“WEDA’s Economic Development Awards celebrate outstanding achievement in economic development at the highest level,” said WEDA Board Chair Gina Stark. “There are leaders across our entire state working tirelessly to grow jobs and strengthen economic vitality in their communities. These awards honor leaders and projects that are excelling in this impactful work.”
Amanda Wallner, WEDA Awards Committee Chair who also serves as Economic Development Manager for the City of Richland added, “We received a significant number of impressive nominations from communities across Washington. The nominations reflect a unique array of the breadth and diversity of important work taking place by economic developers in Washington. These projects are often complex and require extensive collaboration and creative partnerships.”
WEDA's 2026 Economic Development Project of the Year - Business Recruitment Award celebrates the successful creation or completion of a creative, economically significant, and/or model project in a community or region. Factors that may influence the selection include the extent of the economic impact this project has on the community, the development of partnerships, innovation, originality, whether the project or program can be duplicated as a “best practice,” and whether the project or program appears to be cost-effective. The award honors projects demonstrating innovation, sustainability, effective use of community assets and measurable economic impact in a community.
WEDA noted that ROCKWOOL North America’s decision to locate its newest US manufacturing facility in Walla Walla County represents one of the most significant business recruitment successes for both the Port of Walla Walla and the State of Washington.
ROCKWOOL, a global leader in stone wool insulation and building materials, selected the Port’s Wallula Gap Business Park following a competitive, multi-state site selection process. The 1,280-acre Wallula Gap Business Park is zoned for heavy and mixed industrial use and sits adjacent to U.S. Highway 12, the region’s primary east–west freight corridor. The site offered the industrial land, rail connectivity, water capacity and proximity to U.S. Highway 12—key infrastructure needed to support a world-class manufacturing operation. Years of investment by the Port in infrastructure and industrial site readiness positioned the community to compete successfully for a major global manufacturer.
In March 2024, ROCKWOOL acquired 250 acres within the business park to construct a manufacturing facility utilizing advanced electric melting technology to produce stone wool insulation products that improve energy efficiency, fire resilience, and building durability. The project represents an estimated $175 million in local, private investment during construction that will support more than 670 construction jobs. Once operational, the facility will employ approximately 125 people and generate an estimated $8.6 million in annual earnings and $2.4 million in state and local tax revenue. Beyond direct employment, the project is producing secondary economic activity through construction spending, engineering, and local procurement while helping diversify Walla Walla County’s economy beyond agriculture and tourism.
“At ROCKWOOL, we believe strongly in building sustainable industry, creating well-paying jobs, and being a responsible partner wherever we operate,” said ROCKWOOL's Wallula Director of Operations Jørgen Amtoft. “To have those values recognized at the state level is both humbling and encouraging.”
“ROCKWOOL’s investment in Walla Walla County demonstrates what can happen when rural communities prepare the infrastructure, industrial land and partnerships needed to compete for global industry,” said Patrick Reay, Executive Director of the Port of Walla Walla. “This recognition reflects years of planning and collaboration and will create lasting economic opportunity for our region.”
About the Washington Economic Development Association (WEDA):
As Washington State’s only trade association laser-focused on economic development, WEDA is committed to recovering, retaining, recruiting and expanding jobs and re-investment in Washington State. WEDA members include economic development organizations, cities, counties, ports, tribes, businesses, education/workforce and community-based organizations that prioritize economic development.