Business

The region includes Grant County communities south of Interstate 90 -Beverly, Desert Aire, Mattawa, Royal City, Schwana, and the Wahluke Slope.  A primary economic engine of the area is agriculture, with seasonal labor inflation around production of cherries, apples, grapes, potatoes, asparagus, and more. 12% of the grapes used in the wine industry of Washington state comes from this area. Retail, professional, and service-based businesses continue to grow.  Over 300 companies do business in the area. But there is plenty of room for growth! 

Community: a group of people with a common interest living in one place. Individuals hope for a strong economy to attract others to live, work and play.  Weather is also a key interest to most and our area is no exception.  Summers are hot, arid and mostly clear; winters are short, very cold, snowy and partly cloudy.  Traversing along side the area is the powerful Columbia River. South Grant County is situated between two hyrdro-electric dams - Wanapum and Priest Rapids - which allows for cheaper utilities, including fiber, and home prices lower than other parts of the state. 

Government includes collaboration with local, regional, state and national agencies to assist the area in developing strategies and solutions. Some are needed in the moment while others set a foundational playbook for the future.  Local cities, counties,  special service districts, state, federal and even regional decisions impact rural communities differently than metropolitan areas, especially if they are overlooked, unless they have a seat at the table.