Trade trip shows potential partnerships for Adams County

A recent trade mission trip to Japan allowed Adams County and Grant County leaders with an opportunity to meet with business and trade organizations to discuss potential trade and development opportunities.

Led by the Port of Moses Lake, Senate Majority Leader Mark Schoesler agreed to make the international journey to share ideas and also the value of Adams County.

Schoesler said he had never attended a mission trip before because he could never see the potential benefit it would have for Adams County and the constituents he represents. Schoesler said the two neighboring counties share many similarities and he also had received the “green light” to specifically work on things for Adams County.

Part of the nine-day journey included touring the largest flourmill in Japan, which Schoesler explained is interested in expanding to the United States.

Adams County is an attractive location for this industry, as there is immediate access to truck and rail travel, as well as prospects of developing a mill within the county.

Another research point, Schoesler said, is seeing if Adams County provides an adequate growing environment for adzuki beans. If the beans can grow in the climate, Schoesler said it is almost a guarantee that a processing plant would be located here, and the addition of the crop would be good for the region as a whole.

Schoesler said it is important to remember that growth in Moses Lake or in Ritzville positively affects the other community. He added it is a necessity to form strong partnerships with neighboring districts, in order to share resources and expand the potential opportunities available for both counties.

The trade mission allowed Schoesler and other leaders to visit with representatives from businesses such as Boeing-Japan, Mitsubishi and Panasonic. The diversity in meetings allowed businesses to exchange information about their needs, and the U.S. representatives to offer suggestions.

Schoesler said while companies like Kawasaki will not move their plant to this region; Adams County is attractive for development for subsidiaries and supply distribution locations.

With low taxes, property values, pro-growth elected officials in the county and low electrical rates, Eastern Washington is a more desirable location than the west side of the state, Schoesler explained.

The trip also served as a cultural exploration for the trade team, and it provided them with an insight into the differences between the two countries.

Schoesler explained the success of the trip may not been seen immediately, but there will be short term, temporary and long term prospects from the trip.

In the upcoming months, Schoesler said those who went on the trade mission will continue to develop relationships with their Japanese contacts. He added the Senate and local representatives will continue to host dignitaries from Japan, as well as other countries, to promote the state and region.