Inslee gives green light to large wind farm

Gov. Jay Inslee has signed off on a controversial wind farm to be built along the Horse Heaven Hills south of the Tri-Cities. 

The project, called the Horse Heaven Clean Energy Center, has been in the works for years, and it’s drawn supporters and detractors.

The state Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council earlier this year recommended some significant reductions to the proposal, but Inslee directed the group to reconsider.

“I believe this project is appropriately sited, and that the site certificate is legally adequate. I also find that the council thoroughly and adequately responded to issues and concerns raised by tribal partners, the community and other stakeholders relating to this project,” Inslee wrote in a recent letter to the council outlining his decision.

Tri-Cities CARES, which opposes the project, is running a fundraising campaign to overturn the governor’s decision.

Federal grant, extended service planned at Tri-Cities Airport 

The Tri-Cities Airport in Pasco is one of four airports in the state to receive federal grant money for infrastructure upgrades and modernization.

The grants, through the Federal Aviation Administration’s Airport Terminal Program, total $24.5 million, with Pasco’s share coming in at $4 million.

The Pasco airport money will go toward buying three passenger boarding bridges, which will be added to existing gates, and expanding the outbound baggage area, according to a news release from U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Washington.

“The Tri-Cities Airport is critical to Central Washington’s continued economic growth,” Cantwell said in the news release. “This funding will enable the airport to accommodate larger planes by adding three additional passenger boarding bridges. With a record 872,000 travelers in 2023, this grant will help Tri-Cities Airport keep pace with demand and future growth.” 

In other Tri-Cities Airport news, an airline that flies in and out of Pasco on a seasonal basis announced that it’s extending its west coast flight schedule through April. 

Avelo Airlines, which offers flights to and from Burbank, California, is offering bookings through April 29. 

Leadership Tri-Cities announces new executive director

Leadership Tri-Cities has named a longtime arts leader as its new executive director. 

Anne Spilman, who has served at Academy of Children’s Theatre since 2003 and as executive director there for the past 10 years, begins her new role at Leadership Tri-Cities on Jan. 1.

Current Executive Director Paul Casey is stepping down at the end of this year. 

Spilman, an alumna of LTC Class 22, has been involved with the leadership organization as the arts and culture day session director and as vice chair of the board.

“Leadership Tri-Cities offers such a personalized, professional growth experience to its participants, and I’m over the moon to give back to the organization that has meant so much to me. I’m excited to support future classes in finding their own unique moments that will positively shape their lives,” Spilman said in a statement. 

Spilman is moving to part-time employment with ACT starting Jan. 1 to transition out of the role. She has agreed to continue part time through June 30 to ensure a smooth handoff during the transition period.

Corps recommends removal of Bateman Island causeway

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has released the results of a Yakima Delta ecological restoration feasibility report and is recommending removal of the Bateman Island causeway.

The island in Richland is at the confluence of the Yakima and Columbia rivers. The causeway blocks water flows, which leads to warmer water temperatures, which in turn provides ideal conditions for non-native fish to prey on migrating young salmon and makes it hard for adult salmon to swim upstream, the Corps said in a statement. 

“Elevated water temperatures also encourage algal blooms and mosquitoes, degrading water quality,” the Corps said.

Entrepreneurial Awards ceremony open to the public 

The Richland Rotary Club Entrepreneurial Awards Luncheon is open to the public for the first time this year. 

The event is from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Nov. 19 at the Richland Riverfront Hotel, 50 Comstock St., and tickets are $35. 

The awards program was created in 1996 after Richland Rotarian and Pacific Northwest National Laboratory employee AM Sastry approached his club about recognizing the work of entrepreneurs in the bicounty region. 

The awards recognize businesses that have been operating less than seven years and have fewer than 15 employees. The Sam Volpentest Entrepreneurial Leadership Award or “Sammy,” also will be announced. This award recognizes a leader with an entrepreneurial spirit. 

The Port of Benton, TRIDEC, Tri-City Regional Chamber of Commerce and Fuse co-sponsor this event. 

To register, go to: bit.ly/EntrepreneurialAwards.

Hanford subcontractor pleads guilty to stealing Covid-19 funding

A Hanford subcontractor pleaded guilty in federal court to fraudulently obtaining $493,865 as part of a scheme to obtain Covid-19 relief funding. 

The company’s owner also agreed to pay $1.1 million in restitution and penalties as part of a civil settlement to resolve his individual liability. BNL Technical Services LLC’s owner is Wilson Pershing Stevenson III of Nashville, Tennessee.

BNL provided contract labor services to Hanford site prime contractors. Its labor costs and payroll continued to be paid by the U.S. Department of Energy throughout the pandemic between 2020-21, including when BNL employees were not able to physically work at the site and instead were teleworking or simply home in “ready” status, according to the plea agreement accepted by the court and in information disclosed during court proceedings.

BNL fraudulently sought and obtained Paycheck Protection Program funding for BNL employees despite their pay and benefits already being covered by DOE contract funds and other federal sources, including the Veterans Administration. Shortly after receiving the funds, BNL transferred and used more than $424,230 on unauthorized expenditures, the U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Washington said in a news release.

State fines Pasco farm labor contractor

The state Department of Labor & Industries has fined a Pasco farm labor contractor nearly $140,000 for operating without a license, failing to provide workers with complete disclosure statements, transporting workers without a license and failing to provide a surety bond.

Eagle Labor Contractors of Pasco can continue to operate as long as it pays the fines by March 31.

A tip led state officials to investigate the business.

“A properly licensed farm labor contractor prevents workers from being exploited,” said Bryan Templeton, the agency’s Employment Standards Program manager, in a news release. “If they’re licensed, farm labor contractors know the state requirements they must meet. This is a vital protection for the workers, regardless of their immigration status.”

Failing to provide a disclosure statement is the most serious of the violations, the agency said. These statements detail the work location, the type of crops, what the work is, specifics about transportation and housing, and what workers will earn.

Without a disclosure statement, a worker might not know the agreed upon wages or may be paid below the state minimum wage. “A disclosure statement is the worker’s verification of how much the employer will pay and what services they will provide the worker,” Templeton said.

Framatome lands nuclear fuel contract

The U.S. Department of Energy has tapped a nuclear energy company with a plant in Richland to develop High-Assay Low-Enriched Uranium, or HALEU, fuel for advanced nuclear power reactors.

Framatome’s contract is for 10 years. 

“The support for the nuclear energy industry is unprecedented and is essential as the demand for safe, reliable, clean energy continues to grow,” CEO Tony Robinson said in a statement. “This investment from the DOE demonstrates its commitment to the nuclear energy industry and, coupled with the proactive work we have performed over the last two years, provides advanced reactor developers confidence to select Framatome as their supplier of choice.”

HALEU is described in the statement as “enriched uranium with the concentration of fissile isotope U-235 above 10% and below 20% of the total mass.”

Report highlights statewide need to fill 1.5M jobs by 2032 

With more than 1.5 million job openings expected by 2032, Washington will need nearly 600,000 more workers with postsecondary credentials than it’s on pace to produce, a new report says. 

The analysis identifies six industry clusters – advanced computing and technology, construction and skilled trades, health care, education, business and management and clean technology – that will see concentrated growth in jobs that provide living wages, economic mobility and fill critical workforce gaps. 

Bachelor’s and advanced degrees will be in highest demand – needed for 45% of the openings – and continue to offer workers the greatest long-term wage premiums. 

The report, Skill Up for Our Future, produced by the Washington Roundtable, Partnership for Learning and Kinetic West, indicates the state is not producing enough workers to meet future job demands but it offers actionable strategies to bridge the gap. 

The strategies include ways to increase bachelor’s degree production, promote high-value, high-demand credentials from community and technical colleges and focus training and credential production on occupations in greatest demand, among other recommendations. 

To read the full report, go to: waroundtable.com/skillupwa.

SBA delivered billions to small businesses, communities

The U.S. Small Business Administration delivered $56 billion to small businesses and disaster-impacted communities in the 2024 fiscal year, which ended on Sept. 30, the agency reported. That includes more than $1 billion in the Seattle district, which includes the Tri-Cities.

“The SBA has revolutionized its capital access programs, helping finance tens of thousands of small businesses in every corner of this country,” said Administrator Isabel Casillas Guzman in a statement. “As every entrepreneur knows, capital is critical – it’s integral to business owners at all stages of their journey, from startup to growth and resilience. Through loans, investments and surety bond guarantees, the SBA has helped power the small businesses that have in turn powered America’s unparalleled economic recovery from the Covid-19 crisis.”

Vandalism prompts city to close parks

Richland has temporarily closed parts of Wye Park and Columbia Park West after a significant increase in vandalism, damage to public facilities and illegal activities.

“We take the stewardship of our parks seriously,” said Joe Schiessl, deputy city manager, in a statement, “and we are committed to providing a safe and enjoyable environment for all residents. Unfortunately, the recent actions have made it imperative to take immediate action.”

The city said the closure will reduce the pressure on the parks and natural resources and allow the city time to perform necessary maintenance.

Growers, estate wineries form The Hills

A group of growers and estate wineries that represent more than 1,000 acres of premium vineyards have joined forces as The Hills to promote the Rattlesnake Hills wine growing region.

“We’re excited to take this step and bring our outstanding vineyards and distinctive wines to the forefront of the conversation about Washington wine,” said Marissa Dineen, owner of Dineen Vineyards and board member of The Hills, in a statement. 

“Thanks to our elevation and a unique geological history, wines from The Hills exhibit distinctiveness from the rest of the state. We’re looking forward to showcasing these differences and the dynamism they bring to Washington wine,” she said in the statement.

State awards nearly $40M for economic development

The state Department of Commerce announced nearly $40 million in grants to help foster equitable economic development, and some groups doing work in the Tri-Cities area are among the recipients.

Benton and Franklin counties received funding for business startups and expansions. WOW Tri-Cities received $3 million for consumer and business loans, educational scholarships and an emergency loan fund. 

Tri-City Americans announce ownership changes, lease extension

A former technology executive and longtime Washington resident is the new majority owner of the Tri-City Americans. 

Jon Sortland has assumed the role of president and will lead all sales, marketing, finance and business functions for the organization. 

Sortland and his wife have recently relocated to Kennewick. He spent the last three decades as a chief financial officer for several high-growth venture capital-backed companies in the Seattle area. He is a former season ticket holder for the Seattle Thunderbirds and was a youth hockey coach when his children were growing up.

General Manager Bob Tory, Head Coach Stu Barnes and former Americans goalie Olaf Kolzig each will continue retaining minority ownership.

Tory signed a multiyear contract extension to continue to serve as general manager and alternate governor with full responsibility for leading all hockey-related operations. Barnes remains the team’s head coach.

Also joining the Americans’ ownership group is Daryl Henry, a former WHL player, and executive committee member of the WHL Player Alumni Association. He has served as a consultant to the Tri-City Americans since 2017 and will assist in various sales, marketing and community engagement initiatives.

The Americans also announced that the team extended its lease with Toyota Center to run two additional years through at least 2030.

“We wanted the fans to know that this change in the franchise’s ownership structure comes with a firm long-term commitment to the entire Tri-Cities community,” Sortland said in a statement.

Media group to acquire several NW newspapers

Carpenter Media Group has announced plans to acquire EO Media Group’s portfolio of newspapers and magazines across Oregon and Washington, including the Capital Press, Hermiston Herald and East Oregonian in Pendleton.

Established in 1908, East Oregonian Publishing Co., now known as EO Media Group, has been family-led by the Aldrich and Forrester families for four generations. 

Carpenter Media Group also will acquire several other Oregon publications, including La Grande Observer, Seaside Signal, The Bulletin, Redmond Spokesman, Baker City Herald, Blue Mountain Eagle, the Wallowa County Chieftain and Oregon Capital Insider.

Washington papers in the acquisition include Chinook Observer and Grower’s Guide.

Port completes $2M in railroad crossing construction

The Port of Benton has completed construction on the Airport Way and Saint Street railroad crossings. 

Both crossing projects totaled more than $2 million and included replacing the entire railroad crossing with new concrete panels, the paving on both sides and the gate mechanisms. 

Crews also changed the lights to LEDs.

Paid Family & Medical Leave premiums to increase in 2025

A rise in demand is prompting an increase in the premium rate for paid leave and medical leave benefits, the state Employment Security Department announced.

The paid leave increase takes effect Jan. 1.

The premium rate will be 0.92%, up from this year’s rate of 0.74%.

Employers will pay 28.48% of the total premium and employees will pay 71.52% in 2025 – a ratio similar to 2024. 

More than 175,000 Washington workers received Paid Family and Medical Leave benefits in 2024 so far, totaling $1.35 billion – a record compared to the first nine months of previous years, the state said.