West Richland Complex Information & Comments Form
In 2021, Benton REA purchased 17 acres of land for future development. The land is located in West Richland on Cooperative Way, just off Keene Road.
Aging facilities require improvements in both West Richland and Prosser.
- Increase costs to address maintenance and repair issues
- Current HVAC failing - increased frequency of service calls and cost
- Electrical issues causing internal loss of power, overloading circuits
- Run down facilities due to age and increased traffic
All members benefit from future property improvements.
- West Richland complex results in several properties in Prosser and West Richland that are surplus and can be sold
- District office and crew will remain in the Prosser area to serve members closer to it
- Will consolidate district office facilities and eliminate crews stopping at 2-4 locations to get material before they leave for the outage or job site
- Operational efficiencies result in more work time, faster response time = better service
- Improves service to everyone, not just those closer to West Richland
All comments will be posted on this site for members to view. Please refrain from using profane language. All comments will be reviewed for such language prior to posting.
CITY OF WEST RICHLAND | RESOLUTION NO. 44-24 | A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF WEST RICHLAND, WASHINGTON, SUPPORTING THE RELOCATION OF BENTON RURAL ELECTRIC’S MAIN COMPLEX TO THE CITY OF WEST RICHLAND
WHEREAS, Benton Rural Electric (Benton REA) is a close community partner with the City of West Richland and has worked collaboratively with the City of West Richland to identify a location in the city to relocate their main complex; and
WHEREAS, beginning in 2021, the City and Benton REA worked together to develop Cooperative Way to gain access to property procured by Benton REA to build their main complex; and
WHEREAS, the complex location was chosen because 73% of Benton REA members are closer to the West Richland complex, 64% of Benton REA accounts are closer to the West Richland complex, and 64% of Benton REA field work is closer to the West Richland complex; and
WHEREAS, locating the main Benton REA complex in West Richland will lower fuel costs, decrease wear and tear on vehicles, and allow for faster response times for Benton REA, which is a benefit to West Richland citizens and the city; and
WHEREAS, the City of West Richland anticipates an increase in sales tax revenue paid to the city with the main complex relocation; and
WHEREAS, the relocation of the Benton REA main complex to West Richland meets several of the City’s Strategic Focus Areas and the City of West Richland supports and encourages businesses and facilities in West Richland.
NOW, THEREFORE, the City Council of the City of West Richland, Washington does hereby resolve as follows:
Section 1. The City of West Richland believes the relocation of Benton REA’s main complex will be mutually beneficial to both West Richland residents and Benton REA customers, and fully supports Benton REA’s relocation of its main complex to West Richland.
PASSED by the City Council of the City of West Richland, Washington, this 16 day of July 2024.