Austin Regimbal, the Marketing & Communications Director at the Tri-City Regional Chamber of Commerce, was among the 19 chamber executives to graduate February 15 from Academy, a professional development program presented by the Western Association of Chamber Executives (W.A.C.E.).
 
Academy is an interactive 3-day (three-year) training program on chamber management essentials designed for today’s chamber executives and staff professionals.
 
“We congratulate all of the graduates and their chambers for having the vision to invest in professional development,” said W.A.C.E. President Dave Kilby.
 
During the three-year Academy program, graduates participated in 18 three-hour classes and must successfully complete additional independent study outside of the classroom.
 
W.A.C.E is an association of chamber of commerce executives and staff professionals designed to promote and enhance professional development. With over 800 members from twenty-one Western states and Canada, W.A.C.E. is the largest state or regional association of chamber of commerce executives in the United States.

Congratulations to Vision Mortgage on being named the Tri-City Regional Chamber's Member of the Month for February 2023. 

Vision Mortgage joined the Chamber shortly after opening their business over two decades ago. Vision Mortgage is a family and veteran-run business that understands the importance of supporting other small, locally owned businesses. Members of the Vision Mortgage team can be regularly found volunteering at Regional Chamber events.

Congratulations to Michael, Gina, and Mitchell Alvarez and the entire Vision Mortgage team on being named the Regional Chamber's Member of the Month.

Thank you to everyone who came to the State of the Economy Membership Luncheon on Wednesday, February 22, 2023. It was a pleasure to hear from our guest speaker - Dr. Steve Lerch, Executive Director & Chief Economist for the Washington State Economic and Revenue Forecast Council.

Congratulations to Prime Dental Pasco on their ribbon cutting on Wednesday, February 8. Check out their new location at 6005 Burden Blvd.

Thank you to everyone who joined us for Business After Hours at Guardian Angel Homes on February 9. It was great connecting with so many members!

Recent Action of Note

• HB 1258: Proposed to raise cap on allocation of sales tax dedicated to tourism reinvestment and reduce non-state match to fund utilization. Click here for more information on the bill

Last week, Representative Ryu spoke on House Bill 1258 – which focuses on remedying impacts to the tourism industry over the last few years and the merits of raising the cap for retail sales tax dedicated to reinvestment in state tourism activities. In addition to raising the cap allocated from sales tax on tourism activities to the state tourism marketing agency, it would also reduce the 2-to-1 non state fund match on expenditures to 1-to-1. Notable testimony included the quoted $9.5B in economic impact to state and local economies from Washington Wine, and its contributions to tourism. This bill heads to executive session on Wednesday February 8th. Click here to submit public comment

Bills to Watch

• HB 1584: Proposed to add ‘Advanced Nuclear Reactor Technology’ to State Energy Strategy considerations for cleaner energy sources. Click here for more information on the bill

Testimony will be heard this afternoon (2/7) at 4 p.m. on HB 1584, sponsored by 8th district Representative Stephanie Barnard, regarding the addition of advanced nuclear reactor technology to the State Energy Strategy. 

2/7/23 Scheduled for Public Hearing in House Energy and Environment at 4 p.m.; opportunity to comment - Click here to submit public comment​

• HB 1505: Proposed to create a state alternative jet fuels working group to assess feasibility of manufacturing in Washington and proposing a tax credit for manufacturing meeting certain thresholds. Click here for more information on the bill

HB 1505 will also be heard this afternoon (2/7) at 4 p.m. by the House Committee on Environment and Energy regarding the formation of an alternative jet fuels workgroup, and consideration on an Occupation Tax and Public Utility District Tax credit for producers manufacturing minimum quantities of alternative jet fuel and encouraging location of said facilities in counties with populations less than 650,000. 

2/7/23 Scheduled for Public Hearing in House Energy and Environment at 4 p.m.; opportunity to comment - Click here to submit public comment