A Champion for Rural Innovation: State Representative Peter Abbarno on the Power of the Tenino Agriculture Innovation Park 

When WA State Representative Peter Abbarno (LD20) reflects on the Tenino Agriculture Innovation Park, it’s more than just another infrastructure project—it’s a symbol of what’s possible when rural communities are given the tools to thrive. 

As the ranking member of Washington’s House Capital Budget Committee, Rep. Abbarno plays a pivotal role in determining where millions in state infrastructure dollars are invested. But his commitment to the Ag Park in Tenino runs deeper than committee work. With roots in nearby Centralia and family ties to South Thurston County, Abbarno sees the Park as part of a broader effort to bring equitable economic opportunity to historically overlooked rural regions. 

“They Asked Me.” 

When asked what first drew his support, Abbarno’s answer is simple: “They asked me.” 

But behind that humility is a clear vision: “Our job as legislators isn’t to tell every community how to grow. It’s to partner with them. The Ag Park was already taking shape when I was on the Centralia City Council. I saw an opportunity—not just for Lewis or Thurston Counties—but for the broader region. It was a project worth championing.” 

Advocacy in Action 

Abbarno describes his role as part cheerleader, part budget negotiator. As a member of the Capital Budget Committee, he had a critical hand in securing state investment for the Ag Park—often during the most intense, high-stakes moments of session. 

In fact, in the 2021–2023 biennium, $1.25 million was allocated for site development in the final hour of budget negotiations, thanks in large part to Abbarno’s advocacy. “We weren’t in the budget until just before midnight,” he recalls. “I knew what this project could do for the region’s economy and quality of life. I had to make sure that money worked for Washington.” 

That wasn’t the only time Abbarno helped secure critical funding. In the recent 2025 legislative session, another $250,000 was allocated to prepare the site for meat processing infrastructure—a key regional need. The investment helps close a costly logistical gap that currently forces producers to send livestock to Oregon or Eastern Washington for processing. 

From Butcher Shop to Budget Talks 

Why such strong support for meat processing? 

Abbarno points to personal experience. “I worked in a butcher shop in high school and during summers. I’m not a professional butcher, but I understood enough to see where the industry was struggling and what kind of infrastructure was going to be needed.” 

That firsthand knowledge—paired with legislative influence—made him the ideal advocate for a public-private investment that now positions the region for growth in value-added agriculture. 

Funding Rural Resilience 

Abbarno is quick to emphasize that the challenges facing rural development aren’t always about political will—they’re often about cost. “It’s easier to build a sewer line a block long in King County than it is to lay the same infrastructure in South Thurston,” he explains. “But if we want our rural communities to succeed, we need to invest—even when it’s not easy.” 

That belief is exactly why the Ag Park matters. 

“Rural economic development has been neglected for years,” says Abbarno. “We’re finally seeing a shift. Projects like the Ag Park are creating jobs, building relationships between businesses and suppliers, and giving our kids real opportunities to succeed—right here at home.” 

Building a More Diverse Economic Future 

The Ag Park, he believes, is more than a local investment—it’s part of Washington’s broader strategy for economic diversity and sustainability. 

“If we want a stable, successful state economy, we need a diverse portfolio—from tech to farming,” says Abbarno. “This project contributes to that balance. The benefits go beyond just agriculture. It boosts housing, education, job creation, and long-term community health.” 

Advice for Other Communities 

For other rural towns eyeing similar efforts, Abbarno offers simple advice: “Don’t reinvent the wheel—build on it.” 

He encourages communities to reach out to the Thurston EDC, learn from their process, and design complementary efforts that strengthen the broader regional vision. 

The Long Game 

What does success look like? 

For Abbarno, it’s not just ribbon cuttings or new buildings. “It’s lifting people out of generational poverty. It’s increasing property values so schools can be funded. It’s creating infrastructure that allows the private sector to thrive. These projects don’t exist in a vacuum—they ripple out in ways that transform entire communities.” 

And thanks to leaders like Rep. Peter Abbarno—who bring both heart and horsepower to the table—those ripples are already reaching far beyond Tenino.