Follies big for businesses

By Ingrid Stegemoeller, Herald staff writer Bob Richards of Seattle gets a tour of the motor home he's renting with his family for Water Follies weekend from technician Alfredo Chavez of Broadmoor RV in Pasco. Broadmoor's 12 rental units were reserved weeks ago, and many other Tri-City businesses expect to see an economic boost from the weekend's events. See story posted below Water Follies weekend often means a full hotel for Mark Blotz, manager of the Clover Island Inn in Kennewick. It also means reconnecting with people he hasn't seen in a year. "You kind of get to know them," Blotz said. "It's kind of like they live in your house for an extended weekend." Blotz's hotel is one of many hotels, restaurants, gas stations and other businesses in the Tri-Cities that will feel an economic benefit from the 55,000-plus people who... [read full story]