Benton-Franklin Council of Governments

09/13/2026

The BFCOG Board meeting is this Friday, September 18, at 10:00 a.m. You can join us in person or online!

📄 Board meeting materials and the full agenda are available at: https://www.bfcog.us/AgendaCenter

💻 Join us via Zoom:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86078708403

09/08/2026

09/04/2026

🌟Highlight Friday🌟

Sharing some of BFCOG and Jurisdictional Highlights!

🎉 A Regional Transportation Win for West Richland!
The City of West Richland successfully obligated its transportation project funding before the federal deadline—keeping those important transportation dollars invested right here in our region.

BFCOG is continuing it's Annual Strategic Partnership, coming up in October is City of West Richland, and City of Prosser in November, and Benton County in December!

Photos in order:
1. BFCOG at the Richland Farmers Market (August 7) 📸? BFCOG Staff did an RTP: 2050 budget exercise at the Richland Farmers' market. There was a bracket for people to vote on RTP Regional projects; the winner was the US 12 Interchange!

2-4. Port of Pasco Youth Tour (August 27) - Regional Planner, Lizzy Garcia, took the Summer Planning Academy high school students on a tour of the Port of Pasco! They enjoyed learning more about what is happening at the Port, including a tour of the Pasco Airport!

5. Commissioner and BFCOG Board Member, Skip Novakovich, shared at the BFCOG Board meeting that the Port of Kennewick was just named the first Purple Heart Port in the state of Washington! So proud.

6. Port of Kennewick is also hosting a Sip and Sing Event at the Columbia Gardens Village with the Mid-Columbia Opera on Saturday, September 26, go check it out!

09/04/2026

BFCOG will be closed Monday, September 7, in observance of Labor Day.

Our office will reopen for regular business on Tuesday, September 8.

We wish our community partners, members, and neighbors a safe and enjoyable Labor Day! ❤️🤍💙

09/01/2026

Come to our Open House! The draft 2027-2030 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) document is out for public comment, and the BFCOG is hosting a free open house where residents can attend, ask questions, and learn more about upcoming transportation plans and projects in the region.

When: September 23, 2026
Time: 3:00-5:00 pm
Where: BFCOG Office at 587 Stevens Drive, Richland, WA 99352 or virtually on Microsoft Teams. Link can be found on our website or here: https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/277676633169691?p=cFMmiebxbH7a8lMCM3

The TIP outlines upcoming transportation plans and projects in the region. The 45-day public comment period is from August 16 - September 30, 2026. Public comments may be submitted by email to Tanner Martin at [email protected].

08/30/2026

Upcoming: TAC Meeting Thursday!
BFCOG's TAC Meeting is this Thursday, September 3rd, at 11:00
am.

To access the full TAC meeting materials and to review
the agenda, visit our website at https://www.bfcog.us/AgendaCenter

Join us through Zoom:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84832032919 S

08/28/2026

✨ Highlight Friday ✨
Please join us in welcoming our newest BFCOG Board members for 2026!

We’re pleased to welcome:
Brian Lubanski — Chief Executive Officer, Ben Franklin Transit
Shelly Harper — Mayor, City of Connell
Jason McShane — Mayor, City of Kennewick
Stephen Bauman — Chair Pro Tem, District 1 Commissioner, Franklin County
Bill O’Neil — District 1 Commissioner, Port of Benton

The BFCOG Board brings together leaders from jurisdictions across Benton and Franklin Counties to help guide regional collaboration, transportation planning, economic development, and the work that connects our communities.

We appreciate their willingness to serve and look forward to the experience and perspectives they’ll bring to BFCOG and our region.

Welcome to the BFCOG Board!

08/21/2026

08/21/2026

08/21/2026

The Lodging Tax Grant Program provides funding that bring visitors to Richland and result in overnight stays at local hotels and motels.