Prosser, Wash. – A long-standing partnership integrating the resources and expertise of local, State and Federal agencies, underscored by contributions from privately held companies and individuals, has moved the Walter Clore Wine & Culinary Center closer to realization. Infrastructure construction and limited landscaping installation is nearing completion with the site available for outdoor events beginning spring 2010.

Port of Benton, through its elected Commissioners and Executive Director Scott Keller, has supported the Clore Center from the beginning with land acquisition and subsequent lease of the 23-acre site to the Clore Center for its future home. It has been instrumental in furthering the Clore Center’s development through partial funding of site engineering and infrastructure construction. Marv Kinney, the Port’s Director of Special Projects, has been acting as Executive Director. Mr. Kinney and Port of Benton Commissioner Jane Hagarty provide project guidance as active members of the Clore Center Board of Directors.

A connection between the City of Prosser and Washington State University (WSU) began in the 1930s with the establishment of the WSU Irrigated Agriculture Research Extension Center (IAREC) in Prosser. Dr. Walter Clore was hired in 1937 as the fourth faculty member to staff IAREC where he would work for the next forty years, pursuing his interest in horticulture and cultivating a passion for growing fine wine grape varietals. On-going cooperation from current WSU President Elson Floyd and University personnel, in the form of academic and technical assistance, is helping the Clore Center achieve its goals. Dan Bernardo, Dean of the College of Agriculture, Human and Natural Resources Sciences is an involved Clore Center Board Member focused on education components; Gerry Schlatter, Director of Facilities Development, and Dyonne Davidson, Project Manager of Capitol Planning and Development, have contributed their expertise to conceptual design of the outdoor event center; Bob Stevens, Director of WSU – IAREC, serves as a Clore Center Board Member; and Greg Royer, Vice President of Business and Finance, lends fiscal advice.

The City of Prosser is serving as the lead agency on a Federal Economic Development Administration (EDA) grant application. If awarded, the City of Prosser will be responsible for the distribution of these capital facilities funds. City Administrator Charlie Bush spearheads these functions and is an active Clore Center Board Member.

Education is at the core of Walter Clore Wine and Culinary Center’s mission – a must-see learning center that promotes regional wine and food by actively engaging visitors to learn, experience and appreciate the quality and diversity of the region’s wine and food products. The public-private partnership has provided the leadership and resources required for completion of the first phase of construction. In celebration of this milestone, a site dedication event, open to the public, is scheduled for the 24^th of October from 2pm – 4pm at the site of the future home of the Walter Clore Wine & Culinary Center.

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