Tekoa economic development site approved

TEKOA — The Port of Whitman County Commissioners approved the first lease on the new Tekoa economic development site during their Monday, June 3, regular meeting.

The two-year lease is with Hefty Seed Company, supporting the expansion of the business by providing warehouse seed storage on the 14-acre property northwest of Tekoa.

According to a press release from the Port of Whitman the company will store seed in the existing 5,000-square-foot building on the property. Hefty Seed Company offers seed, fertilizer and crop protection for farmers in 12 states, including Washington and Idaho.

“Today’s lease signing is an exciting first step for our Tekoa economic development site,” said Commission President Tom Kammerzell said. “It marks the beginning of the Port’s long-term project to form a new driving force of economic growth in northern Whitman County.”

The Port acquired the property in 2023, completing an environmental site assessment and cleanup of the property’s topsoil to prepare its grounds to be safely developed into an industrial real estate opportunity for new or expanding local businesses.

A site readiness plan, funded by a $100,000 grant from the Washington State Community Economic Revitalization Board is currently being conducted. “The plan will analyze site readiness barriers, solutions, economic impacts and costs and identify a marketing and outreach strategy,” states the press release.

According to the press release, the Port issued a request for written proposals in March and signed a contract with Points Consulting in May.

Plans are now underway with an estimated completion set for November, with development of the plan including a community town hall.