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6 industrial projects revamping the Tri-Cities economy

Stories by Tri-City Herald journalists, with AI summarization

Emerging industrial projects are driving significant economic transformation in the Tri-Cities region, particularly proposed data centers, clean energy manufacturing, and food processing plants.

Visit Tri-Cities is promoting the Mid-Columbia as a destination fro science tourism. Above, evidence of the Ice Age Floods are written across the region. By File

NO. 1: $175M PLANT SOUTH OF TRI-CITIES WILL TURN VOLCANIC ROCK INTO INSULATION, CREATE 125 JOBS

It’s intended to be the launching pad for its West Coast expansion. | Published March 9, 2024 | Read Full Story by Wendy Culverwell

This spring, Rockwool and the Port of Walla Walla announced plans to site a $175 million plant on 250 acres at Wallula Gap Business Park this spring, promising 125 jobs in the first phase. Rockwool is a $4 billion manufacturer based in Kearneysville, W. Va. that transforms stone into wool insulation for commercial buildings. The project site is a 250-acre undeveloped parcel off Highway 12, in the vicinity of Attalia East Road and Sundance Road.

NO. 2: PROPOSED $5 BILLION DATA CENTER WOULD BE TRANSFORMATIVE FOR THIS EASTERN WA COUNTY

It would rival the ones developed by Amazon Web Services in Oregon. | Published October 22, 2024 | Read Full Story by Wendy Culverwell

Roxul USA Inc., operating as Rockwool North America, will build a $175 million plant to produce insulation products at Wallula Gap Business Park. The plant will employ 125. By Map courtesy Port of Walla Walla

NO. 3: U.S. TECH GIANT SHIELDED BY ALIAS MAKES DEAL FOR $5B DATA CENTER IN EASTERN WA

‘Advance Phase LLC’ is alias for one of biggest companies on the Fortune 500 list. | Published October 25, 2024 | Read Full Story by Wendy Culverwell

Traffic streams along on Highway 12 past the Packaging Corporation of America plant, at left, and the Wallula Gap Business Park across from PCA on the right. The business park, currently agricultural land, is a 1,400-acre park zoned for heavy industry in western Walla Walla county that was created by the Walla Walla port to attract industrial manufacturing. By Bob Brawdy

NO. 4: ‘ROAD TO THE FUTURE.’ DEALS TOP $8.6B FOR THIS REMOTE EASTERN WA CLEAN ENERGY PARK

The pending projects, including a new deal for aviation fuel manufacturing, could create 2,000 new jobs. | Published November 15, 2024 | Read Full Story by Wendy Culverwell

Lynden Transportation Inc., a Northwest trucking company recognizable for its “Milky-Way” tanker trucks with cartoon cows, is expanding in Pasco to support its long-time customer Darigold Inc. The Seattle-based company is purchasing 14 acres in Reimann Industrial Center along Railroad Avenue from the Port of Pasco, which is next to the new Darigold milk processing plant being constructed. By Bob Brawdy

NO. 5: YOU’VE SEEN ITS MILKY-WAY TRUCKS IN EASTERN WA. KEY DARIGOLD PARTNER EXPANDING IN PASCO

When a big company comes to town, its vendors often follow. | Published December 11, 2024 | Read Full Story by Wendy Culverwell

Richland city Councilman Phil Lemley announced he plans to leave the city council to return to Arkansas. By Bob Brawdy

NO. 6: ENERGY NORTHWEST, AMAZON ASK RICHLAND TO BUY INTO $4B SMALL MODULAR NUCLEAR REACTORS

The reactors will help power tens of billions of dollars in projected investment. | Published February 18, 2025 | Read Full Story by Wendy Culverwell

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.