2009 4th Quarter Newsletter

October Luncheon The Pasco Chamber of Commerce will hold its monthly luncheon meeting on Monday, October 12th. Carl Gipson, Director of the Center for Small Business, will be the speaker. Gipson is the former Director of Communications and Operations for the Washington Policy Center. He regularly writes opinion pieces, legislative memos and policy notes focusing on small business issues. His work has appeared in the Puget Sound Business Journal, Seattle P-I, Tacoma News Tribune, Tri-City Area Journal of Business, Washington CEO and other magazines. Carl holds a degree in Political Science from Western Washington University. Call 547-9755 or email [email protected] to RSVP—October 12th, 11:30AM, at the Pasco Red Lion Inn. 4th Quarter 2009

October/November/December

A Whole Lotta Building

Is Still Going On!

A bit back, before the recession hit hard, the Chamber newsletter ran an article that reviewed recent growth in Pasco and Franklin County. Now, many months into one of the steepest recessions in decades, a quick look around still shows something under construction, recently completed or being planned almost anywhere you look!

Chiawana High School — one of the biggest local educational building projects in a few years — opened to its first Freshman class this autumn. Beyond that, the Pasco School District spent a good sum upgrading Pasco High School and McLoughlin Middle School. The Franklin Public Utility District has been carrying out its duties in the middle of

a construction zone for some time now. Its downtown Pasco headquarters upgrade is taking place literally across the street from the recently remodeled and reopened Pasco branch of the MidColumbia Library. At the far end of town, there’s a much-improved Interstate 182 on-ramp at Road 100. Lourdes’ new clinic is open at Road 68 and (Continued, Page 5)

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1. Chiawana High School 2. Students enjoying the remodeled Pasco Library 3. Lourdes Health Network Clinic off Road 68 4. Franklin PUD Administration Building remodel

A SEASON FOR CHANGE AND THANK YOUS Benjamin Behen, President Pasco Chamber of Commerce

Welcome to Autumn! My name is Ben Behen and I’m not a new face at the Pasco Chamber. I am in a new position as Board President. So are new board members Rich Cummins (Columbia Basin College), Lori Lancaster (Benton Franklin Fair), Britta Thompson (Tri-City Journal of Business) and Mitch Roach (Baker Boyer Bank). To introduce myself, my wife, Melissa, and I own and operate Lucky Flowers, a retail flower shop. We’ve been Pasco business owners for years and we have two children — Hayden and Benson. Like many of you who also have business and family in Pasco, we are committed to this community. The first thing I want to do is thank those members of the board who are completing terms of service. Their efforts have been very much appreciated. Those stepping down include Missy Neff-Hill, Darrick Dietrick and Courtney Stenson. Next, thanks to Ryan Brault, the (now) Past President

of the Pasco Chamber for his service. It was a challenging year for the Chamber, the community and the country as a whole. I look forward to having his experience available to call on this next year. There is one other person that I won’t let slip quietly away. Darrick Dietrich was the Chamber President two years back. This last year, as Past President, he was actively supportive behind the scenes. This new year, Darrick is finally off the hook in terms of attending meetings. But we will probably never stop calling him for calm, sound, reliable advice. There is one more change to mention. For years the Pasco Chamber has had a monthly newsletter. It is one of the primary ways that the Chamber has communicated with you. It has served to inform members about the community — business and otherwise — and acted as a calendar and tickler file to remind members of meetings or special events. The Pasco Chamber of Commerce believes that a traditional newsletter is important, but effective with this issue, our printed newsletter will come out once per quarter — in January, April,

July and October — rather than monthly. Between newsletters members will receive e-mailed updates about once a week; more frequently if events warrant. We appreciate the work that Sara Nelson Design has put into making our newsletter something to be proud of this last couple of years. We hope to continue to enjoy their talents in developing this quarterly version of the newsletter, as well as in other areas and with other projects. If you have ideas, concerns, complaints, suggestions or anything else that comes under the heading of “feedback,” please know that I care. I want to hear from you about the way things are and the way you want things to be. I didn’t pursue this position in order to put my stamp on things; I came here to serve. You can contact me at ben@ pascochamber.org What can the Chamber do for you? How can I help? I’ll see you at our next monthly luncheon meeting, October 12th, 11:30AM at the Pasco Red Lion Inn. Thanks!

Ben

WORTH MENTIONING Britta Thompson was appointed to a vacant seat on the Pasco Chamber of Commerce board for the remainder of a one-year term. The Port of Pasco is constructing a 22,000-square foot office building, scheduled for completion the first quarter of 2010. Parsons, which currently leases office space from the Port, will relocate their offices there. The local Habitat for Humanity affiliate was picked as one of 123 Habitat affiliates to participate in a national green building initiative. Max Faulkner is the new manager at Atomic Bowl in Richland. IsoRay of Richland has received clearance from the Food and Drug Administration to market Proxcelan Cesium-131 brachytherapy seeds for implants to help treat cancer.

Brittney Dugger is the new Marketing Director of the YMCA of the Greater Tri-Cities. Imageworks received two Aster Awards and Dugger two Horizon Interactive Media Awards for its work on medical marketing projects. Michael Pettyjohn has been appointed Vice-President and Regional Manager of Tri-Cities Wealth Management and Business Banking for Baker Boyer Bank. P.S. Media celebrated its 10th anniversary in September. Diane Turney has joined Paragon Corporate Housing as Vice-President of Marketing and Public Relations. Matthew Riesenweber, CFP, CMFC, financial advisor with

Waddell & Reed, is a recipient of the firm’s Crest Award honoring the firm’s top financial advisors. Debbie Bone-Harris of Franklin PUD has a new job title: Public Affairs Manager. Scott Musser was Bone-Harris elected President of the National Auctioneers Association. Scott is the owner of United CountryMusser Bros. Auctions and Real Estate. Allegiant Airlines has announced round trip fairs to Phoenix-Mesa as low as $79.00 one way! Lockheed Martin’s Creative and Strategic Service team in Richland received 17 Silver and 47 Bronze Telly Awards for excellence in video production. Volunteers contributed $831,595 in donated time (40,824 hours) to Lourdes Health Network in Fiscal Year 2009.

To contribute an item to this column please email the information to [email protected] or call 547-9755.

New Members IRZ Consulting LLC, Irrigation System Management Services, helps clients maximize resource effiency, sustainability and profitability through the use of technology. IRZ Consulting is located in Hermiston. Lori Rodriquez is their contact. www.irz.com Castle Event Catering, owned by Katy Craig, has been in business since 1996. They are located in Richland. www.castlehospitality.com Wenatchee-based Interwest Communications provides business telephone systems, structured cabling and data networking services. The contact is Jon Fox. www.interwestcorp.net

Franklin Conservation District is a grant-funded, non-regulatory agency that matches local resource needs to technical and financial assistance. Mark Nielson is the District Manager. www.franklincd.org Wilson Irrigation & Orchard Supply is located in Yakima and is owned by Eric Wilson. They specialize in orchard and vineyard products. www.wilsonirr.com Moses Lak-based Columbia Bean & Produce is the oldest bean processor in Washington State. They work with up to 200 Washington farmers to bring the “finest beans to the marketplace.” www.columbiabean.com

Columbia Basin College Foundation was established in 1984 to give individuals, organizations, and businesses an opportunity to directly invest in the educational mission of the College. www.columbiabasin.edu/foundation Hermiston-based Third Day Creations has over 650,000 products available to put your logo on. They also have a single-head embroidery machine on site for low-minimum-order embroidered garments. www.thirddaycreations.net Dan Blasdel, Franklin County Coroner, is a new member of the Pasco Chamber.

A NOTE FROM YOUR CHAMBER A part of the Pasco Chamber’s purpose as an organization is to support that which supports a good economy in Pasco and Franklin County. That said, the Chamber has taken the position that removal of the Snake River dams would be a terrible blow to the local — and regional — economy. Accordingly, the Chamber hereby points out that Seattle Congressman Jim McDermott has once again introduced into the U.S. House of Representatives a bill that calls for a study on the effect of the removal of Snake River dams. He also referred to Eastern Washingtonians who oppose his study as members of the “flat earth society.” Those interested in contacting Congressman McDermott to discuss his suggested study and/or opinion of Eastern Washington can call (206) 553-7170

West Richland Chambers.

Building Bridges Networking Event

Even ing Even MONDAY, October 19th t 5:30-7:30 pm Crazy Moose Casino

510 South 20th Avenue, Pasco To RSVP call: 547-9755

Monday Night Football kick-off at Crazy Moose Casino and Bar. Building Bridges Special will be three hot dogs and a pitcher of beer for $9.

Board of Directors PRESIDENT BENJAMIN BEHEN Lucky Flowers 1st VICE-PRESIDENT MONICA VAN HOLLEBECK Simplot Grower Solutions 2nd VICE-PRESIDENT HEIDI ELLERD Kuffel, Hultgrenn, Klashke & Shea LEN HARMS Harms Engineering PAST PRESIDENT RYAN BRAULT Edward Jones

or fax (206) 553-7175. Others who may be interested in your opinion include Senator Patty Murray, who can be reached at (509) 453-7462, and Senator Maria Cantwell, who can be reached at (509) 946-8106. The Chamber believes that breaching the Snake River dams should be excluded from the reconsideration of the so-called Biological Opinion, and that any legislation that calls for dam breaching to even be studied should be opposed.

NEW IN BUSINESS A joint effort of the Pasco, Hispanic, Hermiston and

2009 - 2010 PASCO CHAMBER

Tri-Cities Fingerprint and Business Services, provides mobile finger printing services among other things. They are based in Pasco and Dina Helmts is the owner. www.thefingerprinter.com Plato’s Closet, a unique teen fashion franchise, has opened at 7303 West Canal Drive, Suite B104. The store buys and sells gently used brand-name clothing. www.platoscloset.com

DIRECTORS CARRIE CHAMBERS River Realty GLEN CLIFFORD Clifford Farms RICH CUMMINS Columbia Basin College ANNE KOVIS Allstate LORI LANCASTER Benton Franklin Fair and Rodeo WALT NEFF Neff Ranches CHENYN PRESTON-JOHNSON Preston Premium Wines MITCH ROACH Baker Boyer Bank BRITTA THOMPSON Tri-City Area Journal of Business LIAISON MEMBERS CARL ADRIAN TRIDEC DENIS AUSTIN Pasco Police DEBBIE BONE-HARRIS Franklin PUD GARY CRUTCHFIELD City of Pasco COURTNEY STENSON Pasco School District MELANIE JOHNSTON Lourdes Health Network RICK MILLER Franklin County Commission MICHELLE OLIVAS Tri-Cities Visitor & Convention Bureau JIM TOOMEY Port of Pasco EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR NIKKI GERDS ASSISTANT EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR STEVE LEE

INVESTING IN THE SAFETY OF OUR COMMUNITY Anyone who’s lived around Pasco more than a few years knows that there has been a tremendous turnaround here. Twenty years ago we had one of the highest crime Nikki Gerds, Executive Director, rates in the state Pasco Chamber and some of the lowest property values in the area. Today we are known to be a great place to live, work and raise a family, and property values keep growing.

made a conscious effort to focus on and invest in public safety. It worked. It worked so well that we began to grow FAR faster than had been expected by anyone, anywhere. Pasco’s population jumped from 18,000 to 54,000 in just twenty years.

The difference? Public safety and awareness! Twenty years ago, Pasco residents

Twenty years of history says that Pasco and Franklin County sharing expense by

The problem is that our public safety facilities haven’t kept up. If they aren’t expanded, the City and County will have to end their space sharing agreement, Pasco will have to build its own jail and courtrooms or rent space somewhere else, Franklin County will still have to expand its facilities and it will all be much more expensive than it is today.

sharing space provides far better public safety coverage than either could afford alone. It’s a wise idea. It’s an investment in our safety, the safety of our families, businesses and the security of our assets. Changing subjects, with this issue the Pasco Chamber newsletter goes from monthly to quarterly publication, so the next issue will be in your mailbox in three months. Between now and then, look for updates by e-mail as events warrant. And don’t forget to put the November and December luncheon meetings and Building Bridges on your calendar now! Thank you,

Nikki

A WHOLE LOTTA BUILDING IS STILL GOING ON! (Continued from page 1) includes a new private pediatric dental clinic (Lifetime Dental) that’s part of a larger regional chain. A few blocks to the north, a new Les Schwab Tire Center is being built. A new Discount Tire Center is a few blocks to the south. Columbia Basin College is building buildings and expanding programs. The two-year school recently opened a new Business building and is working on a new Center of Career and Technical Education. A new two-year degree program in Nuclear Technology kicked off this autumn, as did the Leadership Fellows program. The college was also

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recently awarded a $600,000 U.S. Housing and Urban Development grant to work with community groups on a plan to revitalize downtown Pasco. The City of Pasco is working to get funding for a new Lewis Street Overpass to replace the current underpass that connects East Pasco with downtown. The Port of Pasco has projects bubbling up at the Airport, Big Pasco and other locations over the next year or more. One big “maybe” project is pending if taxpayers approve a sales tax increase on the November ballot. A proposal on hand would expand Franklin

County’s public safety facilities, which would allow the City and County to continue sharing space, thus helping to keep operating costs down for both. The last major public safety facility upgrade in Pasco was over 20 years ago, when the city was about one-third it’s present size. The moral of this front page story is simple... While the rest of the country debates if or when the recession will end and life will return to “normal,” the growth continues here in Pasco and Franklin County. This is still one of the best places in the country to live and work. There’s a lot to be thankful for!

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6. Les Schwab under construction 7. Discount Tire now open 8. CBC’s Center of Career and Technical Education, under construction

WE HAVE

Renewing Members ALLIANT COMMUNICATIONS CORK'S PHARMACY FRONTIER FENCE J.R.J. SERVICES, INC. JIM'S PACIFIC GARAGES, INC.

Make your table sparkle with a Holiday centerpiece. Pre-book your order today!!!

Christmas Open House December 1st-6th We now carry

WALTER LEPAGE LOWE’S HIW, INC.

Manpower, Inc. is a temp work agency that has become as well known for its research into labor market economics as for its temp placement business. The company recently issued a projection of which cities would be best for job hunting in the 4th quarter of 2009 and the Tri-Cities came in second nationally. First place was Lincoln, Nebraska, with a 17% net employment demand. The Tri-Cities came in at 11%, followed by Rochester, New York, Columbus, Georgia, and Waco, Texas. For more information, look online at http://is.gd/3DJo9.

Aromatique Candles.

MID-COLUMBIA EYECARE CENTER, INC., P.S.

Come in now for the best selection of Autumn and Christmas candles! Contemporary & Traditional Designs

MUELLER'S GREENLEE FUNERAL HOME PETERSEN HASTINGS INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT

Corporate Accounts Personalized Sympathy Arrangements

RANCH & HOME - PASCO REINKE PASCO

Unique Gifts, Chocolates, Balloons & Candles Expert Wedding Design and Consultation

509.547.6091 4525 Road 68 N, Suite F www.myluckyflowers.com

THE FLOWER BASKET TRI-CITY COUNTRY CLUB

Redeem your coin from the Sunshine Ball at Lucky Flowers to save $5 off your holiday floral arrangement.

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graphic design | marketing | communication www.saranelsondesign.com

545-4584

Quarterly Calendar

oct 09

10.12.09 Membership Luncheon Pasco Red Lion | 11:30AM Making Our State More Competitive for Small Business Carl Gipson Director of the Center for Small Business







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10.05 Ag Hall of Fame Meeting CBC | 4:00PM

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The October luncheon is sponsored by:

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11.09.09 Membership Luncheon Pasco Red Lion | 11:30AM Common Misconceptions about Reaching the Hispanic Community Albert Torres Publisher of Tú Decides

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The November luncheon is sponsored by:

12.14.09 Membership Luncheon Pasco Red Lion | 11:30AM Holiday Social The December luncheon is sponsored by:

Neff Ranches

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Chamber Office | 11:45AM

10.19 Building Bridges Networking Event Crazy Moose Casino, Pasco | 5:30PM

10.21 Chamber Alliance Meeting TBD | 12:00PM

10.27 Board of Directors Meeting

Pasco School District, Booth Building | 11:45AM

11.04 Executive Committee Meeting Chamber Office | 11:45AM

11.18 Building Bridges Networking Event Bellinger Farms | 5:30PM 1823 S Highway 395, Hermiston

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11.18 Chamber Alliance Meeting

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11.24 Board of Directors Meeting

TBD | 12:00PM

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Pasco School District, Booth Building | 11:45AM

dec 09

12.02 Executive Committee Meeting

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10.07 Executive Committee Meeting

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Save the D

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The Pasc oA Ag”, is Jan g Show, “Real uary 5 - 6 at the TR AC Cente , 2010 r in Pasco Sponsors . hips and Exhibitor Booths are www.pas available. corealag.c om

Chamber Office | 11:45AM

12.09 Building Bridges Networking Event TBD | 5:30PM

12.16 Chamber Alliance Meeting TBD | 12:00PM

12.24 Board of Directors Meeting

Pasco School District, Booth Building | 11:45AM

tions a n i m o N w er is no

amb sco Ch for the The Pa nominations mer of Far ing accept ame, Young the Year. of F r of Ag Hall nd Ag Adviso for more a r r e a the Ye ct the Chamb o to a t rg Con ation o inform orealag.com a sc www.p

Writing and design for the Pasco Chamber Newsletter by SARA NELSON DESIGN, LTD. | 545-4584 Writing and design for the Pasco Chamber Newsletter by SARA NELSON DESIGN, LTD. | 545-4584

Pasco Chamber of Commerce 1925 N. 20TH AVE. PASCO, WA 99301

Thank you to the sponsors of

PRSRT STD US POSTAGE

PAID

PASCO WA PERMIT NO 107

an Evening in Marrakech 2009 Sunshine Ball

DIAMOND PRESENTING SPONSOR

Preston Premium Wines RUBY SPONSOR

CH2MHill EMERALD SPONSOR

Baker Boyer Bank Lucky Flowers Neff Ranches Real Life Photography Sara Nelson Design, Ltd. Signs by Sue SAPPHIRE SPONSOR

Lourdes Health Network PEARL SPONSOR

Basin Disposal

THE FUTURE OF FARMING

Last year the Washington State Department of Agriculture began to work on a strategic plan for the state’s ag industry. This year, it’s done. “The Future of Farming: Strategic Plan for Washington Agriculture, 2020 and Beyond” can be downloaded from the state’s website http://www.agr.wa.gov/ FoF/ either in a summary form or as the full 100-page report. The plan is based around five strategies that the researchers say will

keep farming viable in the State of Washington. They are:

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Make agriculture a priority. Eliminate regulatory barriers. Protect resources. Strengthen support services. Harness emerging opportunities.

“Ag at it’s Best” is generously sponsored by:

ence . Bette r Sciutions. ol S r te Bet