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Ag-Tech Revolution: Bridging Farms and Cutting-Edge Innovation

The Yakima County Development Association (YCDA) has long recognized the importance of connecting local farms with the latest agricultural innovations. For over a decade, YCDA has attended industry-leading trade shows like the World Ag Expo (WAE) and, more recently, the FIRA-USA Ag Tech Conference, building relationships with companies that are developing technologies vital to our […]

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Paragon Films Expands Union Gap Facility

By Ed Rieckelman, Yakima Valley Business Times, November 2023 Oklahoma-based Paragon Films has begun expansion of its 138,000-square-foot facility in Union Gap. The company manufactures stretch film products to secure cased goods and other products on shipping pallets. “We’re putting in a brand- new line in our Washington facility,” said Paragon Films Vice President of

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Introducing the Construction Business Accelerator Program: Empowering Yakima County’s Construction Industry.

The Yakima County Development Association (YCDA), in partnership with the Associated General Contractors of Washington (AGC), is proud to launch the Construction Business Accelerator Program.  Funded by South Central Workforce (SCW) and the Washington Economic Development Finance Authority (WEDFA), this initiative is designed to empower local construction business with the tools, strategies, and resources they

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YCDA Leads Economic Development Session for Leadership Yakima Program

Last week, Yakima County Development Association’s Economic Development Manager, Joe Schmitt, took center stage to lead an engaging session on Yakima County’s business climate and economic development as part of the Greater Yakima Chamber of Commerce’s 2024 Leadership Yakima Program. Here’s a recap of the days events that included a mix of tours and presentations

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Empowering Yakima’s Workforce: YCDA Leads Discussion on Childcare Accelerator Program

Tacoma, WA. – Last week YCDA’s Executive Director Jon Smith and Bilingual Business Development Manager Yani Cisneros presented in Tacoma, WA. at the Washington Workforce Association Conference on the impact of the Childcare Accelerator Program in the Yakima Valley.  They were joined by Lindsay Boswell, Chief Program Officer at the Yakima Valley Community Foundation.  Together,

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Yakima County’s In-Migration: A Welcome Boost to our Local Economy

For two decades, Yakima County faced a tough reality: more people were leaving the area than moving in. From 2000 to 2019, the county experienced negative net migration, meaning the number of people moving away outpaced those arriving. Despite losing over 11,000 residents to outmigration during that time, Yakima’s population still grew by 32,000, thanks

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Russell Lane Project Completed with Help from SIED Funds

The City of Yakima has announced the completion of the Russell Lane Intersection Realignment Project. Located on South 1st Street about 800 feet north of the Washington Avenue intersection, this project improved the connection between Russell Lane and South 1st Street. Previously, Russell Lane’s connection to South 1st Street was offset from an existing intersection,

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Reflections from FIRA 2024: Innovations in Agricultural Robotics and Sustainability

Exploring the Future of Agriculture Innovation. YCDA’s Economic Development Manger Joe Schmitt attended the 2024 FIRA Conference in Sacramento, CA.  This premier event brought together global leaders, innovators, and industry experts to showcase advancements in robotic and autonomous solutions for agriculture.   The conference highlighted the transformative technologies redefining the future of farming.  From smart robotics

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Spanish WA Biz Fair Held at Columbia Basin College

First Spanish WA Biz Fair Held in Pasco–A major step for Washington’s Spanish Speaking Business Community On October 5, 2024, Columbia Basin College hosted the inaugural Spanish WA Biz Fair, marking a pivotal moment for business owners and entrepreneurs across the state.  YCDA’s Bilingual Business Development Manager, Yani was an integral member of the planning

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Yakima Workforce Conference 2024 Recap

Yakima, WA. – October 29, 2024– The Yakima Convention Center buzzed with energy as South Central Workforce, in collaboration with the Yakima County Development Association (YCDA), Yakima SHRM, and the Greater Yakima Chamber of Commerce, presented the second annual Yakima Workforce Conference: Untapped Talent.  The half-day event drew professionals, employers, educators, and community leaders eager

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