Ports are the only government agencies whose primary responsibility is to foster economic development activity for their communities.

The Port of Kennewick does this vital work by continually looking for opportunities to make smart investments that will revitalize commercial neighborhoods, transform public spaces and add local jobs to create spaces people love.

We have strong relationships with our local, state, federal and Tribal partners, which has resulted in many notable achievements including supporting business and job growth, creating dynamic public spaces, and stimulating development and private investment at projects throughout the Port district.

As an integral part of the community for more than 100 years, in all we do, we are working for you.

The Port of Kennewick is committed to meaningful community engagement.

We facilitate feedback when preparing plans for projects and future development and welcome all community members and other stakeholders to participate. Listening to all voices helps the Port invest in projects the community wants and take actions that bolster and diversify the local economy and create places people love.

Learn more about all we’re doing by visiting the project pages on our website. Provide input or feedback by attending our commission meetings or project-specific planning meetings. You can also contact the Port with input or questions. Your involvement is important and encouraged.

The primary responsibility of a Port is to foster economic development activity for the communities it serves.

By building and operating development buildings, industrial parks, a public use marina, and commercial waterfronts – and through buying, developing, and selling of land and properties – the Port is working to facilitate trade, tourism, recreation and employment opportunities within its district. The Port of Kennewick district encompasses Kennewick, Richland (south of the Yakima River), West Richland, a portion of Benton City, and eastern Benton County.

The Port owns and operates industrial parks, Clover Island Marina, Columbia Gardens Wine & Artisan Village, and other facilities and lands. It is also redeveloping several properties including Vista Field, Clover Island, and along Columbia Drive in east Kennewick.

Preparing for the Future

To ensure the Port is well-positioned to respond to community needs following the pandemic, Commissioners asked the Institute for Public Policy & Economic Analysis at Eastern Washington University to analyze the economy on various economic dimensions to provide a near-term outlook. The Port issued the report on April 13, 2022.

The Commission’s forward-thinking approach in posing questions about how the pandemic has impacted our regional economy will help the Port – and other public and governmental entities in the region – better understand and respond to community needs in the coming years.

By The Numbers

Art has the power to transform a community. It can reshape public spaces and enrich lives. It can add a magical, fun element of surprise. Public art can also take drab areas and transform them into unique places that draw visitors.

When the Port of Kennewick’s Commissioners adopted master plans for Clover Island renewal and Columbia Drive redevelopment, they embraced public art as a critical element. The Commissioners understood that Kennewick’s historic riverfront is special and that it belongs to the community. They chose to invest in public art as a way to bring people and new businesses to east Kennewick, to add visual interest, to revitalize historic downtown, to highlight the riverfront environment, and to honor the culture and heritage of the diverse peoples of this region.

In this way, art has become an ambassador for the Tri-Cities community, helping us share the stories of our history, culture, people, and lifestyle.