Washington state is a national leader in the life science industry, a sector that reportedly contributes $43.4 billion in economic impact. For its part, the Spokane area is making significant contributions as the region rapidly advances its position as a player in the growing industry. While Seattle often dominates headlines, Spokane deserves recognition for efforts to evolve from a satellite to a primary engine of economic growth and innovation in the region.

In the last year, we have made tangible progress developing the infrastructure needed for innovation here. For instance, Evergreen Bioscience Innovation Cluster has established a 5,000-square-foot incubator space in North Spokane, providing critical wet lab access for research. Downtown, the Riverside Biotech Hub launched a new facility with expanded lab space for early-stage researchers.

Though smaller, these spaces promise to pave the way for the eventual development of a life science hub on the Spokane River in Spokane's University District, which requires a pipeline of tenants and partnerships in place before development can begin.

Meanwhile, Health Sciences & Services Authority of Spokane County is earning praise for expanding its charter to fund private, investor-based startups, which also has helped activate growth. HSSA, a public development authority that invests in bioscience innovation to improve public health, prevent disease, and drive economic growth, has already awarded $3.25 million in grants this year to five health and bioscience businesses to support research, create well-paying jobs, and generate future economic growth.

LaunchPad Inland Northwest co-founder Bill Kalivas has also recently launched a new enterprise, dubbed the InnovateINW Initiative, a regional collaboration focused on creating a central connected sector committed to regional alignment and shared purpose. The program is inspired by the collaborative spirit of Spokane's Momentum '87 initiative that helped shift the Inland Northwest economy from agriculture and service to one of high-wage, innovation-driven growth.

It's worth noting, life science jobs in the state have been outpacing general private sector growth for five consecutive years, according to a new report by Life Sciences Washington, an independent, nonprofit trade association. Sector employment has increased more than 50% between 2014 and 2024 statewide, serving as a buffer from employment losses experienced in other industries during times of economic downturns and providing stability in Spokane. These jobs also bring higher wages for Spokane residents compared to other private sector roles.

Washington now ranks as a top-10 national cluster, a term for a geographic concentration of interconnected companies, institutions, and life science organizations. Over 80 life science entities are operating in Spokane County currently.

A collaborative spirit between the region's higher education institutions, nonprofits, organizations, advocates, and private entities is our strength.

Spokane's rise is the result of intentional planning over decades. To maintain this momentum, we need to continue supporting the long-term vision for expanded opportunities in the sector here. Spokane isn't catching up to the rest of the state, it's setting a new standard for how a community of this size can be considered a leader in the bioscience boom.