Congratulations to Craftsman Cabinets & Flooring on their ribbon cutting ceremony on September 25! Visit the Design Center at 122 Wellsian Way in Richland.

The Washington State Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council (EFSEC) has a new recommendation for approval of the Horse Heaven Hills Solar and Wind Project with some modifications. The project, proposed by Scout Clean Energy, includes up to 222 wind turbines about 500 feet tall or 141 turbines about 670 feet tall, along with solar arrays and battery storage. On Friday September 13th the EFSEC voted 4-3 to approve the newest project approval. 

The council’s recommendation will now go to Governor Jay Inslee for a final decision. The project has faced opposition from some local residents and groups concerned about its impact on the landscape and wildlife, including endangered ferruginous hawks and traditional cultural properties important to the Yakama Nation.

The new recommendation reduces many of the restrictions EFSEC placed on the project in its last recommendation.

Key Differences in the New Recommendation:

• Turbine Restrictions: The new recommendation imposes fewer limitations on the placement of turbines compared to the previous one. The earlier recommendation required eliminating about half of the proposed turbines unless they could be relocated within the project boundaries. The new recommendation impacts fewer turbines, specifically those near endangered ferruginous hawk nests, traditional cultural properties important to the Yakama Nation, and aerial firefighting zones.

• Environmental and Cultural Protections: While still maintaining protections for wildlife, habitat, and cultural properties, the new recommendation is more tailored to balance these concerns with the state’s clean energy goals.

• Governor’s Input: Governor Inslee had previously sent the recommendation back to EFSEC, asking for changes that better prioritize the state’s clean energy needs. The new recommendation reflects this directive by reducing the number of turbines affected by restrictions.
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While this may be the latest recommendation to the Governor's office, it may not be the end of the story. You can read more about the latest recommendation here. 

Congratulations to Guild Mortgage on their ribbon cutting celebration on Tuesday, September 17! The new office is located at 8656 W. Gage Blvd., Ste. A103 in Kennewick.

Congratulations to the City of Richland on the grand opening of the new Badger Mountain South Fire Station! ​The 10,850-square-foot state-of-the-art facility is located at 4307 Trowbridge Boulevard, just off Dallas Road and Interstate 82 in South Richland. 

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is a form that current and prospective college students in the United States complete to determine their eligibility for student financial aid. This aid can include federal grants, work-study funds, and loans. Many states and colleges also use FAFSA information to award their own financial aid packages.
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Completing the FAFSA is crucial because it is the primary way students apply for federal financial aid. This aid can significantly reduce the cost of college, making higher education more accessible. The FAFSA is also used to determine eligibility for state and institutional aid, such as grants, scholarships, and tuition waivers.

Washington State has a low FAFSA completion rate. For the class of 2023, the completion rate was 44.9%, placing Washington 47th nationally.

Several barriers can prevent students from completing the FAFSA, including:

• Complexity of the Form: The FAFSA can be confusing and time-consuming, with many questions about financial status that students may find difficult to answer. There have been efforts to simplifying the for by reducing the number of questions and making it easier to complete.

 

• Lack of Awareness: Some students and families are not aware of the FAFSA or the financial aid opportunities it provides. Many schools and communities are running awareness campaigns to inform students and their families about the importance of the FAFSA and how to complete it.

 

• Parental Support: Students may lack the necessary parental support to complete the form, especially if their parents are unfamiliar with the process. Completing the FAFSA requires information that only the parent or guardian may have. Some parents are reluctant to provide that information. Many schools offer workshops and one-on-one assistance to help students and families fill out the FAFSA.

 

• Verification Process: Low-income students are often selected for income and asset verification, which can delay the processing of their applications. The verification process is critical to ensure that a student gets all the financial aid possible. It is important to submit the FAFSA as early as possible.

 

• Deadlines: Misunderstanding or missing deadlines can also be a significant barrier.

In addition to traditional 4-year colleges and universities, community colleges and trade schools also use the FAFSA for determining and access financial aid opportunities.

Regardless of the barriers to completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) it is critical that students, parents, and schools work together to ensure that every student has access to all the financial resources available to them.
To learn more, check out the FAFSA website at usa.gov/fafsa

​To learn more, check out the FAFSA website at usa.gov/fafsa

The Tri-Cities Legislative Council hosted a candidate meet and greet event on Tuesday, September 10th. The meeting included 18 candidates running for 11 different offices in the Tri-Cities region. Each of the four legislative districts surrounding the Tri-Cities was represented as well as candidates running for County Commissioner in both Benton and Franklin Counties.

The event had no scheduled agenda, but it was an opportunity for the nearly 80 attendees to talk with candidates one on one. The candidates and attendees mingled for an hour and a half in the Bechtel Board Room in the Tri-Cities Visitor and Business Center in Kennewick.
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The event was well received by both candidates and attendees, some of whom came from as far away as Yakima and Walla Walla.
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Coming soon from the Tri-City Regional Chamber of Commerce will be out “Vote for Business” video forums featuring recorded interviews with candidates hosted by local news anchors. Stay tuned for more information.

Congratulations to Hanford Home Health on their ribbon cutting and grand opening celebration on Thursday, September 12. Their new headquarters is located at 1950 Keene Rd., Bldg. M in Richland. 

Congratulations to Nuclear Care Partners on their ribbon cutting and grand opening celebration for their new location in Richland! Visit them at 925 Stevens Dr. inside the Columbia Park Professional Center. Learn more about Nuclear Care Partners and their mission to care for former atomic workers: www.nuclearcarepartners.com/