One of the things you’ll find on the front page of the Yakima Valley Business Journal is our tagline, “Promoting the Economic Vitality of the Yakima Valley Since 1991.” 

Just about every business publication I’ve seen has something similar on the front page, and I don’t know if you’ve ever stopped to read it or consider what it means. What I do know is that it’s easier said than done. 

Each month, about 6,800 copies of the Journal are printed and mailed to businesses up and down the Yakima Valley free of charge. 

We believe that is a service that has value. The Journal is a publication that connects with thousands of readers every month, with news briefs, photos and stories, and exclusive columns you’ll find nowhere else. 

We want to continue to do our part, but we can’t do it without you. There are several ways you can participate. 

First, help us stay on top of what’s going on in the business community by sending us your business news and story ideas. We can’t promise everything you send us will end up in print right away, but our ability to stay relevant is dependent on being as closely in touch with you as possible. Also consider using our Opinion page as a forum for your thoughts and ideas, with a letter to the editor or a guest column. If you don’t want to submit for publication, at least call or drop us an email and let us know what we’re doing right or wrong.

Second, take advantage of the Journal as an advertising medium. We believe it’s a bargain, and this month we’re offering you a special opportunity to find out for yourself. See our ad on page 6 for all the details. We think you’ll be pleased, and if you’re not, tell us what we can do to be of greater service.

Third, join us in promoting the valley’s economic vitality by helping keep the Journal in print. You can do that with a voluntary annual subscription of $12. That’s $1 a month, and it is part of the special promotion described in our ad. 

You can recoup your entire subscription investment if you only take advantage of the promotional advertising rate just one time. We honestly don’t know of a better value, anywhere. 

In 2010, join the Journal in taking the initiative to make the Yakima Valley not just a better place to do business, but the best place.