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Industrial Information

Located on the Yakima River in South Central Washington, the Lower Yakima Valley area is centrally located to the major markets of the Pacific Northwest and the world. It's hard to over estimate the influence of agriculture, food processing along with an expanding wine and tourism industry upon this area. However, that's only part of the formula that makes Prosser an excellent place to expand or relocate your business.

 
 

Prosser - The Place For Business


 

Convenient Locations

  •  Major Freeway Access/No Traffic Congestion

  •  Proximity to Interstate Transportation Corridors

  •  Affordable Land

  •  Lower Utility Rates Than State & National Averages

  •  Advanced Telecommunications

  •  Business & Industrial Parks

 

      Prosser Manufacturers Survey Results
   ·  250% Increase in New Construction Growth 2004-2007

·  75% Surveyed Companies Plan Expansion prior to 2010

·  2/3 Report Exports Increasing/Stable

·  71% Satisfaction Rate with Services/Infrastructure

·  4 Prosser Wineries Produce 47% of WA Wine

·  Abundant/Trainable Labor Force

 

                Growth & Expansion
       · Corporate Food Processors
      ·  Large Scale Crop Production
      ·  Winery Cluster Development
       ·  Value Added Products/Commodities
      ·  Warehouse Distribution
      ·  Specialty & Niche Markets
      ·  Bio – Energy Focused Companies
      ·  Agri-Support Services

RESIDENT LABOR FORCE
 

  Labor Force Employment Unemployment %
Benton County 95,990 89,610 6,380 6.6%

Figures as of May 2010
 Data from Office of Financial Management


 Benton County Workforce Data

 

Major Employers Benton, Franklin & Walla Walla Counties

MAJOR INDUSTRIAL EMPLOYERS

Tree Top, Inc. 
509 786-2926
 www.treetop.com		 Tree Top, Inc. a grower owned apple and pear products and concentrate processor (1,750 grower/owners in WA, ID & OR) has 132 Prosser employees in 2007.
Milne Fruit
  804 Bennett Ave.
509 786-2611
Fax 509 786-4915
 www.milnefruit.com		 Milne Fruit a locally owned processor and purveyor of fruit based ingredients, employs 90 individuals.
Zirkle Fruit
101 Benitz Road
509 786-3993		 Fruit and vegetable growers and shippers. Employs 150 at it's Prosser facility.
Columbia Crest Winery
 Hwy. 221 Paterson
509 875-2061
Fax 509- 875-2568
 www.columbia-crest.com		 Columbia Crest Winery employs 291 individuals and produces award winning, affordable wines.

FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRY

The largest manufacturing sector in the Lower Yakima Valley is the food processing industry, where raw farm commodities are converted to higher valued food and feed products. These value-added products move into other manufacturing sectors for further processing or into wholesale and retail markets for final consumption.

A combination of conditions makes the region well suited for food processing and production. Prosser’s central location, 3 hours from Seattle & Portland and international shipping, freeway access to markets, plus transportation and related infrastructure top the list.  Favorable economic conditions, a viable labor force, and an abundance of local supplies and commodities have aided the proven success of the agricultural production industry.

PROSSER MAJOR NON-FARM - NON-INDUSTRY EMPLOYERS

Company

 Number of Employees
Benton County Government Prosser offices 144
Benton Rural Electric 54
City of Prosser 50
Prosser Memorial Hospital 300
Prosser School District 316
WSU/IAREC 207FTE; 150PTE

RESEARCH

WSU Irrigated Agriculture Research & Extension Center (IAREC) is located three miles outside Prosser and is the largest facility of its kind in the world. Scientists there are a source of ideas, problem-solving and specialty expertise for growers and agribusinesses for the community and region. Two-thirds of agriculture production in Washington comes from irrigated land, making such research critical to Washington’s economy, both for intrastate domestic distribution and international exportation. 

www.prosser.wsu.edu

SPECIALTY FOODS

Niche markets are also developing from the foundation of agriculture in the Prosser area.  A burgeoning specialty foods industry is thriving. Successful specialty foods ventures in the Prosser area include The Hogue Cellars, Chukar Cherries, Fruit Smart, A Taste of Heaven, Apres' Vin and Whitstran Brewery, Blue Flame Spirits.