Tri-Cities Area Journal of Business - March 2020

March 2020 Volume 19 | Issue 3

Arts center group drops Vista Field site over funding

Businesses brace for worst

By Wendy Culverwell editor@tcjournal.biz

Local News

Tri-City cleaning company stands ready to scrub out coronavirus Page A3

Hospitality

Hospitality group sets course for development of four-star hotel Page A23

Real Estate & Construction

West Richland land auction could clear way for as many as 500 new homes Page B1

NOTEWORTHY “Higher education is the investment that keeps on giving.”

- Chancellor Sandra Haynes WSU Tri-Cities Page A13

A nonprofit with a bold plan to build a performing arts center at the heart of Kennewick’s Vista Field has pulled out, saying it intends to pursue taxpayer funding in Richland.

The Vista Arts Center vision is still very much alive, but the financial model has shifted to a public-private partnership, said Steven Wiley, chairman of the Arts Center Task Force.

The task force had a $10,000 agreement with the Port of Kennewick to buy 2.2 acres at the heart of the Vista Field redevelopment project. The deal set the stage for the group to build a privately-financed arts center with an 800-seat theater, gallery, event space and catering kitchen.

The agreement expired a year ago.

Wiley notified the port in February it won’t renew after a 2018 study concluded the task force can’t raise the full $35 million to $40 Steven Wiley million it needs from private contributions and grants. It will require about $20 million in public financing.

It’s a dramatic shift for the Arts Center Task Force, which intended to fund its project with private contributions and grants.

The public funding requirement knocked Vista Field out of consideration—the port won’t fund the project.

Wiley confirmed the task force is pursuing a potential relationship with the Richland Public Facilities District.

The district, an arm of the city, has the legal authority to ask voters to approve a one-tenth or two-tenths of a percent sales tax increase to build public facilities.

In a subsequent phone call, Wiley said it was only fair to let the port know about its changing plans because the port is preparing to market the first lots at Vista Field this year.

Wiley expects to announce new potential uVISTA ARTS CENTER Page A35

Photo by Wendy Culverwell Kevin Jenkins of Dura-Shine Clean disinfects the ticketing area at Tri-Cities Airport in Pasco. Port of Pasco officials asked the Tri-City company to step up cleaning efforts at the regional airport. Coronavirus is taking a toll on the state and nation’s economy with market instability, travel restrictions, event cancellations and increased social distancing. See story on page A3.

Tri-City developer steps up as Osprey Pointe’s newest partner

By Wendy Culverwell editor@tcjournal.biz

The Port of Pasco has a new partner to carry out its vision of an active community at its prized Osprey Pointe property on the Columbia River.

JMS Development, led by James Sexton, has signed a letter of intent to work with the port to develop the 55-acre park-like property in east Pasco.

A development agreement that will spell out what goes where is in the works. The port has long sought to attract the public to the area where it has its headquarters with a mix of residential, office, retail, recreational and

even light industrial development.

Sexton said he shares the vision for the property at 1100 Osprey Pointe, between Ainsworth Avenue and the river. The total investment could be $75 million to $100 million.

“I’ve been looking at that property since I was 7,” said Sexton, a Tri-City native whose company is wrapping up its latest undertaking, Cedar Village, a 43-unit townhome community in Kennewick.

The tentative partnership is a major shift for the port, which built its headquarters there in 2011.

About two years ago, it signed a letter of in-

uOSPREY POINTE, Page A17

Food truck owners unite to tackle barriers to growth

By Wendy Culverwell editor@tcjournal.biz

The Mid-Columbia’s food truck industry is growing up—and speaking up.

With the start of the 2020 spring food truck season just around the corner, the newly-formed Southeastern Washington Food Truck Association gives voice to the roughly 100 or so food carts authorized to serve the public in Benton and Franklin counties.

Led by Andrew Chilton, owner of Doggie Style Gourmet, and Ron Swanby of Swampy’s BBQ Sauce & Eatery, both based chiefly in Kennewick, the group began meeting in 2019 to boost representation they

felt was missing from the Washington State Food Truck Association, which tends to focus on westside issues.

It planned to make its public debut with its first-ever Food Truck Showcase from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. March 21 at Columbia Gardens Urban Wine & Artisan Village, near the cable bridge in Kennewick.

For $20, participants can sample items from the catering menus of the area’s bestknown food trucks. Participating vendors include Boricua’s, Doggie Style Gourmet, Fast and Curryous, Fresh Out the Box, Kona Ice, Nena’s European Desserts, Ninja Bistro uFOOD TRUCKS, Page A29

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TRI-CITIES AREA JOURNAL OF BUSINESS | MARCH 2020

TRI-CITIES AREA JOURNAL OF BUSINESS | MARCH 2020

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Tri-City cleaning company stands ready to scrub out coronavirus

By Wendy Culverwell editor@tcjournal.biz

As questions and concerns poured in after officials confirmed several coronavirus deaths in Washington in early March, Carlos Martinez called an emergency meeting of the 70-plus employees of Dura-Shine Clean, his commercial cleaning business.

Dura-Shine cleans 5 million square feet of commercial space in the Tri-Cities, with clients ranging from banks to professional offices to the Tri-Cities Airport. Phones were ringing from customers wanting information and stepped up service.

Cleaners are at the front line of the battle to prevent the spread of coronavirus. Dura-Shine’s crew was worried and wanted information about staying safe on the job.

And while it’s an opportunity Martinez didn’t seek out, he said he’s ready for it. He is advertising his business as the Tri-Cities’ “Coronavirus Busters.”

That was before March 11, when the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a global pandemic.

Western Washington is at the epicenter in the U.S. There were 366 confirmed cases in Washington and 29 deaths related to COVID-19 by the time the pandemic was declared.

“It’s been nuts,” Martinez said.

More cases than reported?

There were no COVID-19 cases reported in the Tri-Cities when the pandemic was declared, but it’s a matter of time, according to local health officials. Neighboring Grant and Umatilla counties have confirmed cases.

The Benton-Franklin Health District is coordinating a local response. It does not track if local individuals are tested for coronavirus because such tests don’t require its permission. Positive results are reported to the state health department.

There are probably far more cases in Washington than have been reported, ac-

Resources for businesses

• The Washington Department of Health website offers a basic primer on COVID-19, guidelines about travel and steps to take to reduce the spread in the workplace and links to helpful resources. Go to: doh.wa.gov/ Coronavirus/Workplace

Photo by Wendy Culverwell Carlos Martinez, owner of Dura-Shine Clean, said customers of his commercial cleaning business are asking for increased visits to reduce the threat of coronavirus.

cording to an analysis by a computational biologist at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center.

As the outbreak took hold, Trevor Bedford calculated there could be at least 500 to 600 cases in Seattle, according to STAT, a newsletter that covers health and science news.

The number could grow to 64,000 by May without aggressive prevention steps, cautioned Gov. Jay Inslee.

The governor has declared a state of emergency. He later announced a ban on gatherings of 250 or more people in the hardest-hit counties, a declaration that covers civic, social, sports, spiritual and all other gatherings.

A bill allocating $100 million to combat the virus passed without dissent in both houses of the Washington Legislature and was awaiting the governor’s signature.

Regional response The battle against coronavirus was chiefly concentrated in King, Snohomish and Pierce counties in mid-March.

The University of Washington, Washington State University and Central Washington University all moved to online classes. The Seattle School District canceled school for a minimum of two weeks days starting March 12.

Many of its neighbors quickly followed – Bellevue, Mercer Island, Edmonds schools all closed.

There were cancellations aplenty in the Mid-Columbia but local school districts said they were watching the developing situation. Some were still promoting upcoming events.

Pasco’s Chiawana High School expected to present “The Harvey Girls,” the weekends of March 19-20 and 20-27 at the school’s Black Box Theater.

At mid-March, canceled events included: • The Tri-City Regional Chamber of Commerce postponed its annual meeting, which had been scheduled for March 18 in Kennewick. uDURA-SHINE, Page A5

• Governor’s Task Force on COVID-19 offers guidance on managing the fallout from disrupted business, such as tax filing extensions from the Department of Revenue, identifying alternative markets for exports, obtaining working capital for small businesses, unemployment benefits and paid family and medical leave. Go to: governor.wa.gov/ coronavirus-resource-list-businesses-and-workers

• The Office of the Insurance Commissioner fields questions about event cancellation insurance, COVID-19 testing coverage by health plans and more. Go to: insurance.wa.gov • The Association of Washington Business has put together a clearinghouse of resources for businesses. AWB also has scheduled a business impact webinar from 10-11:30 a.m. March 23.

There is no cost, but registration is required. Go to: awb.org/ covid-19-resources.

• Attorney Christine Zinter of Cicotte Law Firm in Kennewick covers key legal employment issues to consider amid this pandemic. See Page B15.

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TRI-CITIES AREA JOURNAL OF BUSINESS | MARCH 2020

Senior Times cancels spring expo to reduce seniors’ risk 509-737-8778 8919 W. Grandridge Blvd., Ste. A1 Kennewick, WA 99336

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UPCOMING April: Hanford specialty publication May: Environment • Transportation

CORRECTIONS • Dr. Jeff Allgaier and Dr. Ken Egli opened the first Ideal Option in Kennewick in 2012. In 2018, the founding doctors sold a majority stake in the company to private equity firm Varsity Healthcare Partners. Ownership information was incorrect on page A33 in the February issue.

The Tri-Cities Area Journal of Business, a publication of TriComp Inc., is published monthly and delivered at no charge to identifiable businesses in Pasco, Richland, West Richland, Kennewick, Prosser and Benton City.

Subscriptions are $27.10 per year, including tax, prepayment required, no refunds. Contents of this publication are the sole property of TriComp Inc. and can not be reproduced in any form without expressed written consent.

Opinions expressed in guest columns and by advertisers do not necessarily reflect the opinions of staff, other columnists or other advertisers, nor do they imply endorsement by staff, columnists or advertisers. Every effort will be made to assure information published is correct; however, we are not liable for any errors or omissions made despite these efforts.

We have canceled our spring Senior Times Spring 2020 Expo. We are confident it’s the right decision.

The outbreak of coronavirus in our state made our choice a simple one.

We simply won’t put our community’s seniors at increased risk.

Seniors are the most susceptible to severe illness, complications and possibly death from COVID-19, according to the Centers for Disease and Control.

In fact, CDC data and discussions with Benton-Franklin Health District officials reinforced our decision. Older adults and people who have serious chronic medical conditions like heart disease, diabetes and lung disease face the highest risk of exposure to the virus.

For those of you who may not know, we also publish the Senior Times newspaper. First established in 1982 in the Yakima Valley, we bought the Senior Times in 2013. The monthly newspaper provides news and features of interest to those 60 and older. We also organize and produce two popular Senior Times Expos every year—in the spring and fall— where at each more than 72 vendors showcase their senior-focused products and services to about 600 attendees. The spring 2020 event, scheduled for April 21 at the Southridge Sports and Events

Complex in Kennewick, would have been our 14th annual expo in the Tri-Cities.

We can’t in good conscience offer a Melanie Hair senior-focused Tri-Cities Area gathering that Journal of Business could put our CEO COLUMN community’s seniors in possible peril. We love and value them too much and we want them to be safe.

Our decision to cancel the spring expo has repercussions to our business as well as to our vendors and sponsors. They will not have the in-person contact with attendees they’ve become accustomed to, but they will still be able to market to them in a May 4 print and virtual vendor showcase. Our senior attendees will miss having the chance to hear about and sign up for the myriad products and services they are in need of—and surely will miss enjoying free coffee and Spudnuts with their family and friends. But they’ll be more than ready to talk with vendors face-to-face when the fall expo rolls around.

The cancellation of our spring expo ensures our fall expo will be bigger and better than ever. It will be a sell-out event so reserve your spot early. And mark your calendar for Tuesday, Oct. 20 at the Southridge Sports and Events Complex in Kennewick.

Until then, please heed health officials’ recommendations to stop the spread of the coronavirus: wash your hands often, steer clear of large gatherings, avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth, and stay home when you are sick. Here’s a complete list of suggestions from the CDC: cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/downloads/sick-with2019-nCoV-fact-sheet.pdf and another from the Washington State Department of Health: doh.wa.gov/Portals/1/Documents/1600/coronavirus/COVIDcasepositive.pdf.

To our senior and non-senior friends alike, please call your doctor immediately if you think you have been exposed to COVID-19 and develop a fever and symptoms of respiratory illness, such as a cough and difficulty breathing. Melanie Hair is the founder and chief executive officer of the Tri-Cities Area Journal of Business and Senior Times.

Snake River Dam comments sought

By Tri-Cities Area Journal of Business

The politicians and lobbyists have had their chance to respond to a court-ordered study that will guide the future of the Columbia River system and its network of dams and reservoirs.

The four lower Snake River dams are at the center of the dispute between environmental groups that favor removal and opponents who tout the vast economic and environmental benefits they provide.

Now it’s the public’s turn to weigh in.

The Army Corps of Engineers, Bureau of Reclamation and the Bonneville Power Administration are accepting comments on the draft Environmental Impact Statement, which recommends the dams remain in place with operational, structural and maintenance adjustments to improve fish habitat.

Officials plan to hold six public comment meetings throughout the region, including from 4-8 p.m. March 18 at the Red Lion Columbia Center in Kennewick. The formal program begins at 5:15 p.m.

Similar meetings are planned in Lewiston (March 17), Spokane (March 25), Kalispell and Montana (March 26). Seattle and Portland meetings were canceled.

Courtesy Army Corps of Engineers Written comments will be Ice Harbor Dam spans the Snake River between accepted through April 13 at Franklin and Walla Walla counties.

Army Corps of Engineers, The draft EIS and related documents are CRSO EIS, P.O. Box 2870, posted at crso.info. Request a CD-ROM, Portland, OR 97232.

The authors of the study will respond flash drive or paper copy of the executive to comments in the final statement, due summary by leaving messages at info@ this summer. crso.info or 800-290-5033.

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TRI-CITIES AREA JOURNAL OF BUSINESS | MARCH 2020 DURA-SHINE, From page A3 • Blue Mountain Council of Boy Scouts of America postponed a breakfast in Pasco featuring Gen. James Mattis to Aug. 13.

• Mid-Columbia Meals on Wheels canceled its annual fundraising breakfast scheduled for March 10.

• Grant PUD closed its facilities to the public after a contract worker was exposed.

The PUD sent nonessential personnel home indefinitely. Franklin PUD encouraged customers to use online bill paying or to visit a drop box at its offices, but said it was operating normally.

• The Kennewick Irrigation District closed its offices to the public. Customers can pay their 2020 assessments at the 24hour drop box outside its office, by mail, by phone or online at payments.kid.org.

• The Port of Kennewick closed its Clover Island offices to the public. Tenants and customers can pay bills by mail, through their bank or at the 24-hour drop box.

• The Othello Sandhill Crane Festival canceled the 2029 event, which would have been its 23rd.

• The Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Gesa Credit Union and others encouraged employees to telecommute.

Cancellations and shutdowns will certainly accelerate as the pandemic plays out.

Check with event organizers before attending planned gatherings to see if they are still on.

Economic impacts The Federal Reserve moved to blunt the impact by cutting interest rates but investors sent the stock market into a tailspin that led to the suspension of trading on March 9 and again on March 12.

The Dow Jones Industrial average closed at more than 20 percent below its peak a month earlier, formally ending an 11-year “bull” market, according to the New York Times.

Mark Zandi, chief economist for Moody’s Analytics, pegged the odds of a recession at 50 percent, the Times reported.

Sequoia Capital, a prominent investment firm, called COVID-19 the “black swan of 2020” in a note to founders and CEOs that was flagged by Pitchbook, a Seattle firm that tracks capital. “(W)e should brace ourselves for turbulence and have a prepared mindset for the scenarios that may play out,” Sequoia advised.

Google canceled the 2020 I/O developers event, which had been scheduled for mid-May in Mountain View, California.

Microsoft called off its MVP Global Summit, which was to run in mid-March and encouraged its workers to telecommute.

The 10-day South by Southwest Conference & Festival, set to start on March 13 in Austin, was canceled. Facebook, Intel and TikTok had already pulled out before the announcement was made. The 2019 event set a record with more than 400,000 in attendance.

What is a ‘deep clean’?

Locally, Tri-Citians cleared out stores of toilet paper, sanitizing wipes and hand sanitizer, among other items. Senior residential facilities restricted visitors to protect vulnerable residents.

The Richland School Districted posted information about how it cleans buildings under the header, “Using Science To Keep

Schools Clean & Healthy.”

“Our goal is to be as clean as a well-maintained medical facility,” said Mark Humann, custodial manager. Custodians use a disinfectant called Oxivir, which kills germs within a minute of being applied.

The disinfectant is then wiped away with microfiber cloth.

The Kennewick School District said it would allow parents to send kids to school with hand sanitizer and wipes, with some restrictions.

On the day Martinez summoned his employees to talk about staying safe, Wildhorse Resort & Casino east of Pendleton, Oregon, shut down after a worker tested positive and was taken across the state line to a Walla Walla hospital.

It reopened March 4 after a 48-hour voluntary closure.

The Wildhorse campus, including casino, hotel, theater, arcade, offices and restaurants were manually cleaned and disinfected with Clorox before being certified by environmental health officials and regulators.

Martinez, of Dura-Shine, advises anyone who manages—or works in—a building to review cleaning plans with a focus on surfaces that get touched—door handles, counters, faucets and so forth. Hand sanitizer stations in lobbies is another good practice, though sanitizer is in short supply.

Dura-Shine’s large clients tend to be cleaned daily. Smaller businesses may be two to three times a week. Dura-Shine stepped up its work at the Tri-Cities Airport at the request of the Port of Pasco.

So what does it mean to deep clean a building that may have been contaminated

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by the fearsome virus?

“What is a deep clean? Disinfect surfaces. They’re going top to bottom. They’re going to focus on areas people are touching,” he said. “They aren’t touching the ceiling.”

They’re using anything from bleach to commercial sanitizing agents. As long as it kills bacteria and viruses, it’s part of the arsenal against coronavirus.

To read the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s cleaning and disinfection recommendations, go to cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/organizations/ cleaning-disinfection.html.

The CDC also has resources for businesses and employers, which can be found at cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/organizations/businesses-employers.html.

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TRI-CITIES AREA JOURNAL OF BUSINESS | MARCH 2020

DATEBOOK

Editor’s note: Please check with event organizers for updates as there have been frequent cancellations in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.

MARCH 18

• Tri-City Regional Chamber of Commerce annual meeting and Awards Luncheon: 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Three Rivers Convention Center, 7016 W. Grandridge Blvd., Kennewick. Go to: tricityregionalchamber.com • Leadership Tri-Cities Information Session: 5:30-7 p.m., Tri-Cities Business & Visitor Center, 7130 W. Grandridge Blvd., Kennewick. Go to: leadershiptricities.com • Washington Policy Center’s Young Professionals Happy Hour: 5:30-7:30 p.m., Bombing Range Brewery, 2000 Logston Blvd.

Ste. 126, Richland. Contact: 509954-2449.

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• Community Lecture Series “What Happened to America’s Public Schools?”: 7 p.m., Richland Public Library, 940 Northgate Drive, Richland. Contact: 509-542-5531.

• Association of Washington Business Virtual 2020 Workforce Summit: 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Go to: http://bit.ly/2HdgCAk

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MARCH 20

• West Richland Chamber Ball: 6 p.m., Historic Uptown Theatre, 1300 Jadwin Ave., Richland. Go to: westrichlandchamber.org

MARCH 21

• Honky Tonk Hoedown, a fundraiser benefiting Rascal Rodeo: 5:30-11 p.m., Southridge Sports & Events Complex, 2901 Southridge Blvd., Kennewick. Contact: 509528-5947.

MARCH 25

• Small Business Development Workshop “Employer Responsibilities”: 4:30-6:30 p.m., Kennewick Community Center, 500 S. Auburn St., Kennewick. Go to historickennewick.org

APRIL 2

• Cancer Crushing Breakfast, a fundraiser for the Tri-Cities Cancer Center: 7:30 a.m., Three Rivers Convention Center, 7016 W. Grandridge Blvd., Kennewick.

Contact: 509-737-3373.

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VISIT TCJOURNAL.BIZ AND CLICK ON EVENT CALENDAR FOR MORE EVENTS

APRIL 8-9

• Building Partnerships: April 8; 7:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. April 9; 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Three Rivers Convention Center, 7016 W. Grandridge Blvd., Kennewick. Go to: bridgingpartnerships.com • Ask the Experts: 3:30-5:30 p.m., Tri-Cities Business & Visitor Center, 7130 W. Grandridge Blvd., Kennewick. Go to: tricityregionalchamber.com

APRIL 14

• Washington State Economic Symposium: 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., Red Lion Hotel & Conference Center, 2525 N. 20th Ave., Pasco. Go to: esd.wa.gov/EAWA-Symposium

APRIL 16

• Community Lecture Series “Columbia’s River: The Story of Robert Gray”: 7 p.m., Richland Public Library, 940 Northgate Drive, Richland. Contact: 509-542-5531.

• Community Forum “Women in STEM”: 8 a.m., The HAPO Center, 6600 Burden Blvd., Pasco. Go to: ewu.edu/easternedge

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APRIL 17

• Una Noche de Éxitos – A Night of Achievements Gala Dinner: 6-9 p.m., Red Lion Hotel, 2525 N. 20th Ave., Pasco. Go to: tchispanicchamber. com

APRIL 21-22

• Health and Safety Expo: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., The HAPO Center, 6600 Burden Blvd., Pasco.

APRIL 23

• SARC Community Education Night: 6-8 p.m., Highlands Middle School, 425 Tweedt St., Kennewick.

Contact: 509-374-5391.

• Tri-Citian of the Year: 6-9 p.m., Three Rivers Convention Center, 7016 W. Grandridge Blvd., Kennewick. Go to: tricitianoftheyear. org.

APRIL 28

• Spring Job Fair: Columbia Basin College Gjerde Center, 2600 N. 20th Ave., Pasco. Contact: 509734-5949

TRI-CITIES AREA JOURNAL OF BUSINESS | MARCH 2020 uBUSINESS BRIEFS AAA reports gas prices tumbling amid market uncertainty

The national average for a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline has decreased by three cents to $2.32 in mid-March.

The Tri-Cities’ average was $2.71 a gallon, which is lower than the statewide average of $3.05 a gallon, according to AAA. The market plunge is in response to a lack of agreement between Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and non-OPEC countries to cut production. The trend of pump prices facing downward pressure is likely to continue through the end of the winter driving season if crude oil remains cheap, especially amid concerns about the coronavirus, AAA reported on March 9.

Fire district lands grant to improve volunteer program

Benton Fire District 4 has implemented changes in its volunteer program to make it more welcoming and accommodating for busy work and family lives.

The fire department based in West Richland relies on career and volunteer emergency personnel to respond to an average of 1,600 emergency calls a year.

Last year, the district received a grant from the International Association

of Fire Chiefs and the University of Oklahoma to participate in research that was being conducted across the nation to improve diversity and retention of volunteers. Researchers interviewed more than half of current career and volunteer personnel at the district; conducted online surveys; and provided a report at no cost to the fire district.

The report outlined areas where small changes could support attracting diverse community volunteers, providing an inclusive environment and improving retention.

The department has implemented changes to the recruiting process that makes the application easier to fill out and streamlines the turnaround time.

“One of the most valuable changes we’ve made is to restructure the program to meet volunteers’ needs,” said Capt. Bob Shannon. “Now they can train as a firefighter, or just to respond to medical calls. We also have an active support services division that helps with tasks around the fire station and supports emergency personnel during significant incidents so there’s a role for everyone interested in serving.”

Shannon volunteered for the fire district for 10 years before accepting a full-time position. He’s now the volunteer recruit coordinator for the district.

For more information on volunteering, contact Shannon at bshannon@ bcfd4.org or 509-967-2945 or go to bcfd4.org to download a volunteer application.

Ag industry sponsors charity golf tournament

Registration and sponsorships are open for the seventh annual Ag World Golf Classic benefiting Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Inland Northwest.

The 2020 tournaments will be June 2 at Canyon Lakes Golf Course in Kennewick and June 4 at The Links at Moses Pointe in Moses Lake.

The 2019 program raised more than $101,000 for Ronald McDonald House Charities.

The program is hosted by JR Simplot, Lamb Weston, McCain Foods, Potato Growers of Washington and Ag World Support Systems LLC. Go to AgWorldGolf.com or contact Warren Henninger at 509-760-2662 for information. The fee is $250 per player.

Hole sponsorships begin at $635.

IRS seeks volunteer advocates in Washington

The Internal Revenue Service is seeking volunteers in Washington state to serve on the Taxpayer Advocacy Panel.

The panel listens to taxpayers, identifies concerns and makes recommendations for improving IRS service.

Volunteers must be U.S. citizens, current on their federal tax obligation and able to commit 200 to 300 volunteer hours during the year and pass a criminal background check.

Visit improveirs.org or call 888-9121227, prompt No. 5, for information.

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Leadership Tri-Cities info session set for March 18 An information session for those interested in applying to participate in the Leadership Tri-Cities program is from 5:30 to 7 p.m. March 18 at the Tri-City Visitor & Business Center, 7130 W. Grandridge Blvd., in Kennewick.

Over the course of a year, class members attend several sessions led by community experts focusing on the various sectors and industries shaping the region.

The information session will cover upcoming deadlines and details about the program.

Applications will open in April.

For more information, go to leadershiptricities.com.

Save room for the annual Taco Crawl

It’s time to buy ticket books for the popular Pasco Taco Crawl, which launches its fifth edition in April.

Tickets are $20 and at pascotacocrawl.com and are available for pickup at Vinny’s Bakery in downtown.

The price goes up to $25 on April 9.

The tickets can be redeemed for tacos at 20 participating Pasco taco venders between April 17 and May 20.

Participants will vote on the Best Taco in Pasco, with the winner announced at the Downtown Pasco Development Authority’s Cinco de Mayo Festival on May 2.

Proceeds support Boys and Girls Clubs of Benton and Franklin Counties.

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TRI-CITIES AREA JOURNAL OF BUSINESS | MARCH 2020

Former Tri-Citian of the Year retires after 40 years of practicing law

By Wendy Culverwell editor@tcjournal.biz

Fran Forgette famously stepped out of the room when during the 2001 TriCitian of the Year banquet, unaware he was the guest of honor.

The speaker dragged out the introduction until a very surprised Forgette returned.

Nearly two decades later, Forgette still laughs at the memory. Ever since, he’s cautioned friends to keep their seats if they attend the banquet, in case they turn out to be the year’s honoree.

The 2020 Tri-Citian of the Year banquet will be April 23 at the Three

Rivers Convention Center in Kennewick.

The nomination deadline has passed but tickets and sponsorships are available at Fran Forgette tricitianoftheyear.org.

Forgette recently gave up one of his many seats when he retired from his law practice at the end of 2019, capping a 40-year career that saw him take a role in almost every aspect of the community from business to civic.

He retains posts on several important boards but said he is giving himself six months of breathing room before he considers a second chapter.

He is, he said, open to ideas and inquiries.

For Forgette, being named Tri-Citian of the Year was both an honor and welcome chance to show the legal profession in a positive light.

The award, the Tri-Cities’ highest honor, doesn’t just reflect on the honoree. It’s a moment to pause and mark the community’s accomplishments and the contemplate what is still to be done.

If, or when, Forgette takes up the next chapter, it will not entail practicing law.

When he retired, he relinquished his license. His name will remain on the Kennewick firm he joined after graduating from the Gonzaga School of Law - Rettig Forgette Iller & Bowers.

In the interim, in true Forgette fashion, he remains chair of two boards— the Association of Washington Business board and the Washington State University Tri-Cities advisory council.

Both echo decades of commitment to the Tri-Cities that began simply enough with a job hunt in the late 1970s.

A Seattle native, Forgette went to the University of Washington and then studied law at Gonzaga. He graduated in 1977. His hometown was struggling economically and there were no jobs for lawyers.

Forgette opted for the Tri-Cities after reading that it was one of the fastest-growing economies in the country in that year’s edition of Progress in the Tri-City Herald.

He suspected he would enjoy it but figured that worst case scenario, he would pay off student loans working here.

The job worked out, and then some.

Forgette and his wife, Debbie, raised two sons, now adults living in Seattle.

Forgette said he enjoyed the diversity of his Tri-City practice. In a larger market he would have had to specialize, but her, he was able to everything from estate and family law to business.

And he had a hand in just about every civic venture.

He led the Save Our Dams effort to protect the lower Snake River Dams from environmentalists demanding their removal—a fight that has been revived in recent years.

When he learned one of his sons’ teachers was spending his own money on classroom equipment, Forgette established Adopt-A-Disk, which funneled donations from business to local elementaries to support technology. At its peak, Adopt-a-Disk touched every primary in the four Tri-Cities.

He served as volunteer counsel for the Tri-Cities Development Council or TRIDEC then joined the board. After 15 years and two terms as chair, he stepped off as the longest-serving board member at the time.

He lent his professional and volunteer support to the Tri-Cities Cancer Center, a collaborative effort of the three area hospitals. The community, he said, wanted to see the hospitals collaborate.

He helped lead efforts that led to the establishment of the WSU Tri-Cities campus in Richland and has remained involved ever since.

WSU has played a larger role in his adult life than his actual alma mater, UW, he said.

Recent Tri-Citian of the Year honorees include real estate executive Dave Retter, builder Don Pratt, restaurateurs Steve and Shirley Simmons and Columbia Center mall manager Barbara Johnson.

Call 509-783-7107 for more information.

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EDUCATION & TRAINING WSU Tri-Cities dangles naming rights for new academic building $30M facility expected to open in summer 2021

By Wendy Culverwell editor@tcjournal.biz

Washington State University broke ground on its newest academic building in Richland on March 12.

However, there’s still time to influence the 40,000-square-foot, $30 million project: Naming rights are up for grabs for the building, individual classrooms and laboratories and for various pieces of equipment—Your Name Here Mass Spectrophotometer anyone?

The “academic building,” as it is currently called, will add nine classrooms, eight laboratories, collaborative work areas, study nooks and a public gathering spot at the heart of campus. It will open in the summer of 2021 in an area just west of the Consolidated Information Center, or CIC building.

The city of Richland authorized construction in February.

The building will provide teaching, lab-

Courtesy WSU Tri-Cities WSU Tri-Cities broke ground on its newest academic building on March 12. Naming rights for the $30 million project are up for grabs.

oratory and collaborative space for undergraduate courses. Virtually every student who attends WSU Tri-Cities is expected to pass through the building—most are required to take a minimum of one or two science classes.

The project features about 3,300 square feet of public space around a grand staircase connecting the two primary floors

and nearly 10,600 square feet of laboratory space for physics, biology, chemistry, anatomy/physiology and geology courses, as well as a dry lab and a multidisciplinary lab.

About 730 square feet are set aside for maintenance closets, a server room and a lactation lounge.

The 2019 Legislature set aside $27 mil-

lion for the project in its capital budget.

ZGF Architects designed the project.

Hoffman Construction is building it. Both companies have offices in Seattle and Portland.

For naming rights information, contact Jaime Heppler, executive director of advancement, at 509-372-7207 or jaime.heppler@wsu.edu.

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TRI-CITIES AREA JOURNAL OF BUSINESS | MARCH 2020

Education & Training

Richland academy gives high schoolers head start on health care careers

Skilled workforce contributes to strong economy

By Tri-Cities Area Journal of Business

If it seems like you’ve seen a lot “help wanted” signs lately, you’re not imagining things.

Now more Kris Johnson than a decade Association of into the current Washington economic Business expansion, GUEST COLUMN the national unemployment rate is at a 50-year low, labor market participation is at the highest rate in nearly seven years and recent news reports said Amazon alone had 37,000 job listings around the world—possibly the most in the company’s history.

For many employers, workforce issues are among the most pressing they face, whether it’s finding skilled, educated and qualified employees for open positions, retaining the best and most talented people or cultivating the right company culture.

The reality—if we hope to keep the economy strong and bring the expansion to parts of the state that have not experienced the same prosperity — is that we will need to address some serious workforce challenges in the years ahead.

First, there’s a major gap between worker skills and the needs of Washington employers, from aerospace to advanced computing.

A recent survey from staffing company TrueBlue shows that 32 percent

Richland students will get a jump start on health care careers thanks to a new academy set to launch this fall.

The Richland School District opens its new Academy of Health & Sciences at Richland High School this fall. Students are encouraged to enroll in the courses this winter as they begin setting schedules for the 2020-21 school year.

The academy will offer coursework to prepare students for careers in the health field. It is offered in partnership with Columbia Basin College and Kadlec Regional Medical Center.

“This is a game-changing effort to ensure the hundreds of students in our high schools who have voiced their interest in a career in health care have the opportunity to pursue that interest,” said Assistant Superintendent Todd Baddley.

It builds on the district’s existing career and technical education courses such as sports medicine. New offerings include biomedical science.

Participating students will be able to get certified in first aid and CPR and to take the courses they need to qualify for entry-level health care roles such as home care aides, phlebotomists and dental assistance.

Courtesy Richland School District Richland High junior Ashleigh Beach practices wrapping a bandage on a fellow student during a sports medicine class. Richland School District will launch an Academy of Health & Sciences in the fall of 2020, incorporating existing courses such as sports medicine and new ones in areas such as biomedical science to help students prepare for a variety of health care careers.

They also can receive college credit toward a future health sciences degree.

Students will get real world experience through internships, job shadowing and mentoring, with students paired

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(509) 547-9791

with professionals at CBC and Kadlec.

All high school students enrolled in Richland may take courses while remaining involved at their home school.

The curriculum aligns with Washington’s high school graduation requirements and offers students the freedom to pursue other interests, to take Advanced Placement courses, College in the High School, Running Start, or to attend TriTech Skills Center.

Richland students can learn more from their counselors.

uWORKFORCE, Page A14

Education & Training

Q&A Number of employees you oversee: Approximately 245 faculty and staff What is WSU Tri-Cities and how does it fit into the Washington State University system?

WSU Tri-Cities is a four-year public research university in the Tri-Cities, and is one of six university campuses in the WSU system. The other WSU campuses are located in Pullman, Spokane, Vancouver, Everett and online through WSU Global. Washington State University is an R1 research university, a top research university in the United States.

Each WSU campus has its own unique strengths that help WSU serve the needs of the state of Washington. WSU Tri-Cities’ strengths lie in the STEM fields and, of course, wine science, as well as an assortment of more traditional programs with a focus on meeting the educational and workforce needs of the Tri-Cities and surrounding community. Stemming from our land-grant mission, WSU is dedicated to providing exceptional teaching and instruction, research that benefits local industry, as well as community service throughout the mid-Columbia region and beyond.

Brief background on the Tri-City campus: WSU Tri-Cities started in 1948 as the General Electric School of Nuclear Engineering to offer graduate-level education in engineering to assist with the burgeoning need for engineers with advanced degrees for the Hanford Site.

It became a regional WSU campus in 1989 and now offers full bachelor’s and graduate programs.

We offer 20 bachelor’s degrees and 33 graduate degrees, both master’s and doctoral programs, in STEM fields, business, education, nursing and the liberal arts.

WSU Tri-Cities also operates the largest GEAR UP program in the state, providing college readiness resources in several local K-12 schools, and offers a Running Start program that allows high school students to take college courses at little to no cost to them.

How effective are all of these programs? Extremely. Approximately 92 percent of graduates secure a job or are pursuing graduate school within six months of graduation. If you did the math, you’ll know that this year, WSU Tri-Cities also celebrates 30 years in the Tri-Cities as a WSU campus—we invite you to join us as part of our Crimson Fest celebration on April 18!

How did you land your current role?

How long have you been in it? What drew you to this work?

I am a first-generation college student who had a wise, eighth-grade educated grandmother who once told me that higher education could lead to social mobility and a healthy lifestyle. She encouraged me to go on to college when others were not supportive. I decided to study

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SANDRA HAYNES

Chancellor Washington State University Tri-Cities

psychology because I am fascinated by the human brain/behavior connection. I received a bachelor’s degree in psychology and master’s and doctorate degrees in experimental neuropsychology. I returned to higher education as a faculty member largely out of a passion to help others realize their potential. Later, I went into university leadership because I saw that it was a way to make a larger impact on the lives of students, including those just like me.

Prior to coming to WSU Tri-Cities, I served as deputy provost and vice president of academic affairs at the Metropolitan State University of Denver. The position of chancellor at WSU Tri-Cities presented many exciting opportunities to lead a campus in a thriving region with seemingly limitless opportunities.

It was an honor to be selected for the role of chancellor from a national pool of candidates and to join a team of eager colleagues that truly want to make a difference for our community. As of this month, I have served as chancellor of WSU Tri-Cities for two years.

What major initiatives is the campus focused on at the moment?

WSU Tri-Cities is wrapping up our five-year campus strategic plan, which will debut this spring. In line with the first WSU system-wide strategic plan, which also debuts very soon, our campus strategic plan will set the stage for our campus goals to realize our preferred future.

WSU Tri-Cities broke ground this month on a new academic building that will house an assortment of new teaching laboratories, study and meeting spaces, and an auditorium-style seating area that will be ideal for open presentations. All students will interface with this building at some point, whether it be through a campus lab, in meetings with fellow students and faculty, or hanging out with friends. We are grateful to the state Legislature for funding this facility.

And finally, as a campus, we strive to serve the needs of a fast-growing population. Whether it be through strategic

research to help provide solutions to local and global needs, such as through our Bioproducts, Sciences and Engineering Laboratory, or through support programming like resources offered through our new MOSAIC Center for Student Inclusion and our newly renovated Veterans Center, we are constantly looking to grow programs and opportunities to support student and community success.

What should Tri-Citians know about WSU Tri-Cities in terms of programs and impact on the community?

Located in the heart of the Tri-Cities research district and in the thriving Tri-Cities regional community, the sky is the limit for what WSU Tri-Cities can achieve in partnership with our local industry and our regional community.

Because of our small size, students receive one-on-one support in their classes, and are exposed to many opportunities for real-world learning both inside and outside of the classroom in partnership with local industry. We strive to be a solution and a partner on many community initiatives, and want to ensure that we are meeting the educational needs of all sectors of our community. We are the most diverse campus in the WSU system, and we aim to provide support and resources for students from all backgrounds.

What is one characteristic that you believe every leader should possess?

Compassion. Compassionate leaders encourage and empower those around them, help to create a shared vision, and provide a great working environment. I firmly believe that this is the most powerful tool for inspiring others. Compassion allows great ideas to grow through a sense of genuine caring.

Sandra Haynes

What is the biggest challenge facing you as a manager today?

Although I am delighted that we reside in a state that cares about higher education, we are still facing funding challenges and our budgets are below pre-recession funding. We are thrilled that the state Legislature increased its support for student higher education grants through the Washington College Grant.

As we see a shifting student population to those who are the first in their family to attend college, additional resources also are needed to better support on-campus programs to ensure student success.

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

Higher education needs to be more nimble and flexible with offerings, change, etc., across the board. This isn’t something that is unique to just Tri-Cities. This applies to colleges and universities across the country. We have a goal in the state of Washington of 70 percent credential attainment for Washington students by age 26. In order to achieve this, we must get creative for how we meet the higher education needs of our state. uHAYNES, Page A16

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TRI-CITIES AREA JOURNAL OF BUSINESS | MARCH 2020

WORKFORCE, From page A12 of employers had trouble filling low-skill positions, 46 percent can’t find workers for middle-skill jobs and 35 percent can’t find workers to fill high-skilled jobs that require a college degree or more.

This skills gap impacts our state’s technology sector, which often recruits outside Washington for qualified workers.

It impacts our infrastructure, since we need skilled trades to build world-class highways, bridges and hospitals.

And we need a stable workforce to power our manufacturing and agriculture sectors, which are behind many of the exports that make our state a world leader in international trade.

This disconnect shows up in our school system as well. Most of the good

job opportunities in our state between now and 2021 will be filled by people with postsecondary training or education.

Less than one-third, or 31 percent, of Washington high school students had earned a postsecondary credential by age 26, a 2016 report by the Washington Roundtable shows.

Notably, a credential means any college degree, industry certification or apprenticeship program.

Our workforce is aging quickly. About 10,000 baby boomers turn 65 each day, the Census reports.

While some continue to work, all boomers will turn 65 over the next decade. They will eventually leave the workforce.

The good news is there are efforts to

Education & Training address our nation’s workforce challenges.

The National Association of Manufacturers recently launched the “Creators Wanted” campaign, a nationwide effort to close the workforce skills gap and change American’s perception of manufacturing.

The campaign, one of the largest efforts of its kind in American history, aims to reduce the skills gap in the U.S. by 600,000 people, expand technical and vocational education and boost the industry’s positive perception among parents.

The days when parents believed their children needed to earn a degree from a four-year college to be successful should be long gone.

Here in Washington, the Association of Washington Business is hosting the fourth

annual Workforce Summit on March 19.

The virtual event will explore many of the workforce challenges facing today’s employers, from employment law issues and workplace wellness, to opportunities for women in business, diversity and inclusion, dependent care and more.

The economic landscape has changed dramatically in the last decade, both in Washington state and throughout the country. In some respects, having too many job openings might seem like a good problem to have. But if we want to continue to grow and expand, it’s not a problem we can ignore. Kris Johnson is president of the Association of Washington Business, the state’s chamber of commerce and manufacturers association.

Education & Training

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$6.5 million project marries training, solar power, battery storage in Richland

By Tri-Cities Area Journal of Business

Construction work has started on a $6.5 million project that will include a 4-megawatt solar generating array and a 1-megawatt battery energy storage system in north Richand.

The project will supply power and energy storage to Richland residents. And it will give the visitor industry a boost too.

A solar and battery tech training center to be built next to the facility promises to bring hundreds of energy workers to the area for training every year.

The Horn Rapids Solar, Storage & Training Project is expected to come online this summer.

It is a joint venture of Energy Northwest, Potelco Inc., Tucci Energy Services, the Washington Department of Commerce, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory and the city of Richland.

The solar generating system will produce enough energy to power 600 homes.

The battery system can power 150 homes for up to four hours.

“Our mission is to provide energy solutions that help the northwest customers,” said Greg Cullen, general manager for Energy Northwest’s Energy Services and Development.

Richland Energy Services, the utility

Courtesy Energy Northwest Construction has started on the Horn Rapids Solar, Storage & Training Project in Richland. The $6.5 million project will combine solar power, battery storage and training in a single location.

provider in the city, will buy the energy and battery storage capabilities, brining it closer to meeting Washington’s renewable ad carbon-free energy targets.

The training center will offer instruction on a variety of topics related to solar

and battery energy—plant construction, operations, maintenance, safety and hazard prevention.

Potelco Inc. is building the project.

Tucci Energy Services will own the solar portion of the project and Energy North-

west will own and operate the battery storage system. PNNL will provide monitoring and analytical services.

The state Department of Commerce is supporting the project with a Clean Energy Fund grant worth up to $3 million.

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HAYNES, From page A13 What advice would you give someone going into a leadership position for the first time?

Work hard and be yourself. Things don’t work and they certainly don’t change without tenacity, patience, and an incredible amount of hard work.

Good leaders are also authentic and genuine.

Who are your role models?

My role models were my maternal grandparents. They taught me the value of hard work and doing good in the world wherever you are.

I’ve also had several formal and informal mentors throughout my professional career. Informal mentors are

individuals that lead by example and individuals that I have watched both from up-close and from afar. My formal mentors have been individuals I met along the way throughout my journey who assisted me in small and large ways.

stage, some who never thought they would obtain their degree, and you see the joy in the sense of their accomplishment. And, everyone at WSU Tri-Cities, from the custodians, to our campus leaders, helped make that success possible.

How do you measure success in your workplace?

You have to measure success by both quantitative and qualitative measures.

We look for the number of students that we retain, the number that graduate, how well our classes are taught and the quality of research that we complete.

But the intangibles are the things that you see day-to-day and, at the ultimate test of success, commencement. You see students walk across that graduation

How do you keep your employees motivated?

Reminding people of why we are here and what joy it is that we are doing for people, our society and our community. Higher education is the investment that keeps on giving. You can take everything away from someone, but you can’t take their education away. We are helping students grow and realize their potential.

What do you consider your leadership style to be?

A mix of transformational leadership and servant leadership. I enjoy working in teams to identify reasonable holistic solutions to everyday problems, and to help elevate my colleagues in a team environment. It is as a team that we can accomplish great things. As a servant leader, I truly believe that no job is too small for the person up top. We all need to pitch in to make our teams, our students and our community as successful as possible.

How do you balance work and family life?

In today’s environment, where technology is included in nearly every aspect of our lives, it is hard to have that distance from work.

There are also many literature references that state that it is not so much a strict separation that is realistic, but a healthy work-to-life integration.

I believe it is about being intentional about the time spent at work and time spent with family and friends. You could have a lovely Saturday morning with your spouse drinking coffee and reading the paper, and then know you want to dedicate two hours in the afternoon to work. It’s all about scheduling out time for these activities and being committed to making it happen.

What do you like to do when you are not at work?

I love to spend time with my husband and daughter. I like to take long walks and, in true downtime, enjoy the occasional Netflix binge.

What’s your best time management strategy?

If you need to do it, put it on your calendar. What gets scheduled, gets done.

Best tip to relieve stress?

Take a walk to clear your mind. And, be sure to make time for those who matter most.

What’s your favorite podcast? Mostused app? Favorite book?

My most-used app is Audible. I like to read and listen to books about leadership, human behavior and psychological intrigue.

My favorite podcast is the NPR Life Kit—so many useful tips and tricks on that show.

Favorite book, well, there are so many!

NEWS TIPS?

We want to hear from you Email tips to info@tcjournal.biz.

TRI-CITIES AREA JOURNAL OF BUSINESS | MARCH 2020 OSPREY POINTE, From page A1 tent with Mitch Gilbert, a Pasco entrepreneur who formed EatyGourmet and broadcast his plans to blanket Osprey Point with a boutique hotel, marketplace and other tourism-oriented amenities.

Gilbert’s vision drew attention in local and regional media. Separately, EatyGourmet wooed would-be investors by noting Osprey Pointe is in Pasco’s Opportunity Zone, a federally-designated area eligible for tax breaks for investments that promote development in nontraditional locations.

Big vision evaporates Randy Hayden, the port’s executive director, confirmed it terminated its agreement with EatyGourmet over a lack of communication.

The EatyGourmet’s website is no longer public. Gilbert could not be reached by phone or through his Facebook page.

Hayden had little more to say about EatyGourmet. After signing the letter of intent, it was unable to reach a purchaseand-sale agreement.

Prospective investors can still take advantage of the Opportunity Zone program, although it is winding down and the benefits aren’t as rich as they were a few years ago.

Hayden said the port remains committed to a project that respects the location.

The commission, he said, wants something that would provide a sense of place and the sorts of waterfront venues that don’t exist in the Tri-Cities.

Congress created Opportunity Zones in the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act to promote development and jobs in low-income

and rural areas. Investors can defer capital gains taxes by reinvesting profits from other investments in the zones. The incentives improve the longer the money stays in the project.

While incentives are winding down as the program hits key deadlines, there are still benefits to those who act before the end of 2021.

The Tri-Cities have three such zones: one in Pasco and two in Kennewick.

The Pasco zone covers most of the east side and downtown.

Kennewick’s zones cover downtown and Clover Island, as well as the Three Rivers Convention Center campus area between the Columbia River and West Clearwater Avenue.

Talked to the bank Sexton said the port made sure he has the financial backing to proceed before it agreed to bring him on.

“They talked to my bank,” he said.

Sexton is undaunted by the location, which is well removed from the region’s commercial and retail hubs to the west. Its no-levee riverfront and walking paths are unique in the region, he said.

Pasco is one of the fastest-growing communities in the state, expected to add nearly 50,000 residents by 2038, according to the state Office of Financial Management.

The development will be pedestrian friendly and packed with residential units and commercial amenities.

“If you build a good product anywhere, they will buy it,” Sexton said.

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Photos by Wendy Culverwell JMS Development of the Tri-Cities is negotiating an agreement with the Port of Pasco to develop the 55-acre Osprey Pointe, one of the only properties along the local Columbia River shoreline that is not behind a levee.

Sexton said he has the financing and the knowhow to transform the waterfront into a community. Both Sexton and the port said they don’t want to describe the vision in detail to avoid making promises they can’t keep.

To date, they have debated the placement of condominiums, townhomes, a marketplace, an amphitheater and commercial buildings on the property.

Sexton hopes to release a final version of the plan by late March, saying it’s premature to discuss specifics before he reaches an agreement with the port.

Sexton said he’ll move fast once the plan is approved and the project is designed and permitted.

“I’m ready to start moving dirt,” he

said. “It’s a huge thing that’s happening.”

Waterfront district It won’t begin quite that fast.

Last summer, the port applied to the city to amend its zoning to create a “waterfront development district” for the area.

The change would allow residential development along the western edge of the property and spells out development standards that preserve river views by limiting building sizes, locations and heights, among other restrictions.

The Pasco Planning Commission reviewed the waterfront district plan in February and plans to hold a public hearing when it meets at 7 p.m. March 19 in the council chambers of Pasco City Hall, 525 N. Third Ave.

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TRI-CITIES AREA JOURNAL OF BUSINESS | MARCH 2020

Tri-City Herald parent company files for bankruptcy

By Tri-Cities Area Journal of Business

McClatchy Co., the longtime parent of the Tri-City Herald and three other Washington dailies, filed for bankruptcy in February.

McClatchy and its 53 subsidiaries filed for protection from creditors under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code in the U.S. District for Southern New York on Feb. 13. Chapter 11 allows companies to restructure or eliminate debt as they reorganize and continue to operate.

A series of omnibus hearings will be held at 8 a.m. March 25, April 29, May 19 and June 24.

The company’s 30 local newsrooms, including the Tri-City Herald, Tacoma News Tribune, Olympian and Bellingham Herald, were not immediately affected.

The company’s reorganization plan seeks approval from its secured lenders, bondholders and the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation to swap existing debt with new and exchanging debt for a 97 percent equity stake in the company.

The deal ends the McClatchy family’s control of the company and places it in the hands of a hedge fund, Chatham Asset Management Inc. McClatchy shares stopped trading on the NYSE American stock exchange after

closing at 75 cents on Feb. 12. Accounting for a 2016 one-for-10 reverse stock split, McClatchy shares topped out at nearly $750 in March 2005.

“This restructuring is a necessary and positive step forward for the business, and the entire board of directors has made great efforts to ensure the company is able to operate as usual throughout this process,” said Kevin McClatchy, chairman of the board .

“We are privileged to serve the 30 communities across the country that together make McClatchy and are ever grateful to all of our stakeholders—subscribers, readers, advertisers, vendors, investors

and employees—who have enabled our legacy to date. We look forward to the continued success of such an outstanding group of colleagues long into the future.”

The move was widely expected after McClatchy missed a mandatory $124 million payment to its pension plan amid negotiations with creditors. Congress excluded it from a relief bill that would have extended the payment period.

The $530 million it owes Pension Benefit Guarantee Corp. is its largest unsecured debt, according to its petition.

The company listed assets between $500 million and $1 billion and up to $10 billion in liabilities.

McClatchy bought the Tri-City Herald daily newspaper in 1979.

At one point, the payroll topped 200 people. But steep declines in advertising and other revenue coupled with the company’s debt prompted stark cuts that trimmed the staff to fewer than 30 today.

The paper long occupied offices and production facilities at the corner of West Canal Drive and North Cascade Street in downtown Kennewick.

Until last fall, it owned the complex from which it produced the region’s newspaper of record.

A Pasco builder bought the property for $3.98 million on Oct. 18.

As part of the deal, the newspaper agreed to lease a portion of the first floor for its roughly 25 employees for an additional 10 months. The buyer, D9 Construction Inc., plans to subdivide the 40,000-square-foot offices for lease to multiple tenants. It has not announced a tenant and the Herald has not announced where it will move when the lease is up.

The Herald is a daily online newspaper but stopped printing a Saturday edition in November. An electronic version is available online.

For a detailed breakdown of the conditions that led to the bankruptcy, go to tri-cityherald.com/news/nation-world/national/article240139933.html.

The bankruptcy declaration and other documents and court information are posted at kccllc.net/mcclatchy.

The Herald’s general manager did not return a phone call for comment.

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TRI-CITIES AREA JOURNAL OF BUSINESS | MARCH 2020

Meet the Kennewick Man and Woman of the Year

By Tri-Cities Area Journal of Business

Two of Kennewick’s fiercest advocates have been named the city’s Man and Woman of the Year for 2019.

Rick Corson, retired Benton County coroner and a dedicated volunteer, was named Kennewick Man of the Year. Marie Mosley, Kennewick city manager known as much for her volunteerism as for her public role, was named Kennewick Woman of the Year.

Corson and Mosley were honored at the annual Kennewick Man and Woman of the Year banquet awards Feb. 24 at the Three Rivers Convention Center.

The awards are given annually by Soroptimist International of Kennewick-Pasco and the Kennewick Past Men of the Year Club to residents who have served the citizens of Kennewick.

Corson’s volunteer credits are numerous. Through Kennewick Kiwanis children’s program, he established and coordinated the Ignite Mentoring Program and has dedicated many hours to supporting vulnerable youth.

Corson created the football program at Kennewick’s Amistad Elementary, using it as a platform to educate children about the ideals of teamRick Corson work, fitness and hard work.

“My friend Rick’s selfless devotion to the youth of this area is awe-inspiring and the indelible impact he has had as a role model and mentor has touched so many children’s lives providing positive lasting results,” Tim Doyle wrote on the nomination, with an assist from Vel Wright.

In addition to serving as a leader in Kiwanis, he is active in his church and has led several initiatives to support the Tri-Cities Cancer Center, including the Men’s Club, the HAPO Golf Classic and Run for Ribbons.

Corson supported the community throughout his professional life as well.

He began his career in 1971 with the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, rising in time to be undersheriff. He formed his own agribusiness, then joined Columbia Ba-

sin College, where he worked as a mental health specialist.

He later served a term as Benton County Coroner before retiring in 2010.

Corson and his wife Shanna are grandparents to nine and great-grandparents to three.

Marie Mosley is a Tri-City native who was named Kennewick city manager in 2011.

She is in effect the city’s chief executive officer, overseeing the Marie Mosley day-to-day challenge of providing police, fire, planning, development, parks, utilities and hundreds of other services to the city of 80,000 residents.

She has spent nearly 37 years in the public sector, where she promotes the concept that municipal government plans an integral role in shaping communities.

The nomination, written by Kennewick Police Chief Ken Hohenberg and retired Councilman Paul Parish, noted that her first act as city manager was to lead development of the city’s motto, “Leading the Way.” “Marie has always approached her public service role with it being a privilege to serve our friends, families, neighbors, visitors, partners and businesses. She also inspires the citywide team to serve with the same attitude of appreciation,” Hohenberg and Parish wrote.

Mosley served on the board of United Way of Benton and Franklin Counties, including chairing the board in 2014 and 2015.

Some of the organizations where she has taken leadership positions include Hanford Communities, the Joint Coliseum Advisory Board, the Tri-Cities Cancer Center Cancer Crushing program, the Tri-City Development Council, the Tri-City Metro Drug Tax Force board, Benton County Emergency Services, the Bicounty Police Information Network, the Trios Foundation board, and South Hills Church.

Mosley and her husband John live in west Kennewick and have several grandchildren.

uBUSINESS BRIEFS Hispanic chamber celebrates achievements

The Tri-Cities Hispanic Chamber of Commerce plans to hold its Una Noche de Exitos—A Night of Achievements Gala Dinner on April 17 at the Pasco Red Lion Hotel, 2525 N. 20th Ave. The program features a social hour at 6 p.m. followed by the dinner program from 7-9 p.m.

The event honors Hispanic leadership excellence.

Tickets are $55 or $400 for a table of eight. Sponsorship opportunities are available.

Contact the chamber at 509-5420933 or info@tchispanicchamber.com for information

Annual Health and Safety expo set for April 21-22

This year’s annual Health and Safety Expo is planned from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

April 21-22 at the HAPO Center, 6600 Burden Blvd., in Pasco.

This year’s event includes specialized displays, personal protective equipment fashion shows, distracted driving and vehicle accident demonstrations, bicycle and forklift rodeos and free bicycle helmets for children.

Returning this year are a variety of booths, displays and demonstrations focused on promoting work-life balance, improving organizational safety culture, expanding safety awareness, inspiring innovation and applying science to the

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topic of safety.

Other activities include: science demonstrations from the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry; arc flash demonstrations; K-9 demonstrations

by Hanford Patrol; walking and texting maze; interactive inflatable lungs and heart exhibit; and drone demonstrations.

The expo is open to the public, with free admission and parking.

The event is supported by the U.S. Department of Energy, Hanford contractors and the Hanford labor unions. For more information, go to hanford.gov/ page.cfm/2020HealthandSafetyEXPO or find on Facebook.

Happy Hour set for young professionals

The Washington Policy Center’s Young Professionals program plans to hold a happy hour to discuss the economic outlook and future of the Tri-Cities and Hanford.

The event is from 5:30-7:30 p.m.

March 18 at Bombing Range Brewing Co., 2000 Logston Blvd., Richland.

Ajsa Suljic of the Washington Employment Security Department, David Reeploeg of the Tri-City Development Council and Jason Mercier of Washington Policy Center are the featured guests.

Admission is free for Young Professionals members and college students.

The cost is $15 for nonmembers.

Contact Young Professionals Director Miranda Hawkins at mhawkins@ washingtonpolicy.org for details.

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HOSPITALITY A1 Hospitality shifts focus to four-star hotel

By Wendy Culverwell editor@tcjournal.biz

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A1 Hospitality isn’t quite finished celebrating the opening of its newest Tri-City hotel, the Courtyard by Marriott in Pasco.

The 99-room hotel opened Feb. 18 at the entrance to the Tri-Cities Airport.

The $10 million hotel employs more than 30 and combines the amenities of an upscale property—fitness center, pool, bar and restaurant, plush rooms— with striking views of the airport and runway.

Taran Patel, who leads A1 with his father, Vijay, said there will be a grand opening as well as effort to promote the Bistro restaurant to area residents once hotel is out of the shakedown period.

You only get one chance to make a first impression, he noted.

“We think we can be a really cool place,” he said.

With the Courtyard project largely complete, the Patels are turning their attention to a far more complicated undertaking—a mixed use development at the Three Rivers Convention Center in the heart of Kennewick.

Courtesy city of Kennewick A1 Hospitality of Kennewick opened the 99-room Courtyard by Marriott Pasco on Feb. 18 at the Tri-Cities Airport. Now, the family-owned company is shifting its focus to ambitious plans to build a four-star hotel at the Three Rivers Convention Center in Kennewick.

In September, A1 signed an $85 million development agreement with the city of Kennewick that allows it to develop a four-star hotel, retail space, residences and eventually offices at the city-

owned convention center complex.

It calls its proposed development “The District at Vista.”

The name is a nod to neighboring Vista Field, where the Port of Kennewick

is laying the groundwork to develop the 103-acre former municipal air field into a mixed-use village. Infrastructure and roads are being built and the first 20 acres will be available to developers this year.

At Vista Field and Three Rivers, the Patels spy an opportunity to do something special. And the city of Kennewick spied a partner to help it expand the convention center after taxpayers repeatedly declined to raise the sales tax to pay for an expansion The city will expand the convention center within its existing resources while A1 Pearl will built a hotel connected to the new addition. The initial phase includes a three-story retail center.

Future phases will add 800 residential units and 200,000 square feet of commercial space for stores and businesses to Three Rivers.

Central Kennewick is ready for the urban stylings of Vista Field and The District, Patel said.

Targeting foreign investors While the port is making progress on its airfield transformation, The District uA1 HOSPITALITY, Page A28

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TRI-CITIES AREA JOURNAL OF BUSINESS | MARCH 2020

Hospitality

Leaving real estate to your kids could have unintended consequences In most families, the parents dream of leaving a legacy to their children.

Of course, the parents want to create a legacy in terms of intrinsic family values, ethics and professionalism. The parents also may often want to create a legacy in terms of material (real) property.

Sometimes it takes the form of a farm. Sometimes it takes the form of seasonal or vacation property. Sometimes, it takes the form of a commercial building or residential rental property.

It’s the second form of a legacy—the real property kind—that can cause the most unanticipated problems when received by multiple new owners (the

children).

Let’s look at an example.

Assume mom and dad want to leave Property X (farm or vacation property Beau Ruff or seasonal vaCornerstone cation home or Wealth Strategies whatever you GUEST COLUMN wish) equally to their four kids to allow the kids the continued enjoyment of the property (whether it be the actual use of the property for a

vacation or seasonal residence or the income from the property for income-producing property).

So, each child is given an undivided 25 percent interest in the whole. Each therefore is individually a minority interest owner and part owner of the whole.

This type of arrangement can lead to increased liability exposure for everyone.

A property owned by four owners could subject each owner to shared liability for injuries suffered thereon (according to landowner duty and property law categories of guests—see previous column on attractive nuisance for more

(tricitiesbusinessnews.com/2018/03/ attractive-nuisances/).

So, if one of the children/owners uses the property or allows friends to use the property and an injury occurs, the injured party might be able to hold all four owners liable for the damages.

The potential for shared liability can be mitigated through the use of entities —limited liability companies, limited liability partnerships, or corporations.

But, that also increases the complexity of the arrangement.

Any bickering among siblings is likely to increase rather than decrease after the death of the parents and especially when the siblings are forced to work together on a joint enterprise.

The reality is that as the family tree grows, a person tends to focus on and favor the vertical (lineal descendants) rather than the horizontal (siblings).

At the same time that this increases the likelihood that the parents will want to leave a joint property gift to their children, it also increases the likelihood that the children will likewise want to focus on their own lineage rather than the continued cooperation with siblings for the joint use of property.

The children likely have different interests, needs and perspectives on the jointly-owned property.

If it is recreational property, one or more might live far enough away where its use is not practical. One might not be as well off financially and yearn for the cash the sale of the property would bring.

One might have different interests and want to exchange ownership of (say) the family farm for (say) ownership in a coin-operated laundry…or a new house…or a car.

The fractionalization gets more difficult over time.

Even when the children ostensibly want the inherited property to share, fast forward five or 10 or 20 years, and things change.

Perhaps one of the children who inherited got divorced.

Now is the ex-spouse the joint owner of the property? Perhaps one of the children passed away and now her four children are each 1/16 owners of the property further increasing the potential for shared liability and exacerbating the challenges of unanimous actions.

Consider what property was important to your grandfather.

Imagine that your grandfather had left that to your father and his siblings.

Would your father and his siblings have made good and productive or enjoyable use of the property?

After your father’s passing, would you want to own that property now with your cousins?

Or would the family tree be better served with each individual inheriting assets that don’t depend on cooperation with others. I posit that in most circumstances, it is better to not create jointly owned property interests.

Is there a solution?

uRUFF, Page A28

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Hospitality

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of Revenue. In 2008, the same report showed about $55 million in sales.

That’s a 64 percent increase.

Eating-and-drinkD. Patrick Jones ing businesses Eastern tell a similar Washington growth story.

University In 2018, there GUEST COLUMN were a total of 428 in the two counties. That represents a 32-percent increase over the 2008 count, when the area claimed 324. Since the number of restaurants grew at a more rapid pace than population, the “intensity” of restaurants deepened in the greater Tri-Cities.

Currently, about 677 residents support one restaurant, down from 2008 when the ratio stood at 727.

The eating-and-drinking industry, not surprisingly, contributes much more to the total sales than accommodations in the category. In 2018, total taxable sales by food-and-drink establishments were more than $487 million. That was more than five times the total sales in the accommodations sector. A large number? Yes. But from a perspective of growing the economy, only those meals and drinks paid by visitors inject “new dollars” into the two-county economy.

Expenditures by residents, while great for restaurants-and-drinking establishments, essentially recirculate existing dollars in the economy and supplant sales of other sectors. Imagine, for example, that 50 percent of meals served in restaurants suddenly was produced at home. Grocery stores would see a big benefit as they supply, by large measure, food in the home. For sure the current, broadened choices of food and drink are

Spending Per Capita

Ranking sixth doesn’t land an industry much coverage in Benton-Franklin Trends. For display purposes, only the top five sectors find their way into our graphs, such as the one covering the five largest sectors by employment. The hospitality industry of the greater Tri-Cities finds itself in this situation.

Defined by headcount, hospitality trailed government, health care and social assistance, agriculture, retail and administrative/waste services. But with nearly 10,000 people, hospitality is a force in the local economy. And as we’ll take up here, the sector’s activities contribute significantly to economic development.

Over time, the sector has grown—in numbers and ranking. Ten years ago, it employed about 7,200, putting it as the seventh largest in the two counties.

Since 2003, hospitality has been one of the three fastest-growing sectors in the local economy, increasing by 63 percent cumulatively. Only health care and construction have added workers at a faster clip.

What is the hospitality sector? In contrast to many others, it consists of only two industries: accommodations and eating-and-drinking establishments. In other words, it combines activities by visitors and by residents who dine outside of the home.

Both industries have expanded considerably in the past decade. Lodging establishments in the two counties have grown from 44 in 2008, to 60 in 2018, or about 33 percent. (Data from 2019 are not yet available.) Over the same period, population in the two counties went up by 23 percent.

The growth in hospitality revenue is even more impressive. In terms of taxable retail sales, the greater Tri-City hospitality firms reported about $90 million in 2018 to the Washington Department

Direct T ourism Spending (millions)

Hospitality sector carves out big chunk of greater Tri-City economy

This graph was downloaded on 3/9/20 20 from www.bentonfranklintrends.org

Benton & Franklin Counties - Direct Spending (millions) Benton & Franklin Counties - Direct Spending Per Capita Washington State - Direct Spending per Capita

Courtesy Benton-Franklin Trends

welcome to residents, contributing to the quality of life here.

A brief note on tourism—the sector that, by definition, rests on transactions from those living outside the counties.

Trends data tallies not only sales in the hospitality sector, but also in retail, transportation and entertainment. The data source is the industry standard, Dean Runyan, and comes courtesy of Visit Tri-Cities. Not surprisingly, the most important spending categories are: meals, lodging and air transportation—in that order.

What does this indicator tell us?

Most importantly, that tourist spending, estimated at $672 million in 2018, has increased by 51 percent since 2008. On a per capita basis, visitor spending hasn’t increased nearly as much, as is obvious from the data. A per capita measure gives some idea of the “tourist intensity” of a jurisdiction, that is, how important it is.

Here, the measure shows us that per capita spending has trailed the Washington

average and continues to do so. But let’s not put too much weight on this measure, since the denominator, population, has grown much faster here than across the state.

To this observer, the hospitality industry is a large and vital one to the Tri-City area economy. Some its strong growth can be traced simply to rapid population growth, especially in the restaurant sector. Some of it also can be traced to relatively high income levels. A higher frequency of eating out correlates positively with rising incomes. And a good part also can be traced to the rise of visitors, whether for business, meetings, sports, culture or recreation. D. Patrick Jones is the executive director for Eastern Washington University’s Institute for Public Policy & Economic Analysis. Benton-Franklin Trends, the institute’s project, uses local, state and federal data to measure the local economic, educational and civic life of Benton and Franklin counties.

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WSU Tri-Cities hospitality professor plans to travel to Austria for Fulbright Instructor to research tasting offerings, pricing practices in winery tasting rooms

By Tri-Cities Area Journal of Business

A Washington State University Tri-Cities professor plans to travel to Austria as part of a Fulbright Program Scholar grant to research tasting offerings and pricing practices in winery tasting rooms.

Beginning in March 2021, Byron Marlowe will teach and conduct research at the IMC University of Applied Sciences Krems in Krems an der Donau, Austria.

The four-month experience will support Marlowe’s ongoing research project identifying best practices for winery tasting room experiences throughout the world.

He is a clinical assistant professor of hospitality business management and program coordinator of wine and beverage business management.

Marlowe has a background in wine and beverage business management and has published research examining price points of tasting offerings for comparison in different countries and regions. He and fellow authors recently earned the “Best Book for Professionals” award in the U.S. from the Gourmand International Cookbook Awards for their book, “Wine Sales and Distribution: The Secrets to Building

Courtesy WSU Tri-Cities Washington State University Tri-Cities business professor Byron Marlowe will complete research and teach in Austria as part of a Fulbright Scholar program.

a Consultative Selling Approach.”

His research interests include terroir, focusing on the attributes of a region and place that have become important for winery marketing and sales in the Pacific Northwest and across the globe.

As part of the Fulbright experience, Marlowe will teach master’s-level marketing courses in business and work directly with graduate students in one of three tracks: sales, import and export or international business. He will supplement the courses with his knowledge of

the wine and beverage industry, also using his recently published book as a text in those courses.

For his research, Marlowe will visit an assortment of wineries, examining what consumers experience online before visiting the Wachau wine valley region wineries as part of their tasting room journey.

Some areas he will examine include how wine is served, additional experiences offered by the winery, such as a vineyard tour, the types of wine served, prices and the general customer service provided.

He will combine that research with studies he has conducted so far on wineries in Walla Walla and the Franconia region of Germany.

“The idea of the project is to try to set international standards for the tasting room experience and wine offerings,” he said. “There may have been research completed on certain regions, but not globally. I’m excited to expand the project to specifically include Austria, which is the ninth largest imported wine location for the U.S.”

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A1 HOSPITALITY, From page A23 at Vista is still several years from breaking ground. Patel said the company is developing marketing materials to help woo foreign investors to the plan.

It has posted renderings of what the project might look like. It hasn’t pitched the idea to prospective investors.

A1 has unusual-for-the-Tri-Cities plans for financing.

The District at Vista is set to be a rare local development financed through the government’s EB-5 immigrant investor program.

EB-5, for Employment-Based Immigration, Fifth Preference, is administered by the U.S. Customs and Immigration Service.

It awards green cards to foreign in-

vestors and their families for investing in projects that create jobs in the U.S. Most projects are sited in what’s called targeted employment areas.

The Lodge at Columbia Point in Richland leveraged the EB-5 program to raise $2 million of the $14.8 million construction cost in 2017.

The minimum investment for projects in areas such as Three Rivers was $500,000 when the Patels registered it last year. The buy-in price is now $900,000, with future increases tied to inflation.

Immigrant investors placed a little more than $1 billion in Washington state between 2010-15 and supported nearly 18,000 jobs, according to IIUSA, a nonprofit trade association that advocates

Hospitality for policies that enable EB-5 investing.

Hotels are a popular target for EB-5 investors. In Washington, most EB-5 projects are concentrated on the Interstate 5 corridor.

State of the industry Courtyard by Marriott is one of three hotels to open in the Tri-Cities this year.

Comfort Suites Kennewick Southridge begins accepting guests on March 30, according to the parent brand’s website.

WoodSprings Suites, a 122-room extended stay hotel under construction at 1370 Tapteal Drive in Richland near Columbia Center, is accepting reservations starting in June. And the owners of the Red Lion Columbia Center in Kennewick plan yet another project—a residence inn near the Red Lion and mall.

The new additions will collectively push the Tri-City hotel inventory to about 4,700 rooms, according to Visit Tri-Cities figures.

Patel credits strong demand and favorable interest rates for the high level of activity and a space of remodels that upgraded aging properties such as the former Richland Shilo Inn. Patel said population demand and not a shortage of rooms is behind the investment.

That’s based on stable hotel revenue and occupancy, as measured by a metric called revenue per available room or RevPAR. Tri-City hotels reported $58.12 in RevPAR in 2019, an increase of 3.5 percent over 2018.

Patel said local RevPAR rates are tracking with national trends, a key sign the market is in balance. Rising revenue would be good for hotel operators in the short term, but they create an affordability challenge than can drive away convention and meeting business in the long run.

“We are at equilibrium,” he said.

RUFF, From page A24 There is no singular solution.

I find in many circumstances it is best to let your named executor in your will handle it. He or she is charged with making fair and equitable distributions of all property in accordance with the will.

Typically, this would mean that the executor would (but need not) involve the other heirs and ask questions like “does anyone want to own this property, or should I just sell it?” And if there is one taker, the executor can push other assets to the other heirs to equalize value.

If more than one wants the property, the executor can help set up a mechanism (like perhaps a limited liability company owning the asset with defined rights and obligations of the members) to distribute the property to the requesting heirs. This approach finds the best solution at the appropriate time. Beau Ruff, a licensed attorney, is the director of planning at Cornerstone Wealth Strategies, a full-service independent investment management and financial planning firm in Kennewick.

Have an event coming up?

Submit to: bit.ly/tcjournalevents

TRI-CITIES AREA JOURNAL OF BUSINESS | MARCH 2020

Hospitality

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FOOD TRUCKS, From page A1 and Swampy’s BBQ Sauce & Eatery.

Swanby said food truck vendors wanted a showcase for catering, the lesser-known side of the mobile food business. It’s a common sideline for truck operators but requires a whole separate level of planning and marketing.

Caterers submit distinct menus to the Benton-Franklin Health District food safety team for review. The demands of a special event don’t always overlap with day-to-day customers for trucks, said Swanby, whose barbecue truck is based at Columbia Gardens most of the time.

“When we go to a wedding, we’re not sitting there making barbecue sandwiches,” he said.

Swanby said the association wants to serve operators from Walla Walla to Moses Lake and everywhere in between. It will launch a website offering education and planning services and plans to serve as the voice of the local industry.

There is significant overlap with the statewide association, which advocates for streamlined permitting and lower event fees.

The local association will press event operators to reduce or eliminate fees, typically $250 to $350 per event. Swanby said the added cost makes it impossible for most trucks to make a profit working events without boosting prices. That risks alienating regulars.

He cited local efforts to organize a food truck rally in Pasco, which included charging the food trucks a fee to work the event.

“If no food trucks go, there’s no rally,” Swanby said.

The local association wants a website to help event planners to better work with food trucks.

The association’s website will guide planners to food carts and help them ensure they have the right mix of trucks to

Photo by Wendy Culverwell Ron Swanby, owner of Swampy’s BBQ Sauce & Eatery, says it’s time for the region’s food truck operators to unite and advocate for their industry. The Southeastern Washington Food Truck Association plans to its debut event March 21 in Kennewick.

serve their events while offering operators a chance to make a profit.

“We’ve been asked to do a wedding where there’s four food trucks for 100 guests. Twenty-five people will not pay any bills,” Swanby said. “You will not make any money.”

The food truck industry is slowly but surely gaining traction in the Tri-Cities.

The Benton-Franklin Health District identifies nearly 100 of the food-related businesses it inspects as “carts” or “mobiles.” They range from shaved ice stands in parks to operators that rival full-service restaurants for the depth of their offerings.

The state food truck association and the state Department of Revenue say there is no reliable method to assess the economic impact of food trucks on the state’s economy. IBISWorld, a market research firm, said there were nearly 24,000 food trucks in the U.S. in 2019.

The industry expanded at an annual rate of 5.8 percent over the five years prior to that. Growth is hindered by regulations that govern hours, proximity to restaurants, parking and licensing, it noted in its 2019 review of food truck trends.

“Industry associations will need to work closely with city governments and other restaurateurs to resolve these issues if food trucks are to play a larger role in the food service sector,” IBISWorld cautioned.

Love Tri-City food trucks?

Pasco’s Food Truck Fridays kicks off at 11 a.m. April 3 at the downtown Farmers Market and continues weekly through June.

RESTAURANT FOR LEASE • Brand new commercial kitchen • 14,000 square feet of banquet catering opportunity • Bar amenities • Remodeled dining area • Outdoor patio with fire pits

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CALL (206) 310-1206 FOR MORE INFORMATION

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TRI-CITIES AREA JOURNAL OF BUSINESS | MARCH 2020

TRI-CITIES AREA JOURNAL OF BUSINESS | MARCH 2020 uBUSINESS BRIEFS Editor, writer headlines Women’s History Month event at WSU Tri-Cities

In celebration of Women’s History Month and in commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the 19th amendment, Washington State University Tri-Cities will host writer and editor Mayumi Tsutakawa on March 26, as part of a featured presentation by Humanities Washington.

Tsutakawa is an independent writer and curator who has focused on Asian/ Pacific American history and arts.

During her presentation, individuals will learn about pioneering photog-

rapher Imogen Cunningham, black American jazz musician Ruby Bishop, Chinese American artist Priscilla Chong Jue, leftist journalist Anna Louise Strong and Native American linguist Vi Hilbert. Drawing on her experience as an activist and writer, Tsutakawa will explore how these women inspired others and changed society.

Tsutakawa’s talk is from 5:30-7:30 p.m. in the WSU Tri-Cities East Auditorium. It is free and open to the public.

McCurley donates $31K to Meals on Wheels

McCurley Integrity Subaru presented a check for nearly $31,000 to support Senior Life Resources—Meals on

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Wheels in March.

The donation stems from Subaru of America’s annual Share the Love program, which invites buyers to select a charity to receive a donation of $250 for purchases made between Nov. 14, 2019 and Jan. 2, 2020, with a matching donation from the local dealer.

The campaign has raised $170 million since its inception, now in its 12year year.

For 2019, Subaru selected the American society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Make-A-Wish, Meals on Wheels America and the National Park Foundation to receive contributions.

Integrity added the local Meals on Wheels as an additional beneficiary.

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Meals on Wheels canceled its major fundraiser of the year over concerns about the COVID-19 virus. The breakfast typically raises $50,000 for the nonprofit, which provides low-cost meals to seniors.

Spring job fair set for April 28 at CBC

Goodwill, WorkSource and Columbia Basin College are combining efforts to host a Spring Job Fair from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 28 at CBC’s Gjerde Center, 2600 N. 20th Ave., in Pasco.

Businesses interested in participating may contact 509-734-5949 or aespinoza@esd.wa.gov.

The event is free to attend.

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TRI-CITIES AREA JOURNAL OF BUSINESS | MARCH 2020

BUSINESS PROFILE

Family’s foundation strives to put more kindness into world Their line of wearables tries to raise awareness, promote thoughtfulness toward people with special needs

By Jeff Morrow

for Tri-Cities Area Journal of Business

The button idea really was a simple one.

Yet it took a Tri-City couple, Michael and Linde Thomas, more than 20 years to turn it into reality.

The Thomases recently created a foundation called Kindhearted for Special Needs.

They offer a line of products—buttons, lanyards and T-shirts, so far—that say things such as, “Be patient, I have Special Needs,” and “Please be Kind, I have Special Needs.”

The products aim to raise awareness and promote thoughtfulness toward people with disabilities.

“Our biggest hope of all is that people will be kindhearted towards their fellow children, men, women, students, or whoever they may encounter with special needs,” their website says, The Tri-City couple have three adult daughters: Genesis, 30; Sarai, 26; and Michaela, 25.

Their middle child was diagnosed with neurofibromatosis, which are little tumors on her brain stem. These growths on the nerve endings can affect learning, balance, sight and hearing, among other

functions.

Linde said she was in shock at the diagnosis.

“You wouldn’t know she was special needs by just looking at her,” she said.

For years, Michael and Linde tried to handle the problem themselves, and they spent a lot of time trying to explain Sarai’s condition to people over and over.

“A lot of people as parents see the problem and try to solve it for their kids.

You’re in denial,” Michael said.

The disease affected Sarai’s ability to learn and mature. Numbers and words would jump around before her eyes and her attention span was short. Her maturity level will never be higher than at fifthgrade level, her parents said.

Sarai, normally sweet and friendly, gradually became scared of people and quit talking to anyone. Teachers accused her of being lazy.

She found an interest in collecting Barbies, creating characters and stories about them.

Her parents, who owned a furniture store for 20 years, had always tried to keep at least one parent with Sarai to protect her.

“We spent 20-something years being this buffer around her,” Michael said.

Today, the couple work as real estate

HANFORD E D IT IO N In the April 2020 issue of the Tri-Cities Area Journal of Business, we will take a closer look at Hanford’s profound influence on our community.

Read updates from regulators and contractors, and learn about the latest on cleanup efforts.

Sponsorship opportunities available.

For more information, call (509) 737-8778 Chad ext. 1 or Tiffany ext. 2

DEADLINE: FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 2020

agents for Retter & Company Sotheby’s International Realty in Kennewick, allowing them more flexibility in caring for Sarai when needed.

But it seemed that whenever Sa-

Courtesy Kindhearted for Special Needs Above: Sarai Thomas wears one of the Kindhearted for Special Needs shirts and buttons that asks strangers to extend grace. Her parents created a foundation that sells special needs wearables to alert others about a rai was able to take a person’s special needs and to promote few steps toward independence, she ex- thoughtfulness and kindness.

perienced a setback—like when she rode a three-wheel bicycle her grandfather Left: An example of one of the shirts made for her to the corner store with her sold by Kindhearted for Special Needs. two dogs in tow on leashes. A neighbor They retail for $20. came outside and yelled at Sarai because uKINDNESS, Page A34

TRI-CITIES AREA JOURNAL OF BUSINESS | MARCH 2020

BUSINESS PROFILE

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Chiropractor, massage clinics combine to better serve patients Owner of Richland practice says move could mean future expansion

By Jeff Morrow

for Tri-Cities Area Journal of Business

Owner Matt Lucas was running out of room for his massage therapists at Chiropractic Care of Tri-Cities in Richland.

His business’ neighbor, Mark Whitten, also was struggling with a problem.

He ran Riverside Therapeutic Massage, but wanted to spend more time helping his wife, Leticia, with her restaurant, Miss Tamale, in the Richland Parkway.

The two businesses shared a lobby in the same building at 604 Williams Blvd.

The two business owners found solutions to their problems in one another.

Whitten sold his massage clinic to Lucas, which meant Lucas would have more room to expand.

“It worked out perfectly. We were able to just exchange keys,” Lucas said.

“Mark was happy that we would be keeping all of his employees. His biggest concern was that his therapists would not lose their jobs.”

They haven’t.

“We’ve hired two more massage therapists, kept their three massage therapists, and we already had three massage therapists of our own,” said Lucas, who was born and raised in Richland.

Lucas said before closing the Nov. 1 deal, Chiropractic Care of Tri-Cities was only able to cover a third of the demand for massage therapists.

“So we sent a lot of business their way,” Lucas said. “We had a symbiotic relationship with them.”

Lucas earned a biology degree from Washington State University in 2006, then earned his doctor of chiropractic degree in 2009 from the University of Western States in Portland.

He then worked side by side at Chiropractic Care with then-owner Dr. Gregory Oberg.

In 2016, he bought Chiropractic Care from Oberg.

The longtime chiropractor retired January 2019 after practicing for 45 years.

“When (Oberg) retired, almost all of his patients came on with us,” Lucas said. “We really do no advertising. Almost exclusively, it’s all word of mouth.

There has been very little attrition with patients.”

Lucas said Chiropractic Care “accepts every patient that we possibly can.”

That includes many of the state’s public school employees, who transitioned to a

Send us your business news info@tcjournal.biz

new statewide health insurance program in 2020.

Being able to offer more patients massage therapy was a critical piece to growing the business, Lucas said.

“The whole point of having massage here is to help people recover from car accidents, sports injury rehabilitation and other things,” he said. “A lot of our business is trauma massage and some sports rehab massage. So it’s kind of a combination of those two.”

Before the business expanded, it didn’t have enough room to see all the patients who needed care and the wait was too long before the next available appointment.

Lucas said in addition to the eight massage therapists on staff—they’re actually looking for one or two more—he hired a clinic manager, full-time chiropractor and a second chiropractor who works as an independent contractor.

Someday, Lucas may have to expand the clinic to another building, or have a new one built.

“Our focus this past year was trying to modernize the building bit by bit, and making sure my massage therapists have what they needed,” he said. “In 2020, our agenda is to improve our online presence.” And also to maintain the quality of care to their clientele, he said.

Chiropractic Care of Tri-Cities: 604 Williams Blvd., Richland. Contact: 509946-0631; chirocaretc.com.

Photo by Jeff Morrow Chiropractor Matt Lucas, owner of Chiropractic Care of Tri-Cities in Richland, recently bought his neighboring business, Riverside Therapeutic Massage, to expand the quality of care to patients.

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TRI-CITIES AREA JOURNAL OF BUSINESS | MARCH 2020

KINDNESS, From page A32 her dogs had gotten out and she threatened to have them taken away. Sarai quit riding her bike.

Then there was the time she went to a store, bought a Barbie and was able to use the self-checkout stand to pay for it —only to set off the alarm while leaving the store.

As Linde recounts: “Security wanted to see the receipt. Her mind went blank, and she couldn’t find her receipt.”

Surrounded by security, they realized her phone had set off the alarm and let her go.

But she was terrified because she thought she was going to jail and would never see her family again.

This was a few years ago.

But it was at this point Mike and Linde remembered a trip they took with the girls to Disneyland.

On birthdays, visitors receive “Today is my birthday” buttons so Disney cast members can enthusiastically greet them with well wishes.

Why not try that same tact with a special needs button?

“It’s a safety thing,” Michael said. “So we developed a button. Try this.”

Sarai didn’t want to wear one at first, and it took some convincing from her parents.

But then something magical happened: She wasn’t invisible anymore.

She went to a grocery store to buy food, and a woman noticed the button and politely engaged her in conversation.

“It only took one time for her to wear

that button,” Linde said. “She wore a shirt to Walmart. Nobody had talked to her.

But suddenly people talked to her.”

“It made such a difference right away,” Michael said. “You know, everyone is so focused on their own stuff. But you see people stop and the shift in the eyes of everyone.”

Sarai was excited with that first reaction, and wears them everywhere now: movie theaters, parks, restaurants and stores.

Immediately, the Thomases started the foundation called Kindhearted for Special Needs.

They said they recently received their 501(c)3 status.

And they’ve gotten national and international exposure about their work.

“We’ve had people donate to us,”

Linde said. “An amusement park is interested in our products.”

Their Instagram account now has more than 17,500 followers.

Linde and Mike sometimes are invited to speak about their experience at different events.

Linde says that nearly 54 million Americans cope with disabilities, whether physical, sensory or intellectual.

And some of their special needs may not be readily visible.

And that may be why Kindhearted for Special Needs has taken off.

And the couple isn’t done.

They’ve developed a VIP badge that contains no metal for use in airport security checkpoints, which can be a stressful situation for people with special needs.

“It’s called a Kindhearted VIP special pass,” Linde said. “Kind of like a speed pass at airports. We need to work with TSA on it.”

The best part of this story is Sarai, who has found her niche.

“After she was done with school, we were like, ‘Where do we go from here because even school was so hard,’” Linde said.

But a family friend asked if Sarai would be interested in working at a day care. She’s been there for a while now.

“The kids adore her,” Linde said. “She could engage with them better than most adults who didn’t have the patience.”

Most people want to be good people and these conversation-starter wearables give them an opportunity to be, Linde said.

For years, the family had tried to educate people that Sarai needed extra time, a little more patience, assistance and compassion. Now, their products help to do this work.

Their “Thank you for being kind...

I’m special needs” button has made Sarai’s world a better place—one person at a time.

The buttons cost $5; lanyards $9; and shirts $20.

Kindhearted for Special Needs: kindhearted4specialneeds.com; Instagram; Facebook.

uBUSINESS BRIEF Tri-Cities unemployment rate drops in January

The Tri-Cities posted its lowest January unemployment rate in recent memory, falling to 6.3 percent, from 7.5 percent the prior year.

It was up from 5.8 percent in January, following a seasonal mid-winter dropoff in employment according to figures released March 10 by the Washington Employment Security Department.

The local civilian workforce was just over 137,000, with 137,863 employed workers and 9,208 unemployed.

The state unemployment rate was 4.4 percent.

TRI-CITIES AREA JOURNAL OF BUSINESS | MARCH 2020 VISTA ARTS CENTER, From page A1 partnerships “soon.”

He declined to elaborate, saying he doesn’t want to have to walk back promises.

“The proof in the pudding is in the performing arts center. The project is not over at all,” he said.

The port wished the task force well after reviewing the situation in March.

“Should, in the future, the Arts Center Task Force find itself with funds sufficient to pursue building and operating a regional performing arts center at Vista Field, we remain willing and interested in discussing opportunities for collaboration; perhaps in a subsequent phase of build-out,” it said in a letter signed by Don Barnes, chairman of the board.

Moving to Richland?

The task force indicated there is interest in building the center in Richland, possibly next to the Reach Museum on Columbia Park Trail.

The task force has presented its project to Richland’s Public Facilities District board, according to both Davin Diaz, its new executive director, and Rosanna Sharpe, executive director of the district-owned Reach.

Sharpe was speaking on behalf of Daniel Boyd, the board’s current chairman, who was unavailable to discuss the Arts Center Task Force plan.

Sharpe said it would be up to the city of Richland to decide if such a project should be submitted to voters because it is responsible for issuing and managing bonds. Hollie Logan, city spokeswoman, said the city council has not discussed the matter.

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Courtesy Arts Center Task Force The Arts Center Task Force won’t build its 800-seat performing arts center at Vista Field in Kennewick. The nonprofit notified the Port of Kennewick it won’t seek to renew an agreement for 2.2 acres at Vista Field and is pursuing public funding elsewhere, possibly in Richland, instead.

Sharpe said the public facilities district board supports a performing arts center, but needs more information than it has received to date.

“The PFD welcomes a conversation about it but until we see more codified documents about the bond, what their operational costs are, how they’re staffing it, what their program model looks like, those things will help us determine if we take it on,” she said.

The Reach subleases its site from the city, which leases it from the Army Corps of Engineers.

A performing arts center could require a waiver from the land’s recreational use designation.

Diaz wants Richland voters to decide if the project moves forward.

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termine if they want it. That’s the beauty of the democratic process,” he said.

Tri-City voters haven’t yet agreed to raise local sales taxes to build public facilities.

The four ballot requests to date have all failed—a regional request in 2013 to build an aquatics center in Pasco and three requests to Kennewick voters to support “The Link,” an expansion of the Three Rivers Convention Center.

Wiley, the arts center board chairman, believes the community will stand behind the performing arts center because it would only be asked to pay about half the cost.

Kennewick and Richland residents identified a performing arts center as a top priority in a survey connected to the first public facilities district’s efforts.

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Too many performing arts centers?

The Arts Center Task Force may have to compete with two other performance-oriented amenities for support.

The city of Kennewick is expanding the Three Rivers Convention Center with existing funds after voters rejected The Link.

And Columbia Basin College requested $2.3 million from the state Legislature to design a replacement for its aging arts center.

“You need to have a profound and moving case statement for why yours is going to be different,” Sharpe said.

The Arts Center Task Force’s move to pull out of Vista Field coincides with the first phase of redevelopment.

Total Site Services, a port contractor, is finishing up a $4.9 million project to build roads, sidewalks, utility lines and other infrastructure at Vista Field.

The port will solicit proposals from prospective developers for the first 20 acres, including the former performing arts center site, this year.

It initially viewed the performing arts center as the cultural heart for Vista Field and a catalyst that would attract private investment. After the deal fell apart, the port said it expects Vista Field to thrive without it.

Wiley notes the Arts Center Task Force has more than 1,000 supporters and raised more than $1 million to pursue the project, including about $250,000 to pay a Seattle architect for drawings.

It had nearly $500,000 in net assets in 2017, according to its most recent filing with the IRS.

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TRI-CITIES AREA JOURNAL OF BUSINESS | MARCH 2020

COVID-19 will test limits of telecommuting Nobody knows how deep the impact of the coronavirus will be, but one thing it will test is how effectively people can work from home.

Washington is at the point of the spear. Of the U.S. deaths attributed to COVID-19, there are more than 20 in our state. To avoid further exposure, employers are encouraging telecommuting, canceling meetings, events and travel and taking extra caution to sanitize work locations.

Seattle-based Alaska Airlines is among the carriers taking additional measures to sanitize aircraft between flights. Still, the

latest estimate is the airlines have lost $113 billion and are canceling flights to China, South Korea and Italy to deal with a drop-off Don C. Brunell in passengers Business analyst and to avoid the GUEST COLUMN risk of exposure.

Amazon, Google, Facebook and Microsoft asked Seattle-based staff to work from

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home in March. Nestlé, the world’s largest food company, halted international travel for two weeks.

The University of Washington temporarily canceled in-person classes. Its 50,000 students now take their courses (including exams) remotely until the current quarter ends on March 20. Meanwhile, crews will be deep cleaning classrooms, auditoriums, libraries and other public spaces. Several state colleges have followed suit.

The Society of Human Resources Managers studied telecommuting 20 years ago.

It was supposed to be the next great workforce development that allowed employees to perform vital business functions from the comfort of home. Telecommuting allowed employers to enhance productivity and work-life balance, improve air quality, reduce traffic congestion and cut costs on office space.

At the time the biggest barrier was resistance by middle management, wrote Charles Grantham, president of the Institute for the Study of Distributed Work.

Their “surveillance-type” of management style was the challenge.

However, the number of U.S. workers who telecommute has risen 115 percent since 2005, according to the 2017 State of Telecommuting in the U.S. Employee Workforce report. Before the coronavirus hit, 3.7 million workers—nearly 3 percent of the workforce—telecommuted.

That figure is growing as the tight talent market pushes more employers to adopt flexible working arrangements to accommodate the scheduling needs of hard-tofind-and-keep employees.

Overall, the number of employers offering a work from home option has grown by 40 percent in the past five years. Twothirds of managers who offer telecommuting flexibility report those employees are more productive.

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uBUSINESS BRIEF Accidents top cause of on-the-job deaths in Washington in 2018

Eighty-six Washington workers died on the job in 2018, according to figures released in February by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The 2018 work fatality rate was comparable to 2017. Workplace fatalities range from a high of 128 in 1996, to a low of 56 in 2013.

Nationally, 5,250 workers lost their lives on the job in 2018, up from 5,147 the year prior.

The state ranked ninth in the nation for worker safety based on a Business.org analysis of work-related deaths tallied by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Washington state recorded 84 fatal work accidents in 2017, 7.7 percent more than the year earlier, for a score of 85.6.

Scoring is based on workplace injuries per 100,000.

The Top 10 states for worker safety included New Hampshire, New Jersey,

Global Workplace Analytics did a cost-benefit analysis and found some barriers to allow working from home. One is management mistrust. Three of four in management say they trust those they manage; however, a third said they want to see them just to be sure.

Overcoming jealousy among other workers who either were not allowed to work at home or have the impression the telecommuters are not doing their share can be corrosive in the office. Telecommuters must be self-directed and comfortable with technology and arrangements for remote tech support. They need a defined home office space and to understand that telecommuting is not a suitable replacement for day care unless they can schedule work hours around their children’s needs.

Those working at home need access to company systems, software and data.

Companies need to address remote technical support issues and ensure remote workers are included in the latest upgrades.

GWA found that in some instances employment law and local zone problems are thorny problems. For example, when accidents occur in the homes of teleworkers how does employer liability apply?

Finally, keeping those working at home included as an integral part of the team is an important priority. Managers must make sure they are invited to office events, key meetings and social occurrences.

The bottom line is when we finally get a handle on this outbreak, there will be lots of lessons learned thanks to COVID-19. 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.

Rhode Island, Nevada, Delaware, California, Connecticut, Hawaii, Washington and Virginia.

The Top 10 most dangerous places for workers were North Dakota, Alaska, Vermont, South Dakota, Mississippi, Wyoming, Montana, Washington D.C., West Virginia and Louisiana.

“Business owners face a lot of challenges when building a successful and thriving business. Creating a safe workplace is one of those considerations that just can’t be ignored. Fortunately, as a business owner, you can impact the safety of the workplace,” the authors wrote.

Transportation-related accidents were the leading cause of on-the-job deaths in Washington in 2018, accounting for 29 fatal work incidents.

Violence and other injuries inflicted by people or animals accounted for 20 deaths. Falls, slips and trips were the third most frequent cause of death, accounting for 17 fatalities.

Contact with objects or equipment led to 13 deaths.

TRI-CITIES AREA JOURNAL OF BUSINESS | MARCH 2020 uNEW HIRES • Erika Wier joined Pasco’s Lourdes Health as chief financial officer in February. She previously worked at Memorial Medical Center Ericka Wier in Las Cruces, New Mexico, where she was assistant chief financial officer and served as compliance officer and was responsible for the oversight of several departments, including case management, revenue cycle, information technology, central scheduling and admissions.

Wier began her career in health care and finance in 2002 at Tenet Healthcare’s Sierra Medical Center, a 351-bed acute care hospital in El Paso, Texas. Her experience with Tenet ranged from accountant to controller. The Wisconsin native spent much of her life in El Paso. She, along with her significant other, Mike, and youngest son, Evan, are new to the Pacific Northwest. Her oldest son, Ethan, is a junior at the University of Texas at San Antonio.

• Michele Roth is the new executive director of the American Red Cross chapter serving central and southeast Washington.

Roth joins the Michelle Roth team with 14 years of nonprofit experience in marketing, fundraising, and program management. She previously worked as director of impact for Second Harvest Inland Northwest’s Pasco Hunger Solutions Center, where she managed partnerships across nine counties and led several community impact programs.

She also worked for United Way of Benton and Franklin Counties as director of marketing and communications for four years. She most recently came to the American Red Cross after working as a private marketing and business development consultant for small businesses and as a project manager for nonprofit fundraising events.

• Eric Mendenhall has joined the city of West Richland as the community development manager. He brings more than 15 years of city Eric Mendenhall planning experience.

He will work with the city council, developers and citizens to create plans for continued growth, economic development and enhanced park facilities and to revitalize the downtown.

• Trios Health has hired Jessica DiNizio as a family medicine provider.

DiNizio sees patients at the Trios Care

Center at Spaulding, 216 W. 10th Ave., in Kennewick. She can help patients with women’s health, immunizations, annual physicals, preventive Jessica DiNizo care, osteopathic manipulative treatment, pediatrics, and more.

DiNizio attended medical school at New York College of Osteopathic Medicine in Old Westbury, New York, and completed her residency at Frankford Hospital in Langford, Pennsylvania.

She also will serve as Trio Health’s family medicine residency program director. In this role, she will help supervise family medicine residents completing their three-year residencies at Trios Health.

• Miles S. Thomas has joined the Port of Benton team on a part-time contract basis to support the director of economic development and governmental affairs position. He brings more than 10 years of community and economic development experience, with an emphasis in developing public-private partnerships, building strong business-community ties and augmenting public policy to support entrepreneurship.

Thomas has a master’s degree in urban and regional planning with a specialization in economic development from the University of Illinois and a

bachelor’s in architecture from the University of North Carolina. He has been an accredited member of the American Institute of Certified Planners since 2018.

Thomas will be focused on planning, business recruitment, new development, governmental affairs and execution of economic development components of the port’s communication and marketing strategy and will be the port’s lead representative and staff member to the 2,875 acres Tri-Cities Research District, a state of Washington Innovation Partnership Zone, helping to facilitate and coordinate the district’s marketing, communications, events, recruitment and trade shows.

• Pac/West Communications has hired Whitley Schiller as an assistant account manager at its Hermiston, Oregon, office.

Schiller, Whitley Schiller who grew up in Hermiston and graduated from Pendleton High School, was a double major at Willamette University with degrees in politics and philosophy, as well as a minor in religious studies. Along with a stint as a legislative intern in the Oregon capitol, Schiller has worked on construction projects, assembly lines, and in the Office of Community Service Learning at Willamette University.

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uPROMOTIONS • Numerica Credit Union has promoted longtime employee Neilan McPartland to assistant vice president retail experience, Neilan McPartland Central Washington, where he will oversee three of Numerica’s Tri-City branches.

McPartland joined Numerica in 2013 and has more than 11 years of experience in the financial services sector. During his seven years at Numerica, McPartland rose through the ranks, serving as manager of the Pasco, Richland and Kennewick branches and opening and managing the Gage Boulevard branch.

McPartland is a Junior Achievement teacher and a current Leadership Tri-Cities participant. He holds a bachelor’s degree in social science from Washington State University and is a graduate of the Credit Union National Association management school.

• Primerica Inc., a provider of financial services to middle income families in North America, has promoted Ronald Matthew Sweezea to regional vice president. He works out the Richland office.

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TRI-CITIES AREA JOURNAL OF BUSINESS | MARCH 2020

uAPPOINTMENTS • Holly Siler, senior vice president of projects at Second Harvest Inland Northwest, was appointed by Gov. Jay Inslee, on Jan. 23 to the Columbia Basin College Board of Trustees. She replaces former Trustee Sherry Armijo. Siler will serve a five-year term on the CBC board of trustees until Sept. 30, 2024.

uBOARDS • Corinne Drennan, sector lead for Pacific Northwest National Laboratory’s bioenergy technologies programs, has been named to serve on the inaugural state Department of Ecology recycling development center advisory board. The center was newly created by a 2019 law to facili-

tate research and development, marketing, and policy analysis that will bolster recycling markets and processing in the state. It will Corinne Drennan initially focus on conversion or remanufacturing of waste into new products, especially mixed waste paper and plastics. Drennan, who will serve a twoto three-year term, will provide guidance to both the Department of Ecology and Department of Commerce on the center’s work plan as well as evaluate and make recommendations on state policies affecting markets for recycled materials.

uELECTIONS STCU members have elected a new board member and reelected incumbents.

They will serve three-year terms starting in March. An audit committee member was reelected as well.

Here are the board and committee members: • Incoming board member Justin Botejue served the past year as an affiliate board member at STCU and works in the business development departJustin Botejue ment at Shriners

Hospitals for Children—Spokane. A graduate of Whitworth University, he has worked with federal, state, and local representatives on public policy.

• Board incumbent Mike Rennaker has served since 2011. He is the owner of Rennaker Financial LLC, where he works as a financial advisor and investment manager. He holds a bachelor’s degree from the University Mike Rennaker of Washington, and a master’s in business administration from the American Graduate School of International Management.

• Incumbent Chairwoman Dolores Humiston joined the board in 2009 and has been an STCU member for 30 years. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Eastern Washington UniversiDelores Humiston ty and master’s degree in education administration from Gonzaga University.

• Incumbent Audit Committee member Lisa McCann joined the committee in 2017.

She is a certified public accountant who works in brand protection with Avaya, a global business communications Lisa McCann firm, and holds both a bachelor’s and master’s degree from Washington State University.

uBUSINESS BRIEF Numerica accepting applications for scholarships, debt relief

Numerica Credit Union will award $45,000 in scholarships in 2020.

The credit union will accept applications for four scholarships through May 10. It will choose 19 recipients.

• Student Ambassador Awards are available to high school seniors involved in the community.

• Continuing Education Awards are for college students continuing to work fulltime on degrees this fall.

• Vocational Awards are available for those pursuing trade or vocational training.

• Student Loan Repayment Awards are available for graduates who seek help reducing their debt load.

Visit numericacu.com/learn/financial-education for details.

TRI-CITIES AREA JOURNAL OF BUSINESS | MARCH 2020 uAWARDS & HONORS • The Prosser Recruitment, Retention & Expansion Committee with the Prosser Economic Development Association received the Economic Development Project of the Year award for business recruitment from the Washington Economic Development Association at its winter conference in Olympia.

Prosser was honored for its work to attract the Lep-Re-Kon Harvest Foods grocery store to Prosser. It will open in the former Shopko Hometown store, which closed in May 2019 after the company dissolved.

• Erik Stam of Framatome in Richland earned the Engineer of the Year award in the Fuel Business Unit as part of the annual commemoraErik Stam tion of National Engineers Week.

The award honors North American employees who achieved engineering excellence and were “Pioneers of Progress” through notable accomplishments in their profession and engagement in their communities.

• NAI Global, a global commercial real estate firm, earned the top third spot in the 2020 Lipsey Survey of Top 25 Commercial Real Estate Brands. The survey was conducted among 100,000 commercial real estate professionals using a combination of ballot voting, phone interviews and focus groups to identify the top global brands. NAI Tri-Cities is an office of NAI Global. The survey is conducted by The Lipsey Co., a training and consulting firm specializing in the commercial real estate industry to equip organizations and their practitioners with the skills necessary to succeed in today’s competitive environment.

• Cheryl Stroup of Mission Support Alliance received the 2019 Kathryn A. Wheeler Safety Leadership Award. Stroup, with Radiological Cheryl Stroup Site Services, was an advocate for safety throughout her MSA career, before retiring in December 2019. As a volunteer on the MSA Integrated Safety Management System team, where observation feedback and improvement ideas have helped MSA mature to a quality safety company, Stroup’s voice on safety was loud and clear. She completed advanced certified safety courses, giving her the knowledge to keep MSA’s safety councils and management teams informed and became a model for safety council work at MSA. The award is given each year to recognize a member of the MSA workforce who demonstrates support of safety through worker engagement and activities that are collaborative, cooperative and proactive.

• ET Estate Sales was named the 2019 Friend of the Port of Kennewick on Feb. 25 during a regular board meeting.

Port commissioners commended business owners, Liz and Mark Thompson, for their efforts to transform Columbia Drive through personal investments, a commitment to excellence and their tenacity in making east Kennewick and the Columbia Gardens Wine & Artisan Village an inviting destination.

The Thompsons bought a building across from the Columbia Gardens Wine & Artisan Village and moved their business into that space before the port’s first winery buildings were built. It also was noted the owners have taken pride and ownership of the neighborhood they took it upon themselves to paint over a large number of graffiti tags which appeared up and down east Columbia Drive, on multiple buildings.

• The American Institute of Family Law Attorneys has recognized the exceptional performance of Richland family law firm Skyview Law as a “Two Year 10 Best Family Law Firm for Client Satisfaction.”

• Shelley Kennedy, an Edward Jones financial advisor in Richland, was selected to attend Edward Jones’ fifth annual women’s conference at the Chase Park Plaza hotel in St. Louis. The conference recognizes top female Edward Jones financial advisors.

• For the 21st time, Edward Jones has been named one of the Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work for by the Great Place to Work firm and Fortune magazine. Edward Jones took the No. 7 spot on the list, the 16th year the firm has ranked in the top 10.

Jan Hylden, from left, Jim Wutzke, and Sylvia Withers

• Columbia Basin College’s National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development Excellence Awards 2020 honorees include Jan Hylden, assistant professor in chemistry; Jim Wutzke, senior associate professor in communication studies; and Sylvia Withers, senior associate professor in counseling & advising.

The awards recognize men and women who have demonstrated an outstanding commitment and contribution to their students and colleagues. Recipients will be honored at NISOD’s annual International Conference on Teaching and Leadership Excellence on May 23-26 in Texas.

• Pacific Northwest National Laboratory received a trio of awards from the Federal Laboratory Consortium for Technology Transfer.

PNNL received two Excellence in Technology Transfer awards, honoring dedication, ingenuity and collaboration for moving inventions into the marketplace, and one Technology Transfer Award for increasing the opportunity to commercialize new tech.

The Richland lab has received 95 FLC awards since the program launched in 1984, more than any other national lab.

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The lab was honored for: ¡ Retro-Commissioning Sensor Suitcase. The technology, which targets energy savings in commercial buildings of 50,000 or fewer square feet was transferred to GreenPath Energy Solutions ¡ Fish and wildlife tracking technologies, which improve how a variety of species are tagged by scientists, was transferred to Advanced Telemetry Systems of Isanti, Minnesota, which sells animal-tracking and monitoring products. ¡ License Agreement—a new exploratory license agreement helps streamline the process to establish relationships between the lab and private industry. The new license offers industry a limited-term option to explore the viability of technology for six months before fully committing.

• Benton REA has earned a 2020 Tree Line USA designation from the Arbor Day Foundation for its commitment to proper tree pruning, planting and care in its service area. Tree Line USA, a partnership between the foundation and the National Association of State Foresters, recognizes public and private utilities for pursuing practices that protect and enhance America’s urban trees.

• Two Hanford High students have been selected to represent Benton REA as part of the 2020 Electric Cooperatives Youth Tour to Washington, D.C. in June.

The students are Megan Aichele of Benton City, daughter of Tamara and David Aichele, and Canon Briggs of West Richland, daughter of Bevan and Sara Briggs.

Benton REA received 10 applications for the youth tour.

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TRI-CITIES AREA JOURNAL OF BUSINESS | MARCH 2020