When people think about economic development, they often picture factories, warehouses or office buildings. But some of the most impactful investments a community can make look very different, especially in rural areas where access to health care and workforce shortages are persistent challenges.
That’s why the new dental clinic being developed through a partnership between Yakima Neighborhood Health Services and Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences matters so much to Yakima Valley.
This project in Terrace Heights does more than add a building. It grows the economy, strengthens our health care workforce, expands access to care, and reinforces Yakima Valley as a place where people can live, work, and build their futures.
From an economic standpoint, this is a meaningful investment in the Valley. Nearly $9.8 million in private funding is being invested in the facility and equipment, supported by targeted public infrastructure improvements through Yakima County’s Supporting Investments in Economic Development program.
Once operational, the clinic is expected to support nearly 19 new health care and education jobs within three years, generating ongoing payroll, local spending and tax revenue. These are skilled, year-round positions that strengthen the Valley’s economic base.
Just as important, this project helps Yakima Valley increase its own health care workforce. Dental students are being recruited from rural and underserved communities, including local students who completed Yakima Valley College’s Bachelor of Applied Science in Dental Hygiene program and were part of the inaugural class. For the first time, students can access a new, complete pathway — education, training, and clinical experience — right here at home.
That matters because where people train strongly influences where they practice. By creating opportunities locally, we increase the likelihood that graduates will stay, serve, and build careers in communities like ours.
The clinic also dramatically expands access to care. It is projected to provide more than 18,000 dental visits each year to approximately 6,000 patients in a federally designated Dental Health Professional Shortage Area.
Easier access to care benefits families and individuals and supports employers across every industry. Workers who can access health care are healthier, more productive, and more likely to stay in the community.
At its core, this is a partnership built with purpose. The new two-story dental clinic is designed as a clinical education hub for PNWU’s School of Dental Medicine while also serving patients through Yakima Neighborhood Health’s community-based care model. Located near PNWU’s campus and adjacent to medical services, the clinic is intentionally designed to support integrated, team-based care.
That design matters. By co-locating dental and medical services, providers are better able to coordinate care — particularly for patients with chronic conditions like diabetes, heart disease, and other illnesses where oral health plays a critical role in overall health.
When providers can collaborate more easily, patients experience fewer barriers, more consistent follow-up, and better outcomes. This whole-person approach to care is especially important in communities that already face health care access challenges.
This project demonstrates what’s possible when health care, education, infrastructure, and economic development align around shared goals. It’s not just about a new facility. It’s about investing in people, strengthening our workforce, and building a healthier, more resilient Yakima Valley.
Jonathan Smith is the executive director of the Yakima County Development Association.
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