Association of Washington Business Toured Manufacturers
The trade group visited facilities in Pasco and Kennewick to highlight state workforce and manufacturing development.
Updated on Oct. 7, 2026 in Manufacturing
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The Association of Washington Business completed its 10th annual manufacturing bus tour with stops at key sites including Darigold in Pasco and the Tri-Tech Skills Center in Kennewick. The tour aims to spotlight the sector's vital role in the state economy and promote technical career pathways.
Why it matters
The tour emphasizes the economic importance of Washington's manufacturing sector and promotes job training in fields like welding and automotive mechanics. These efforts support the state legislature's goal of doubling the size of the manufacturing industry.
Washington is home to approximately 7,000 manufacturing companies that generated $65.3 billion in economic output in 2025. Employees in the sector earn an average annual compensation of $103,000.
The players
Association of Washington Business
This is the state chamber of commerce and manufacturing association representing business interests across Washington.
Darigold
This is a major dairy cooperative and food manufacturing company with significant processing operations in Pasco.
Tri-Tech Skills Center
This is a regional educational institution in Kennewick that provides career and technical training for students.
Chukar Cherries
This is a Prosser-based food manufacturer that specializes in cherry-based products and was featured on the industry tour.
The details
The tour showcased regional manufacturing prowess through visits to facilities such as Darigold in Pasco and Chukar Cherries in Prosser. Outreach efforts included video presentations and professional networking aimed at connecting students at the Tri-Tech Skills Center with career pathways that offer an average pay of $80,000.
Timeline
Manufacturers produced $65.3 billion in economic output during the 2025 calendar year.
The Association of Washington Business toured Darigold and Tri-Cities facilities on October 7, 2026.
Market Landscape
The tour reinforces the industry's lobbying efforts to align with the Washington state Legislature's manufacturing growth initiative. By highlighting the sector's $51 billion in annual exports, the organization seeks to solidify its position as the state's primary economic engine against competing regional sectors.
Residents and students in the Tri-Cities area gain direct access to information regarding $80,000-per-year career pathways. The growth of the local manufacturing sector may also lead to increased regional job stability and investment in educational training programs.
The takeaway
The state's manufacturing sector continues to be a high-paying pillar of the economy with average annual compensation exceeding six figures. Prospective workers should look into technical certification programs to qualify for the high-wage career pathways highlighted by the regional skills centers.
Further reading
Learn more about the state's industrial sector at Washington Manufacturing.
Source note: This article includes information reported by TriYakNews.
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