KENNEWICK, Wash. – A tour aiming to protect and promote Washington’s manufacturing businesses made a stop in Kennewick on Oct. 3.
The Association of Washington Businesses (AWB) gathered at the Lampson International building in Kennewick at 9 a.m. The event was part of the 8th Annual Manufacturers bus tour, which travels across Washington for six days, stopping in different cities to meet with local businesses.
Kris Johnson, AWB President and CEO, led the meeting, where he emphasized the organization’s goals, citing that with these steps, good things would happen.
“Prioritize energy production, slow the growth of spending, make it easier to permit and build manufacturing facilities, develop our important infrastructure, and invest in programs that equip the next generation,” said Johnson.
Numerous Lampson employees attended this meeting, along with Business Development Director Kate Lampson and Washington State Senator Matt Boehnke.
U.S. Representative Dan Newhouse also took to the stage.
Newhouse, who is currently running for Washington’s Fourth Congressional District, shared insights into his experiences with manufacturing jobs in central Washington.
“People need to understand what’s going on (on) the other side of the mountains. And so that’s why I’m just delighted that the Association of Washington Businesses does this,” said Newhouse.
The AWB still has four days left on its six-day journey across Washington. Tonight, they will be meeting with companies like S.E.L. and Tri-Cities Intermodal. Along their journey, they are planning on meeting with some of the 271,000 people in the manufacturing sector of Washington.
