RITZVILLE — Stephen McFadden said his new job is a big opportunity.

“A great chance to learn new things and improve my skills,” McFadden said. “A really great challenge that will make me better.” McFadden, formerly director of the Adams County Development Council, started a new job Monday as the director of economic development and marketing for the Port of Pasco.

“The Port of Pasco is fortunate to welcome an individual of Stephen’s caliber to the area,” said Port of Pasco executive director Randy Hayden. “As a near-county-wide port district, Stephen’s proven track record of building partnerships and successful economic development will benefit not only the Port, but the many agencies and businesses in Franklin County.”

McFadden had been ACDC director since 2014. Prior to that he was owner and publisher of the Ritzville Adams County Journal for 10 years.

McFadden said he was friends with former Port of Pasco director Gary Ballew, who suggested he apply for the Pasco job when Ballew left for a new job in Spokane. McFadden didn’t apply right away, he said, but “ultimately, it seemed like a great opportunity.”

McFadden was the first economic development director in Adams County, he said. The position was created by the Adams County commissioners to help focus economic development efforts.

“I’ve been working side by side with these commissioners” to promote economic development in the county, McFadden said. “I’m really grateful for the opportunity they gave me.” The commissioners have been supportive of the initiatives taken by the ACDC, he said.

“We (the ACDC) have done really good work around bringing some renewable energy projects here,” McFadden said. Those include solar and wind facilities, including the Rattlesnake Flat wind farm, which is due to open in a few weeks. The renewable energy sector is something completely new in Adams County, McFadden said.

Traditional industries like food processing still play an important role in Adams County, and will continue to play a big role, McFadden said. McCain Foods recently resumed construction on an expansion of its plant in Othello. Once that’s complete, McFadden said, Othello will be a world leader in the food processing industry.

Ritzville’s location at the intersection of Interstate 90 and Highway 395 makes it a prime candidate for shipping and warehousing businesses, he said. The conditions haven’t been right yet, McFadden said, but he thinks the proper conditions are on the horizon.

To improve internet connectivity in Adams County, the ACDC and Port of Othello are working on a grant to pay for a broadband needs assessment. That will help identify areas where broadband service can be improved.

While the move to Pasco is a good opportunity, “it’s also bittersweet,” McFadden said. He’s lived in Ritzville for 17 years, he said.

McFadden is also a trustee for Big Bend Community College, and it’s going to be hard to leave that job. “It’s the most important community service I’ve ever done,” he said. “I’m a huge believer in the good work that the staff and facility do for students.”

He’s proud of the work done by the ACDC and its staff. “We’ve built something good that’s just getting started,” he said.