Washington Saves is a new state retirement savings program for workers who lack access to a workplace retirement plan. The program is set to launch in 2027 and will require some Washington employers to help employees contribute to an individual retirement account via payroll deductions.

Employees aged 18 and older are usually enrolled automatically, but participation is voluntary. Workers can opt out, adjust their contribution rate, or rejoin later. Their retirement accounts stay with them when they change jobs.
The default contribution rate will be between 3 and 7 percent of wages. The rate might increase over time, but employees can adjust their contributions within federal IRA limits.

The program generally applies to businesses that have been operating in Washington for at least two years, maintain a physical presence in the state, and do not offer a qualified retirement plan. Employers must also have accumulated at least 10,400 total employee work hours in the previous year, which is roughly equivalent to five full-time employees.
Covered employers will register for the program, provide employee information, process payroll deductions, and send contributions to Washington Saves. Employers will not need to contribute their own money, pay a program fee, choose investments, or offer financial advice.

Washington Saves could assist small businesses in providing employees with a simple retirement savings option without establishing a traditional employer-sponsored plan. Nonetheless, employers might need to update payroll procedures and inform employees about program details.
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Businesses should start reviewing their existing retirement plans, payroll systems, and employee work hours. More rules and registration details will be announced before the program starts.

Thanks to everyone who joined us for an amazing ribbon cutting at Dickerson's Tri-City Pianos! You can find them at 1330 Jadwin Ave., Richland, WA 99354.

Thanks to all who joined us on August 5th for the second session in the Yes, You Can! series!

Data centers are quickly becoming a vital part of the modern economy, and communities across Washington are asking an important question: Are we ready for what’s coming? At a recent Tri-City Regional Chamber of Commerce roundtable, representatives from Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, labor, Microsoft, and Sabey Data Centers discussed the economic benefits of data centers, their rising electricity needs, and what this rapidly evolving industry could mean for Washington and the Tri-Cities.

Central Washington already shows potential benefits. Communities like Quincy have attracted billions in investments, expanded their tax base, increased construction activity, and created permanent jobs—many offering competitive wages that don’t require a four-year degree. Data center companies have also contributed to funding electrical infrastructure, schools, hospitals, public facilities, and community programs, including substations and transmission upgrades necessary for their projects.

For the Tri-Cities, data centers could offer a significant opportunity for economic growth. The region possesses many of the key assets these companies look for, including available land, an energy and construction workforce, research capabilities at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, and a strong history as an energy and technology center.

The main challenge is energy. Modern data centers, especially those supporting AI, require large amounts of electricity, while Washington already faces increasing demand from housing, manufacturing, transportation, agriculture, and other sectors. Without sufficient reliable power generation and transmission, one major energy user could hinder the ability of other businesses to grow in the region.

Water, land use, infrastructure, and community impacts also need careful review. While newer cooling technologies can lower water use, each project varies, so communities should clearly understand a facility’s electricity and water needs, infrastructure costs, permanent jobs, and long-term local benefits.

For the Tri-Cities, the question isn't just whether data centers are good or bad, but what kind of development suits the region and under what conditions. Data centers can provide major investment, tax revenue, jobs, and technological opportunities, but only if growth aligns with reliable energy, proper infrastructure, responsible resource use, and clear community benefits.
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View the video recording of the panel discussion: Keeping the lights on - Tri-City Regional Chamber of Commerce

A big congratulations to Lutheran Community Services on the opening of their new facility! You can find them at 7011 W. Canal Dr., Ste. G, Kennewick, WA 99336.

Congratulations to Habitat for Humanity, and the hardworking families building homes, on an exciting groundbreaking! 

Congrats to GFG Financial for a fantastic ribbon cutting yesterday! You can check them out at 6601 w. Deschutes Ave., Kennewick, WA 99336.

Washington’s small businesses send a clear warning: it’s becoming more difficult to hire, expand, and stay competitive. A new report from the National Federation of Independent Business shows Washington’s Small Business Optimism Index at 94.5, compared to 98.5 nationwide. Only 5.3 percent of Washington owners plan to increase employment, versus 15.4 percent across the country, indicating that many employers remain cautious about hiring or expanding.

Washington business owners are primarily concerned about labor costs, taxes, and government regulations. Labor costs ranked highest for 19.1 percent of respondents from Washington, more than double the national rate of 8.5 percent. These worries could cause businesses to delay hiring, raise prices, cut back on investments, or reconsider expansion plans.
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Although the survey does not connect the results to any specific policy, it suggests that lawmakers and community leaders should consider how new taxes and regulations affect small businesses. In the Tri-Cities, a robust small-business environment helps support jobs, local services, and regional growth. 

View the full report: “Washington Small Business Economic Trends: Winter 2026”
https://www.nfib.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Washington-SBET-winter-2026.pdf​

Congratulations to Family Resource Home Care for moving into a beautiful new facility! You can find them at 4309 W. 27th Pl., Kennewick, WA 99338

Thanks to all who joined us for an informative discussion about the state of the Washington retail and hospitality industries.