WorkSourceColumbiaBasinandTCFuturescollaboratewithcommunitypartnerstostrengthen workforce skills among job seekers and businesses, driving economic prosperity across Benton and Franklin Counties. We’re committed to creating pathways where every individual can thrive intheircareerandhelpdrivethefutureofourcommunityforward
CooperenrolledinboththeOSYandOpenDoorsprograms, participated in the TC Futures Summer Youth Program, which included Hospitality Futures, Dignified Work, Leadership Academy, and driver’s education training He completed a paid internship with ESD 123 at TC Futures as the GED Testing Specialist and was later hired in that role, receiving On-the-Job Training during his first weeks of employment. In November 2024, Cooper served as the guest speaker at the GED graduation, sharing a heartfelt story about his journey and growth. Today, Cooper is a GED graduate who has developed strong professional and interpersonalskillsandisembracingabrightfuture
FROMDETERMINATIONTO GRADUATION
During PY24, TC Futures proudly celebrated the achievementsofyouthwho,throughperseverance and determination, earned their GED and embraced new pathways to success. A total of 13 OSY participants successfully attained their GED, while 36 others are actively working toward reachingthisimportantmilestone.
THEDRIVEBEHINDTHEMACHINE
Zane, a 21-year-old high school graduate with a technical degreeinPrecisionMachining,cametotheOSYprogram in need of work readiness and employment services. While Zane excelled academically, he lacked social awareness and workplace readiness skills and had no prior occupational experience. Upon completing the onthe-job training, Zane was hired full-time as a machinist atTKMachineShop,withaccesstobenefits.Today,Zane’s driveanddeterminationhaveledhimtothriveinhisnew career, equipped with the skills and confidence gained throughtheOSYprogram
CommunityReinvestmentFund(CRF)atworkhelpingbusinessesthrive! CommunityReinvestmentFunds(CRF)havepositivelyimpactedourcommunitybysupportingBlack, Latine, and Tribal-owned businesses. Through the business services portion of these funds, local entrepreneurswereabletoexpandtheiroperationsandcreatenewjobs.Belowarethreeexamplesof businessesthathavebenefittedfromthisinvestment.
The business wanted to expand its marketing capabilitiesbycreatinganewphotographydepartment. Weprovidedacameraandlens,enablingthemtoopen aWEXpositionforanewemployee,andanOJTposition for an existing employee. This has enhanced their marketing and operational capabilities significantly. Additionally, Hello Habanero has been helping the community in Pasco after the Lewis Street bridge closure by providing free classes to affected businesses andothers.
Cost: $26,420.44 ($5,540.44 for camera and lens, $8,880 forWEX,$12,000forOJT)
Theshopneededspecializedequipmenttoexpandits servicestoincludeACservicingandtirecalibration The purchaseofthesemachineshasallowedtheownerto trainanexistingemployee,ultimatelypreparinghimto openhisshop ThisalignswiththeCRF'sgoalof enhancingworkforcedevelopmentthroughspecialized training Thenewserviceshavealreadyattractedunique customers,demonstratingapositiveimpactonthe business
Cost:$5,75428
INVESTINGINOURCOMMUNITY
Through the Community Reinvestment Program, local businesses are expanding into thriving enterprises grounded in sustainability and quality, with a focus on givingbacktothecommunity
Benton-Franklin Workforce Development Council (BFWDC), Grace Collective (formerly known as Grace Kitchen), and WorkSource Columbia Basin (WSCB) have established a WSCBconnected site at Grace Collective to expand access to employmentandtrainingresourcesforindividualsfacingbarriers to work. This collaboration, aligned with the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), creates a welcoming space where community members can connect with vital resources and receive direct referrals to WSCB. Together, the partners are strengthening their shared mission of empowerment, inclusivity, and community support building pathwaystoopportunityandbrighterfuturesformany
BFWDC launched a second WSCB Connection Site at MidColumbia Libraries – Benton City. This new location brings resources such as job listings, career counseling, training programs,andskilldevelopmentopportunitiesclosertoresidents who may find the main WorkSource office difficult to reach. In addition, WorkSource offers support with unemployment benefits and referrals to community resources, ensuring individualshavethetoolstheyneedtosucceed
What is Rapid Response
The WIOA Rapid Response Program is a federally funded initiative under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) designed to help workers and businesses deal with the effects of layoffs, plant closures, and other job dislocation events.
Key Partners
BFWDC
Career Path Services
Employment Security Department
Washington State Labor Council
Washington HealthPlan Finder
Department of Social and Health Services 211
Peer Outreach Impact Peer Outreach Impact
In response to the Lamb Weston closure in Connell, Washington, the Rapid Response-Business Solutions Teamspunintoactioninsupportoftheaffectedworkers Recognizing the need for trust and peer-led guidance, the team hired Erica Garcia as a Peer Outreach Worker, with19yearsofexperienceatLambWestonandastrong reputation as a union shop steward. Erica was uniquely positionedtoconnectwithandsupportherfellowunion members.Sheplayedapivotalroleinassistingover380 displaced union workers, helping them navigate complex programs such as unemployment insurance and healthcare options. Her presence provided clarity, reassurance, and critical guidance at a time of uncertainty,empoweringmanytoreentertheworkforce andaccessresourcestosecuretheirnextqualityjob.
This collaborative effort to support our community membersintimeofneedwouldnothavebeenpossible without the partnership and leadership of BentonFranklin Workforce Development Council and SkillSourceRegionalWorkforceBoard.
Benton County has shown steady growth since 2019, driven by sectors such as health care, education, construction, and scientific research centered around the Hanford Site Despite a slowdown in job creation in 2024, the county maintained a diverse employment base with nearly 99,000 covered workers and an average wage of $70,759 High-paying sectors included professional and technical services, administrative and waste services,andconstruction Whilesomeindustrieslikeagricultureandretailtradecontracted,Benton’seconomy remained resilient through diversification efforts, workforce development, and the expansion of Washington StateUniversity,whichhelpedattractmanufacturersandbolsterinnovation.
Franklin County, meanwhile, continues to rely heavily on agriculture and food manufacturing, which remain foundational to its economy. In 2024, the county supported over 37,500 jobs with an average wage of $57,267, and its unemployment rate declined slightly to 4.9% by August 2025. Government, agriculture, and manufacturing were the top employment sectors, while finance and insurance led in wages The county’s growing and diverse population, particularly its Hispanic community, has played a vital role in entrepreneurship and labor force participation Workforce initiatives have focused on enhancing skills in agriculture and manufacturing to meet industry demands and support economic resilience Together, Benton and Franklin countiesreflectaregionbalancingtraditionalstrengthswithforward-lookingstrategiesforsustainablegrowth
Area Unemployment Statistics, not seasonally adjusted
Benton County
AMESSAGEFROMTHE CHAIRMANOFTHEBOARD OFDIRECTORS
TODDSAMUEL
BoardChair
Whenlookingbackonwhatwehaveaccomplishedforourregionthispastyear,we canseethesuccessofoureffortsinsupportofourmissiontopromoteprosperityfor employers and jobseekers Through growing collaborations with regional partners, understandingandadaptingtothechangingneedsofourregion,andbyproviding leadership in workforce development, we are hearing from the region how we are reallymakingadifference!
During this past year, we have continued to expand our services to regional businesses to help them meet their current and future needs Through our WorkSource Columbia Basin team we have successfully focused on providing adult jobseekers with the skills and support they need to become gainfully employed. And,throughourTCFuturesteam,wearesuccessfullyequippingouryouthwiththe necessaryskillsandsupporttheyneedtomovetowardssuccessfulemployment
As we look to this coming program year, we are renewing our focus and commitmenttoclearlyunderstandwhatservicesareneededbyemployersandjob seekers, and to continuing to provide those services with excellence! We want to continue to be recognized as the region’s one-stop organization for workforce developmentandemployerworkforceservices.
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the dedicated staff, community members, stakeholders, and partners for their invaluable time and contributions to our community. Your unwavering commitment and collaborative efforts have profoundly enriched the development process, ensuring that our mission reflects a shared vision and meets the diverseneedsofourregion.
