Congratulations to the Boys & Girls Club of Benton and Franklin Counties on their new playground. The Kiwanis Club of Kennewick worked with the Boys & Girls Club to fundraise and build the project. The new playground is located at the Boys & Girls Club Clubhouse - Eerkes Family Branch at 910 W. 7th Pl. in Kennewick.
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Congratulations to Goodwill Industries of the Columbia on their new attended donation center at Southridge! The new facility is located at 3813 Plaza Way in Kennewick. The WA Cares Fund is a mandatory long-term care insurance benefit for workers in Washington State. Its purpose is to help offset eligible long-term care expenses. Workers contribute a small percentage of their income into the fund through a mandatory payroll tax. The earned benefit can be up to $36,500 (adjusted for inflation) and covers professional care, equipment, home safety evaluations, and family caregiver compensation. The WA Cares Fund has faced controversy and criticism for several reasons. Critics argue that the $36,500 benefit is too small to be meaningful for long-term care expenses. Additionally, there are concerns about eligibility restrictions—people who pay the tax won’t receive the benefit if they move out of Washington when they need assistance. Furthermore, opponents have questioned the program’s solvency, especially since a significant number of workers opted out of participation. Despite these criticisms, proponents see WA Cares as a step toward supporting family caregivers and addressing long-term care needs in the state. Initiative 2124 will come before Washington State voters in November, and they will be given the opportunity to decide the fate of the fund. The measure proposes that employees and self-employed individuals must actively choose to retain coverage under RCW 50B.04, with the option to opt out at any time. Additionally, it seeks to repeal an existing law related to exemptions for employees. The initiative aims to provide consumer choice regarding long-term care insurance and addresses concerns about affordability, adequacy, and solvency of the current program. Regardless of your thoughts on the program, employers in Washington state have a responsibility that involves correctly implementing payroll deductions for the Washington Cares Fund. Starting from July 1, 2023, employers were required to collect premiums from Washington employees in the same manner as they currently do for Paid Leave. Employers are not required to contribute separately to the WA Cares Fund, but they must remit employees’ premiums to the Employment Security Department. Thankfully there are many resources available from the Employment Security Department to help business owners navigate the process. Business owners can access a library of webinars at www.wacaresfund.wa.gov/webinars. One can view old videos and sign up for upcoming live webinars. There is also a dedicated webpage with Toolkits and Resources at https://wacaresfund.wa.gov/toolkit#resources-for-employers. AuthorMatt Murphy, TCRCC Government and Regional Affairs Director, [email protected] The Crucial Role of Downtown Housing in Urban Development The development of housing in downtown districts plays a pivotal role in shaping vibrant, dynamic cities. In sprawling towns, the downtown area may become lost and overshadowed by more “modern” clusters. Housing is the key to many prosperity elements, downtown housing is crucial for economic vitality, urban revitalization, community and culture, and effective urban planning.
Downtown housing acts as a magnet, drawing residents to live in the heart of the city. When people choose to reside downtown, it leads to increased foot traffic and demand for local businesses. As more residents move in, they become patrons of nearby shops, restaurants, and services. This sustained economic activity contributes significantly to the local economy.
Historically, downtown areas often experienced a decline in activity after business hours, resulting in a deserted atmosphere. However, housing developments have changed this landscape. When people live downtown, the area remains lively beyond typical work hours. Residents’ frequent restaurants, theaters, and cultural venues, creating a vibrant and welcoming environment.
Downtown living fosters a strong sense of community. Residents interact with their neighbors, participate in local events, and engage in cultural activities. Whether it’s attending art exhibitions, music festivals, or neighborhood gatherings, downtown housing encourages social connections and a shared sense of belonging.
Well-planned downtown housing contributes to enhancing public spaces. Parks, plazas, and pedestrian-friendly areas become integral parts of the urban fabric. Residents can enjoy green spaces, walkable streets, and recreational amenities. Mixed-use developments—combining residential, commercial, and recreational spaces—create a cohesive and harmonious cityscape. Downtown housing is more than just a place to live; it’s a catalyst for economic growth, community engagement, and urban vitality. By prioritizing housing development in downtown districts, cities can create thriving, interconnected neighborhoods that benefit everyone. AuthorMatt Murphy, TCRCC Government and Regional Affairs Director, [email protected] Thanks to everyone who came out to Business After Hours at Elijah Family Homes on Thursday, June 13! We hope you had a wonderful time and made some fruitful new business connections. Career-Bound Students Recognized at 3rd Annual Tri-Cities Regional Career Signing Day Event6/12/2024 The Tri-City Regional Chamber of Commerce hosted the 3rd Annual Tri-Cities Regional Career Signing Day on Tuesday, June 11, in partnership with Inland Northwest Associated General Contractors (AGC), Educational Service District (ESD) 123, and Tri-Tech Skills Center. This event celebrated the hiring of student candidates by employers committed to offering a living wage, benefits, and opportunities for advancement within their organizations.
Twenty-eight students and fifteen employer organizations were honored. These students will immediately contribute to the workforce in various industries, including healthcare, automotive repair, firefighting, and more. The ceremony was attended by the students' families, employer representatives, Tri-Tech instructors, and numerous elected officials, including 15th Legislative District Senator Nikki Torres, 8th Legislative District Representatives Stephanie Barnard and April Connors, and Kennewick City Councilmember Jim Millbauer. Representative Connors made remarks before the commencement of Signing Day, highlighting the positive impact of the Tri-Tech Skills Center on the region. Congratulations to the Signing Day graduates! We wish you the best of luck in your new careers! Tri-Cities Regional Career Signing Day is sponsored by the Regional Chamber's Stakeholder Members: Bechtel, Benton PUD, Cascade Natural Gas, CPCCo, Gesa Credit Union, Jacobs, Kadlec, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Tire Factory, and Washington River Protection Solutions. Washington APEX Accelerator and the Tri-City Regional Chamber of Commerce held the first "Yes, You Can! Contracts with the Government" workshop of the year on Thursday, May 30. Attendees learned about navigating procurement portals, certifications, understanding contract types, and more. Two sessions were held - one in English, one in Spanish - in order to better serve the diverse Tri-Cities community.
The "Yes, You Can! Contracts with the Government" workshop series is designed to equip local business owners with the tools and knowledge needed in the realm of government procurement. The program is generously sponsored by Tire Factory. The next session is scheduled for Tuesday, July 30, 2024 (registration will open soon). Kris Johnson, President & CEO of the Association of Washington Business (AWB), spoke at the Regional Chamber’s Leader Luncheon on May 15. Transformational Regional Chamber members were invited to attend the luncheon to get a deep dive into issues that AWB is tracking for this election cycle and next year's legislative session. Items of note included transportation funding, childcare funding, labor shortages, housing prices, and more.
Leader Luncheons are an exclusive feature for Regional Chamber members at the Leader level and above. For more information on joining the Chamber or upgrading your membership, contact Tracie Boothe, Membership Director, at 509.491.3236 or [email protected]. The Legislative Session Wrap-Up Membership Luncheon on May 29, 2024 was a huge success! 8th District Rep. Stephanie Barnard, 9th District Sen. Mark Schoesler, 15th District Sen. Nikki Torres, and 16th District Sen. Perry Dozier shared updates on the latest laws and pivotal changes from the recent legislative session. Nearly 300 attendees were informed on legislative issues important to the business community. Thanks to Energy Northwest for sponsoring the impactful luncheon. Washington state has some of the most generous unemployment benefits in the country. There are currently 10 different reasons you may leave your job and still qualify for unemployment benefits. These 10 reasons include:
In 2013, the Washington State Legislature passed House Bill 1106, adding additional circumstances to the list. The Employment Security Department is currently working on establishing rules for the implementation of this bill. The current focus of the rulemaking process is on "split shifts" and ensuring that reasons such as lack of childcare or caring for a vulnerable adult are included. Employment Security Department has filed a proposed rulemaking, which includes details on the public hearing scheduled for July 11, 2024. You can also send any comments or suggestions regarding the rulemaking to [email protected]. AuthorMatt Murphy, TCRCC Government and Regional Affairs Director, [email protected] |
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