Kennewick Businesses Newsletter

Working Together for Kennewick Businesses!

Information in this Edition

Downtown Kennewick Boo Bash
Main Street Tax Credit
Public Safety Sales Tax
Energy Code Update
Homeless and Housing Resources
SBDC Webinars
Vista Field Properties
SCORE Services
Kennewick City Council
New Kennewick Business Licenses
Agenda Alert Updates

Stop Into Downtown Kennewick This Saturday

Join Downtown Kennewick on October 28TH for their Boo Bash street festival and Trick or Treat Safe Street event!

Street Festival: 10AM-5PM featuring Downtown Kennewick Businesses, Local Artists and Small Business Vendors, multiple Food Vendors, and fun-filled booths with our Community Partners.

Safe Street Trick-or-Treat: 3PM-5PM Kennewick Ave. businesses and participating Street Vendors offer a safe solution to traditional Trick-or-Treating.

Visit HistoricKennewick.org for additional information.

Help Make an Impact in Downtown Kennewick and Receive 75% Tax Credit (B&O Tax Credit Program)

Downtown Kennewick is part of the Nationally Certified Main Street Community, which means your business can designate its Business & Occupation (B&O) or Public Utility tax (PUT) to be spent directly on downtown Kennewick.

To receive the tax credit through Washington State’s Main Street Tax Credit Incentive Program, you apply to give the Historic Downtown Kennewick Partnership, a 501(c)3, a donation through Washington State.

Once the request is approved by the Department of Revenue, you are eligible to claim a tax credit worth 75% of the contribution (up to your total tax liability) the following year. Your donation must be received by November 15, and can be paid in installments.

Visit HistoricKennewick.org for additional information. Program FAQ's

Benton County Public Safety Sales Tax

This November, the Public Safety Sales Tax will be on the Benton County ballot for renewal. Originally approved by Benton County voters in 2014, this 3/10 of one percent sales and use tax is a part of our ongoing commitment to public safety and criminal justice needs. The Public Safety Sales Tax (PSST) helps fund law enforcement, courts, jails, and other programs.

To learn more about how these funds have been utilized and their impact on our community, we invite you to visit The City of Kennewick and Benton County webpages.

City of Kennewick: https://www.go2kennewick.com/294/Public-Safety-Sales-Tax

Benton County: https://bentonpsst.com/

We encourage you to stay informed about the upcoming ballot and to exercise your civic duty this November.

Additional Info...

Update to to Building Code Changes Happening in Spring of 2024

Effective March 15, 2024, the adopted Building Codes for the State of Washington will change. Washington State Amended Codes will change from the 2018 versions to the 2021 versions.

Visit our website Go2Kennewick.com for additional information.

Homeless and Housing Resources

As a business owner/operator, you may feel that interacting with the homeless population is overwhelming. However, it is important to remember that people experiencing homelessness are just that – people.

Whether it is a first-time experience with a homeless person, or a frequent trespasser, remaining calm and taking a smart approach while handling the situation will increase the likelihood of a positive outcome. Rather than providing food or money yourself, facilitating a connection to local resources for food, clothing and shelter may provide a better first step to long-term stability for someone experiencing homelessness. Your report can be a catalyst for connecting individuals with the assistance they need.

To better equip our community members and businesses, we have a dedicated resource page on our website. This resource hub provides valuable information on the support and services available locally and guidance for businesses experiencing homelessness in their area. Visit this link to access this webpage.

Additional program information available on our website.

Express Permitting Options

Did you know the City of Kennewick offers an Express Permit program for projects that meet pre-specified qualifications?

Commercial Tenant Improvement (TI) projects with a work area of less than 4,000 sq. ft. (usually qualifies),
Commercial TI projects up to 10,000 sq. ft. can use Express Permitting if the occupancy type is unchanged.
All single-family residential projects qualify

SBDC Washington Offers Free Small Business Training

SBDC webinars and workshops provide practical, real-life solutions for some of the most common challenges faced by small business owners.

They are often a valuable complement to confidential, one-to-one business advising, but you do not need to be an SBDC client to attend. Live webinars and on-demand options are available. View and sign-up for training.

Build at Vista Field

Vista Field is designed to be a unique space, blending mixed-use neighborhoods and urban lifestyle amenities.

The shovel-ready development site is 103-acres and will be developed in phases.

Vista Field is a Port of Kennewick project. Contact Amber Hanchette with questions or for a site tour at 509.586.1186.

Vista Field Info

Free Counseling and Training for Entrepreneurs

Small business experts volunteer their time to support your entrepreneurial success through free personal counseling and training opportunities. Visit SCORE and find a mentor or become a SCORE VOLUNTEER.

Kennewick City Council Updates

Earlier this month, our City Council and Staff reviewed our recommended priorities for the 2024 legislative session with State Legislators from the 8th and 16th District.

We have also been working with the Council on updates to many of our strategic, comprehensive, and long-range planning documents.

You can watch a live Council Broadcast on Tuesdays starting at 6:30 pm to learn more.

Welcome New Kennewick Businesses

We have over 100 new business licenses issued each month on average and we are thankful for each new business that chooses Kennewick for its location. A list of these new businesses gets posted to our website monthly.

What new business will you visit this month?

Agenda Alert Updates are Moving to a New Platform

If you receive our meeting updates by email or text and would like to continue receiving them, please register on our new portal. Our new portal makes it easier to find meetings, agendas, minutes, and meeting packets. Anyone can sign up for this free subscription service to receive these notifications.

Create Your Account Now or Learn More!

We are Here to Help!

Do you need guidance on where to look for resources to support your business? Are you looking to relocate or expand your current business?

Our Economic Development office is here to assist you in your business needs. Please contact us!

[509-585-4532]

[Business@ci.kennewick.wa.us] [Go2Kennewick.com/Business]