The real estate market follows the jobs. Where the economy is strong, the housing situation is normally healthy. The Tri-City Development Center (TRIDEC) reported that The Department of Energy is predicting that employment at the Hanford Nuclear Reservation will peak during fiscal year 2010. Following the peak of about 10,800 workers, we should experience a gradual decline in Hanford employment to the year 2050 where we are expected to have about 2,100 workers dedicated to the project. The project has the mission to clean the area of wastes and to restore the Hanford Area to a near pre-World War II status.
During these 40 years, I expect our economy will continue to thrive in other areas. The Pacific Northwest National Laboratory is expected to continue with its growth pattern. Presently the Laboratory has gone through missions changes from Hanford support, to home land security to most recently energy improvements. Agriculture and transportation are expected to continue their growth patterns. Engineering and construction companies will continue to find the Tri-Cities an excellent place to locate.