March 9, 2010

(Spokane, Wash.)-Join Spokane County Commissioner and 2010 Board Chair Mark Richard and Greater Spokane Incorporated Friday, March 12th for the State of the County Address and Good Morning Greater Spokane Breakfast.  The event will be held at the CenterPlace Regional Event Center in Spokane Valley.   Commissioner Richard will discuss the county’s financial health; steps to revamp the criminal justice system and how the county is investing in economic development efforts.
 
Make your reservation online by visiting www.greaterspokane.org and clicking on the “events” tab.  Doors open at 7:00 a.m. for informal networking, and the program will begin at 7:15 a.m.  For more information please contact Heidi Whitman at 321-3619.

Greater Spokane Incorporated announces the semi-finalists for the 2010 AGORA Awards.  Businesses that exemplify excellence in the face of a tough economy are being honored as Greater Spokane Incorporated announces its 2010 AGORA semi-finalists.  Winners will be announced at the 2010 AGORA Awards ceremony on June 2.  Winners will reflect businesses in our region that exemplify leadership in support of a strong economy and quality of life. Judges will take into account such things as company growth, marketing strategy, employee environment, response to adversity, customer service, community service and contribution to economic development and job creation.  Good luck!

2010 AGORA Awards Semi-Finalists:

Small Business

• Bill’s Auto Parts
• Caffe Pazzesco
• Catered For You, Inc.
• Design Source, Inc.
• GardenStone Creations
• MOJO Reprographics
• Stewart & Associates, PS
• The Eye Care Team

Medium Business

• Arbor Crest Wine Cellars
• Coffman Engineers, Inc.
• DeVries Business Services
• Meridian Construction, Inc.
• Nystrom Olson Collins, Inc.
• Pinnacle Investigations
• SiteCrafting, Inc.
• Spokane Pro Care

Large Business

• Advantage IQ, Inc.
• Altek, Inc.
• CH2M Hill, Inc.
• Greenstone
• Inland Empire Distribution Systems, Inc.
• Moloney O’Neill
• Moss Adams LLP
• Rosauers Supermarkets, Inc.

Non Profit- Small

• Christ Clinic
• P.E.A.C.H (People for Environmental Action & Community Health)
• Spokane Humane Society
• Tincan
• Valley Meals on Wheels

Non Profit - Large

• Catholic Charities of Spokane
• Shriner’s Hospital for Children - Spokane
• The Salvation Army of Spokane
• Whitworth University
• YMCA of the Inland Northwest

Would boost economy and keep young talent in the region

You may already know 3 years of medical school training takes place at Spokane’s Riverpoint Campus downtown. Did you also know 80% of students who apply to WWAMI’s program (a collaboration between Washington, Wyoming, Alaska, Montana and Idaho, plus the University of Washington and Washington State University) are denied admission? We’re exporting hundreds of medical students out-of-state in connection with our region’s number one industry, healthcare.  At the same time, the Inland Northwest faces a shortage of about 200 physicians. Primary care doctors, especially, are in short supply.

February 24, 2010

GSI and partners have spent a year lobbying for federal funds
February 22, 2010

Hundreds of workers will soon be laying cement, painting lines and installing guard rails on the North Spokane Freeway, thanks to a new $35 million federal grant. Greater Spokane Incorporated, together with partners including Associated General Contractors, Good Roads Association and U.S. Senator Patty Murray (who chairs the Senate Transportation Appropriations Committee) has been working to secure the TIGER grant (Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery) the past year. GSI led a delegation in September to Washington, D.C., where we explained to elected officials and the Federal Highway Administration the importance of TIGER funds for the Spokane region’s growth and development.