Ephrata port seeks tire group records

EPHRATA — The Port of Ephrata is asking the Washington Tire Corporation to submit documents showing the “legitimate incorporation” of the company and the “legal authority” of its company representative, Abraham Hengyucius.

EPHRATA - The Port of Ephrata is asking the Washington Tire Corporation to submit documents showing the "legitimate incorporation" of the company and the "legal authority" of its company representative, Abraham Hengyucius.

The company was asked to furnish the paperwork to the port's attorney by Aug. 25, as part of the work in bringing a tire plant to Ephrata, according to port Manager Mike Wren on Monday.

It's not clear what the impact to the project is.

The port's questions came about after Hengyucius visited Grant County with investors last week.

The group was taking a tour of Grand Coulee Dam and Hengyucius' other name, Hengyu Zhang, appeared on the guest list.

It appears Abraham Hengyucius is his "American name," which is not an uncommon practice for people from Asian countries, according to port Manager Mike Wren on Monday.

But until the company shows the port proper paperwork, the port is not going to move forward with the project, Wren said.

"We have to make sure we have a contract that's enforceable," he added. "We both want a good contract."

The company paid $40,000 in earnest money for the $979,000 land deal. The earnest money is being held in escrow at a title company.

"We want to be careful; we don't want to infer this is going to go either way," he said.

Wren explained he's been "hopeful but cautious" throughout the project's duration.

The company is working to build a tire plant near Ephrata, which would employee hundreds of people at completion.