Manufacturing & Business Services

Vision for Manufacturing and Business Services

The Three Rivers region enjoys a vital, high value, technology-led export sector economy.

10-Year Outcomes and Goals:

  • Increase percentage of Three Rivers regional workforce involved in manufacturing and business services to equal or greater than Washington State average.
  • Provide a business climate that encourages job creation.
  • Improve cooperation, coordination, and delivery of services from local economic development agencies.

Key Measures of Success Over 10 Years:

  1. Three Rivers percentage of workforce in manufacturing and business exceeds State average.
  2. The Tri-Cities area business climate is ranked among the best in the Pacific Northwest and the nation.
  3. Local economic development efforts are considered model programs in the state, region, and nation.

Accomplishments During 2003:

  • Plants, Sites and Parks (PS&P) Magazine reviewed three major projects underway in Washington: Hanford's VIT plant, Ferguson’s Richland warehouse, and Wal-Mart’s Grandview facility. The magazine is sent to about 45,000 subscribers each month.
  • TRIDEC and several partners hosted the Washington Economic Development Association's two-day spring conference in Pasco.
  • The state Community Economic Revitalization Board (CERB) toured projects in the Tri-Cities area where investments had been made in local, publicly owned infrastructure to support business growth, job retention, and job creation. CERB members and guests toured 16 infrastructure projects funded by CERB between 1984 and 2003. The projects were located in the City of Prosser, City of Richland, Port of Benton, Benton City, City of Kennewick, Port of Kennewick, and Port of Pasco.
  • Expansion Management Magazine's Inside E.D. publication listed the Richland-Kennewick-Pasco, Washington MSA 69th out of 332 areas in their "Creativity Index." The index measures what the developer calls "the 3 Ts of economic development: technology, talent, and tolerance." Richard Florida outlines the system in the book "The Rise of the Creative Class." Seattle ranked 5th, Portland-Salem 18th, Boise 30th, Eugene 82nd, Spokane 97th, Bellingham 188th, and Yakima 242nd.
  • TRIDEC was major sponsor of the Lieutenant Governor's "Bringing the World to Eastern Washington" visit. The two-day event was a tour of eastern Washington for representatives from the consular offices of 35 nations. The event was arranged in collaboration with the Lieutenant Governor's Office, members of the Legislative Committee on Economic Development, TCVCB, and a large list of local sponsors.
  • TRIDEC hosted value-added agriculture press trip to the area. Staff received great support from a number of TRIDEC members, with particular assistance from the Prosser EDA.
  • Hosted 29 client visits.
  • Contacted 37,420 firms through direct mail program.
  • Participated in 12 trade shows in target industries.
  • Responded to 50 RFPs from companies interested in expanding or relocating operations to the Tri-Cities.

Spring 2003 Workshop Update (PDF 28kb)