Here is a Tri-City Herald article on the Tri-City economy. We need not listen to the national news, and just keep on living. We are in a good place in Kennewick, also Richland, Pasco and W-Richland. The rest of the outlying area is coming along for the ride.
http://www.tri-cityherald.com/2010/05/03/1000321/economy-tri-city-cost-of-living.html
Home sales in the Tri Cities was strong during the last quarter of 2009, and January of 2010 started out on a very positive note with average home prices up from 2009. January 2009 showed an average of $184,025, and January 2010 showed $195,703 for average home prices. First-time homebuyers have contributed greatly to those numbers because of the $8,000 tax credit that was extended through April 30, 2010. The Tri-Cities housing market has been stronger than most other communities in the nation and we are hopeful that this trend will continue. The area’s foreclosure rate was 0.5 percent in comparison to the rest of the our nation where the rate is 2.1 percent. Steady home prices, interest rates and a stable economy here in the Tri-Cities makes for a bright outlook for 2010.
In spite of the ongoing recession, the Tri-Cities is faring much better that the rest of the state and nation. There was a gain in August of 2,400 nonfarm jobs, which is more than a 2.5 percent growth. Our strengths of food processing, health care, higher education and the Hanford area jobs made for a stable environment in Kennewick, Pasco and Richland.
This isn’t a “boom” period for the Tri-Cities, nor is it a “bust”. The wonderful work that has been done in the way of diversifying this area over the last 20 years, has made a marked improvement in our communities being able to weather the ups and downs of the economy.
