A Regional Center for Commerce and Industry 

The Yakima Valley enjoys a relatively diverse and stable economy.   The region has the largest and most varied farm base in Washington State.  A long growing season, excellent soils, and extensive irrigation systems allows farmers to grow 39 different commodities.  The area is also Washington State’s leader in beef and dairy production.  Yakima County produces over $1.2 billion of agricultural products annually which makes it the 12th largest farming area in the nation. 

The region’s agricultural base is complimented by significant economic activity taking place in warehousing, manufacturing, health care and services.  Most warehousing activity is tied to storage and shipment of agricultural commodities.  Yakima’s farm products are shipped around the world so the region has a multitude of storage, packing and shipping facilities.  These warehouse activities are complimented by regional distribution companies that operate within the area because of its central location within the Pacific Northwest economy.  Ace Hardware and Walmart operate significant distribution centers in the Yakima Valley.  These facilities are complimented by locally owns logistics companies like Horizon Distribution and RE Powell. 

 

Tree Top juice products

Yakima County’s manufacturing activity is concentrated in food processing.  Local companies manufacture fruit juice, industrial food ingredients, cheese, potato chips, and canned vegetables.   These value added food processors are complimented by a significant concentration of metal fabricators, aerospace companies, plastics firms, and machinery manufacturers.  Food processing represents about 40 percent of the manufacturing sector.  Its more than 250 firms employ nearly 10,000 workers, and, in 2006, the gross sales for Yakima’s food processors exceeded $1.4 billion.

Memorial Hospital

Professional business, education and health care services combine for 18 percent of the Valley’s economy.  Health care is a significant driver of local employment – the sector has added jobs almost continuously over the last decade.  As the center of a seven county region for health care, Yakima County has five local hospitals, numerous specialty clinics, and a growing array of medical services.  As the commercial center of Central Washington, Yakima also enjoys a concentration of accounting, legal, financial, and insurance firms.  

Top 20 Employers