November 11th, 2011
Prioritizing keeps you focused. It also keeps businesses, organizations and communities focused. That’s precisely why the business community here in the Spokane region has prioritized its key projects (in no particular order):
- Academic Health Science Center
- Fairchild Air Force Base and New Tankers
We’re helping lead the charge on all of the projects. Let’s take a look at some of the particulars on each. Hooked? Continue reading »
November 3rd, 2011
A big part of our job here is to advocate on behalf of the businesses of all sizes and industries. To do that, we form relationships with local, state and federal governments and meet with representatives year-round.
Each January, we take a delegation of business leaders to Olympia in conjunction with the Spokane Valley Chamber of Commerce and the West Plains Chamber of Commerce for three days to meet with our state legislators, discuss issues, advocate for business-friendly laws, policies and projects, and much more.
We also bring our State Agenda, which outlines our region’s priorities. Let’s take a look at how it’s developed.
Hooked? Continue reading »
October 27th, 2011
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. Hooked? Continue reading »
October 18th, 2011
We are all aware that today’s youth are our country’s future. Spokane invests in the young people who live here with care and respect, which translates into a bright future for youth, and a bright future for Spokane. Keep reading and find out why it is no surprise that Spokane is a fifth-time winner of the 100 Best Communities for Young People.
Hooked? Continue reading »
October 6th, 2011
Here’s a stat that needs consideration:
Nearly 30 percent of the fastest-growing occupations in the next decade will require at least some background in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM)*. With a large amount of our STEM workforce nearing retirement, a good amount of jobs will be available for the taking.
At our September 29 “Community Conversation on STEM Education,” businesses and educators came together to talk about how to advance STEM initiatives. At the event, Avista Utilities said 30 to 40 percent of workers in the electric power industry are eligible for retirement by 2013. 45 percent of utility engineers are eligible for retirement in the next five years. This isn’t the only industry that will need workers with skills anchored in STEM.
Today’s students will be crucial to our future economic success in those STEM jobs. After all, students today will be employees, business owners and CEOs tomorrow. Let’s take a look at what we’re doing to help prepare our students to enter the STEM workforce.
Hooked? Continue reading »
September 27th, 2011
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:
Hooked? Continue reading »
September 22nd, 2011
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. Hooked? Continue reading »
September 14th, 2011
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.
Hooked? Continue reading »
September 7th, 2011
We know September seems like an odd time to do a “Year in Review” blog, but our fiscal calendar actually runs October – September. So knowing that, this is the perfect time to look back at our year.
Hooked? Continue reading »
September 1st, 2011
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.
Hooked? Continue reading »
