We're coming to a close on a year best described as complex. 

The Federal Reserve is lowering interest rates even though inflation isn't under control. And while conventional economic indicators trend in a positive direction, households continue to feel the pinch of rising costs for essential goods and services. Job growth is occurring, but it's mostly concentrated in a few specific industries. 

In other words, every piece of good news seems to be conditional and quickly followed by a "however."

As we reconcile what has been a generally positive year, we look forward to our wishes for the Inland Northwest business community in 2025. 

First and foremost, we'd like to see further improvements in making downtown Spokane clean and safe. Some business organizations, as well as the Journal, endorsed the city's public-safety sales-tax hike with the understanding that the money would be put to good use, specifically in the core. The city has taken some positive steps, but drug use, vandalism, and homelessness continue to be visible problems. Mayor Lisa Brown and Police Chief Kevin Hall both have asked for patience during their respective first years on the job. It's been granted. The coming year is the time for results. 

Along those same lines, we'd like to see progress toward development of the Spokane Regional Authority for Homelessness, Housing, Health & Safety. We asked for the same thing a year ago, but the regional approach has been stymied by a Spokane City Council that wanted more time to research it. They've had their time and need to take action. The status quo simply isn't working. 

If progress is made in those areas, our next wish is sure to come true: The wish for marked improvement in the Greater Spokane Incorporated-sponsored public perception survey, titled The Pulse. The inaugural results, released in October, place the Spokane-area quality-of-life index score at an astonishingly low 3.6, on a 10-point scale. The survey is to be conducted every six months, and our hope is that the registered voters who are polled see progress and view our community more bullishly in the next year. 

Beyond perplexing societal issues, we're looking ahead to a year in which many of the Inland Northwest's most iconic organizations will be under new leadership. Avista Corp. will transition to a new CEO in Heather Rosentrater, and Rob Krcmarov will be getting settled in as Hecla Mining Co.'s CEO. URM Foods Inc. will choose a new CEO as Ray Sprinkle moves into retirement, and Spokane Airports will look to fill a void when Larry Krauter moves on to a new opportunity. Gonzaga University will look to is next chapter as President Thane McCulloh steps down midyear, and Washington State University will look to replace Kirk Schulz as he retires at the end of the academic year. 

For the new leaders, we wish you strength and vision in ushering in new eras. For the organizations looking to fill those positions, we wish you wisdom and clarity at this important juncture. 

Beyond business and politics, we hope each of you has quality time with those closest to you during the holidays to come, as well as prosperity in the year ahead.