Spokane-area companies are capturing substantially more federal research funding than they were 15 years ago, according to a report commissioned by Evergreen Bioscience Innovation Cluster.

According to the report, Federal Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer awards in the Spokane-Pullman, Washington region increased from $6.8 million between 2010 and 2014 to $23.4 million between 2020 and 2024. The number of companies receiving awards also doubled from 11 to 22 over the same period, according to the report.  

Craig Parks, CEO of Evergreen Bioscience, attributes some of that growth to the expansion of health science research in Spokane, including the creation of the Washington State University Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine and the relocation of its College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences from Pullman.

The findings are consistent with what Erin Williams Hueter, executive director of the Health Sciences & Services Authority of Spokane County, says she has observed and reflects years of investment from multiple organizations. She credits the establishment of the University District, as well as Greater Spokane Inc.’s Vision 2030 Initiative, among other factors.