2009 January Monthly Newsletter

Reminde Pasco Ag r! Show Jan uary 6

Looking for Positives?

& 7 at T Brough RAC t to you b y th e Pasco Admiss Chamb ion $3 er! or a can ned foo d dona tion

(Here’s one!) As this is written, networks are reporting that a recession has been underway nationally for about a year. And yet, the Tri-Cities is still one of the less-affected parts of the country. In the third quarter of 2008—the most recent period for which numbers are available—U.S. home prices fell 2.7%. They’re down 4% over the year ending in September 2008. But locally, homes still appreciate. Out of 292 metro areas listed by the Federal Housing Finance Agency, the Tri-Cities was 13th in increased home value, up .8% through the third quarter of 2008 and just over 4% over the third quarter of 2007. The best recent numbers come from unlikely places—North and South Dakota, specifically. In Florida and California, home prices have been in free fall, with losses of as much as 42% of home value in some markets.

January 2009

AGRICULTURE:

(Still) at the Heart of Pasco’s Economy Most of Franklin County’s longtime residents are well aware of the significance of Agriculture within the Tri-Cities economy. For those few who aren’t, this month’s luncheon meeting may be an eye-opener. Monday, January 12th, at 11:30AM, the Washington State Department of Agriculture’s Chief of Domestic Marketing and Economic Development, Eric Hurlburt, will address the Pasco Chamber of Commerce monthly luncheon on the subject of economic development within the ag industry. Hurlburt is responsible for the Ag Department programs and activities that encourage and assist development and growth within the state’s agriculture and food processing industries and the marketing of their products within Washington state.

Hurlburt works on transportation and infrastructure, policy and access, business recruitment and retention, bioenergy and other issues. He sits on the boards of the Access to Healthy Foods Coalition, Washington Economic Development Finance Authority and Washington Wine Commission among others. The Small Farm Direct Marketing program, which works with family-owned farms to find new or alternative markets, is Hurlburt among Hurlburt’s charges. So is “From the Heart of Washington,” which seeks to raise awareness of agriculture’s role in the state’s economy and persuade state residents to buy local.

2009­-A BUSY YEAR AHEAD Ryan Brault, President Pasco Chamber of Commerce

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

Building Bridges Networking Event January 14th | 8:00-9:00 am

Welcome to 2009! It will be a busy year for chamber members, starting with the Pasco Ag Show in just a few days. This year the annual Ag Hall of Fame Gala will be a part of the Show and you are invited to come and be a part of it all! The Pasco Chamber continues to grow and thrive. We are committed to offering more education and networking opportunities this coming year.

Sara Nelson Design 27 N. Auburn, Kennewick

A Low-Cost opportunity to market your business The Chamber is putting together gift bags full of items to give to new members and businesses that are new to Pasco. The bags serve as both a warm welcome and an opportunity to showcase your products and services. Members can deliver their materials to the Chamber Office. Gift Certificates SampleS Pens, note pads, and other useful items special offers Marketing Brochures

The Chamber Board is currently developing a strategic plan for this next year. The outcomes identified all focus on strengthening the Pasco-area business community, encouraging continued growth in 2009 and for many years to come.

Ryan

WORTH MENTIONING

To RSVP call: 547-9755

B2B?

Remember—the more you make use of the opportunities that membership provides, the more valuable it is.

Duane Sams has been promoted to the position of Acting Director of Engineering and Linda Boomer Sams has been promoted to Director of Power Management for Franklin PUD. Linda replaces Ed Brost who was named General Manager in September. Charter College has opened at Broadmoor Boomer Square. The career college will offer four certificate programs and occupy about one fourth of the facility. Pat Butts of Clark Jennings & Associates is the Chair of the TriCities Association of Realtors’ Education Committee.

Butts Calvin Dudney has been appointed to the Port of Kennewick Board of Commissioners.

Heather Wadkins of Escape Lodging has relocated to Pasco to serve as General Manager of the company’s Cousin’s Restaraunt.

Wadkins

Upland Edge Medical Group is now part of the Lourdes Health Network family and has been renamed Lourdes Columbia Point. Jim Stottlemyre has joined Baker Boyer Investor Services as an Investment Advisor. Beaver Bark Gift & Garden Center in Stottlemyre Richland is one of three finalists for the “Merchandiser of the Year” award by Lawn & Garden Retail Magazine. For the fourth consecutive year, Franklin PUD received the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for its comprehensive annual financial report for 2007.

Members wishing to contribute to this column can email news to [email protected]

The 2009 Legislative Session – By Senator Mike Hewitt

Coming Up Quick!

further harming our economy.

The 2009 legislative session is just a week away. Many issues are on the table, but the biggest is the state’s whopping $5.1 billion budget shortfall.

The 2009 session will be one of the most challenging the Legislature has faced. But with challenges come opportunities. We have an excellent chance to take a long, hard look at state government’s functions and focus on the highest priorities.

My top priority is to balance the budget without raising taxes—especially on businesses. The last thing we need is a more crushing tax burden. We should return to the “Priorities of Government” process, where every discretionary state spending commitment is up for review. This targeted approach is the best way to cut spending while still providing essential services.

I invite you to sign up to receive my weekly Eastsider e-newsletter by sending e-mail to [email protected] Hewitt with your name, address, e-mail address and phone number. I also encourage you to check my website at www.src.wa.gov/Hewitt for updates on breaking issues.

Other big issues before the Legislature include health care affordability, challenges with the WASL test and tackling environmental issues without

Sen. Mike Hewitt represents the 16th Legislative District and serves as leader of the Senate Republican Caucus.

AROUND TOWN

Events | Activities | Fun things to do Brides 2009 will be at TRAC on Sunday, January 4th. The doors open at 10:30AM. Bridal fashion shows will be at 1:30PM and 3:30PM. Admission is $10, tickets are available at Just Roses and at the door. The Pasco Chamber of Commerce’s Pasco Ag Show will be January 6-7 at TRAC. For information see the website: www.pascoagshow.com. The film “Sita Sings the Blues” will be shown January 9th, 8:00 PM, at Battelle Auditorium, Richland. Gun & Antique Show will be January 10th from 9:00AM to 6:00PM at TRAC. Sportsman Show comes up January 16 at TRAC.

Take the family ice skating at TRAC every Sunday from 4:00PM -6:00PM. Admission is $5/skater or $10 for a family of up to four. Kids & Baby Expo will take place January 30th at TRAC. Admission is $5 for adults, $1 for kids 4-12. Children under 4 are free. “Road to Vegas,” the Coronation of Nicole Ray as Miss Rodeo Washington will be held January 31, 6:00 PM, at Doug Watts’ Airplane Hangar at the Pasco Airport. Tickets are $30 and are available by calling 627-5670. Mid-Columbia Symphony’s “Celebrate Romance” is January 31, 8:00PM at the Three Rivers Convention Center.

Members wishing to contribute to this column can e-mail news to [email protected]

Spencer

Communicate! Perception, Communication and Frustration with Human Beings...

If you have ever wondered why the only thing other people have in common is that they don’t understand YOU… If there is someone that you absolutely, positively do not know how to get through to… Tuesday, February 3rd from 9-11AM, join former local TV News Anchor and Weatherman Thom Spencer and the Pasco Chamber at Cousins Restaurant for “Understanding Communication Styles.” It isn’t about manipulation. It’s about working within the many styles of communication to connect with clients, co-workers, friends and family members. No matter what your personal style, you’ll find ways to create results from interactions with others… • Learn some of the new science behind communication • Find new avenues for advancing your personal career • Understand and improve personal relations in the workplace. We’ll see you Tuesday, February 3rd, at Cousins Restaurant on Road 68 in Pasco! The cost is only $15 per person for two hours that will change the way you communicate. To RSVP, call the Chamber office at 547-9755 or e-mail info@ pascochamber.org.

Pasco Chamber of Commerce

New Members AL’S REPAIR 947-4584

PRESORTED STANDARD US POSTAGE

PAID

PASCO WA 99301 PERMIT NO. 107

1925 N. 20TH AVE. PASCO, WA 99301

ANTHONY’S BANQUET AND EVENT CENTER Mandy Bateman 946-8178 BECHTEL INTERNATIONAL, INC. 371-2000 MIKE’S POLE BARNS 751-0988

t ive a l s i Leg rip s e i t i sT C u i B r T cil th C ou n ary 19-20 amber for u h Febr Pasco C n. atio the tact re inform n o C mo

Save t h

e Da t e

The P asco Cham ber A “Swir uction l Afte , r Sunse will b t ” e M a at Pre y 2, 2 ston P 009 remiu m Wi nery.

jan 09 01.12.08 Membership Luncheon Pasco Red Lion | Noon Eric Hurlburt Chief of Domestic Marketing & Economic Development, Washington Dept. of Agriculture The luncheon is sponsored by:

1 2 3

4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

der Remtoinn’s minimumnts

ing 8 ce Wash reased 4 inc our, wage 8.55 an h to $ n. 1. on Ja

01.06 Executive Committee Meeting Chamber Office | 11:45AM

01.06-07 Pasco Ag Show

TRAC | Tuesday, 9:00AM - 6:00PM; Wednesday, 9:00AM - 4:00PM

01.14 Building Bridges Networking Event

Sara Nelson Design, Ltd. | 27 N. Auburn, Kennewick 8:00AM

01.27 Board of Directors Meeting

Pasco School District, Booth Building | 11:45AM

QuickB ooks Sem 123 Bo inar o semina kkeeping is r o

on usi f ng Qu fering a increa ickBoo se wor ks to kflow The se efficie minar n c y. i s for Ch Memb amber ers on l y. The $79 — half cost is The se of the usual pri m inar w Februa ill be h ce. ry 17th at Ban eld k Real e.

SVP r R e s a be Ple Cham

o 55 l Pasc 47-97 for al calling 5 ing ts by even or e-mail ber.org. a ch m pasco @ o f in

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