Tri-Cities Employment Best in 30 Years

he Tri-Cities' unemployment rate and job growth are the best in years, the state's regional economist reported recently.

"It's probably the best time to be looking for work in perhaps 30 years," said Dean Schau. He said the Mid-Columbia had 900 more jobs in May than at the same time a year ago. That's an increase of about 1 percent, or a growth to about 87,300 jobs last month compared with 86,400 jobs in 2006. Schau said that's despite the loss of about 700 jobs at Hanford during the past year.

Statewide, the news was equally good. The state Employment Security Department reported more than 101,000 net new jobs were created between October 2006 and last month. The state's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for 2007 was 4.9 percent, the lowest since 1999.

"This good news shows that Washington really is open for business and that both workers and businesses are benefiting from our strong economy," Gov. Chris Gregoire said in a statement.

All of Benton County Performing Well

Benton County's unemployment rate was 4.5 percent and Franklin County's was 4.9 percent. Schau said those rates were the lowest he has seen since arriving in the Tri-Cities 25 years ago.

In fact, he said, there is a shortage of workers to fill some of the jobs being created. And while not all jobs pay as well as Hanford work, Schau said, the lower cost of living in the Tri-Cities makes those dollars stretch further. The median annual household income in Benton County was $57,399 and in Franklin County $39,831, according to numbers released Tuesday by the state Office of Financial Management.

Schau attributed the job growth to additions in the health care, retail and wholesale sectors. They include about 400 jobs that came with the arrival of the Amazon.com's call center at the former Wal-Mart building on Kennewick's Canal Drive. G.I. Joe's, another new tenant in that building, also added about 50 new jobs.

Candace Bluechel, business services coordinator and spokeswoman for WorkSource Columbia Basin, pointed to the additions this past year of a new Wal-Mart, Lowe's, Applebee's and other retail development along Pasco's Road 68.

"We've also had pretty steady growth across the other industries in our area, including agriculture and health care," she said. Schau said health care added 300 new jobs in the past year. Food processors -- particularly wineries -- continue to be strong, he said. That has offset layoffs at two major area food processors this year. In February, the Welch's grape juice plant in Kennewick, which employed 165 people, closed. Tyson Fresh Meats also laid off one shift of 500 workers at its Wallula plant in October.

Hanford also is rebounding a bit. Schau said employment at Hanford's waste treatment plant was 1,890 in October, compared with 2,477 a year ago. However, he said, about 90 jobs have been added since June.

Construction -- on new retail stores and new homes -- reported an overall job growth of 400 from October 2005 to last month.

Expansions at the state prisons in Connell and Walla Walla also are expected to add new jobs, including 350 correctional officers and 150 support positions at the Coyote Ridge facility in Connell and about 250 correctional officers at Walla Walla. Bluechel said a job fair is scheduled Dec. 14 about the new positions.
"We really do have a lot of jobs," she said.

Come visit Tri Cities Washington today. When considering a real estate purchase, please consider Joe and Colleen Lane of The Lane Real Estate Team for all you Southeast Washington real estate needs.

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