Greater Spokane Incorporated (GSI), and the Spokane Valley, West Plains, Coeur d'Alene and Post Falls chambers of commerce will lead 40 business leaders to Washington D.C. to advocate on behalf of Eastern Washington and Northern Idaho April 24 - 27.

This year's delegation will be advocating for the support of a number of initiatives and projects. Some of those include:

• $650 million for the design and construction of the North Spokane Corridor from Francis Avenue to the Spokane River.
• $85 million for the design and reconstruction of Interstate 90 from Barker Road to Harvard Road.
• Support to advance the placement of graduate medical students in Eastern Washington.
• Military Construction (MILCON) projects such as a new Base Operations Facility, a new Precision Measurement Equipment Laboratory (PMEL) Facility, a new Airfield Communications Facility, and a new Combined Logistics Readiness Facility at Fairchild Air Force Base.

Read the entire regional agenda here (PDF).

"Meeting with our elected officials and federal agencies in Washington D.C. is a key component in keeping the Spokane region on the minds of Congress," said Rich Hadley, President and CEO of Greater Spokane Incorporated. "They welcome our input on the highest priorities for this region."

The delegation has meetings scheduled at the Pentagon, with the Federal Highway Administration, and with Senators Maria Cantwell (D-Washington) and Patty Murray (D-Washington), as well as Senators Jim Risch (R-Idaho) and Mike Crapo (R-Idaho). The delegation also has meetings scheduled with Representative Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-Washington) and Representatives Mike Simpson (R-Idaho) and Raul Labrador (R-Idaho).