"First of all, it's an outstanding place to recruit because it has such a highly educated work force," said John Overby, president of Pullman-based Advanced Hardware Architecture.

Pullman is the home of Washington State University, which has over 17,000 students on its main campus. Not only can companies snap up computer engineering graduates from WSU, but the University of Idaho lies just eight miles across the border.

"A very close second would be just the quality of life, and all of the things that go with that lifestyle," said Overby. "The recreation around here is good, family values, no crime, no traffic, lots of football and basketball. It's enabled us to attract outside people. We need a careful mix of mentors and 'mentees' -- made up of the more experienced people coming in from the outside and those we recruit from the campus. So far, that's worked quite well, and that's why we're continuing to expand here."

Advanced Hardware is taking full advantage of what Pullman has to offer.

The 90-employee company, which designs semiconductors for the backup tape drive, printer, copier and telecommunications markets, has contracted with WSU, where a research team of graduates is creating a faster, more compact microchip that will convert analog data to digital data.

The 10-year-old Pullman operation recently completed a $1 million, 25,000 square-foot expansion, adding 20 employees.

Big improvements for port
Washington is strategically located to provide some of the best intermodal transportation in the country. The Port of Vancouver, a river, road and rail network for the Pacific Northwest, is no exception.

Situated at the terminus of the Columbia River and 106 miles from the Pacific Ocean, it is the transfer and switching center for four major railroad lines serving North America. Located on Interstate 5, it is just minutes away from Portland International Airport.

Transportation is a top priority for the Port of Vancouver and the $34 million Mill Plain Extension will help make road travel to and from the Port and West Vancouver easier than ever. The Port is also deepening the Columbia River channel to 43 feet to accommodate modern ships needing bigger, deeper passageways.

Subaru of America brought in a record number of automobiles at the Port of Vancouver during 1997. Plans for this year include expanding rail access to Subaru's distribution facility, which is the point of entrance for every Subaru imported into the United States.

The Port also welcomed Distribution & Automotive Services. The new auto processor began servicing Subaru vehicles at the beginning of the year, and employs about 60.

Other new tenants include Fabricated Products, Inc., which will employ 20 when its facility opens in May.