It’s that time again.
We’re partnering with the Spokane Valley and West Plains chambers of commerce to lead a large delegation (as in more than 70 people) to Olympia to advocate on behalf of Eastern Washington.
Time to get our show on the road.
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?
A dynamic, growing presence on the east end of downtown Spokane is the University District, a place where innovation, research, education and more rule the day. Washington State University Spokane, Eastern Washington University, Whitworth University, Gonzaga University and Community Colleges of Spokane all utilize real estate in the U-District.
We have been working with various groups in the community to grow the district. Our U-District is a higher education hub with WSU’s Health Science Campus as its anchor. One of the district’s best kept secrets is the Applied Sciences Laboratory (ASL), a part of Washington State University’s Institute for Shock Physics. ASL is a contract research organization providing multidisciplinary expertise in Research & Development and Materials Characterization for government and industry. Research scientists at ASL have expertise in material science and advanced materials development, optical science, lasers, polymer chemistry, computational modeling and much more.
For instance, did you know there’s team researching ways to detect IEDs to protect U.S. soldiers? And did you know there are studies determining the best way to destroy biological agents, such as anthrax? All of this is vital for our nation, and it’s happening right here in Spokane’s U-District.
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.
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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The August 16 primary is upon us (next Tuesday, to be exact), and Election Day is right around the corner. That’s why yesterday’s Spokane City Council President Candidate Forum – and future forums – are so crucial to area voters.
Four candidates are running for City Council President. Let’s take a look at how yesterday’s forum went…..
With Flag Day just passed and the Fourth of July upon us, we thought it was a nice time to highlight our role in supporting Fairchild Air Force Base.
Really, Fairchild supports us, the larger community. It’s the largest employer in our region, and the reason many of our residents live and work here. Lots of people who served at Fairchild remained in Spokane after retirement or after being discharged.
The 92nd Air Refueling Wing at Fairchild, part of the nation’s Air Mobility Command, has a $466,017,278 economic impact on our region. If this base wasn’t here, our region wouldn’t be what it is today.
Let’s take a look at the ways our community shows its gratitude and support for Fairchild.
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“My responsibility as the Mayor of this city is to keep Spokane working.”
That’s how City of Spokane Mayor Mary Verner opened up her presentation this week for our “Conversation With…” series, as part of our BIZStreet Small Business Program.
The City of Spokane has made it a priority to help with the growth and retention of small businesses. This will keep jobs here in Spokane. The state and national economic picture may be a little blurry, but the Mayor and her staff are taking steps to help Spokane.
Everybody’s unpacked, reorganized and reenergized. It’s time to share what we learned during our annual advocacy trip to Washington D.C.
More than 40 regional business leaders from Eastern Washington and Northern Idaho left for our nation’s capital on April 5 for a week of meetings with elected officials and meetings at the Pentagon. Here’s what we learned: (more…)
Greater Spokane Incorporated President and CEO Rich Hadley was on KHQ this morning talking with Sean Owsley briefly about what we heard from elected officials during last week’s advocacy trip to Washington D.C.
Rich will be on Invest Northwest this upcoming Sunday at 7:30 a.m. to talk in-depth about the trip.
