With 2011 in the rearview mirror, it’s time to focus on 2012. What lies ahead for Spokane? What will happen, what might happen, and how will it affect the business community?
Let’s look into the crystal ball, shall we?
Our President and CEO, Rich Hadley, was quoted in the paper regarding Tuesday’s late breaking news that Providence Health & Services will bring 250 billing jobs to Spokane – from clerks to executives, as the story says. Saying it was a great “gift” for Spokane got us thinking.
What are some other recent “gifts” Spokane has received? Since it’s the gift-giving and receiving time of year, let’s take a look.
Being “greater” is something our organization strives for each day. It’s in our name. We figured it’s time to see how our business community is creating something greater.
Let’s get to it. (more…)
Click the above diagram for a larger view.
The aerospace industry is one of our region’s vital and growing sectors.
Currently, there are 80 aerospace-related companies in the Inland Northwest. The graphic above shows how some of the regional companies are involved in aircraft manufacturing.
Governor Christine Gregoire recently launched Project Pegasus, a program aimed at keeping new Boeing manufacturing programs in Washington. We’d like to see the company build its next generation 737, the 737 MAX, in our region.
Here’s why:
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Plenty of good things are happening in our region.
We’ve highlighted some great happenings in the past, and now we’ll share more. Let’s talk business grand openings. (more…)
GSI Member Since: 2008
Website: www.ecodepotinc.com
You hear the buzz phrases – renewable energy, sustainable design, environmental protection. But is it happening in the Spokane region? More than 50 clean technology and energy efficient companies operate in the area, and we recently met with one small business that is placing solar panels, recyclable building materials, and eco-friendly products into our area one customer at a time.
Recently, one of the largest employers about 90 minutes north of Spokane in Colville had to lay off more than 20 employees due to an embezzlement case that severely hurt the small town’s economy. The timber and construction industries have already hurt Colville in recent years, and this made things worse.
But, as the cliché goes, when one door closes another one opens. That may be the case with the people of Colville.
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What is free, easy to implement and will help your business boom? The answer is great customer service. Here is a look at a couple local small businesses that understand the importance of customer service, as well as some useful tips to jumpstart your own program.
GSI Member Since: 1980
Website: www.oxarc.com
OXARC, Inc., a family-owned company headquartered in Spokane, Wash, has accomplished tremendous success with more than 40 years in business. It began in 1968 as a retail and wholesale distributor of welding supplies, gases, safety and industrial supplies with 15 employees and two stores. Since then, it has expanded product lines and services, negotiated multiple acquisitions, added 16 more locations in three states, developed a welder training school, and multiplied its workforce –now employing 292 company-wide. (more…)
Members Since: 2005
Website: www.leaveboringbehind.com
David and Brooke Lawrence first met while guiding on the Clark Fork River near Missoula, Mont. They even said their vows along the river – even using the river and a raft as the wedding isle. From that day on, the adventures never stopped.
The newlyweds embarked on a 2,663 mile backpacking trip from Mexico to Canada on the Pacific Crest Trail. That’s when the entrepreneurial spark began.
“I realized anything was possible,” David said.
During their next venture, a 4,000 mile bike ride across America, the couple solidified a vision to own a rafting company and the search began.
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