Airway Heights man starts design firm
Web site and graphic designer Jason Davis has started a business, called Underground Development Group, which he operates from his home in Airway Heights.

Underground Development's services include Internet and logo design, print-media work, and search engine optimization. Currently, Davis is the business's sole full-time employee, but says his wife and another graphic designer help on a part-time basis.

Originally from the San Diego area, Davis says he's held jobs for Internet marketing companies and design firms since the late '90s, before moving to Eastern Washington about three years ago with his family.

He says his approach to Web design is to strike a balance between a site that's visually pleasing and still is able to rank high on Internet search engines. Davis says he hopes to work with small businesses here and provide them with high-quality design work.

Small businesses often purchase cheaper Web-design software to create a site rather than hire a professional, Davis contends, but says those standard templates have a cookie-cutter look, and leave the businesses with an unappealing Internet presence. He charges $25 an hour for small jobs, but says prices vary.

North Side UPS Store under new ownership
The UPS Store located at 8929 N. Indian Trail in the Sundance Plaza Shopping Center is under new ownership, says David Haider, who bought the store recently with his brother, Dennis.

Haider, who declines to say how much he and his brother paid for the store, says the previous franchisee was the store's sole employee and decided to sell the business to pursue other interests.

Haider says his brother began managing the North Side store in mid-February, but the sale didn't close until last week. UPS Store outlets provide shipping and packaging services, as well as general document services such as printing, laminating, and copying. The outlets are independently owned and operated by franchisees of Mail Boxes Etc. Inc., of San Diego. The chain includes more than 6,000 stores worldwide, the company's Web site says.

The two men also operate UPS stores at 509 N. Sullivan and 10414 W. Highway 2 and employ 10 people between all three of their stores, he says.

Dueling piano bar set to open here in April
After a roughly six-month delay, Gibliano Brothers Dueling Piano Bar & Music House plans to open on April 10 in a 3,300-square-foot space at 718 W. Riverside, across from the STA Plaza, says Rick Collins, general manager and a part owner in the business.

Collins says the bar's opening was delayed because renovation of the building took longer than anticipated. The business's owners and Brumback Construction Inc., of Spokane Valley, did the renovation work, which included installing a custom bar, large eight-person booths, and sound and lighting systems, says Collins.

The establishment will feature dueling piano players on separate pianos who will perform on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights. Collins says pianists will play requested songs and create a "high-energy" atmosphere, and the bar might have other live performers, such as jazz or blues musicians, on other nights.

The business, which will open nightly at 4 p.m., will offer appetizers, light food items, specialty cocktails, and other alcoholic beverages. Gibliano Brothers will employ around 20 people, says Collins.

Delta Business Training receives Sirti money to help fuel its growth
Delta Business Training LLC, a Spokane-based company that creates custom online training courses for businesses and government agencies, has received a $300,000 loan through the Sirti Technology Growth Fund, Sirti says.

Sirti, a state agency charged with accelerating the growth and development of technology companies in the Inland Northwest, says the money will provide growth capital the company needs to meet demand for its products.

Delta Business Training's custom online instructional tutorials incorporate animation, video, and sound to create interactive teaching tools for its clients. Topics can be tailored for the specific needs of a client, and also can cover more general items, such as defensive driving and administering first aid.

Delta's clients have included the Washington state Department of Corrections, Spokane County, and Eagle Shield Inc., according to its Web site.

"This financing, along with their strategic guidance, will help us continue our growth and meet rising demand for our products," says Dave Paquin, Delta's CEO.

The Sirti Technology Growth Fund has provided $970,000 to businesses this year.

Valence Wireless expands facilities at Greenacres site
Valence Wireless & Communications, of Greenacres, is constructing a 1,600-square-foot shop next to its office on property it owns at 17816 E. Sprague, says President Michael Deakins.

The shop will provide room for Valence's technicians to install communications equipment into emergency vehicles, such as police cars and fire trucks, Deakins says. The new shop also will feature two large roll-up garage doors and three additional offices, he says. Valence currently operates out of an about 1,000-square-foot space adjacent to the shop site, and Deakins says the new shop will cost less than $50,000.

Signs & Things, a small Liberty Lake-based sign manufacturing and general contracting business, is serving as the contractor for the project, which should be completed in April.

Valence Wireless & Communications' services include communication system installation and maintenance, communication tower construction, and wireless networking.

The business was founded in 2002 and employs six people here.