Office of Governor Gary Locke
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - February 2, 1999
Contact:  Governor's Communications Office, 360-902-4136

Locke praises Lamb-Weston's decision and 'cooperative effort'

OLYMPIA — Gov. Gary Locke today praised the decision by the Lamb-Weston Co. to keep its corporate and research and development operations in the Tri-Cities.

Lamb-Weston had explored moving its corporate office to another state, such as Idaho. The plan would not have affected the company's food processing plants in the Tri-Cities.

"This is great news for our state and for the Tri-Cities," Locke said. "We are committed to keeping employers in our state and to making sure our rural and agricultural areas participate in Washington's economic prosperity."

When word of Lamb-Weston's interest in moving first surfaced, Locke directed the Washington Department of Revenue and the Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development (CTED) to help the Tri-Cities Economic Development agency find economic and business incentives to persuade Lamb-Weston not to move.

"It was a cooperative effort by our agencies and local business leaders in Tri-Cities," said Locke, who personally phoned Lamb-Weston executives to ask them to reconsider plans to move their Richland headquarters.

"Washington is a great place to do business, and it is a great place to live and raise a family," Locke added. "The Lamb-Weston decision is good news indeed."

Lamb-Weston is the largest private employer in the Tri-Cities, with 1,700 jobs in Benton and Franklin counties. The food-processing company makes about 3 billion pounds of potato products each year.

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