Pasco Chamber of Commerce: After big move to waterfront, focus on future growth, events

This past year brought about big changes to the Pasco Chamber of Commerce.

As the area’s oldest business advocacy organization in the Tri-Cities, the Pasco chamber continues to adapt to changes during the years to better serve our thriving community.

One major change is our new office location at Osprey Pointe, home of the Port of Pasco’s flagship building. The chamber and its board of directors have recognized for years the underutilization of the Pasco riverfront. For decades, past leaders of the chamber had a vision and made great strides to further enhance Pasco’s riverfront area. This vision influenced the chamber to seek opportunities to continue the effort by moving there in July 2015.

The board of directors is focusing on the future growth of our association under the leadership of 2015-16 board President Lance Hobson, general manager of Washington Green Hydroseeding. We will continue our mission to promote trade and industry, provide jobs and to make Pasco a great community to live, work and play.

To that end, the chamber has stepped up its role in advocating for the Lower Snake River Dams. Patagonia, a mission-driven clothing company, is teaming up with other extreme environmental activists to remove the dams — an abundant source of carbon-free energy that benefits millions. Ironically, Patagonia depends solely on coal and hydropower to power their factories.

We will continue to fight for what is best for our area, and we strongly believe Patagonia’s agenda is not in Pasco’s best interests.

The Barnburner event presented by Delta Airlines entertained 1,000 Tri-Citians with live music from Frog Hollow Band and tasty samples from the Smoke-N-Fire BBQ competition dinner. We look forward to expanding on this event in the coming year.

The Eastern Washington Ag Expo drew more than 2,000 visitors from the Northwest as agriculture industry representatives were able to showcase new products and advancements in the agribusiness industry. Attendees sat in on informative seminars about precision ag, better business practices and pesticide credits classes.

Thank you to Les Schwab Tires for their continued support of the largest Ag Show in Southeast Washington and Eastern Oregon.

The event we’re proudest of, the Agriculture Hall of Fame Banquet, honored four deserving individuals crucial to the agricultural industry of the Mid-Columbia area. The evening honored Lawrence and Iris Hayes (Pioneer Award recipients), Kerrin Bleazard (Adviser of the Year), Dick Muhlbeier (Rising Star), Chep Gauntt (Stewardship Award) and Visionary Award recipient Bob Tippett. Congratulations to all the honorees and thank you to the Port of Pasco for supporting this event.

Upcoming events include the fifth annual Sagebrush Scramble in June, presented by Gesa Credit Union at Sun Willows Golf Course. Mark your calendars as well for our annual Sunshine Meeting luncheon scheduled for Sept. 12.

Our major focus in 2016 will continue be economic development for the Greater Pasco Area. We are thrilled with the recent announcement of the AutoZone distribution facility and have been working closely with the Tennessee-based company to welcome them to the area and get them settled in.

Our Economic Development Committee, in conjunction with our community partners, will be leading a project to write the future chapter of economic development for Pasco. The last time such an effort was put together, the Pasco Processing Center was created more than 20 years ago. We are hopeful for continued economic success from this mission.

With all these exciting developments for the Pasco chamber, we remain a friendly and personable group of business people and professionals that has not lost sight of person-to-person contact and the comfort that comes with attending monthly luncheons, where everyone gets to know your name.

More than 100 years ago, the Pasco chamber was created to promote and advocate for economic development and free enterprise. We enthusiastically continue that tradition and carry on those goals as we seek to further incubate and endorse the kind of free enterprise and economic vitality that makes Pasco such a great place to live.

This story was originally published March 22, 2016 at 10:33 PM with the headline "Pasco Chamber of Commerce: After big move to waterfront, focus on future growth, events."