Palouse Economic Development Council

Palouse Economic Development Council

845 Port Way | Clarkston, Washington 99403
509-751-9144 | toll free 1-877-289-7598 | fax 509-758-1309

Whitman County

Colfax, WA,
County Seat

Pullman, WA, the hub of Whitman County, was rated number two in a list of Washington's Best Cities for Business. That list was published by Seattle Business Monthly in 2005. Criteria for the title included: educated employees, low living costs, low labor costs, a concentration of businesses and a good quality of life. Pullman is the largest city in Whitman County and is the home of Washington State University, a major research university in the state. Eight miles away in Moscow, Idaho is the University of Idaho, also a research university. That concentration of research has led to the growth of research and technology companies in the area such as Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Decagon Devices, and others. Many of those companies are located in the Port of Whitman Pullman Industrial Park. The Park was recently designated as an Innovation Partnership Zone by the State and granted $1 million for expansion of the park and to establish a Green Grid Infrastructure Center of Excellence. This center, a public/private partnership, will focus on research and use of green energy technology for IT data centers.

Most of the business activity in Whitman County is centered around agriculture and light industry. With an abundance of hydroelectric power and natural gas, wide-open spaces, and excellent transportation systems, many companies find their operating cost lower after moving here. In fact, costs can be well below those in more metropolitan areas in other parts of Washington. Whitman County offers new and expanding businesses affordable land and lease rates, streamlined permitting, low utility costs, low workers' compensation, low labor rates, freight mobility, outsourcing opportunities, transportation options and a lifestyle with excellent services and close proximity to metropolitan amenities.

TRANSPORTATION

Roads and Highways: The major thoroughfare through Whitman County is U.S. Highway 195, running south from Spokane, through Colfax and Pullman, to Lewiston, Idaho. Highway 195 is accessed from the rest of Whitman County through a network of state and county roads. Highway 26 is the main connection to locales west and connects into Interstate 90 to the Puget Sound.

Trucking: Whitman County is served by several trucking firms and has access to many more in nearby Spokane.

Barge: The Port of Wilma, the Port of Central Ferry, and the Port of Lewiston all offer shipping on the Columbia/Snake River system. The major cargos handled are grain exports, fertilizers, wood products and petroleum products. Container systems are becoming more prominent as well. The cargos are transported down the Snake River to the Columbia River near the Tri-Cities to access ocean shipping at Portland, OR.

Airlines: Air Canada, Alaska, America West, Big Sky, Delta, Horizon, Northwest, Southwest, and United have flights at Spokane International Airport (75 miles north). The Pullman-Moscow Regional Airport offers passenger service through Horizon Air and cargo service through Airpac Airlines and has facilities for corporate and private aircraft. Lewiston-Nez Perce County Regional Airport (35 miles south) also offers passenger and cargo air service.

Air Cargo and Package Express Service: Spokane International Airport and Pullman-Moscow Regional airport offer convention access to air cargo and package services. UPS Next Day Air, FedEx, Airborne, Emery Worldwide, and the US Postal Service all serve the area.

Railroads: One major railroad company, Burlington Northern-Santa Fe, and three shortline railroads, provide rail service through the region.

UTILITIES

Washington offers the lowest electric rates for residential, commercial, and industrial users on the Pacific Coast. Electric Services and natural gas in the county is provided by Avista Utilities in most areas. Inland Power & Light provides electric service in some outlying areas. For additional information, go to: www.avistautilities.com or www.inlandpower.com

Pacific Contiguous Average Electricity Prices, August 2007 (source: U.S. Dept. of Energy):

Washington Oregon California U.S. Average

7.40 Residential 8.68 Residential 14.99 Residential 11.05 Residential

6.29 Commercial 7.06 Commercial 14.25 Commercial 10.05 Commercial

4.74 Industrial 5.15 Industrial 11.00 Industrial 6.84 Industrial

COUNTY GOVERNMENT
Whitman County Home Page

PORTS
Port of Whitman

AREA PROFILES
Whitman County Profile

BUSINESS
Whitman County Business Directory

Colfax Chamber Members Directory

Palouse Chamber Members Directory

Pullman Chamber Members Directory

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
Colfax Chamber of Commerce
www.visitcolfax.com