Earlier this month, I attended a regional motorcycle show in Seattle.   I was disappointed at the number of dealers and venders in attendance.  It was about ½ the show attendees as the previous year.  I met a Tri-City friend at the show and he indicated that he recently attended a wood working show and it was the same poor attendance.  These shows are a reminder that the economy in the US is simply not strong.

We in the Tri-Cities have enjoyed a robust economy during 2009.  Our economy became the Number One Story among the Top Ten identified by the Tri-City Herald.  Business Week ranked the Tri-Cities the third best place in the nation for people battered by the ongoing recession to make a fresh start.  Business Week’s report identified food processing, professional and business services, education and health services, leisure and hospitality and government sectors for providing potential job opportunities.

 In addition to a strong economy, we have enjoyed affordable housing as reported by Washington State University.  The Council for Community and Economic Research has consistently reported the Tri-Cities as among the least expensive places to live in the Pacific Northwest.

Two thousand nine has been a superb year and we look forward to 2010.