BENTON-FRANKLIN COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS ANNUAL REPORT 2016

METROPOLITAN PLANNING ORGANIZATION/TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT AREA REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION PLANNING ORGANIZATION | ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT Message from the Executive Director Designated as the Metropolitan Planning Organization, Economic Development District, and Regional Transportation Planning Organization for Benton and Franklin counties, the focus of Benton-Franklin Council of Governments (BFCG) lies upon Transportation Planning and Community & Economic Development. Staff efforts are guided by representatives from our membership - Benton and Franklin Counties, along with area cities, ports, public transit and state agencies – who work together to advance the agency’s core plans and programs.

Formed as a voluntary association of local governments in 1966, BFCG recently celebrated its’ 50th year structured as a Regional Planning Commission – in existence well prior to the above- referenced state and federal designations. The foresight to coordinate planning and economic development efforts has led to notable growth in our region in recent years. At BFCG, staff look to build upon past accomplishments and continue to coordinate the collaborative spirit that has served our region well. Please utilize this report to learn more about the activities of our agency.

Established 1966 Regular Members: 17 agencies, Staff: 9 Administrative Staff: Brian Malley –Executive Director Julia Cassidy – Secretary/Content Manager  bfcog.us  facebook.com/bfcog  twitter.com/CouncilofGov Policy Advisory Committee (PAC) Sharon Brown WA State Senate TRANSPORTATION Mike Hewitt WA State Senate Mark Schoesler WA State Senate Maureen Walsh WA St. House of Representatives WA St. House of Representatives WA St. House of Representatives The Transportation Department completed 2016 with many WA St. House of Representatives achievements, and 2017 is shaping up to be a busy year. We WA St. House of Representatives look forward to the BFCG Board adoption of the Long Range WA St. House of Representatives Transportation Plan, Transition2040, this coming May. Skip Novakovich, Chair Port of Kennewick, Commissioner Dave Rose, Vice Chair City of Richland, Councilmember The department has been working hard on the planning Jerome Delvin Benton County, Commissioner efforts for Transition2040, and will continue to be until this Bob Koch Ben Franklin Transit spring. With an enhanced focus on multi-modal accessibility Richard Bloom City of West Richland, Councilmember Brad Peck Franklin County, Commissioner and a linkage of transportation planning with economic Matt Boehnke City of Kennewick, Councilmember development and quality of life, the plan is aptly named Bob Hoffmann City of Pasco, Councilmember as a transition. Using several outreach methods, public Ron Reimann Port of Pasco, Commissioner involvement has proved more responsive than in years past. Todd Trepanier Administrator, WSDOT South Central Region Bob Larson Port of Benton, Commissioner The BFCG Transportation Office is required by federal and Steve Becken City of Prosser, Councilmember state mandate to prepare a number of planning documents Bruce Blackwell City of Connell, Mayor on a cyclical basis. “Core documents” include a long range David Ferguson City of Mesa, Mayor David Sandretto City of Benton City, Councilmember transportation plan on a five year cycle, Metropolitan/Regional Dave Wooten City of Kahlotus, Mayor Transportation Improvement Program and Unified Planning Vacant Washington State Trans. Commission Work Programs, both completed annually. Staff – Tanna Dole BFCG, Transportation Manager In addition to these core planning documents, we administer Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) the regional funding of the Surface Transportation Block Dan Ford City of Pasco Grant (STBG) program, and the Transportation Alternatives Cary Roe City of Kennewick program (TAP). BFCG tracks all federal transportation Craig Erdman Franklin County funding awarded in our region. Robert Blain Benton County Tony Kalmbach Ben Franklin Transit Roscoe Slade City of West Richland Paul Gonseth WSDOT TRANSPORTATION PROGRAMS OFFICE STAFF: Pete Rogalsky City of Richland Tanna Dole — Transportation Programs Manager Roger Wright Port of Benton Len Pavelka — Transportation Planning Specialist III Kyle Swenson Mission Support Alliance Larry Peterson Port of Kennewick Jacob Gonzalez — Transportation Planning Specialist II Mike Moran Pacific Northwest National Laboratory Geoff Wagner — Transportation Planning Specialist II L. J. DaCorsi City of Prosser Emily Weimer — Transportation Planning Specialist II Larry Turner City of Connell Alan Rainey City of Benton City Teresa Standridge City of Mesa Brianna Hamilton City of Kahlotus Tanna Dole BFCG/Transportation Manager COMMUNITY & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Economic Development District Board Members The Community and Economic Development Department Kris Watkins Visit Tri-Cities was busy throughout 2016 working with our community Carl Adrian TRIDEC partners and their projects. We are very excited with the Deb Heinz Prosser Economic Development Association Jack Fitzgerald WorkForce Tri-Cities number and diversity of projects that are going on and Carol Woo Private Industry coming up! There are many opportunities for the community Andrew Klein Private Industry to further diversify the economy. Trini Garibay Private Industry Thomas Fisher Private Industry Lender Our Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy Amanda Jones Private Industry Lender included many of these efforts gathered from each jurisdiction. Strategies for the region were reviewed and rejuvenated to work for the changing community. The resiliency of both counties continues to play a huge role in the region’s development and growth. In 2016 we broadened our network with community lenders and potential borrowers to market our loan programs, which resulted in some great loans being funded. We were awarded a grant in 2016 for a new women and minority microloan program, which will be very helpful to the community. With that foundation, we hope to fund many more loans in 2017 and continue looking at potential funding sources to further expand our loan programs.

COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STAFF: Stephanie Seamans, CPA – Community & Economic Development Manager Fatima Traore — Economic Development Coordinator TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT

The plan opens with goals and objectives to help coordinate Mission regional and metropolitan cooperation to foster a safe, The mission is a continuous, cooperative, and comprehensive efficient, and sustainable transportation system. An analysis planning process that results in regional multi-modal of the existing conditions displays the region’s needs, and a transportation plans and programs that anticipate the social, model predicts future conditions. economic, and environmental needs of the metropolitan The plan uses a multi-modal approach, emphasizing area, the region, and the state. transportation choices. It also uses a holistic approach, covering topics that relate to transportation, such as Transportation Management Area land use and public health. Following the designation as a Transportation Management Area (TMA) in 2012, a designation for areas over 200,000, Active Transportation Plan BFCG hosted a two day federal certification review in March The 2016 Regional Active Transportation Plan, adopted 2016. A TMA designation means there is more scrutiny on in June, covers multiple aspects of bicycle and pedestrian BFCG’s processes and procedures, and more responsibility travel. The plan contains an analysis of regional success to monitor and mitigate congestion, largely in part through in state bicycle–pedestrian safety grants, comparative the development of a Congestion Management Process. county-level Health Rankings, and a methodology for pedestrian block-level evaluation. Congestion Management Process A keystone of plan development was a workshop, The purpose of the Congestion Management Process (CMP) attended by more than 80 people, tasked with prioritizing is to identify congested areas, develop strategies for those bike system needs - for example, gaps in connectivity, areas, and track the progress of congestion mitigation. or safety issues. A total of 60 issues were identified, 15 of those affecting multiple jurisdictions. The meeting emphasized that cycling issues are regional issues. Metropolitan and Regional Top issues include: bike lane and signage, and missing Transportation Plan connections and links. Completed every five years, the Metropolitan and Regional Transportation Plan (M/RTP) outlines how the Urbanized Human Services Plan Area and the Benton-Franklin region transportation system The purpose of the Human Service Transportation Plan are forecasted to evolve. The plan includes goals, policies (HSTP) is to define how Benton and Franklin Counties and action strategies to guide the planning process for the may best fulfill the federal expectations of a coordinated, next twenty years. Set to be adopted in 2017, the plan cost-effective and efficient transportation system for the takes about a year of preparation. transportation disadvantaged, leading to potential state and federal transit grants.

Significant 2016 Events

TMA Certification March Regional Traffic Count May Active Trans. Plan June Transportation Fair September Human Services Plan September Washington State Transportation Commission September BFCG 50th Anniversary September Legislative Breakfast October Outreach Data Collection Transportation Fair Regional Traffic Count Program On Wednesday, September 7, BFCG paired with Ben Franklin In the spring of 2016 the BFCG conducted the first-ever Transit and the Tri-City Regional Chamber of Commerce to coordinated regional traffic counts at 630 locations. host a Transportation Fair. More than 30 attendees signed in Data consisted of Vehicle Volume with peak volumes by to learn about regional transportation projects and planning hour, vehicle speed and vehicle classification (car, truck, from BFCG’s member jurisdictions. BFCG requested public motorcycle etc.). comment for the Draft 2017-2022 Metropolitan/Regional Local jurisdictions use Average Daily Traffic (ADT) when Transportation Improvement Program (TIP), and shared making road improvements to determine traffic closures, information about Transition2040. detours and staging, as well as determining future Attendees at the fair were able to play a game, roadway capacity, and applying for state transportation “Transportation Buck$.” Each person received $3 million funding programs. ADT is important for the Tri-City Area worth of the “bucks” and were asked to apply them Traffic Model, local comprehensive plans, and economic towards five different transportation strategies: Mobility, development by private sector developers, real estate Freight & Economic Vitality, Preservation, Safety, and professionals and property owners. Environmental Sustainability. Mobility received more than a third. The game was both a source of public SOV/HOV input for BFCG, as well as an activity to help the public BFCG coordinated a windshield survey to tally the understand the challenging exercise of funding various percentages of Single Occupancy Vehicles (SOV) vs. transportation projects with limited funds. High Occupancy Vehicles (HOV) at twenty-three locations spread across the urban area, with vanpool totals and the 2016 Regional Transportation Survey Hanford Commute being points of focus. The 2016 Regional Transportation Survey provided Park and Ride Lots essential public input for Transition2040. Available in English and Spanish, online and in paper, the survey BFCG collects data in an ongoing, quarterly Park and garnered over 600 responses. About a third said the Ride lot survey. From the capacity and usage, BFCG transportation system doesn’t work well, and two thirds calculates the average use, and the percent of the said it worked well or very well. The top two concerns utilzation of each lot. dealt with walkability – 86% concerned with pedestrian safety, and 80% with the lack of sidewalks. Then there was urban sprawl and rapid growth. At 75%, people were concerned about the lack of bicycle lanes, and 71% with lack of transit. For investment, respondents remarked public transportation, pedestrian access and sidewalks, and bicycle access and lanes as the top 3. A full report is available on the BFCG website.

Other Outreach Efforts The BFCG attended the Richland and Pasco Farmer’s Markets with brochures, infographics, and an open invitation to chat about transportation. The BFCG Newsletter features updates of all outreach efforts. Information about Transitions2040, and outreach event and survey invitations were sent out via email and paper, through many local organizations.

WSTC Visit BFCG staff at Richland Farmer's Market The Washington State Transportation Commission (WSTC) quarterly meeting was held September 21 in Park and Ride Lots Usage Kennewick City Hall. BFCG brought together a diverse group of speakers from the region for the WSTC, from 45% a public health official, higher education, and public officials in transportation, economic development, and elected officials. The topics covered rural and urban 43% issues, public and private transportation, public ports and economic vitality, healthy communities, and public and private partnerships. 41% BFCG organized a tour for WSTC members, with speakers from local jurisdictions. On a BFT bus, the tour 39% travelled through the Tri-Cities, highlighting current and future growth development and concerns. 37% 2012 2013 2014 2015 COMMUNITY & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT

Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) As part of the EDD’s charge under the EDA program, an annual update of the CEDS was prepared in 2016. With the participation and guidance of our EDD Board Members, the CEDS was written to provide the region an overview of the growth that has occurred and provide strategies on future opportunities. Given the region’s robust economic landscape and activities, there was a lot of excitement around the many outlooks and future strategies. This year the CEDS Committee reviewed projects from communities in the EDD, some of which are being funded independently by the communities or are being considered for future EDA and other funding. Throughout the CEDS process, members met to conduct a SWOT analysis, review regional trends and statistical information, discuss projects, and also developed a new Strategic Vision.

CEDS Committee Strategic Vision The members of the Benton Franklin Economic Development District will strive to: • Encourage healthy growth of a resilient and diverse economy by providing family wage jobs through new business attraction and retention and development of the infrastructure necessary to encourage and achieve this; • Nurture a thriving environment for entrepreneurial business creation through greater collaboration, innovation, and access to capital; • Support and protect the current industry clusters and their related natural and financial resources; and • Expand educational and training opportunities and community amenities to attract, uplift, and retain families and youth.

Economic Development Administration (EDA) Planning Activities As the EDA-designated Economic Development District (EDD), the BFCG works on many projects and activities that serve the district to promote economic vitality and resiliency. Among these are: • Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy; • Loan Program Promotion and Management; • Lenders Roundtable; • Small Cities Group Coordination; and • Assist Cities, Counties, Ports and Community-wide Organizations. Small Cities Group Coordination There are six small cities that the BFCG works to provide support to: Benton City, Connell, Kahlotus, Mesa, Prosser, and West Richland. BFCG coordinates a working group of these cities to learn from each other’s projects and activities and to move together on topics of mutual interest. Assist Cities, Counties, Ports and Community-wide Organizations BFCG works with all jurisdictions and organizations within the community with their strategic economic development programs. During 2016 staff met with many of the organizations in the community and worked with some in more detail. Staff participated in the projects of some of these organizations, such as: • Bridge to Bridge / River to Rail Plan Group in Kennewick; • Pasco Vision / Somos Pasco Steering Committee; and • Pasco Specialty Kitchen Mobile Vending University Instruction

BFCG Loan Success Stories

Bontzu Cellars Dunham Cellars Ice Harbor Brewing Company Brews Taphouse El Mexicano Isopacific Carbitex Elite Renovations Lieb Foods Columbia Point Hospitality Fiesta Mexican Restaurant Ski Bluewood Dickey's BBQ Guizar Law Office COMMUNITY & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT

Loan Program Promotion and Management Throughout 2016, staff promoted the loan programs at many meetings, trade shows, and community events with our regional partners. The three major loan programs that help finance applicants are Regional Revolving Loan Fund (RRLF), Columbia Regional Economic Development Trust (CREDiT), and Hanford Area Economic Investment Fund Advisory Committee (HAEIFAC). Throughout the year staff received 50 inquiries and the programs funded five loans totaling $1,202,000. Through these loans, businesses were able to create or maintain 93 positions in 2016. These loans can be used to finance a wide variety of business needs including the purchase of land, buildings, equipment, working capital, research and development, renovations, and development costs. Many times we are a gap lender, which means we may participate with a bank or are even able to loan when a bank may not be able to. During 2016 we educated the lending community, business owners, chambers, and other organizations about our loan products. New Microloan Program for Women and Minority-Owned Businesses BFCG was selected as the recipient of the Northwest Business Development Association’s (NWBDA) regional grant in 2016. The grant will be used to fund microloans for women and minority-owned businesses in BFCG’s service area. NWBDA leadership liked BFCG’s application, in part, because of the wide community support for additional loan funds for the region. NWBDA actually doubled the amount they decided to grant from $25,000 to $50,000. Potential borrowers may qualify for loans of $2,500-5,000 under this new fund. Many thanks to the 19 communities and community entities that provided letters of support and reinforced our grant application. Lenders Roundtables The BFCG holds Lenders Roundtables to connect the commercial lending community, small businesses, community economic developers, and our loan programs. These forums provide an opportunity for these sectors to communicate and stay in touch with the financing trends of the region. Meetings are held a few times a year with theSmall Business Administration (SBA), USDA, SCORE, and the Small Business Development Center and BFCG providing updates on their programs. In 2016, SBA provided presentations on their programs, focusing on the Export-Import banking resources they have available in Seattle, with the Director of the Export-Import Bank of the US and the Regional Export Finance Manager Office of Trade presenting to our group. These presentations offered Loans Funded 5 financing resources for those currently conducting or considering international trade. Amount of Loans Funded $1,202,000 Inquiries Received 50 Jobs Created/Retained 93

Loan Programs Available Potential Loan Amounts

Regional Revolving Loan Fund (RRLF) $10,000 - $300,000

Columbia Regional Economic Development Trust (CREDiT) (Includes Microloan Programs) $2,500 - $150,000

Women and Minority Microloan - NEW! $2,500 - $5,000

Hanford Area Economic Investment Fund Committee (HAEIFAC) Private Loans $150,000 - $500,000

Hanford Area Economic Investment Fund Committee (HAEIFAC) Public Loans $150,000 - $1,000,000 Benton-Franklin Council of Governments Board Members The Economic Development District Board is comprised of the Regular BFCG members local agency and private sector members.

BFCG REGULAR MEMBERS EDD MEMBERS Ben Franklin Transit Bob Koch Visit Tri-Cities Kris Watkins City of Benton City Linda Lehman TRIDEC Carl Adrian Benton County Jim Beaver Prosser EDA Deb Heintz Benton PUD Lori Sanders Workforce Tri-Cities Jack Fitzgerald City of Connell Bruce Blackwell Private Sector Carol Woo Franklin County Brad Peck Private Sector Andrew Klein City of Kahlotus Dave Wooten Private Sector Trini Garibay City of Kennewick Matt Boehnke Private Sector Lender Thomas Fisher City of Mesa David Ferguson Private Sector Lender Amanda Jones City of Pasco Matt Watkins Port of Benton Bob Larson Port of Kennewick Skip Novakovich Port of Pasco Ron Reimann City of Prosser Randy Taylor City of Richland David Rose City of West Richland Brent Gerry WSDOT Todd Trepanier

(L-R) Stephanie Seamans, Tanna Dole, Jacob Gonzalez, Brian Malley, Geoff Wagner, Julia Cassidy, Len Pavelka, Fatima Traore, Emily Weimer

Benton-Franklin Council of Governments 1622 Terminal Drive Richland, WA 99354  (509) 943-9185  (509) 943-6756  bfcog.us  facebook.com/bfcog  twitter.com/CouncilofGov