Business

Members and supporters of the Snohomish and Island County Labor Council gather on Oct. 10 at the Edward D. Hansen Conference Center in Everett. The the Affiliate Labor Champion Award was given to the International Association of Machinists 751. Wes Heard, center, accepted the award on behalf of IAM 751. Photo credit: Snohomish and Island County Labor Council.

Snohomish & Island County Labor Council honors labor leaders

The labor council’s annual Champions Dinner recognized two local labor leaders and a machinists union last month.

Members and supporters of the Snohomish and Island County Labor Council gather on Oct. 10 at the Edward D. Hansen Conference Center in Everett. The the Affiliate Labor Champion Award was given to the International Association of Machinists 751. Wes Heard, center, accepted the award on behalf of IAM 751. Photo credit: Snohomish and Island County Labor Council.
Logo for news use, for stories regarding Washington state government — Olympia, the Legislature and state agencies. No caption necessary. 20220331

State gets $1 million grant to boost small-business exports

Washington’s Department of Commerce will use the federal grant to help small companies increase their export business.

Logo for news use, for stories regarding Washington state government — Olympia, the Legislature and state agencies. No caption necessary. 20220331
Customers come and go at a soon-to-close Rite Aid on Evergreen Way on Friday, Oct. 19, 2023, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Amid bankruptcy, Rite Aid to close Everett, Mill Creek, Lynnwood stores

With $4 billion in debt, the struggling chain is closing 154 stores nationwide, including in Everett, Mill Creek and Lynnwood.

Customers come and go at a soon-to-close Rite Aid on Evergreen Way on Friday, Oct. 19, 2023, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Mike Benbow, of Tulalip, uses a float tube to search for trout in Black Lake north of Winthrop in the Pasayten Wilderness at about 4,000 ft on July 20, 2012. Float tubes allow access to more water on the high mountain lakes. (Jim Haley / The Herald file)

Herald writer, editor, fly-fishing outdoorsman Mike Benbow dies

The longtime editor wore many hats in the newsroom, but all remember his passion for fishing, birding and hiking.

Mike Benbow, of Tulalip, uses a float tube to search for trout in Black Lake north of Winthrop in the Pasayten Wilderness at about 4,000 ft on July 20, 2012. Float tubes allow access to more water on the high mountain lakes. (Jim Haley / The Herald file)
Dominique Gonzalez works at Pathfinder Manufacturing on Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Trade group tour highlights manufacturing in Everett, Mukilteo

The Association of Washington Business visited a local furniture maker and aerospace manufacturer Tuesday.

Dominique Gonzalez works at Pathfinder Manufacturing on Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
The exterior of a Buzz Inn restaurant in Everett, Washington on Monday, July 24, 2023. (Annie Barker / The Herald)

An ode to Buzz Inn Steakhouses, a Snohomish County institution

The local chain founded in 1981 now spans Arlington, Everett, Granite Falls, Lake Stevens, Marysville, Monroe and Snohomish.

The exterior of a Buzz Inn restaurant in Everett, Washington on Monday, July 24, 2023. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Fluke Corp. President Jason Waxman at the Everett offices on Tuesday, May 9, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Everett’s Fluke Corp. adds solar test firm to its portfolio

The acquistion of Solmetric boosts Fluke’s solar test and measurement product line.

Fluke Corp. President Jason Waxman at the Everett offices on Tuesday, May 9, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Two students walk along a path through campus Thursday, Aug. 4, 2022, at Everett Community College in Everett, Washington. The college’s youth-reengagement program has lost its funding, and around 150 students are now without the money they need to attend classes. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Fewer students enroll at state’s public colleges, study says

Enrollment has picked up since the pandemic, but the lag threatens the state’s quest for education equity.

Two students walk along a path through campus Thursday, Aug. 4, 2022, at Everett Community College in Everett, Washington. The college’s youth-reengagement program has lost its funding, and around 150 students are now without the money they need to attend classes. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Left to right, president Bill Peterson, vice president Jamie Gamez, and executive vice president Jeff Cannon pose for a photo at Morris Magnets in Monroe, Washington, on Wednesday, Sept. 13, 2023. (Annie Barker / The Herald)

Gift and souvenir maker Morris Magnets calls Monroe home

Morris makes 30,000 items like refrigerator magnets and key chains a day out of its factory.

Left to right, president Bill Peterson, vice president Jamie Gamez, and executive vice president Jeff Cannon pose for a photo at Morris Magnets in Monroe, Washington, on Wednesday, Sept. 13, 2023. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Scenes from the Jackson High School graduation ceremony at Angel of the Winds in Everett, Washington on Saturday, June 17, 2023. (Annie Barker / The Herald)

Looking back on 20 years of Angel of the Winds Arena in Everett

The 10,000 seat arena, community ice rink and conference center continues to draw 700,000 visitors to downtown Everett per year.

Scenes from the Jackson High School graduation ceremony at Angel of the Winds in Everett, Washington on Saturday, June 17, 2023. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Richie del Puerto watches as a student works to jump start a car during class at Sno-Isle Technical Skills Center on Tuesday, Nov. 2, 2021 in Everett. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Washington’s Job Skills Program has trained employees for 40 years

Since 1983, over 75,000 workers have taken advantage of the state program.

Richie del Puerto watches as a student works to jump start a car during class at Sno-Isle Technical Skills Center on Tuesday, Nov. 2, 2021 in Everett. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Cash is used for a purchase at Molly Moon's Ice Cream in Edmonds, Washington on Wednesday, Aug. 30, 2023. (Annie Barker / The Herald)

Washington minimum wage to top $16 an hour next year

Meanwhile, some salaried workers and rideshare drivers could see their earnings rise from other state-required adjustments.

  • Oct 3, 2023
  • By Wire Service
Cash is used for a purchase at Molly Moon's Ice Cream in Edmonds, Washington on Wednesday, Aug. 30, 2023. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Yansi De La Cruz molds a cheese mixture into bone shapes at Himalayan Dog Chew on Thursday, Sept. 21, 2023 in Arlington, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Give a dog a bone? How about a hard cheese chew from Arlington instead!

Launched from a kitchen table in 2003, Himalayan Pet Supply now employs 160 workers at its new Arlington factory.

Yansi De La Cruz molds a cheese mixture into bone shapes at Himalayan Dog Chew on Thursday, Sept. 21, 2023 in Arlington, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Inside the new Boeing 737 simulator at Simulation Flight in Mukilteo, Washington on Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2023. (Annie Barker / The Herald)

New Boeing 737 simulator takes ‘flight’ in Mukilteo

Pilots can test their flying skills or up their game at Simulation Flight in Mukilteo.

Inside the new Boeing 737 simulator at Simulation Flight in Mukilteo, Washington on Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2023. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
An Amazon worker transfers and organizes items at the new PAE2 Amazon Fulfillment Center on Thursday, Sept. 14, 2023, in Arlington, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Amazon cuts ribbon on colossal $355M fulfillment center in Arlington

At 2.8 million square feet, the facility is the largest of its kind in Washington. It can hold 40 million “units” of inventory.

An Amazon worker transfers and organizes items at the new PAE2 Amazon Fulfillment Center on Thursday, Sept. 14, 2023, in Arlington, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
A computer rendering of the North Creek Commerce Center industrial park in development at 18712 Bothell-Everett Highway. (Kidder Mathews)

Developer breaks ground on new Bothell industrial park

The North Creek Commerce Center on Bothell Everett Highway will provide warehouse and office space in three buildings.

A computer rendering of the North Creek Commerce Center industrial park in development at 18712 Bothell-Everett Highway. (Kidder Mathews)
Dan Bates / The Herald
Funko president, Brian Mariotti is excited about the growth that has led his company to need a 62,000 square foot facility in Lynnwood.
Photo Taken: 102312

Former Funko CEO resigns from the Everett company

Brian Mariotti resigned Sept. 1, six weeks after announcing he was taking a six-month sabbatical from the company.

Dan Bates / The Herald
Funko president, Brian Mariotti is excited about the growth that has led his company to need a 62,000 square foot facility in Lynnwood.
Photo Taken: 102312
Cash is used for a purchase at Molly Moon's Ice Cream in Edmonds, Washington on Wednesday, Aug. 30, 2023. (Annie Barker / The Herald)

Paper or plastic? Snohomish County may require businesses to take cash

County Council member Nate Nehring proposed an ordinance to ban cashless sales under $200. He hopes cities will follow suit.

Cash is used for a purchase at Molly Moon's Ice Cream in Edmonds, Washington on Wednesday, Aug. 30, 2023. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Members of Gravitics' team and U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen stand in front of a mockup of a space module interior on Thursday, August 17, 2023 at Gravitics' Marysville facility. Left to right: Mark Tiner, government affairs representative; Jiral Shah, business development; U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen; Mike DeRosa, marketing; Scott Macklin, lead engineer. (Gravitics.)

Marysville startup prepares for space — the financial frontier

Gravitics is building space station module prototypes to one day house space travelers and researchers.

Members of Gravitics' team and U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen stand in front of a mockup of a space module interior on Thursday, August 17, 2023 at Gravitics' Marysville facility. Left to right: Mark Tiner, government affairs representative; Jiral Shah, business development; U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen; Mike DeRosa, marketing; Scott Macklin, lead engineer. (Gravitics.)
Workers build the first all-electric commuter plane, the Eviation Alice, at Eviation's plant on Wednesday, Sept. 8, 2021 in Arlington, Washington.  (Andy Bronson / The Herald)

Arlington’s Eviation selects Seattle firm to configure production plane

TLG Aerospace chosen to configure Eviation Aircraft’s all-electric commuter plane for mass production.

Workers build the first all-electric commuter plane, the Eviation Alice, at Eviation's plant on Wednesday, Sept. 8, 2021 in Arlington, Washington.  (Andy Bronson / The Herald)