As part of its Workforce Development initiative, the Yakima County Development Association (YCDA) hosted two Reverse Job Fair events this past spring to help youth build career readiness and connect with local employers. Held at Toppenish High School on April 30th and Yakima Valley Technical Skills Center (YV-Tech) on May 15, 2025. A total of […]
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What do you do with a property that’s been sitting empty for decades—maybe an old gas station, an abandoned mill, or even a drive-in movie theater that no one’s used since the ‘80s? Joe Schmitt of YCDA recently participated in a panel at the 2025 Washington State Brownfields Conference, held at the Yakima Convention Event
Small business owners, we want to hear from you! The Yakima County Development Association (YCDA), in partnership with Zocalo, has launched a Business Needs Assessment Survey. Zocalo is working to create a year-round market and business incubator to support local entrepreneurs throughout the Yakima Valley. Whether you’re running a business from home, a store front
Your Voice Matters: Help Shape Business Resources in Yakima County Read More »
More than 39 businesses and industry professionals came together last Thursday at Legends Casino in Toppenish for our Construction Business Accelerator Conference to connect, learn, and build toward a stronger local construction economy. Hosted by the Yakima County Development Association (YCDA) in partnership with ACG of Washington, the day was designed to provide practical tools,
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Last month, I traveled to Washington, D.C. with a group of local partners to talk about something we all rely on—but too often take for granted: transportation infrastructure. When it works, it fades into the background. But when it’s outdated or incomplete, it holds communities back. Two regional coalitions—TRANS-Action and DRYVE—have helped prioritize infrastructure projects
By Debra Yergen, Yakima Valley Business Times, Contributing Writer, Yakima Valley Business Times, April 2025 The Yakima County Development Association (YCDA) is partnering with local agencies and businesses to launch the 2025 Business Accelerator Program. The program targets businesses that are at least two years old, have fewer than 30 employees and have active growth
YCDA Accelerates Momentum with Programs and Fairs Read More »
Register for Construction Accelerator Conference Date: May 22, 2025 (9:00am – 5:00pm) YCDA invites our Construction Industry businesses to join us at our upcoming Construction Accelerator Conference. What to Expect Industry keynote: Kick off the day with speaker Jimmy Mata, sharing insights on “Building for Success: Navigating Challenges in the Construction Industry.” Jimmy brings decades
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Hosted at Toppenish High School. The Yakima County Development Association (YCDA), in collaboration with Toppenish High School and Swan Graphics, hosted the first Reverse Job Fair on April 30, 2025. This event flipped the traditional job fair format–empowering students to take the lead by creating their own booths to showcase skills, resumes, and hands-on projects
Event Recap: Toppenish Reverse Job Fair – April 30, 2025 Read More »
Bilingual Business Accelerator Conference On April 18, 2025, business owners from around Yakima County attended YCDA’s Bilingual Business Accelerator Conference at Legends Casino. After a keynote session led by Jon Smith, Executive Director of YCDA and Amy Martinez, Chief Executive Officer of South-Central Workforce attendees dove into hands on break-out sessions–Financial Education, Loan Readiness, HR
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Bringing Talent to the Table: Reverse Job Fairs Offer a New Way to Connect If you’re a business looking to hire—or simply interested in the future talent pipeline—mark your calendars for the end of April and mid-May. The Yakima County Development Association (YCDA), in partnership with Toppenish High School, Swan Graphics, YV-Tech, and South Central
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