The 2024 election year is shaping up to be exciting. All the legislative districts that surround the Tri-Cities have been rearranged, and many voters across Benton and Franklin Counties will find themselves voting in new districts for candidates they have never heard of before. The 9th Legislative District, which prior to redistricting butted up against the east side of Pasco, has been pushed much further east and is no longer in our region. The 14th Legislative District, previously stretched as far east as Grandview, now wraps all the way around Kennewick and up the east side of Pasco. In some cases, legislative incumbents were redistricted out of their home districts. The redistricting has also opened many races to some fierce competition. In the four Legislative Districts surrounding the Tri-Cities, there are 10 positions open, with 6 incumbents seeking reelection. For all 10 positions, there are a total of 21 candidates. Both Benton and Franklin counties have two commissioner races, and each of those races has two or more candidates running for the position. If you want to know more about who is running for office, you can check out the State’s candidate listing page here. AuthorMatt Murphy, TCRCC Government and Regional Affairs Director, matt.murphy@tricityregionalchamber.com
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Thanks to everyone who came out to Business After Hours at Barnard Griffin Winery on Thursday, May 9! We hope you had a wonderful time and made some fruitful new business connections. A proposal to approve the Horse Heaven Wind Farm Project has been submitted to Governor Jay Inslee by the Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council of the State of Washington (EFSEC). Tri-Cities C.A.R.E.S. - a local group dedicated to educating the public and working with local governments and organizations to protect the interests of the citizens who will be impacted by this project - has started a petition to oppose the project and is encouraging the public to sign the petition. Background: The original proposal for the Horse Heaven Hills Wind and Solar Farm in 2021 was quite ambitious. It was set to be the largest wind project ever proposed in Washington, with up to 222 wind turbines across 24 miles of the Horse Heaven Hills near the Tri-Cities. In addition, three solar arrays would cover up to 5,447 acres in the area. The Regional Chamber opposes the project - read our letter of opposition. However, the proposal underwent significant changes due to various concerns, primarily related to environmental and community impacts. Here are the major changes:
The Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council (EFSEC) of the State of Washington submitted its recommendation on the Horse Heaven Hills Wind and Solar Farm to Governor Inslee on April 29, 2024. The recommendation package was sent after a multi-year review process. Governor Inslee has three options:
By law, Governor Inslee has 60 days from the receipt of the EFSEC recommendation to make a decision. As the recommendation was submitted on April 29, 2024, we can expect a decision from Governor Inslee by the end of June 2024. For the most accurate and up-to-date information, I recommend checking the official EFSEC website. AuthorsMatt Murphy, TCRCC Government and Regional Affairs Director, matt.murphy@tricityregionalchamber.com Congratulations to New U Women's Clinic and Aesthetics on the groundbreaking ceremony for their new location! The facility will be located at 10973 W. 10th in Kennewick. We are excited to announce that the Tri-City Ag Council, an initiative created as part of the MYTRI2030 strategic planning process, sponsored by the Tri-City Regional Chamber of Commerce, has awarded the feasibility study for an Ag Innovation Center in the Tri-Cities to The Vine Institute. In our pursuit of innovation and growth in the agricultural sector, the Ag Council sent out a Request for Proposals (RFP) for this pivotal study. We were thrilled to receive 10 responses, reflecting the interest and commitment to agricultural innovation in our region. After careful consideration, the award was made in mid-April to The Vine Institute, a leading organization in the field of agricultural innovation. The Vine Institute, based in California, is at the nexus of agriculture, food, and biotech innovation. Their mission is to leverage the dynamism of open innovation, aiding industries, and entrepreneurs in achieving global expansion. They strive to stimulate technological advancement and commercialization for productive, sustainable, and equitable food systems. The Vine Institute is committed to fostering a thriving, inclusive environment for innovation. They partner with a diverse array of stakeholders, each contributing their unique expertise, insights, and resources. Their team brings together a wealth of expertise and experience to support the growth and success of their programs. The feasibility study officially kicked off on May 2nd, with the Ag Council discussing the projects and their vision for a new Ag Innovation Center. This center will serve as a hub for agricultural innovation in the Tri-Cities, fostering collaboration, supporting startups, and driving technological advancement in our region. We look forward to the insights and recommendations that The Vine Institute will bring through this feasibility study. Stay tuned for more updates as we continue to drive forward our vision for agricultural innovation in the Tri-Cities. AuthorMatt Murphy, TCRCC Government and Regional Affairs Director, matt.murphy@tricityregionalchamber.com Congratulations to Tee Time on their ribbon cutting ceremony and grand opening, held on Friday, May 3. You can visit the miniature golf course at 2203 W. 4th Ave., Ste. A in Kennewick. Earlier this year, H.R. 7024, received significant bipartisan approval in the U.S. House of Representatives (357-70). The bill aims to provide tax relief for American families and businesses. Despite the overwhelming support in the House, the U.S. Senate has yet to take action on this crucial legislation. The delay has left many wondering why the Senate has not acted promptly:
What do you think? Let your representatives in the U.S. Senate know where you stand. Contact them: Senator Patty Murray Senator Maria Cantwell AuthorMatt Murphy, TCRCC Government and Regional Affairs Director, matt.murphy@tricityregionalchamber.com Washington State Department of Labor and Industries hosted a free training for construction workers at Yakima Valley College on Friday, April 19, 2024.
Maria Alleman, an Advisor with the Washington APEX Accelerator, delivered a comprehensive class titled “How to Find Bids and Market to Government Agencies”. Aimed at contractors and suppliers of goods and services seeking success in government contracting this session provided valuable insights. Attendees gained knowledge on locating bid opportunities within Washington State and implementing best practices for marketing to government agencies. The Washington APEX Accelerator program plays a pivotal role in assisting businesses to prepare for, identify, and pursue bid opportunities. With eight centers spread across various regions, the program supports businesses in navigating federal, state, and local government contracting processes. Maria Alleman operates within Region 8, which is hosted by the Tri-City Regional Chamber of Commerce and extends its services to Benton, Columbia, Franklin, Grant, Klickitat, Walla Walla, and Yakima counties. For further details, please reach out directly to Washington APEX Accelerator via their website at https://washingtonapex.org. Thanks to everyone who attended the State of the Counties Membership Luncheon on Wednesday, April 24, 2024. Benton County Commissioner Michael Alvarez and Franklin County Commissioner Stephen Bauman gave insightful presentations on their prospective counties, touching on economic development, partnerships, public safety, and more. Washington State Introduces “Washington Saves” Retirement Program Washington state is taking steps to implement a new retirement program, joining 15 other states with similar initiatives. The recently passed ESSB 6069 establishes “Washington Saves,” an automatic enrollment individual retirement savings program. Key Points:
This initiative aims to empower individuals to save independently for their retirement, contributing to long-term financial security. Despite initial confusion with other state programs, the auto-enrollment retirement plan is designed to benefit Washington residents in the years to come. You can learn more about the program here. AuthorMatt Murphy, TCRCC Government and Regional Affairs Director, matt.murphy@tricityregionalchamber.com |
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