After 30 years of fostering innovation and collaboration in north Richland, the Tri‑Cities Research District has officially dissolved. A nonprofit Innovation Partnership Zone, administered by Port of Benton, the research district brought together Washington State University–Tri‑Cities, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory and more than 80 businesses. The district served over 7,000 employees across 2,875 acres with space for advanced tech, clean energy and other industries.

Tri‑Cities Research District was more than land – it embodied a shared vision. The community supported commercialization, startups, talent pipelines and lab-to-market partnerships that defined our region’s innovation identity.

As we move forward, we acknowledge the legacy: the ideas sparked here, the breakthroughs achieved and the local economic growth catalyzed. May the spirit of collaboration live on individually, institutionally and regionally.

To everyone who helped build this ecosystem, thank you. This chapter may have closed, but our mission continues.

Please contact Port of Benton with any questions or concerns.
509-375-3060