USDA Rural Development Director visits Franklin County

June 30, 2025

By: Katherine Trowbridge

Washington State USDA Rural Development Director Kirk Pearson was guided on a tour of Franklin County following a workshop on Wednesday, June 25, with Franklin County Commissioners. Pearson was taken to Eltopia, Basin City, and Mesa by Chairman Curt Didier and then met with Commissioner Stephen Bauman in Connell, where he was shown Lamb Weston and the new ambulance bays at Franklin County Hospital District 1. Commissioner Rocky Mullen led him through Kahlotus to complete the tour. 

During the workshop that followed the commissioners’ regular meeting, Pearson stated their mission is helping rural America, highlighting how their programs help rural communities and counties. Among the programs they offer are areas of housing, water and wastewater, farm labor housing, community facilities, and so much more. Pearson highlighted the Mutual Self-Help Housing program, which promotes community pride through sweat equity, and the Single Family Direct Loan, which helps moderate income families. He mentioned the help they provide to lower income families and especially seniors that can assist in home repairs. 

Pearson also mentioned the Community Facilities program which funded projects like the $112 million Prosser hospital. He emphasized the importance of clean water, noting the administration’s priority to improve water systems for municipalities along with well water. He also discussed their business programs, including the Rural Business Development grants and value added producer grants, which support local businesses and independent producers. 

Pearson mentioned bringing in their field representative to look at the need for broadband in Franklin County. While the PUD is bringing broadband to communities like Basin City Proper and Connell, there is still a need in a wide area of the county.

USDA works with state and federal partners to bring funding for a variety of projects in these areas Pearson mentioned as well as schools like WSU, non-profits, and other groups. He stated, “One thing I’ve learned, if you really want to know what’s going on in our state, talk to county commissioners and the clerks, because you guys have the pulse of the county, and that’s why we’re starting with commissioners. We’re going to talk to towns, we’re going to find out what the needs are, but you guys are already talking to the towns…We’re going to see towns today. I’m so jazzed about this because public service isn’t just a word on a billboard. Isn’t about a paycheck, it’s about other Americans helping Americans survive in our country.” 

The Commissioners shared briefly before opening it up for those in attendance to share. Chairman Didier spoke of several areas of the county, including the need for affordable housing and the bigger need for a water system in Basin City. He called on Matt Naef with the Water District there. Naef shared the challenges including seeking grants which fall short of the bids. “It’s a frustration, getting projects to match funding and we’re challenged to meet growth and do it with a very small budget.” He continued, “We just don’t have the funding coming in from our own community to build the system we need. Our system is 50 years old now.” Naef spoke of the lots available in the community for growth but the water and other infrastructures aren’t there to support it. 

Didier also spoke of Kahlotus not having a septic system and how that area floods and Lamb Weston shutting down in Connell really hurting that community.

John Andrewejeski addressed the needs in Kahlouts with 100 year old water rights and sewer and other water concerns. He shared they would like to bring back Kahlotus Lake and be able to pump out of that for sewer and other needs for the city of less than 200. 

Mark Sanchez, with the Washington State Department of Commerce, representing the South Central Region of Washington State, was in attendance and stated he wanted to introduce himself as a lot of the work he does crosses over with work the state is doing and he looks forward to connecting with USDA. 

Lori Hayles was asked to speak on behalf of the Franklin County Hospital District as she serves as a commissioner for FCPHD1. The district was a recipient of ARPA and Levy lift funds that supported three new ambulances along with equipment. Hayles shared about the needs of the district with being mainly volunteers. With funding from the Department of Corrections, they have been able to bring on some career staff during the days to offset the increased calls at Coyote Ridge. What was stated would be four times a week has turned into four times a day servicing the inmate population there. Didier also brought up the needs with Palouse Falls and the multitude of problems that have incurred since being named the state’s waterfall. There is no EMS service in that area of the county, Hayles explained, and there are no technical rescue teams in our county. Most rescues require ropes or water rescue teams. 

Connell City Administrator Cathleen Koch addressed the 400 plus jobs lost with Lamb Weston’s closure, the 14% reduction in general fund revenue, and a 50% reduction in revenue in the city’s water fund. She commented on the ripple effect this closure is having on the community from families who are struggling to find jobs or having to commute, even move away, to the effect on the city’s budget that could lead to higher water rates. 

Koch shared that the city was seeing growth and highlighted the new stores and businesses that have invested in our town, most beginning the process prior to the closure. She also highlighted the support from organizations, including the Port of Pasco and the CERB Grant 

funding that is helping the city look at infrastructure and industry opportunities. 

Another concern for Connell, Koch shared, is the lack of rentals. The divide of the town by 395 and getting water to the other side as well as the question of if the city should forgo the $2 million grant that was received to build a new well, prior to the closure. 

Michelle Andres addressed our county stating, “Farms are our driving engine.” She spoke of the potential to build business in Kahlotus and how “farming communities are great places to start businesses.” Speaking of the traditional ag/foods industries but also mentioning more creative options. 

Pearson did state that they will be back and we inquired on what this means for the county. Commissioner Bauman stated that they are planning to bring him back to meet with the bi-county area including mayors and city administrators to dive even deeper into the needs.