Tri-City Area and Real Estate Blog

Washington State University has diverse campuses throughout the state, however the Tri Cities branch campus is leading the group as the fastest growing, with the health and science fields seeing the most growth. Steadily rising enrollment numbers at the Richland campus have been seen with 1,507 student currently attending classes. Nursing programs are specifically up 30 percent over last fall and engineering programs are up 25 percent.  Officials at the university are envisioning a Wine Science Center with labs, a teaching vineyard and greenhouse.  Student government leaders also are hoping to find a way to bring together the diverse ages of students attenting the Tri Cities facility.  To read more information about upcoming plans – http://bit.ly/bpBW46

Anyone who has lived here in the Tri Cities over the past 1o years or more has seen the expansion that has become West Pasco and in fact, has made Pasco the 2nd largest of the Tri-Cities. According to recent US Census figures, that growth has landed Franklin County, Washington in the record books as the 18-fastest growing county in our country, and that is a distinction that no other Washington county can claim.  Last summer the county’s population sat at 77,355 which was a 56.8% increase since the year 2000. Housing in that part of Pasco has generated some welcome revenue for the city, however the cost of services has risen to accomodate the growth. Schools in Pasco grew to address the needs of 5,600 new students with the addition of 3 new elementary schools, one middle school and a new high school.  This part of our Tri-Cities is filled with affordable housing, family-friendly neighborhoods, easy access to the freeway and wonderful goods and services along the Road 68 corridor.  These attributes combined with economic stability and its proximity to the Columbia River make west Pasco and Franklin County a most desirable area in which to live.

Washington State University Tri Cities is $500,000 richer after an award from Hanford contractor, Mission Support Alliance. It is MSA’s intent to assist in strenghening the number of under-represented students who will be studying engineering, technology, math and science. It is MSA’s hope the invest in students and create a STEM-trained work force in the Tri Cities. The funding will be disbursed over 10 years with the majority of it will be for scholarships that will assist students studying STEM curriculum.