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OLD HEAT: ENTERPRISE <br />FOR REGIONAL ECONOMIC <br />DEVELOPMENT <br />CWU is planning the adaptive reuse of <br />the retired "Old Heat" power generation <br />facility into an economic development <br />enterprise focused on increasing the <br />prosperity of the Central Washington <br />region. The project aims to address the <br />region's lack of growth in high-value <br />industries (HVl). HVI's are industries <br />that typically drive wage increases, <br />career pathways, innovation, and <br />reinvestment into local communities. <br />Old Heat's role in this larger project <br />is as an economic multiplier, where <br />it attracts, inspires the emergence of <br />neq and facilitates existing businesses <br />into accelerative enterprises in the <br />Central Washington region. <br />To do this, the facility is intended to <br />be able to accommodate multiple <br />capabilities (likely tenants): <br />Broader community buy-in, <br />student inspiration, public- <br />private partnerships <br />Operational sustainability, <br />professional environment <br />for tenants <br />New startups, patents, <br />commercialization of <br />research <br />High-wage job creation <br />reshoring supply cnains, <br />supplier diversifi cation <br />WorKorce up-skilling, rural <br />tech literacy, stronger small <br />business competitiveness <br />Expansion of local ag <br />economy, retention of farm <br />income <br />New venture creation, <br />stronger entrepreneurship <br />pipeline <br />Pathways into high-demand <br />jobs, direct connection of <br />education to employment <br />Exhibitions, industry <br />showcases, STEM outreach <br />to schools <br />Meeting rooms, business <br />services, lT and digital <br />infrastructure <br />R&D, business incubation <br />Aerospace component <br />prototyping, small-batch <br />production, pilot lines <br />Training in advanced <br />technology adoption, digital <br />skills, and commercialization <br />Testing value-added ag <br />products, food safety <br />certifi cation, small-batch <br />processing <br />lncubation, ceworking, <br />mentoring, IDEA Central <br />programs <br />Certifi cation programs, <br />aerospace technician <br />training, ag-tech skills <br />Offices and maker-type <br />spaces for entrepreneurs <br />Training space aligned with <br />CWU, Yakima Valley College, <br />and industry partners <br />Public-facing space to <br />demonstrate innovation <br />Essential services to make <br />the center functional <br />Anchor facility for industry- <br />university+ommunity <br />collaboration <br />Flexible, high-bay space for <br />prototyping and reshoring <br />prolects <br />Base for the Applied <br />Commercialization & <br />Technology lnitiative <br />Space for ag-tech and food <br />processing innovation <br />H. Shared lnfrastructure & <br />Support <br />B. Advanced Manufacturing <br />& Aerospace Bay <br />C. ACTI Program <br />Headquarters (Technology <br />Diffusion) <br />D. Agriculture & Food Tech <br />Lab <br />E.lnnovation & <br />Entrepreneurship Studios <br />F. Workforce Development <br />Classrooms <br />G. Community & Showcase <br />Hall <br />A. Commercialization Hub <br />OUTCOMESKEYACTIVITIESPURPOSESPACE <br />36 | Old Heat CERB Feasibility Study <br />Table 4: Purpose Comparison