City Partners with Yakima County Development Association to Connect Businesses with Resources and Gather Community Input
ZILLAH, WA – Building upon a series of recent economic successes, the City of Zillah, in collaboration with the Yakima County Development Association (YCDA), is pleased to announce a series of three business outreach meetings in March, April, and May aimed at fostering economic growth and strengthening the local business ecosystem.
“Local businesses are the backbone of our economy, and we are dedicated to ensuring they have the support they need to succeed,” said Dr. Scott Carmack, Zillah’s Mayor and the owner of the Granger Building and Zillah Chiropractic. “We are grateful to YCDA and our community partners for their commitment to fostering economic growth—not just in Zillah, but throughout Yakima County.”
The first of these three events, scheduled for March 18, 2025, from 11:30 AM to 2:00 PM at the Zillah Civic Center, will focus on connecting local business owners with essential resources and services to support their growth. This inaugural business outreach event will provide business owners and entrepreneurs with the opportunity to engage directly with key organizations, including the Small Business Development Center, South Central Workforce, Vizions Economic Development Center, YCDA, and the City of Zillah. These organizations offer critical support in workforce development, financial assistance, business consulting, and expansion strategies.
EVENT DETAILS:
What: Zillah Business Outreach Event Series
Where: Civic Center, 119 1st Ave, Zillah, WA 98953
Cost: Free, lunch included
Register Here
SCHEDULE:
- Educational session offering valuable resources for new, existing, and prospective businesses
Tuesday, March 18, 2025 | 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM
(Event 1 of 3) - Listening session to gather input from businesses and contractors on how we can enhance the local business environment
Tuesday, April 22, 2025 | 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM
(Event 2 of 3) - Listening seSsion focused on commercial and residential developers, as well as landowners, to discuss future plans, zoning, and the city’s role in supporting ongoing economic growth
Tuesday, May 20, 2025 | 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM
(Event 3 of 3)
“We want to ensure businesses have access to the tools, expertise, and support they need to thrive,” said Jon Smith, Executive Director of YCDA. “By fostering collaboration and connecting business owners with these resources, we aim to create new opportunities for economic success in Zillah and across Yakima County.”
These series of meetings will coincide with the development of Zillah’s first strategic plan, with a key goal of being recognized as a business-friendly community. As part of this initiative, the second and third meetings in this series will be listening sessions designed to gather insights from local businesses, developers, and landowners about how the city can support their vision and continue increasing economic growth.
City Administrator Michael Grayum emphasized Zillah’s commitment to cultivating a business-friendly environment: “Zillah is dedicated to fostering a thriving business community at every stage of growth. From developing a 250-acre commercial and tourism-zoned corridor to celebrating new business openings like a medical clinic and the groundbreaking of Anytime Fitness, we are driving economic momentum through collaboration. Our partnership with YCDA strengthens our commitment to equipping business owners with the resources and connections they need for long-term success.”
Grayum emphasized these outreach meetings will help expand upon Zillah’s recent economic achievements, including:
- Commercial and Tourism Corridor: The completion of a 250-acre commercial and tourism-zoned corridor along Interstate 82, featuring walking trails connecting business storefronts, is adjacent to the planned development of 160 new homes at Zillah Lakes.
- Parkway Plaza Development: The groundbreaking of the 15,000-square-foot Parkway Plaza in March 2024 is set to enhance local commerce and provide new business opportunities.
- New Construction: Ongoing construction projects, such as Anytime Fitness, Bella Brew Espresso (featuring a drive-through), and the new Dispatch Center and Administration Building for Fire District 5 Station are expanding the city’s business landscape.
- New Infrastructure: City Council unanimously adopted Zillah’s first Downtown Revitalization Plan, which is resulting in new sidewalks and road improvement projects in the most historic parts of the community.
- Tourism-Boosting Events: The successful launch of the annual 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament in July 2024 and the 5K for the Fallen event in May 2024 have attracted visitors and fostered community engagement.
- Feasibility Study for Yakima Valley Public Market: Building on the recently completed feasibility study showing the viability of a regional market, the City of Zillah is moving forward to secure funding for engineering and design of a year-round, indoor marketplace showcasing local wine, fresh produce, artisanal foods, and handcrafted goods. It will serve as a central hub in the region for farmers, vintners, and small businesses, providing a direct connection between producers and consumers ###
CONTACT
Michael Grayum, City Administrator, City of Zillah
mgrayum@cityofzillah.us
509.834.1515
Jon Smith, Executive Director, YCDA
jon@ycda.com
509-575-1140
ABOUT ZILLAH
The City of Zillah is a thriving community in lower Yakima County, celebrated for its rich agricultural heritage and strong sense of community. Home to world-renowned Yakima Chief Ranches, Monson Fruit Company, and over 25 estate wineries, Zillah produces world-class agricultural products and some of Washington’s finest wines.
ABOUT YAKIMA COUNTY DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION
Yakima County Development Association (YCDA) is a private nonprofit economic development organization dedicated to enhancing the income, quality of life, and employment stability of Yakima County residents. Since 1985, YCDA has served over 100 businesses annually, created 6,630 new jobs at more than 155 businesses, and facilitated $606 million in private investments in Yakima County. The resources provided at the meeting on March 18th are made possible through the support of YCDA’s investors, the Community Reinvestment Project funded by South Central Workforce, and grants from the Washington Economic Development Finance Authority (WEDFA) and The Washington State Microenterprise Association (WSMA).
This press release was originally shared with local media by the City of Zillah. View the press release on the City of Zillah Website here.