TEKOA – Today, the Port of Whitman County Commission approved the first lease on its new Tekoa, Washington economic development site.

The two-year lease with Hefty Seed Company will support the business’ expansion by providing warehouse seed storage on the Tekoa plot. 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. 

In 2023, the Port acquired the 14-acre property northwest of Tekoa and completed 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. 

The Port is currently conducting a Site Readiness Plan, funded by a $100,000 grant from the Washington State Community Economic Revitalization Board. The plan will analyze site readiness barriers, solutions, economic impacts and costs and identify a marketing and outreach strategy. The Port issued a request for written proposals in March and signed a contract with Points Consulting in May. The plan is now underway and estimated for completion in November. Development of the plan will include a community town hall.

“Today’s lease signing is an exciting first step for our Tekoa economic development site,” 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.” 

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About the Port of Whitman County

The Port of Whitman County is dedicated to improving the quality of life for all citizens of Whitman County through industrial real estate development, preservation of multi-modal transportation, facilitation of economic development and provision of on-water recreational opportunities.