2009 April Monthly Newsletter

CBC Students Learn to Innovate “Most businesses are snorkeling today. It isn’t till they take the ‘deepdive’ that it makes sense.” Instructor Gene Holand’s explanation of CBC’s Business 299 “Innovation Institute” program needs a deep dive of its own to be understood—and that is coming up this month. Monday, April 13th, Holand will address the Pasco Chamber’s monthly luncheon attendees on innovation and CBC’s new five-week program. Innovation Institute curriculum is based on a “design thinking” process developed by Californiabased design consultant IDEO to help clients objectively examine the way they do business. They’ve earned considerable national press lately, including a Harvard Business Review article and listing in Fast Company magazine’s Top Ten Most Innovative Companies. The program is sponsored locally by John Heaton, Pay Plus Benefits’ pres-ident. Its first student project was to develop suggestions for the redesign of a Ti-Lite wheelchair. Holand is currently seeking realworld business challenges for future institute classes to tackle. APRIL 2009

Tri-Cities Real Estate hanging in there! Credit crises, mortgage scandals and home prices falling like a rock...in some places. Yet Pasco and the Tri-Citites continue to avoid the worst. Mortgage money is still available locally—though you do need a reasonable credit score to get it. Homes are still selling locally—though for slightly less money and in a slightly longer time. Just under 3,000 homes sold in the Tri-Cities last year, at an average price $1400 lower than the year before— about a one percent drop from 2007 to 2008. Tri-City Association of Realtors President Glen Clark says the disparity between national media coverage and local experience is because, “all real estate markets are local. We get some effect from national news, but the local market is holding up well.”

The Tri-Cities appears to be dodging a bullet in terms of foreclosures, too. In Phoenix, for example, nearly 100,000 homes appear to be headed for foreclosure. Locally, the number is closer to a few hundred. Clark points out that one Hanford contractor recently announced the imminent addition of 3,000 jobs. Also, hundreds of jobs will be added in Connell in the next year. With only 1200 1300 homes for sale and rentals getting scarce, the Tri-Cities could quickly become a seller’s market. As a side note... As this newsletter was going to print, Fortune magazine— quoting Manpower, Inc.—reported that the number one and two markets nationally for employment growth in the 2nd quarter of 2009 would be, respectively, Yakima (21%) and Tri-Cities (19%).

New Members

Spring Ahead...

Dura-Shine Clean, owned by Carlos Martinez, provides commercial, residential and industrial janitorial services. They serve the Mid-Columbia from offices in the Tri-Cities and Othello. www.dura-shineclean.com

Ryan Brault, President Pasco Chamber of Commerce

After a cold winter, I was starting to wonder if spring would come. Well, it is here and yes, we are still in the beautiful Tri-Cities. So, did you go out on a limb and try something new and innovative in your business this last month? If not, it's not too late. Make a plan today and stick to it. It won’t be long before we have our annual auction, presented this year by Gesa and held at Preston Premium Wines Winery.

because our membership growth for 2008 was over 200% of what it was in ’07, attendance at our monthly luncheons is up 35% and as our membership grows, so does the benefit to our members. The Small Business Awards Banquet is coming up soon and we are looking forward to yet another great event. This is where the Alliance of Chambers and the business community throughout the Tri-Cities and surrounding areas come together to celebrate the success of local small businesses, which are the backbone of our communities.

We at the Chamber are very excited

Ryan

The Sandberg Event Center & Gardens in The Sandberg West Richland is owned by Skip and May Sandberg. The facility is ideal for weddings, rehearsal dinners, meetings, reunions or other celebrations. www.thesandberg.com Joe and Colleen Lane, a.k.a. “The Lane Real Estate Team”, moved to the Tri-Cities four years ago from California. www.joelane.com

Colleen & Joe

WORTH MENTIONING

Racing Limos of the Tri-Cities was named Franchisee of the Year by Racing Limos, Inc. The franKaren & Gary Davis chise is owned by Gary and Karen Davis. Darci Nilson, CPA, has been promoted to Manager of the LeMaster Daniels Kennewick office. Charlie Johnson joined Pasco’s Viper Aircraft as Director of Business Development. He is a former President and CEO of Cessna. John LaFemina and Connie Eckard were 2008 recipients of the Leadership Tri-Cities Alumni Exemplary Leadership Award.

Darroll Clark of the Franklin PUD is the new Vice-President of the Pasco Kiwanis club. The law firm of Miller Mertens Spanner & Clark Comfort has changed its name to Miller, Mertens & Comfort. The Association of Washington Business named Pasco’s Bogert C. Bogert International the state’s Small Manufacturer of the Year. The firm is owned by brother-sister team Richard and Cathy Bogert. They manufacture heavy-duty jacks. R. Bogert

David Morgan, a Digital Technology and Culture student at WSU Tri-Cities, submitted the winning design for the new Associated Student Body logo. Morgan is currently interning with Sara Nelson Design.

Morgan

American Family Insurance opened an office at 1060 Jadwin Ave, Suite 200, in Richland. The company also added three new agents: Chris Andrus, Brett Turner and Josh Bruggeman. Chamber President Ryan Brault of Edward Jones is now an Accredited Asset Management Brault Specialist.

Renewing Members HOLIDAY INN EXPRESS

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TIDEWATER MIDDLETON ORCHARDS SPRING GREEN LAWN CARE SOUTH COLUMBIA BASIN IRRIGATION DISTRICT IRRIGATION SPECIALISTS TRI-CITY DUST DEVILS FRANKLIN COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY FROM THE HEART

We bring our state-of-the-art document destruction truck to your location and shred on site.

BI-STATE SIDING AND WINDOWS GESA HERTZ CAR SALES

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BEST WESTERN PASCO INN & SUITES FRANKLIN COUNTY COMMISSIONERS SHOWCASE SPECIALTIES COLUMBIA RESEARCH AND EDUCATION ASSOCIATES

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RIVER REALTY, INC.

Affordable rates

ROACH LAW OFFICES, LLP

Locally owned and operated

WESTERN MATERIALS, INC. TRI-CITIES UNION GOSPEL MISSION WILLIAM R. WILKINS, INC.

WORTH MENTIONING Syngenta is building a $42 million seed processing plant at Pasco Processing Center. The plant will have a full-time staff of about 35. Debbie Bone-Harris of the Franklin PUD is the Pasco Chamber of Commerce representative on the 2009 Tri-Cities Visitor & Convention Bureau Bone-Harris Board of Directors.

equipment rental and training facilities to fulfill the requirements of Government Projects. 123 Bookkeeping has become Optima Business Consulting. Owner Loretta Marsten changed the name to better reflect her Marsten focus on helping clients streamline bookkeeping and troubleshoot Quickbooks problems.

Bank of the West has opened a Commericial Banking Office at 8203 West Quinault Ave., Suite 20, in Kennewick.

Gable Arts—displaying the artwork of Laura Gable—has moved to 17 North Auburn St. in Kennewick.

Indian Eyes was named one of the “Top Businesses in the U.S.” by DiversityBusiness.com. The firm specializes in providing program/project management, staffing and resources support services,

Jarod Balcom of Balcom & Moe has been appointed to the National Potato Council board. He also serves as a commissioner

Balcom

on the Washington State Potato Commission. Ben Franklin Transit’s ridership was up 15.6% in 2008. Richards Packaging has leased a 45,000 sq. ft. warehouse at the Port of Pasco. The Canadian firm supplies bottles to the wine industry. Hacienda del Sol Mexican restaurant has opened at 5024 North Road 68. Safeguard Business Printing and Promotional Products of the Tri-Cities has merged with Yakima’s Printwerks. The company will maintain its Tri-Cities offices but close Printwerks’ current Yakima location in favor of a new office on Summitview Avenue. Members may contribute to this column by emailing news to [email protected]

2009 Tri-Cities Legislative Council trip to Olympia was made possible by these sponsors: CH2M HILL Plateau Remediation • Fluor • Battelle • Tri-Ports • Lockheed Martin Hanford Corp. • Bechtel • Washington River Protection Solutions, LLC • Lampson International • Kennewick General Hospital • Kadlec • Lourdes • Vista Engineering

Essence Photography

Wine: Preston Premium Wines • Claar Cellars • Yokes of West Richland

What a trip!

Can you hear the buzz from the “Hill?”

The Pasco Chamber participated with TRIDEC, Tri-Cities Visitor and Convention Bureau, Leadership Tri-Cities and the West Richland, TriCity Hispanic and Regional Chambers of Commerce in the Legislative Council’s 2009 trip to Olympia. We went to present issues that we felt were important to the Tri-Cities area. Our City Council, County Commissioners and City Manager Gary Crutchfield were on a team of over 100 community leaders that attended this two-day event. One by one—or sometimes in herds—Representatives and Senators came and gave us their undivided attention. We were told by many that we were, “the most organized, well represented group there and people were taking notice!” The atmosphere was amazing! After a day of information, questions, and answers we went off to the Legislative reception. Representative Maureen Walsh from the 5th Legislative District performed, singing her heart out, one song after another. This event provided an opportunity to spend some one-on-one time with Senators and Representatives and hear their views on various issues, current and future, while dancing off an incredible buffet dinner and wines donated by our local wineries (and chamber members) Preston Premium Wines, Claar Cellars and Gordon Brothers Winery. This trip should be experienced by everyone. I walked away with a new understanding of the dynamics on the “Hill” and have a new respect for the hard work done by the Tri-Cities Legislative Council to create a powerfully unified voice for the cities. I commend those who have made sure that our voice is heard.

Nikki Gerds

Executive Director, Pasco Chamber of Commerce

Hewitt Named WACOPS 2008 “Legislator of the Year” Senator Mike Hewitt (R-Walla Walla) was recently named a 2008 Legislator of the Year by the Washington Council of Police and Sheriffs. “Safeguarding our streets and neighborhoods are high priorities for all of us,” Hewitt said in accepting the award. “I commend WACOPS’ work to preserve the livelihoods of our officers so that they may better serve our community. I am honored to receive this award...”

Hewitt’s support for WACOPS efforts in recent years includes the 2008 passage of Senate Bill 6573, which helped put money into the Local Public Safety Enhancement Account, which funds public safety projects and modifies the Law Enforcement Officers and Firefighters Plan II.

WACOPS is the largest and one of the most influential organizations representing law enforcement profesSenator Hewitt sionals in Washington state. They work closely with legislators “[Senator Hewitt] always understands to improve and protect the quality of life the needs of WACOPS and the need for of law enforcement officials. public safety,” said WACOPS President, For more information, look online: http:// Mark Lann. “He is a leader who steps www.staterepublicans.wa.gov/hewitt/bio.htm forward for us.”

NEW BUSINESS Norris Clark has opened Norris Clark Photography, specializing in architectural, commercial and Clark industrial photography, as well as operational/ mechanical training video production. www.norrisclarkphotography.com Crista and Bob Whitelatch, owners of Claar Cellars, are collaborating with Dick and Diane Hock to establish Le Chateau Winery at the Walla Walla Regional Airport. The building housing the winery was transformed from a 1940s-era warehouse into a French Chateau by Chris Barnes of Graphics West in Kennewick. www.lechateauwinery.com

Becky Ferguson and Cory Wright are publishing TASTE—a local food review website and magazine.

www.tastetricities.com Paul Boese has opened Clearvue Window Cleaning. In addition to windows, the company provides a full range of janitorial services and landscape maintenance. www.clearvuetc.com Boese Jewel’s Dance Boutique has opened at 6415 Burden Boulevard, Suite B (across from TRAC). The boutique carries dance and gymnastics apparel.

AROUND TOWN Chancellor’s Art Exhibit will be held throughout April at WSU Tri-Cities’ East Building Administration Corridor. Academy of Children’s Theatre presents Footloose, April 3rd-5th, at the CBC Theatre. High School Musical 2 will run April 24th-26th at Hanford High Auditorium. For more information call 943-6027. 2009 Tri-Citian of the Year Awards Banquet is April 4th, 7:30PM, at the Pasco Red Lion. Tickets are $50 and can be reserved by calling 783-4102. Richland Players present Deathtrap, April 4th, at the Richland Players Theatre. Call 783-3866 for tickets. The Gem and Mineral Show will run April 18th-19th at the Benton County Fairgrounds. Call 735-9678 for more information. Sam Green, Poet Laureate of Washington, will present a Book Arts Lecture April 22nd at the CBC Hub Main Stage. The 2009 Health and Safety Expo will be May 12th and 13th at TRAC. The Alpaca Showcase is set for April 24-26 at TRAC. The event includes a halter show, fleece show, spin off competition and seminars. The public is invited. For more information go to: www.alpacashowcase.org. The first annual “Rouge Royale” dinner and auction to benefit the Benton-Franklin Chapter of the American Red Cross comes up May 16th at the Moore Mansion. Both silent and live auctions will be held to raise money for local programs. For tickets or more information go to www.bfredcross.org or call 783-6195.

2008 - 2009 PASCO CHAMBER

Public Meetings Franklin County’s Commissioners meet 9AM each Monday morning at the Franklin County Courthouse, 1016 North 4th Avenue, Pasco. The Pasco City Council meets on the first and third Monday evenings of each month at 7PM. Council workshop sessions are held the second and fourth Monday evenings of each month, also at 7PM. The Pasco City Planning Commission holds a public meeting each third Thursday evening of the month, also at 7PM. Meetings are usually held at City Hall, 525 North 3rd Avenue, Pasco. Franklin PUD Commissioners usually meet at 1PM on the second and fourth

Tuesdays of each month, however meetings are only held if needed. Thus it’s a good idea to call ahead (547-5591) to make sure that any given meeting will indeed be held. At this time, it appears that there will not be a meeting on April 14th, but will be on April 28th. The Pasco School District Board of Directors meets on the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month at 6:30 in the evening. For more information on school board meetings, contact the Superintendent’s Office at 543-6700. For more information on Franklin County events, call 545-3840. For more information on City of Pasco events, call 544-3080.

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Board of Directors PRESIDENT RYAN BRAULT Edward Jones 1st VICE-PRESIDENT BENJAMIN BEHEN Lucky Flowers 2nd VICE-PRESIDENTS HEIDI ELLERD Kuffel, Hultgrenn, Klashke & Shea MONICA VAN HOLLEBECK Simplot Grower Solutions PAST PRESIDENT DARRICK DIETRICH Basin Disposal PRESIDENTIAL APPOINTEE DEBBIE BONE-HARRIS Franklin PUD DIRECTORS CARRIE CHAMBERS River Realty GLEN CLIFFORD Clifford Farms GARY CRUTCHFIELD City of Pasco LEONARD HARMS Harms Engineering ANNE KOVIS Allstate WALT NEFF Neff Ranches MELISSA NEFF-HILL Bank of Whitman CHENYN PRESTON-JOHNSON Preston Premium Wines COURTNEY STENSON Pasco School District LIAISON MEMBERS DENIS AUSTIN Pasco Police ED BROST Franklin PUD RICK MILLER Franklin County SAUNDRA HILL Pasco School District JIM TOOMEY Port of Pasco JANET WRIGHT Lourdes Health Network TREASURER RONALD J. PERKINS, CPA EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR NIKKI GERDS

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Pasco Chamber Annual Auction & Dinner

Small business clients using the Pasco Specialty Kitchen generously catered the Building Bridges networking event held at Preston Premium Wines in February. Delicious appetizers were prepared by Holly Claghorn of Prairie Belle; Cathleen Williams of Catering by Cathleen; and Shirley Van Rell-Fast of The Casual Gourmet. Thank you!

May 2, 2009 6:00PM - 9:00PM Preston Premium Wines Tickets are $35 per person or $240 for a table of eight. Call 547-9755 to reserve.

apr 09

04.13.09 Membership Luncheon



Pasco Red Lion | Noon

1 2 3 4

CBC’s Innovation Institute Gene Holand

5 6 7 8 9 10 11

also Health & Safety Exposition Presentation Expo Committee Members: Owen Berglund and Jenni Morris

12 13 14 15 1 6 17 18

Chamber Office | 11:45AM

04.08 Building Bridges Networking Event Fiesta Restaurant, Road 68 | 8:00AM

04.28 Board of Directors Meeting

Pasco School District, Booth Building | 11:45AM

19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30

The luncheon is sponsored by:

Anne Kovis, Agent



04.07 Executive Committee Meeting

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

Pasco Chamber of Commerce 1925 NORTH 20TH AVENUE PASCO, WA 99301

A joint effort of the Pasco, Hispanic, Hermiston and West Richland Chambers.

Building Bridges Networking Event April 8th | 8:00-9:00 am Fiesta Mexican Restaurant 5210 North Road 68, Pasco To RSVP call: 547-9755

Ed Schneider to Lead the National Potato Council Franklin County potato grower Ed Schneider has been elected President of the National Potato Council, according to a press release from that organization. The group works for the economic well-being of potato growers across the country, dealing specifically with federal legislative, regulatory, environmental and trade issues. Schneider moved to a Pasco-area farm with his family in 1966. He attended WSU and—with his father—formed Schneider Farms in 1982. The family farms about 1900 acres, with 1500 acres in potatoes; the rest in corn and wheat. Schneider served on the Washington State Potato Commission, spending time on all of its various committees and filling the position of Chairman in 2001-02. In 2006 he was elected to serve on the NPC Executive Committee as Vice-President of Legislative and Government Affairs. Sustainability is on Schneider’s mind as he takes office. “We have a chance to be leaders...to show buyers and con-

sumers that we are good stewards of the land, that we provide safe, nutritious food products and we plan on producing these products for generations to come.” The finalization of the NPC Sustainability Document is a top priority for Schneider. “The Document will form the basis of a program that can be used by the entire supply chain to demonstrate that we are an industry that does the right things,” he said. In addition to his involvement in the NPC and WSPC, Schneider is a member of the Franklin County Farm Bureau and the Columbia Valley Grange. He also served six years on the US Potato Board. Among the board members voted in at the NPC’s annual meeting in January were Jared Balcom, Ellie Charvet, Cully Easterday, Bob Halvorsen, Paul Morris, Darrin Morrison and Ted Tschirky, all currently serving as WSPC Commissioners. (Story from National Potato Council press release and www.potatopro.com. Photo courtesy of Potato Country Magazine.)

PRESORTED STANDARD US POSTAGE

PAID

PASCO WA 99301 PERMIT NO. 107