Tri Cities Tout Successes in Home Growth, Other Areas

Life is looking pretty sweet in the Mid-Columbia, officials said Wednesday at a state of the Tri City luncheon in Pasco.

The mayors of Pasco, Kennewick, Richland, West Richland and Prosser, Wa -- as well as the leader of the Greater Connell Area Chamber of Commerce -- told more than 300 members of the Tri-City Regional Chamber of Commerce gathered at the Red Lion Hotel about happenings and accomplishments in their communities.

Representatives of each city touted their population home growth, expanding commercial sectors, parks and outdoor recreation and dropping crime rates.

Growth in Connell is being driven by the anticipation of new jobs from the expansion of the Coyote Ridge Corrections Center and Lamb Weston potato processing plant, said Gene Stocking, president of the Greater Connell Area Chamber of Commerce. A number of new housing developments are in the works, including a 242-lot subdivision where a Tri-City developer plans to break ground this year.

Kennewick Mayor Jim Beaver talked about significant public projects completed in his city in 2006, including upgrades to the water system and a new fire training center.

He also noted, to a round of applause, that major crime decreased by 12 percent in 2006 to the lowest rate in 13 years.

Pasco boasted the highest home growth rate in the state, according to Mayor Joyce Olson. The city is fast approaching 50,000 residents, and the population boom is driving retail growth along Road 68 and elsewhere. That growth equals revenue for the city and lower taxes for its residents, she said.

"Our revenue has increased so much that for the fifth year in a row, we haven't had to increase property taxes," Olson said, also noting the city lowered its sewer rates by 10 percent in 2006, or about $3 less per month for the average ratepayer.

Prosser celebrated a record $22 million in new construction homes in 2006 and a growth in tourism because of the city's burgeoning wine industry, Mayor Linda Lusk said. The town boasts 33 wineries now, up from 24 in 2005.

Richland Mayor Rob Welch said his city is seeing new businesses at the Horn Rapids Industrial Park, as well as new retail establishments on Gage Boulevard, Keene Road, and in the City View area near Queensgate Boulevard.

"Richland has been very successful in the last few years in expanding its retail sales tax base," Welch said.

Waterfront home development along the Columbia River, including restaurants, offices and condominiums, meets the city council's vision for mixed use in that area, Welch said.

Other major developments Welch said would improve the quality of life in Richland were Washington State University Tri-Cities becoming a four-year university; Kadlec Medical Center breaking ground on its expansion; and the planned Richland Public Library remodel.

West Richland Mayor Dale Jackson closed out the program by proclaiming the small city now views itself as a business, with quality of life as the product it sells.

While West Richland also is experiencing population and commercial growth, Jackson said its expenses are outpacing its revenues, and the city expects to go to voters in 2007 to ask for a property tax lid lift to keep up with inflation.

But raising home property taxes isn't the final answer to the city's financial challenges, he added.

"Economic development is very, very important to us," Jackson said.

This story was published in the Tri City Herald, Thursday, February 1st, 2007, By Michelle Dupler, Herald staff writer.

Related Resources:

• Tri City Wa Homes for Sale
• Kennewick Wa Homes for Sale
• Pasco Wa Homes for Sale
• Richland Wa Homes for Sale  

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