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.

Our delegation will be in Olympia today through Friday, meeting with lots of state lawmakers throughout the trip. (Note: you can follow along on Twitter using #SpokaneInOlympia and by following @GSIpolicy and @GreaterSpokane. Also check www.YourPolicyVoice.org for updates.)

Last year’s trip produced some wins for our region, and we’re looking to come home a winner once again. It won’t be easy, because it’s not exactly classified information that the state faces a big budget crisis.

While state legislators are charged with solving a budget crisis, and Governor Gregoire proposing a half-cent sales tax increase and cuts to Local Effort Assistance (LEA), among other things, we’ve got our work cut out for us.

Even with these challenges, our delegation will remain regional, unified and focused during our time at the Capitol.

Among the items in our State Agenda is funding to continue construction on the Biomedical and Health Sciences Building at WSU Spokane. This is, of course, the building already under construction at the Riverpoint Campus that will soon hold all four years of medical education. You might recall last year, when our community received $35 million in construction funds for the building, roughly half of the needed amount. We’re back this year asking for our legislators to continue their mission of building for the future. Stay tuned.

We’ll also advocate for a transportation package that equally benefits Eastern Washington. The North Spokane Corridor is making progress, and we’ll be asking for continued funds to Keep Spokane Moving. Just think – we could soon have the needed funds to construct the freeway all the way to Interstate 90. What a huge development for our region. Funding would come from the state and federal levels of government because of advocacy efforts of many groups. We’ll keep our foot on the pedal with this project.

With the proposed cuts to LEA – which is the amount of funds the state government contributes to property-poor school districts – we’re teaming up with the area school districts to make sure this does not happen. Our schools need to be properly funded in order to be a better community. The education sector has faced too many cuts in the past few years, and more cuts would be extremely detrimental to the entire community.

As always, we’ll also advocate for pro-business policies, policies in workers’ compensation and unemployment insurance to allow for more choices, the reduction of the number of business regulations, tax incentives that benefit the economy and support job growth, and greater predictability of all permitting processes.

Our delegation is packed and not afraid of the snow. Look out Olympia. Here comes Spokane.

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?

The huge Caterpillar plant on the West Plains is set to be up and operating by July. We recruited this company last year, and the distribution center is taking shape nicely along I-90., as you can see to the right (click on the image for a larger view).

Speaking of expansion, the Spokane Public Facilities District (PFD) is looking to expand and complete the Spokane Convention Center in order to attract larger conventions. Expansion will require a public vote. Stay tuned.

Also looking to expand is the WWAMI Program at WSU Spokane. Currently, first, third and fourth-year medical students study at the Riverpoint campus. WSU, GSI and many others are working to secure the second year of studies, bringing more students to our area, meaning more potential customers for you!

The legislative session in Olympia begins next week. We’ll take a delegation Jan. 18 – 20 to advocate on behalf of Eastern Washington. Last year, our trip was a success. This year, we’ll again be advocating for the remaining amount of money needed to fund the Biomedical and Health Sciences Building at WSU Spokane. We’ll also pursue funds to continue construction on the North Spokane Corridor to I-90. You can read our entire State Agenda here (PDF). Will we get what we want? With the budget problems the state faces, our work is cut out for us.

Ten years ago many folks said the North Spokane Corridor would never be built, and there would never be four years of medical education in Spokane. Look where we’re at now: The corridor is half built and construction of the biomedical building at WSU Spokane is ongoing. We’re on the cusp of creating a greater community.

While we’re on the subject of advocating in Olympia, GSI has been advocating for reform to unemployment insurance and workers’ compensation. We’re proud to say our efforts – and the efforts of many others across the state – will see the payoff this year. Governor Gregoire recently announced that workers’ compensation rates will not increase in 2012. Good news!

We hope to hear whether Fairchild Air Force Base will be home to the new KC-46A tankers in 2017. Boeing is currently on track to deliver 18 of its new tankers that year, and we hope to know before 2012 is over whether Fairchild will be home to some of the new tankers. Fingers crossed!

Speaking of Boeing, the company plans to build the new 737MAX in Renton, which is great news for the state. The demand for the planes exceeds the capacity of the Renton plant, so the Spokane region is ready to support overflow. Our region’s 80-plus aerospace supply companies could benefit and see increased operations in 2012. If Boeing decides to expand due to the increased demand, who knows, Spokane could be next on its list! This is all part of Project Pegasus, Governor Gregoire’s program aimed at keeping Boeing in Washington.

Some 2012 predictions are easy, like saying Ag Expo and Farm Forum will once again be a huge success, STEM education will be a hot topic in the business and education communities, and our area’s impressive small businesses will continue to be the heart of our economy.

And Spokane will continue to be the place to live and work. Here’s to 2012!

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.

Some gifts our community and region received this year, in no particular order, include….

…..A superb harvest. Area farmers experienced great yields and an immensely successful season. Perhaps this is why the 35th Annual Ag Expo sold out so soon.

…..Caterpillar announcing it is expanding to Spokane County. The machinery manufacturer announced in June it will bring about 150 jobs to our area and construct a distribution center along Interstate 90 in West Spokane County. The photo above was taken in late October of this year.

…..$35 million for the Biomedical and Health Sciences Phase I Building at WSU Spokane. This will help bring the second year of medical studies to Spokane. It will also be home to the WSU College of Pharmacy, as well as the nursing and dental programs.

…..Smart educators! Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) education is starting to trend throughout our region. Multiple school districts are implementing STEM programs, allowing our area students to dig into subjects and learn in ways that will benefit them and the business community in the future.

…..Boeing building the 737 MAX in Renton. Keeping Boeing in Washington was important to maintaining our area’s strong aerospace industry. Did you know more than 80 area companies in our area are directly or indirectly related to the industry? Boeing being in Renton means suppliers around here will benefit, and it also leaves the possibility open for expansion in Spokane County. AIR Spokane will ready our region for future aerospace expansion.

…..MILCON (Military Construction) Projects in the federal budget. Fairchild Air Force Base – the area’s largest employer – will see construction on its headquarters building and the survival school. It also just laid down a new runway. We’re working on advocating for the new KC-46A tankers to be based at Fairchild. Good things are coming!

…..Mark David Milliron. Our Annual Meeting keynote speaker inspired everyone with his speech on education for the future and how businesses and students need to be prepared for each other. The entire Annual Meeting was a call to create something greater for the Spokane region.

So those are a few of the gifts our region was fortunate enough to receive this year. What others come to your mind?

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.

A little more than 80 miles to the south of Colville sits Fairchild Air Force Base, our region’s top employer. The base has a few projects that need prime- and sub-contractors. Since the projects are funded by the federal government, it must meet certain requirements, such as contracting with women-owned small businesses, veteran-owned businesses and businesses located in HUB Zones.

Women and veteran-owned businesses are self-explanatory. But what’s a HUB Business Zone? It’s an area determined by the U.S. Census that is underutilized and more remote.

Colville, it just so happens, is right in the middle of a big HUB Zone. Leslie Miller, our Eastern Washington Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC) Manager has a number of clients in Colville. When she heard from one of her contacts at Fairchild that the base was looking for HUB Zone contractors, she contacted the Tri-County Economic Development District and advised businesses in that area to become HUB Zone certified – ASAP.

(Note: Just because you’re business is located in a HUB Zone doesn’t automatically make you HUB Zone certified – there’s a process, one that our PTAC office assists with)

Currently, Leslie is working with companies in Colville to become HUB Zone certified in hopes of landing not just the contract with Fairchild, but future federal contracts as well. The contract at Fairchild is expected to be bid on later in the year.

(Note 2: Given our region, you might want to know that the Army Corps of Engineers and the USDA are often looking for HUB Zone businesses to contract with)

The town of Colville is extremely hard working, and can benefit greatly by being HUB Zone certified. The town’s businesses aren’t asking for any handouts – they’re just working hard toward bringing Colville back. There’s a new level of optimism among the Colville business community.

With a hard-working mindset and assistance from our PTAC office, Colville can come back from its rough times. Stay tuned.

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…..

First things first: GSI does not endorse candidates for elected positions. We hosted this forum alongside the Downtown Spokane Partnership, hosted at the Northwest Museum of Arts & Culture, to give the public an opportunity to hear from the four candidates in order to be informed, educated and aware of the issues. We kept the forum focused on business and economic development.

The candidates – Steve Corker, Dennis Hession, Ben Stuckart and Victor Noder – all shared why they should be the next City Council President.

Corker – who is currently on the City Council – said his first priority is economic development. He noted that the city needs to develop a regional approach in order to attract good businesses and raise the area’s median income.

Stuckart – who said his prior business experience at TicketsWest and Communities in Schools will help the city – believes the city can greatly influence economic development by streamlining various city processes and investing in small business to create growth.

Hession – who was City Council President before being appointed Mayor in 2005 – said the city needs to be proactive and strategic when attracting businesses. He also said the city needs to be a partner with the business community, and not a “disciplinarian.”

Noder wants the business community and, what he calls, “community community” to cooperate in order to achieve the city’s economic development goals. He also believes the city needs to define what kinds of companies to attract.

Where the candidates had varying views was the issue of roads. Stuckart said he is against a parking spot tax, but in favor of a tab tax. He believes if you drive on the road, you should pay your share to help maintain it. Stuckart also shared that he believes good roads attract businesses. Hession on the other hand, is against a tab fee.

Noder said he is in favor of traffic impact fees. Corker spoke mostly to utility tax increases, and expressed his concern that utility rates might exceed some citizens’ mortgages.

Now that the four candidates have shared their thoughts, it’s your turn to make your decision. Your ballots are due by Aug. 16.

We’ll also host a candidate forum for the Liberty Lake City Council on Oct. 11 at Family Home Care from 7:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. On Oct. 13, we’ll host candidates from Spokane Districts 1, 2 and 3 in one forum. Our Oct. 14 Good Morning Greater Spokane program will feature a forum with the two candidates for Mayor.

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.
A top GSI priority is to help advocate for the new KC-46A tankers to be based at Fairchild when they are completed, hopefully in about five years. It was not only good news that Boeing received the contract to build the tankers in its Everett, Wash. facility, but that Fairchild is right in our backyard and is home to tankers that are so vital for our country.

Rich Hadley, our President and CEO, traveled to Scott Air Force Base last week with Representative Cathy McMorris Rodgers and other community leaders to show Spokane’s support for Fairchild in hopes of acquiring the new tankers someday. Scott Air Force Base in Illinois, but just outside of St. Louis, is the Air Mobility Command and oversees Fairchild’s 92nd Air Refueling Wing, among others.

What differentiates Spokane and Fairchild from other communities is our representation across different civic leadership groups.

Currently, Hadley is on the Air Force Chief of Staff Civic Leaders Group. Bever is on the Air Education and Training Command Civic Leaders Group. Finally, Bill Simer, a Partner at McDirmid, Mikkelsen & Secrest, is on the Air Mobility Command Civic Leaders Group.

It is believed Spokane is the only community with three representatives on those groups at the same time. Spokane and Fairchild are both very well represented at the highest levels of the Air Force.

Forward Fairchild is a committee of Greater Spokane Incorporated that advocates and protects Fairchild Air Force Base. The committee, alongside a delegation from Spokane, helped advocate for improvements to the runway – which is being constructed right now – and for funds for other Military Construction (MILCON) projects, such as a new headquarters building and a Phase II building for the survival school.

The greater Spokane community turns out each year in May to celebrate Fairchild and our local military at the annual Armed Forces Torchlight Parade. GSI also hosts the Armed Forces Persons of the Year Awards each year, which is a way of highlighting our community’s heroes.

It’s safe to say Spokane and Fairchild support one another to the greatest lengths.

“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.

Do you, as a current or potential business owner, know what is needed to comply with local laws while owning a business?

The City’s “Seven in Eleven” program is its seven initiatives in 2011 and a one stop to aid small businesses in Spokane. Among the seven is assisting with the permitting process – which continues to be a focus of our Small Business Council – The Small Business Council recommended a checklist for businesses and city outreach with small businesses.

The Mayor and other city staff are reaching out to small businesses for:

• Their stories
• Concerns
• An understanding of what is needed to remain a successful business in our city and our state.

The permitting process is an issue not all small businesses fully understand – and the City is going to help. The City will create a checklist that will help new or existing businesses through the processes of starting or expanding their new business. The City will also work to guide businesses through the change of use process.

To further assist in the permitting process, one of the seven initiatives that will be adopted will be a performance measurement tool for the permitting process. This will be used to pinpoint the areas that are murky and those that are not.

So if you’re a small business, make sure you check out the Seven in Eleven. It could help your business become more efficient.

Photo from the Spokane International Airport

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:

There is vast support for a four-year medical school at WSU Spokane

Our delegation heard from all our elected officials that they fully support expanded medical education at WSU Spokane. The Idaho delegation also supports the project and knows how Northern Idaho will be impacted as well:

While money for the Academic Health Sciences Building will come from the state, the Federal Government can affect the amount of residency slots at a medical school. Currently, Eastern Washington has only 100 residency slots available (for comparison, Western Washington has 1,550). The number is fueled by Medicare and capped. We’re hoping that cap can be raised, helping our region achieve this total economic impact:

(data from a Tripp Umbach study)

Fairchild Air Force Base is going to get some improvements

Two Military Construction (MILCON) projects are in the budget for Fairchild Air Force Base. A new headquarters building and a Phase II building for the survival school will soon be at the base.

And speaking of the Air Force…..

Update on the KC-46A Tankers

The Secretary of the Air Force, Michael B. Donley, gave an update on the new tanker contract. While he didn’t share any new news, Greater Spokane Incorporated will continue to work with Fairchild in hopes of getting the first round of new tankers.

The North Spokane Corridor is in good standing at the federal level

A portion of our delegation met with Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood to talk – what else? – transportation. Secretary LaHood didn’t guarantee anything, but said the North Spokane Corridor is in good standing because of the unified and organized effort our region has when advocating for the completion of the corridor. See how the corridor will benefit our region.

This is very encouraging news!

The federal budget battle was on everyone’s mind

Our delegation was in D.C. the week of the budget battle. It was obvious a lot of highly important meetings were being held at the Capitol. In fact, our delegation walked out of the Capitol to see a line of black limos and two ambulances, a sign that either President Obama or Vice President Biden were at the Capitol (ambulances are required to be present wherever the President and Vice President are).

We also learned that military veterans are a high priority with the federal government, as are jobs. It’s a fascinating time in the nation’s capital. Our delegation was proud to come home with positive news.

Rich Hadley, our President and CEO, was on KHQ’s Invest Northwest with Sean Owsley on April 17 to talk about our trip. Here’s what he had to say:

Rich will be on Invest Northwest this upcoming Sunday at 7:30 a.m. to talk in-depth about the trip.