DaVita – one of area's largest, private employers – is growing out of its downtown Tacoma digs and looking for new office space.

The search could take the company out of Tacoma.

"I’m not pinned down to an exact location," Jim Hilger, DaVita vice president and controller said today. "I don’t know what’s available and I don't know what's economically viable in terms of Tacoma versus Pierce County versus other counties."

Though headquartered in California, the health services company has its main business office in Tacoma. It employs 856 people here.

DaVita employees are now spread out over five downtown buildings and they are running out of room, Hilger said.

Where the company may end up is anyone's guess.

Hilger said the work the company does in Tacoma isn't site specific to downtown or even the region.

"We like the Puget Sound area and our (employees) are here, so we’d have to think very thoughtfully about moving that to somewhere else," Hilger said.

The company needs at least 200,000-square-feet of office space with room to expand and up to 1,000 parking spaces.

Dominic Accetturo, a commercial real estate broker with GVA Kidder Mathews in Tacoma, said there's opportunities for such a building in downtown Tacoma, though it would likely need to be built for DaVita.

Hilger said DaVita will consider all of its options including locating in other cities.

"The City of Tacoma will have to make a compelling case just like any other community has to when they want to attract or retain large employers," Hilger said.

Goodwill's Annual Awards Breakfast was held this morning in Tacoma. Here's a list of the winners:

Graduate of the Year: Sharon Bryant suffered with dyslexia, ADHD and was raising five foster children when her husband of 22 years left the family. With no income or skills for work, Tacoma Goodwill’s Office Essentials program became a lifeline, giving her the confidence and skills to find administrative work.

Achiever of the Year: Born with a developmental disability, Stephanie Carlson is the essence of enthusiasm and determination. She has been working at Goodwill’s South Hill Store for two years in progressively more responsible positions in the Supported Employment program.

Michener Inspirational Award: Cherie Cruz works confidently helping homeless families. Her success came after serving time and vowing to make a new start. Through a Goodwill scholarship, she enrolled in Office Essentials that gave her new skills which she uses to assist homeless families with transitional housing and other basic needs at The Caring Place.

Business Partner of the Year: For the past decade, thousands of cases of Shasta products have been repackaged at Tacoma Goodwill. Between 40 and 60 jobs are created as a result, providing a life-changing opportunity for someone trying to enter the workforce. Plant Manager Tim Reckard accepted the award on behalf of the company.

Small Employer of the Year: Since 2006, Harris Rebar has hired five participants from Goodwill’s STEPS and YouthBuild programs. The jobs have given young adults, some with criminal backgrounds, new lives through work. Company President Brian Booth accepted the award.

Large Employer of the Year: In recent years, AAFES, the Army & Air Force Exchange Service, has hired more than 20 Goodwill program participants and graduates. Partnering with Goodwill since 1988, AAFES has helped meet the needs of employees with disabilities or other barriers to work. Human Resources Director Marta Acevedo received the award on behalf of the company.

The Port of Tacoma is hosting and sponsoring the second annual Northwest Intermodal Conference in Tacoma May 19 through 20.

The conference will be at the Greater Tacoma Convention and Trade Center.

The event brings trade, economics and transportation logistics experts together to discuss intermodal business in the Pacific Northwest.

Intermodal refers to the handling of cargo by rail.

"With our robust rail network – served by BNSF Railway, Union Pacific and our region's own short-line service, Tacoma Rail – we are at the epicenter of rail activity in the Pacific Northwest," said Port of Tacoma Commission President Dick Marzano.

Port cargo has been down this year, but port officials and others in the industry expect volumes to increase in the future.

The sessions will discuss how rail service providers, ports and government are addressing the infrastructure challenges of moving more cargo more efficiently.

You can register for the conference at www.northwestintermodal.com or call 206-324-5644 ext. 222.

Speakers include:

* Walter Kemmsies, Chief Economist, Moffatt & Nichol

* David Hoppens, Vice President, Marketing, Pacer

* Peter Keller, President, NYK Line North America Inc.

* Bradley K. Gordon, North American Infrastructure Fund, RREEF Alternative Investments

Sessions include:

* "More than Ship-to-Shore: Ocean Carriers and MTOs on Intermodal," with panelists from Evergreen Marine Corp., Marine Terminals Corp., Port of Portland and SSA Containers, Inc.

* "A Clear Pathway: Road and Rail Corridor Improvements in the PNW," with panelists from Port of Seattle, Transport Canada, Washington State Department of Transportation and Washington Trucking Association.

* "Land is at a Premium: Industrial Property and Distribution in the PNW," with panelists from First Industrial Realty-Trust, Port of Tacoma, Port of Vancouver USA and Transystems.

* "PNW Rail Carrier Forum," with panelists from BNSF Railway, Canadian National Railway, Port of Tacoma, Tacoma Rail and Union Pacific Railroad.

* "Alaska Intermodal," with panelists from Alaska Railroad, Carlile Transportation Systems, Lynden Transport, Port of Anchorage and Totem Ocean Trailer Express.

Among other things: don’t fall, stay hydrated and aim that hammer at the nail rather than your thumb.

And don’t go looking for onion burgers or a Wayne Newton concert.

To honor the first Construction Safety Day, the Governor’s Industrial Safety and Health Advisory Board and the state Department of Labor & Industries are joining together to host a gathering and series of workshops on May 14th at the Puyallup fairgrounds.

Employers, supervisors and workers are invited to attend – for a conference fee of $50, which includes coffee, lunch and a prize drawing.

Among the topics under discussion, look for ergonomic solutions, best safe practices, fall protection awareness, construction liability, the application of new standards and crane demonstrations.

The program starts at 8 a.m. and ends at 4:30 p.m.

For more information, visit wagovconf.org/constsafetyday.htm or call 360-902-5446 or 360-902-5415.