| Spokane Vitals 2009 |
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Spokane Vitals third edition illustrates progress leaves room for improvement Greater Spokane Incorporated released today the third edition of Spokane Vitals. The 2009 Vitals illustrates that our community is moving forward on a number of indicators, but there is still room for improvement in several areas. Spokane Vitals measures Spokane County’s annual progress against 11 comparable communities across the U.S. by benchmarking twenty economic indicators in the categories of business growth, education, prosperity for all, quality of life, and basic needs. Washington State is also measured against 10 comparable metros in the same categories. The data is compiled for both the last year available and on a five year trended basis. Overall, Spokane is faring better than comparable metros in business growth, educational attainment and quality of life. Spokane’s quality of life indicators are markedly better than both comparable metros and Washington state. Air quality and commute times remained much lower than comparable metros. Between 2006 and 2007 alone, the crime rate decreased by 5.8%, and both family poverty rates and child poverty rates decreased by double digit percentages, 17.6% and 10.3% respectively. In addition, Spokane experienced higher business growth, increased high school diploma attainment, and increased percentages of citizens with health insurance. Spokane’s nonfarm employment figures grew –at a higher rate than comparable metros and the state of Washington. Spokane residents also received more bachelor degrees. Negative trending includes an unemployment rate increase, decrease in utility patents, and post secondary degrees granted. Please contact Robin Toth at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 509.742.9388 or Meredith Funk at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 363-2686 to obtain a free copy of the latest edition of Spokane Vitals. About Greater Spokane Incorporated Greater Spokane Incorporated is committed to accelerating regional economic prosperity throughout the Spokane region. Your Regional Chamber and EDC, GSI is funded by more than 1500 private-sector member investors; Washington State; Spokane County; and the cities of Spokane; Spokane Valley; Liberty Lake; Cheney; Airway Heights; Medical Lake; Newport and Millwood. For more information, visit www.greaterspokane.org or contact us at 509-624-1393 or 1-800-SPOKANE.
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