St., Portland, Oregon.

Matrix Consulting Group, 1650 S. Amphlett Blvd., San Mateo, California.

Builder Services Group Inc., 475 N. Williamson Blvd., Daytona Beach, Florida.

Violeta’s Housekeeping, 5000 S., Dayton Place, Kennewick.

Handyman Construction LLC, 2813 N. Road 48, Pasco.

Cesar Chavez, 9780 Highland Drive NE, Moses Lake.

McKinstry Essention LLC, 5005 Third Ave. South, Seattle.

Condon Construction LLC, 2606 S. Cherry Lane, Spokane.

Jackie Sharpe Images LLC, 1878 W. 25th Court, Kennewick.

Inland Washington, 120 W. Cataldo Ave., Spokane.

YFC Framing, 211010 E. Terril Road, Kennewick.

Pur Clean LLC, 200409 E. 73rd Ave., Kennewick.

All Star Fence Company, 903 E. Pacific Ave., Spokane.

S C G I, 282 Wilkes Ave., Bremerton.

HLA Engineering and Land Surveying Inc., 2803 River Road, Yakima.

Integrus Architecture P.S., 10 S. Cedar St., Spokane.

Paint Pros, 5011 Antigua Drive, Pasco. Electric Power Systems Inc., 905 24th Way SW, Suite A1, Olympia.

Emprecision LLC, 1407 Valentine Ave. SE, Pacific.

Prairie Electric Inc., 27050 NE 10th Ave., Ridgefield.

Alliance Management & Construction Solutions, 59009 E. Main PR SE, Benton City.

Ryan Ray Construction, 6206 Kent Lane, Pasco.

VW Quality Roofing LLC, 1215 E. Alder St., Walla Walla.

Valiant Homes, 98109 E. Brandon Drive, Kennewick.

J L General LLC, 4326 S. Anderson Place, Kennewick.

L&S Painting Services LLC, 1426 S. Date Place, Kennewick.

S & R Elite Roofing LLC, 1307 W. Fifth St., Grandview.

Lawassar, 1926 Hetrick St.

Hardenbergh Staffing Group, 888 Swift Blvd. 8K Electric, 31402 S. Clodfelter Road, Kennewick. Helpful Hands Delivery Service LLC, 1027 Birch Ave. Haley & Aldrich Inc., 3131 Elliott Ave.,

Seattle.

A Place Construction, 6420 W. Umatilla Ave., Kennewick.

ADM Construction Group Inc., 1407

Valentine Ave. SE, Pacific.

Shoot 360 Nation LLC, 12403 NE 60th Way, Vancouver.

Janimar Purses, 1876 Fowler St. Mitchells Restoration, 6218 W. First Ave., Kennewick.

Arias Pro Remodel, 217 N. First Ave, Pasco.

Liberty Fire Inspection Services LLC, 207405 E. Finley Road, Kennewick.

Big Dipper, 171 S. Washington St., Spokane.

True North Services, 324 Cullum Ave. Crimson Valkyries, 30312 S. Carlson Road, Kennewick.

Sarver Construction LLC, 311 First St., Benton City.

Shoot 360 Tri-Cities, 2541 Logan St.

Eld Inlet Beverage Company, 844 Tulip

Lane.

Alpha Roofing LLC, 194 Garden Drive, Walla Walla.

Respectfully Clean, 1207 E. Rockwell Ave., Spokane.

Tri-Cities Testing Center, 3100 George

Washington Way.

Triple 8 Drywall LLC, 1108 Elm Ave.

Apex Brows LLC, 710 George Washington Way.

Convergence Zone Cellars, 1339 Tapteal Drive.

Tri-Cities Pest Solutions LLC, 4411 Desert Plateau Drive, Pasco.

Vick Construction LLC, 4504 Campolina Lane, Pasco.

Sweet Squeeze Lemonade, 5906 Mandra Lane, Pasco. Network Connex, 1414 E. Columbia St., Pasco. NWP Builds LLC, 4083 W. Van Giesen St., West Richland.

Her Pelvic Health Physical Therapy P.C., 750 Swift Blvd.

Gnarly Girls Baking Co., 401 Wellsian Way.

CR United Contracting LLC, 8208 Wrigley Drive, Pasco.

Arianah Galvez, 1311 Mansfield St.

Timberline Construction & Roofing LLC, 7511 W. Arrowhead Ave., Kennewick.

Tri-Cities Mobile Auto Service LLC, 715 Thayer Drive.

JLC Fitness, 1175 Adair Drive.

Very Best Electric LLC, 510 Wolfe Lane, Grandview.

KM Pottery, 150 Patton St.

Goyal Uber, 2100 Bellerive Drive.

Spudnut Shop, 228 Williams Blvd.

Booth Brothers Ventures LLC, 115

Orchard Way.

Matthew Kuempel Counseling PLLC, 1601 Columbia Park Trail.

Reyna General Contractor LLC, 1424

Marshall Ave.

Royalty Certified Affordable Cleaning LLC, 1878 Fowler St.

Dreams Gadgets-Layton & Goforth LLC, 922 Sanford Ave.

Elizabeth Ruthanne Purser, 609 Amon Park Drive.

24 Hour Mobile Notary LLC, 3090 Bobwhite Way.

Ostler And Bunker Orthodontics, 1520

Jadwin Ave.

Transcend Consulting LLC, 750 Swift Blvd.

Irrigation Solutions LLC, 117 S. Conway Place, Kennewick.

The Well, 139 Oakland St.

Arely Peralta, 345 N. 13th St., Sunnyside. Shamra Properties LLC, 1169 Pinto Loop.

5.0 Wellness Colon Hydrotherapy, 925 Stevens Drive.

I&M Rentals LLC, 1524 W. Sylvester St., Pasco.

Centerstage, 1214 Putnam St. Stratefic Culture LLC, 209 Marvin St., Naches.

Milan Laser Corporate LLC, 3023 Duportail St.

K. West Concrete & Construction, 8640

W. Klamath Ave., Kennewick. Gas Detailing LLC, 2824 V Court SE, u

Auburn.

CutzbyCruz, 612 The Parkway.

DDD Mobile Detailing LLC, 331 S. 41st Ave., West Richland.

Psi Nu Omega Chapter, 2710 Stonecreek Drive.

RR Pena, 5120 W. Sylvester St., Pasco.

Offshore Technical Compliance LLC, 599 Stevens Drive.

Alicia Jakeman Photography, 1104 Maple Place.

M&K Lamb Medical PLLC, 106429 E. Badger Road, Kennewick.

Afterglow Esti 777, 2306 S. Dennis St., Kennewick.

Amigos Trucking LLC, 4400 Maple Ave., Yakima.

Stanfield Construction, 1604 Woodbury

St.

JD Creations LLC, 5105 W. Sylvester St., Pasco.

Schooley Mitchell of Richland – Youngman, 683 Isola Vista Court.

Premier Paint and Flooring, 259 Adair

Drive.

Tools, Well Applied, 6 1/2 N. Second Ave., Walla Walla.

NNS Ventures LLC, 503 Knight St.

Cancun Distribution, 404 Abert Ave.

Elite Wholesale, 5885, W. Van Giesen St., West Richland.

MVF Construction LLC, 1833 Mahan Ave.

UpAngle Drone Services, 3801 Artesia

Drive, Pasco.

Sir Suds Laundry Co., 1411 Williams

Blvd.

Actualize Psylutions LLC, 210 Brookwood Loop.

Burns & McDonnell Engineering Company Inc., 723 The Parkway.

Mobile Motorsports, 5909 Road 90, Pasco.

Scaroni and Sons Backflow Services, 2854 Tuscanna Drive.

Mid-Columbia Sealcoating LLC, 6821 W. 20th Ave., Kennewick.

Yard Love Tri Cities, 190518 E. Game

Farm Road, Kennewick.

135 Reata LLC, 1236 Columbia Park Trail.

TSI Family Inc., 4004 Bismarck Lane,

Pasco. Safety Scope Consulting LLC, 1259

Llandwood Ave.

Northwest Lawn Care & Maintenance

LLC, 6219 Berea Lane, Pasco.

Astro Painting LLC, 199008 E. Third Ave., Kennewick.

Joe Prior, 1309 George Washington Way.

Heavyweight Haulers, 1732 N. 18th Drive, Pasco.

Totally Stoked, 1613 Thayer Drive.

Great Scott Comics & Collectibles LLC, 2751 Walking Stick Ave.

U & A Scrubs LLC, 125 S. Tweedt Place, Kennewick.

Hitchcock, 2500 George Washington Way.

H2Woah Cleaning Services LLC, 1205

13th St., Benton City.

M&M Recreations, 903 Benham St.

Julio Luis Perez Delgado, 455 S. Morain St., Kennewick.

The In & Out Home Services LLC, 334 Buckwheat Court, West Richland.

Cloe’s Enterprise LLC, 7611 Cordero Drive, Pasco.

Marie Sanchez Inc., 4765 Highview St. North America RV Repair & Services, 8801 Saint Thomas Drive, Pasco.

Forget It Anesthesia PLLC, 2725 S. Seabiscuit Drive, Veradale.

Aces Heating & Cooling, 6223 W. Deschutes Ave., Kennewick.

Nathan Malawy, 100804 E. Reata Road, Kennewick.

PROSSER

Alder St. Design LLC, 7126 SE Alder St., Portland, Oregon.

Builder Services Group Inc., 475 N. Williamson Blvd., Daytona Beach, Florida.

Legacy Power Systems, 1566 E. Weber Road, Ritzville.

BG Concrete & Construction LLC, 218

Sixth Ave., Mabton.

Micro Computer Systems, 3310 York Road, Lynnwood.

Rain for Rent, 19430 59th Ave. NE,

Arlington.

Sloan’s Plumbing Inc., 4103 E. 29th Ave.,

Spokane. Prairie Electric Inc., 27050 NE 10th Ave., Ridgefield.

SweetSnackAttack, 641 E. Edison Ave., Sunnyside. Haley & Aldrich Inc., 3131 Elliott Ave., Seattle.

JLS Consulting and Contracting LLC, 8180 W. Fourth Ave., Kennewick. King Granite LLC, 1915 W. Agate St., Pasco.

Alpha Roofing, 3 W. A St., Pasco.

Clover Island General Contracting LLC, 1031 S. Elma St., Kennewick.

E-Z Fencing LLC, 1440 Alexander Ext., Grandview.

Alpha Roofing LLC, 194 Garden Drive, Walla Walla.

La Tia LLC, 2130 Reeves Road, Sunnyside.

JJ Carpeting Installers LLC, 325 Wine Country Road.

451 Fire Protection LLC, 801 Guernsey St.

The Wild Tortugas, 602 Sixth St. Candy Mt. Construction LLC, 4404 S. Dean PR SW.

Arely Peralta, 345 N. 13th St., Sunnyside.

UpAngle Drone Services, 3801 Artesia Drive, Pasco. Las Palomas II LLC, 364 Chardonnay Ave. Riverdell Farm, 30 Loomis Road. Healthy Habitat 360, 405 S. Third St., Yakima.

WEST RICHLAND

High Violet Coffee Bar, 8121 W. Hood Ave., Kennewick. Sonshine Services LLC, 719 Jadwin Ave., Richland.

Inland Sign & Lighting Inc., 131 N. Altamont St., Spokane.

Aces Heating & Cooling, 6223 W. Deschutes Ave., Kennewick. CRS Crossroad Services LLC, 4321 Ivy Road, Pasco. Pyro Spectaculars North Inc., 4405 N.

Evergreen Road, Spokane Valley.

Alpha Roofing LLC, 194 Garden Drive, Walla Walla.

Columbia Covenant Electric, 1717 W.

Eighth Pace, Kennewick.

Oasis Landscaping LLC, 527 E. Cherry St., Walla Walla.

Astro Painting LLC, 199008 E. Third Ave., Kennewick.

H.Razzo Flooring & More LLC, 324 N. 11th Ave., Pasco.

Door-To-Door Dog Grooming LLC, 5114 Point Fosdick Drive, Gig Harbor.

Elmington Property Management, 118 16th Ave. South, Nashville, Tennessee. Fruteria Alejandra’s, 101 Portage Ave., Mattawa.

K. West Concrete & Construction, 8640 W. Klamath Ave., Kennewick. Sippin Fresh LLC, 730 George Washington Way, Richland.

Heavyweight Haulers, 1732 N. 18th Drive, Pasco.

Network Connex, 1414 E. Columbia St., Pasco.

El Taquito Bandido, 4711 N. Dallas Road. J L General LLC, 4326 S. Anderson Place, Kennewick.

Sweetsnackattack, 641 E. Edison Ave., Sunnyside.

Respectfully Clean, 1207 E. Rockwell Ave., Spokane.

YFC Framing, 211010 E. Terril Road, Kennewick.

8K Electric, 31402 S. Clodfelter Road, Kennewick.

Prairie Electric Inc., 27050 NE 10th Ave., Ridgefield.

Lexington Homes, 1050 N. Argonne Road, Spokane Valley.

Stratum Concrete LLC, 412 N. Ninth Ave., Pasco.

C.L. Enterprises-GC Inc, 430 W. Deschutes Ave., Kennewick.

Magic Touch Painting LLC, 4728 ForuPUBLIC RECORD, Page B22

B22 TRI-CITIES AREA JOURNAL OF BUSINESS | AUGUST 2023

sythia St.

Timeless Homes LLC, 8350 W. Grandridge Blvd., Kennewick. Ben’s Backyard Builds, 9090 Sagehill Road, Othello.

DDD Mobile Detailing LLC, 331 S. 41st Ave.

Papa Murphy’s Pizza, 1589 Bombing Range Road.

uJUDGMENTS

The state can file lawsuits against people or businesses that do not pay taxes and then get a judgment against property that person or business owns. Judgments are filed in Benton-Franklin Superior Court. The following is from the Franklin County Superior Court Clerk’s Office.

Pacmar Technologies LLC, unpaid Department of Labor and Industries taxes, filed July 3.

Trustwave Holdings Inc., unpaid Department of Labor and Industries taxes, filed July 3.

J. Cuevas Painting LLC, unpaid Department of Labor and Industries taxes, filed July 3.

Vagabundos Masonry LLC, unpaid Department of Labor and Industries taxes, filed July 3.

Jesus Manuel Perez, unpaid Department of Revenue taxes, filed July 5.

Robert H.J. Walker, unpaid Department of Labor and Industries taxes, filed July 6.

Norma Diaz, unpaid Department of Revenue taxes, filed July 6.

Lourdes Hospital LLC, unpaid Department of Labor and Industries taxes, filed July 6.

DRG Roofing LLC, unpaid Department of Labor and Industries taxes, filed July 6.

Total Remodel LLC, unpaid Department of Labor and Industries taxes, filed July 6.

Baisch Vegetation Management, unpaid Department of Labor and Industries taxes, filed July 6.

Arnoldo R. Ruelas et al., unpaid Department of Labor and Industries taxes, filed July 6.

Fruta El Ray Inc., unpaid Department of

Revenue taxes, filed July 11.

Jose A. Ortega et al., unpaid Department of Revenue taxes, filed July 11.

JSC Concrete Construction Corp., unpaid Department of Revenue taxes, filed July 11.

Superior Clean Services LLC, unpaid Department of Labor and Industries taxes, filed July 12.

Jessica Jazmin Morales, unpaid Department of Labor and Industries taxes, filed July 12.

EZ Fix Inc., unpaid Department of Revenue taxes, filed July 12.

3 Rivers Heating & Air LLC, unpaid Department of Labor and Industries taxes, filed July 18.

Garibay Farms LLC, unpaid Department of Labor and Industries taxes, filed July 18.

Custom Flooring Covering LLC, unpaid Department of Labor and Industries taxes, filed July 18.

Norma Diaz, unpaid Department of Labor and Industries taxes, filed July 18.

Rivera Investments LLC, unpaid Department of Labor and Industries taxes, filed July 18.

Taylor Jean McElrath, unpaid Department of Labor and Industries taxes, filed July 18.

Taller El Paisa LLC, unpaid Department of Revenue taxes, filed July 18.

Total Remodel LLC, unpaid Department of Revenue taxes, filed July 18.

Columbia Ag Service Inc., unpaid Department of Revenue taxes, filed July 18.

Uncle J Corp., unpaid Department of Revenue taxes, filed July 18.

ABM General Contractor LLC, unpaid Department of Revenue taxes, filed July 18.

The Diamond Studio 22 LLC, unpaid Department of Revenue taxes, filed July 18.

Tlachi Diesel Repair LLC, unpaid Department of Revenue taxes, filed July 18.

Casper Sleep Inc., unpaid Department of Labor and Industries taxes, filed July 25.

Lubin Tapias Cespedes et al., unpaid Department of Licensing taxes, filed July 25.

Salas Masonry LLC, unpaid Department

of Revenue taxes, filed July 25.

Tyra Ane Gilbert et al., unpaid Department of Revenue taxes, filed July 25.

JFK Group LLC, unpaid Department of Revenue taxes, filed July 25.

Vaka Negra LLC, unpaid Department of Revenue taxes, filed July 25.

Josephine Bustos, unpaid Department of Labor and Industries taxes, filed July 31.

Car Doctor Auto Repair LLC, unpaid Department of Revenue taxes, filed July 31.

Flores Landscaping 1 LLC, unpaid Department of Revenue taxes, filed July 31.

uLIQUOR LICENSES

BENTON COUNTY NEW

iPlay Experience, 8524 W. Gage Blvd., Suite B110, Kennewick. License type: beer/wine restaurant – beer/wine. Application type: new.

Quake Epicenter of Family Fun, 106904

E. Detrick PR SE, Kennewick. License type: beer/wine restaurant – beer/wine. Application type: new.

Laliik, 11198 E. 388 PR NE, Benton City. License type: domestic winery <250,000 liters. Application type: new.

China Cafe Express, 201 N. Edison St., Suite 236, Kennewick. License type: beer/ wine restaurant – beer/wine. Application type: new.

Greek Islands Cuisine, 600 Gage Blvd., Richland. License type: direct shipment receiver-in WA only; beer/wine restaurant – beer/wine; catering. Application type: assumption.

Avaline Wines, 844 Tulip Lane, Suite A, Richland. License type: domestic winery <250,000 liters. Application type: new. Salud Bar & Kitchen, 50 Comstock St., Richland. License type: direct shipment receiver-in/out WA; spirits/beer/wine restaurant lounge+; catering. Application type: added/change of class/in lieu.

APPROVED

Picante Mexican Taqueria, 20 S. Auburn St., Kennewick. License type: spirits/beer/ wine restaurant lounge+. Application type: new.

Bills Speakeasy, 1205 Meade Ave., Prosser. License type: direct shipment receiver-in WA only. Application type: new.

DISCOUNTINUED

Washington State Wine Company, 3090 West Wittkopf Loop, Prosser. License type: domestic winery >249,999 liters. Application type: discontinued.

Bills Speakeasy, 1205 Meade Ave., Prosser. License type: direct shipment receiver-in WA only. Application type: discontinued.

FRANKLIN COUNTY

NEW

Ruben’s Pupuseria & Restaurante, 3330 W. Court St., Unit A & B, Pasco. License type: spirits/beer/wine restaurant service bar. Application type: new. Tequila’s Sports Bar, 414 W. Lewis St., Pasco. License type: spirits/beer/wine restaurant lounge- . Application type: new. Wild Olives Charcuterie Kingdom, 3306 N. Swallow Ave., Suite 205, Pasco. License type: beer/wine specialty shop. Application type: new.

APPROVED

Art YOUR Way, 6303 Burden Blvd., Suite A, Pasco. License type: direct shipment receiver-in WA only. Application type: new. El Asadero Restaurant, 2318 W. Court St., Pasco. License type: spirits/beer/wine restaurant service bar. Application type: new.

DISCONTINUED

El Asadero Restaurant, 2318 W. Court St., Pasco. License type: spirits/beer/wine restaurant service bar. Application type: discontinued.

uMARIJUANA LICENSES

BENTON COUNTY NEW

Pioneer Production and Processing, 22604 Hosko Road, Prosser. License type: cannabis producer tier 3; cannabis processor. Application type: assumption. Chief’N Cannabis LLC, 15505 N. Webber Canyon Road, Benton City. License type: cannabis producer tier 3; cannabis processor. Application type: assumption.

FRANKLIN COUNTY

NEW

Green2Go Pasco, 5804 Road 90, suites F & G, Pasco. License type: cannabis retailer; medical cannabis endorsement. Application type: new.

uBUSINESS UPDATES

NEW BUSINESS

The Bubbly Boba opened in May at 201 N. Edison St., Suite 260 in Kennewick. This locally-owned and operated boba tea shop is family-friendly, featuring several activities for kids. Hours: 10:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday-Friday; 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday; noon to 4 p.m. Sunday. Contact: 509-396-7417; brandon@thebubblyboba. com; Facebook.

Bristle Art Gallery opened Aug. 5 at 6 S. Auburn St. in Kennewick. The mother and daughter team running the gallery used to do pop-ups in front of David’s Shoes and have now expanded to a permanent location with room for work from other artists. Art classes will also be held in the gallery. Contact: bristlewhileyouwork@gmail.com; Bristleartgallery.square.site.

uPUBLIC RECORD, Page B23

NEW LOCATION

EleMar Oregon LLC: Tri-Cities has opened at 1879 N. Commercial Ave. in Pasco. The business, founded in Oregon in 2005, is a slab warehouse, offering countertop materials including granite, marble, quartzite, soapstone, Caesarstone, EleQuence quartz and EleVation porcelain. Hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday; 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. Contact: 509-302-2050; elemaroregon. com.

New Beginnings Thrift opened a new location at 11 W. First Ave. in Kennewick. Hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Contact: 509-946-7231; nbthrifttc@gmail.com; Facebook.

Numerica Credit Union has opened a new branch at 2307 W. Court St. in Pasco. Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday. Contact: 509-734-6900; numericacu.com. 4 Whistles Winery has opened a wine tasting room at 10 E. Bruneau Ave. at the Public Market at Columbia River Warehouse in Kennewick. The small, familyowned boutique winery opened in 2019 in Eltopia. Tasting room hours: noon to 7 p.m. Thursday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. Contact: 4whistles.com; email@4whistles. com; 509-980-2414.

NEW HOURS

DS Watkins Gallery, at 27 N. Auburn St. in Kennewick, has extended its hours, and is now open from noon to 5 p.m. every Friday and Saturday. The gallery is also open from noon to 8 p.m. Thursdays and by appointment. Contact: 509-546-1853.

MOVED

John L. Scott Real Estate has moved its Hermiston office to 320 S. Highway 395 in Hermiston, Oregon. Contact: johnlscott. com/home; 541-567-8303.

Lourdes Pediatrics has moved to 9915

Sandifur Parkway, Suite B, Pasco. The clinic’s hours remain 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Contact: 509-5468399. Appointments can be scheduled at YourLourdes.com/Find-A-Doctor.

Northwest Golf Cars has moved to 2579 Stevens Drive in Richland while its Kennewick building is being renovated. The company rents cars accommodating two to six passengers for special events.

Contact: NorthwestGolfCars.com; 509328-5838.

NEW OWNERS

Motorcycle Training Inc. is now owned by Terra Sampson. The motorcycle and three-wheel rig training and testing services are located at 2125 Robertson Drive in Richland. Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday. Contact: 509-371-0888, motorcycletraining.ws.

ANNIVERSARIES

Bogert Aviation is celebrating its 40th anniversary. The company was founded by Richard Bogert at the Richland Airport in 1983 and has since expanded to work on government projects and created two brands, Uncle Norm’s Marine Products and Safe Jack. Go to: bogertgroup.com. Chukar Cherries observes its 35th anniversary this year. The company was the first tenant at the Port of Benton Prosser Airport Business Park in Prosser and has remained there since its founding by Pam Montgomery in 1988. Chukar Cherries sells chocolate-covered cherries, dried cherry and nut mixes and other cherryrelated gifts. Contact: chukar.com; 509786-2055.

Threads, a resale boutique at 127 W. Kennewick Ave. in Kennewick, is celebrating its 15th anniversary. Contact: shopthreads. weebly.com; 509-735-4370.

To submit news, go to: tcjournal.biz/ submit-news.