The Call for Columbia River Commerce
Local industry leaders push for better freight connections to keep regional trade within the valley.
A letter received this week by B. E. Russell, of the local broom factory, from the White Bluffs Mercantile company, shows the loyalty of the Up-River people to the Columbia Valley and at the same time emphasizes the need of freight service between Kennewick and White Bluffs and Hanford. The letter follows: 'We have your quotations on brooms and will say at this time that we will give you our broom business in the future. We are boosters always for a Columbia River product. You may ship us the following order when the boats run up here. Do not ship by Flyer as the cost will be too great.'
“We are boosters always for a Columbia River product.”
The quest for regional supply chains and better logistical infrastructure remains a cornerstone of the Tri-Cities' economic development efforts over a century later.
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