KENNEWICK, Wash.–HAPO Community Credit Union is set to break ground on a $10 million complex it said will become home to its growing commercial and business banking lines in the west Kennewick market here.

The HAPO Business Complex will consist of two buildings totaling 31,000 square feet on vacant land at 9757 W. Clearwater Ave., near Utah Street and Calvary Chapel. According to the Tri-City Herald. 

Crystal Contreras, vice president of community engagement for the credit union, which is based in Richland, Wash., approximately 10 miles away, told the publication the business complex was necessitated by HAPO’s pending acquisition of Community First Bank.

That deal, which was announced in October of 2024, is expected to close by Aug. 1, and will increase HAPO Community CU’s assets to $2.9 billion from $2.3 billion. It will serve more than 220,000 members, with 25 branches in Washington and Oregon.

Combining Operations

The new business hub will house the combined commercial and business operations and a private banking office in one building. 

The second will house HAPO operations but won’t be open to the public. A future phase will add 7,000-square-foot conference center and multipurpose space, the Tri-City Herald reported. 

Work is scheduled to begin in June or July.

Contreras told the Herald HAPO chose the Clearwater spot for its easy access to the freeways and larger community and because both HAPO and Community First have commercial business offices in the vicinity. It paid $3 million for the four-acre property in January.

Will Also Remain in Flashcube

HAPO CCU told the Tri-City Herald its existing business complex at what’s known here as the iconic Flashcube building at West Clearwater and South Columbia Center Boulevard will remain. 

About 110 employees will work in the initial two buildings, which will be served by a 128-spot parking lot with two driveways connecting to West Clearwater, according to planning documents pending with the city of Kennewick, the publication said.