Tri-Cities Area Journal of Business • June 2018 uBUSINESS BRIEFS Tri-City tourism boasts 10 percent boost
The Tri-Cities recorded a thriving tourism industry in 2017 with a continued upward trend of visitor spending, which reached $491 million, a 10.3 percent increase over the previous year. Spending was up in all categories measured – lodging, food and beverage, transportation, recreation and retail. “Tourism continues to be a significant economic driver for hotels, restaurants and small businesses all throughout the Tri-Cities region,” said Michael Novakovich, president and CEO of Visit Tri-Cities. “Whether visitors are here for business, a sporting event or a long weekend to enjoy our rivers or wine country, they are spending money at our local businesses.” Increased visitor spending resulted in $54.3 million in local and state tourismgenerated sales tax revenue. Tourism contributes to more than 6,000 jobs to the local economy. The 2017 statistics are provided to Visit Tri-Cities by national research firm Dean Bunyan Associates.
Columbia Center announces arrival of 3 new businesses
Columbia Center mall recently announced the opening of two new retailers and a restaurant: Epic Massage, Brow Studio 7 and Kabab n Grill. “We are so excited for the new and unique offerings these retailers bring our
customers,” said Meredith Reed, director of marketing and business development at Columbia Center, in a news release. “We look forward to working with each of these businesses while furthering Columbia Center’s reputation as the Tri-Cities’, Southeastern Washington’s and Eastern Oregon’s all-in-one shopping, dining and entertainment destination.” Epic Massage, near the food court by Macy’s Men’s and Children’s, offers massage and reflexology services. Brow Studio 7’s new location is across from Old Navy and is one of 26 locations nationwide. Its team of brow experts specialize in eyebrow and full facial threading, waxing, microdermabrasion, eyelash extensions, eyebrow tinting, eyebrow enhancements, henna and airbrush tattoos. Known for its shawarma and kababs, Middle Eastern restaurant, Kabab n Grill, was scheduled to open June 16. This will be the restaurant’s second location. Kabab n Grill also serves up lunch and dinner at 3600 W. Clearwater Ave., Suite C, in Kennewick.
Fuse plans expansion to downtown Kennewick
The city of Kennewick is partnering with Fuse, a co-working community, to create a business and community accelerator in downtown Kennewick. A $40,000 grant from Frontier Communications’ America’s Best Communities contest is helping start the accelerator. The remaining is from accumulated interest from a previous economic development loan that was repaid in 2003.
“The grant is intended to underwrite the cost of recruiting businesses and marketing to attract entrepreneurs and young companies to a facility located in downtown Kennewick,” said Emily EstesCross, city of Kennewick’s parks, recreation and economic development director. The process to get the accelerator established could take up to two years. “The goal is to see at least 10 businesses and 18 new jobs created as a result of the accelerator,” she said. Fuse, a social purpose corporation made of shareholders who are in the TriCity business community, will work with the city to use the money to provide education, events, mentoring and business preparation to help business succeed and grow. A location has not yet been determined.
Businesses could earn tax credit with new state bill
Franklin County is among those included on tax credit bill proposed by Sen. Steve O’Ban (R-University Place) to stimulate rural job growth. The proposal would give a $275 business and occupation tax credit to employers for each new qualifying job they create in struggling counties. O’Ban is preparing a bill for the 2019 legislative session to apply the head tax credit in counties with an unemployment rate in the preceding year that exceeds the statewide rate by 25 percent. To qualify for the credit, a job would have to pay more than the county’s average wage. Other counties included are Clallam, Cowlitz, Ferry, Grant, Grays Harbor,
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Jefferson, Lewis, Mason, Okanogan, Pacific, Pend Oreille, Stevens, Skamania, Wahkiakum and Yakima.
Benton, Franklin rank high for investing in economies
Benton and Franklin counties rank among the top counties in Washington receiving the greatest amount of investment in their local economies, according to a recent study by SmartAsset. The financial technology firm analyzed business establishment growth, gross domestic product growth, new building permits and federal funding. Benton County was No. 3 with an index raking of 50.43, behind King and Clark counties with indexes of 63.27 and 51.63, respectively. Franklin County was at No. 4, with an index ranking of 49.73. Review the full study at smartasset. com/investing/investmentcalculator#washington.
Kennewick program aims to attract craft breweries
The city of Kennewick is calling all brewers to its Craft Brewery Wastewater Program. The city has created a management guideline on how to reduce solids from a brewery’s product before it enters the wastewater system to reduce surcharges and create more profit. For more information, contact the city’s economic development director at 509-585-4450 or miles.thomas@ kennewick.ci.wa.