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Six pivotal projects reshaping Tri-Cities regional industries

Stories by Tri-City Herald journalists, with AI summarization

Six Tri-Cities projects aim to redefine regional industries, focusing on innovation, infrastructure, and economic growth, including a new crisis recovery center, Amazon's investment in small modular reactors, Richland's advanced nuclear fuel plant proposal and major facilities expansions, including the convention center and new hotel.

An overhead shot of the old Kennewick General Hospital, which is being turned into the Columbia Valley Center for Recovery.

NO. 1: SEE INSIDE WHAT TRI-CITIES 1ST CRISIS RECOVERY CENTER WILL LOOK LIKE

They’re aiming for a September groundbreaking ceremony. | Published June 5, 2024 | Read Full Story by Cory McCoy

X-energy control room for its proposed new nuclear small modular reactor system.

NO. 2: AMAZON’S HUGE INVESTMENT IN SMALL MODULAR NUCLEAR REACTORS IN EASTERN WA AND BEYOND

4 initial reactors near the Tri-Cities could need up to 1,000 temporary construction workers and as many as 100 permanent employees. | Published October 16, 2024 | Read Full Story by Annette Cary

Adair Road in Benton County ends just south of the I82 and Highway 395 interchange just south of Kennewick. The Christenson Road overpass is at the far left of the image. By Bob Brawdy

NO. 3: ’BLANK SLATE.’ PRIVATE OWNER BETS $12.5M ON CREATING TRI-CITIES NEWEST INDUSTRIAL HOT SPOT

The new owner will be paying more than $50,000 a year in property tax. | Published January 2, 2025 | Read Full Story by Cory McCoy

U.S. researchers have fabricated HALEU fuel for next generation nuclear reactors, an important step in the testing and qualification process.

NO. 4: BIDEN BANNED RUSSIAN URANIUM. RICHLAND HOPES TO LAND $3B NUCLEAR FUEL PLANT WITH 1,000 JOBS

The company has a contract with the Department of Energy related to production of advance nuclear fuel. | Published January 9, 2025 | Read Full Story by Wendy Culverwell

The Three Rivers Convention Center campus could see a major overhaul, including a 60,000-square-foot expansion of its meeting facilities, after the Kennewick City Council agreed to provide $8 million for preliminary design work and equipoment purchases on June 4.

NO. 5: KENNEWICK OKS $71M CONVENTION CENTER EXPANSION FOR MORE EVENTS, CONCERTS AND SPORTS

The expansion is more than a decade in the making. | Published February 20, 2025 | Read Full Story by Eric Rosane

Construction activity has started on the $71.3 million expansion of the Three Rivers Convention Center at 7016 W. Grandridge Blvd. in Kennewick. The project is adding 115,000 square feet of space, including a spacious meeting hall, breakout rooms, restrooms, lobby and additional parking lots. Work includes a refresh of the existing convention center so that it merges seamlessly with the new addition. By Bob Brawdy

NO. 6: CONSTRUCTION TO START ON $47M MARRIOTT HOTEL. IT WILL BE ONE OF TRI-CITIES’ LARGEST

The 5-story hotel will be topped by a restaurant. | Published May 8, 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.