Higher education, health care, entertainment and recreational activities have increased in the Tri Cities area since the turn of the century. WSU Tri Cities, a new convention center, completion of the Sacajawea Trail, growth of all three local hospitals are just a tip of changes that we’ve seen here in the Tri Cities.
Education has seen changes with the expanded programs at Columbia Basin College in Pasco and in 2007 WSU Tri Cities began offering 4-year degrees, which allows students to live at home and still earn a degree. Enrollment for both facilities has risen dramatically over the last 10 years.
Recreation and entertainment saw lots of growth in the past decade, thus being the addition of the Tri Cities Convention Center, the Fairchild movie theatre in Pasco, lots of new and exciting restaurants, new shopping additions to the Columbia Center Mall in Kennewick, and many new small businesses throughout the Tri Cities.
History of our region’s development and of the indigenous peoples who first explored our area have been highlighted by the completion of Sacajawea Heritage Trail which connects all three cities, plus the acknowledgment of the Ice Age Floods Trail which carved our region into its particular landscape and will soon become a national monument with scenic overlooks, interpretive centers and displays depicting the story. Additionally a proposed Hanford Reach Center project is in the works so that visitor can learn about the cultural history of the Hanford Reach National Monument.