March 3, 2026

RICHLAND, Wash. – The Port of Benton has been awarded the Economic Development Project of the Year – Business Recruitment Award at the Washington Economic Development Association’s (WEDA) 2026 Winter Conference, held last week. The conference, themed “Build Strong. Stay Strong. Building Economic Resilience & Preparedness in Washington’s Communities,” brought industry leaders together for a content-rich and engaging statewide event.

WEDA selected the Port of Benton for its exceptional partnership with its tenant, Avalanche Energy FusionWERX, a company advancing clean-energy innovation in the Pacific Northwest. The Port’s support and investment in infrastructure, site readiness and project coordination have played a key role in enabling Avalanche’s groundbreaking work and the economic ripple effects it is generating in the region.

“This recognition reflects the power of collaborative economic development,” said Ron Branine, Interim Executive Director, Port of Benton. “Our partnership with Avalanche showcases what can happen when public and private organizations work together to accelerate innovation, create quality jobs and build long-term resilience for our communities.”

Avalanche continues to attract attention for its cutting-edge technologies and its potential to drive significant economic impact throughout the region. The Port’s involvement has supported the company’s growth trajectory, site expansion needs, and its ability to advance clean-energy solutions from concept to commercialization.

“We’re grateful to have WEDA recognize the significance of what we’re building at FusionWERX”, said Dr. Hawkins DeFrance, Director of Regulatory Affairs & Safety at Avalanche Energy.” The Port of Benton and local Richland community have been more welcoming and supportive than we could have imagined. We’re excited to launch the first commercial fusion facility in the Tri-Cities and help continue Washington State’s leadership in advancing fusion energy technologies.”

The Port of Benton extends its gratitude to WEDA and to the many community and industry partners who have contributed to the success of this project, including TRIDEC who played a vital role in the recruitment of Avalanche.

For more information about the Port of Benton’s economic development initiatives, visit portofbenton.com.

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