Richland City Council Adopts First Targeted Urban Area Tax Exemption in the State

A new program adopted by the Washington State Legislature in the Spring of 2022 has found success in Richland’s Horn Rapids Industrial Area when ATI Inc.’s application for Targeted Urban Area (TUA) tax exemption was approved by City Council last night. 

The TUA is a tax exemption program that encourages manufacturers to build or expand to urban areas in Washington State. To qualify, the project must have a valuation of $800,000 or more and create 25 or more jobs that pay above the state-designated living wage. 

Richland’s Targeted Urban Area, which includes all areas of the Horn Rapids Industrial Park and the surrounding Richland Airport, was identified and adopted by Council in January 2023.

The exemption includes the City’s portion of property tax on improvements for up to ten years. The company still pays the property tax on the land and existing improvements.

Karl Dye, President and CEO of the Tri-City Development Council (TRIDEC) is excited to have this state program and to see it succeed in Richland, “This not only helps the City, but it helps our entire region be competitive on a national scale with the recruitment of manufacturing jobs,” states Karl. 

ATI, a Dallas, Texas-based specialty materials company that supports the aerospace and defense industries already has a facility in the Horn Rapids Area at 3101 Kingsgate Way. Seeking to expand its manufacturing operations, ATI was considering other states for expansion. With the new incentive program and committed leadership, ATI is now planning to double its Richland Operations, investing in state-of-the-art assets to produce aerospace and defense-grade titanium. 

“Twenty-five years after the Richland facility was first commissioned, it’s exciting to expand our presence there,” said Board Chair and Chief Executive Officer Bob Wetherbee. “We appreciate the region’s strong support and are honored to be the City of Richland’s first recipient of the Manufacturing Property Tax Exemption.”  

The City of Richland is proud to collaborate with ATI on this valuable program and is eager to proceed with future opportunities.