We are thrilled to continue our long-standing partnership with the Journal of Business to bring you the 29th annual Economic Forecast, themed “The Resilience Economy.” This annual gathering brings together economists, business leaders, and regional experts to explore how businesses and communities can prepare for uncertainty, adapt to changing conditions, and make informed decisions about the future.

Businesses across our region are navigating market volatility, shifting policies, rising costs, and disruptions ranging from wildfires to geopolitical conflict. We cannot wait for uncertainty to disappear before planning for what comes next. Resilience means building the capacity to operate, adapt, and recover amid change—and using that capacity to position our region for long-term success.

As the region’s business development organization, Greater Spokane Inc. (GSI) is a nonprofit with a mission to lead transformative business and community initiatives to build a robust regional economy. We bring together business, government, education, and nonprofit leaders to elevate important conversations, advocate for our region, and identify shared priorities. By connecting leaders and catalyzing action, we help our community address shared challenges, seize opportunities for growth, and build an economy where businesses and people can thrive.

As we look toward 2027, GSI is helping shape what comes next through THRIVE Spokane 2.0, the refresh of Spokane County’s Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS). Launched during the pandemic, our current strategy focused on the urgent priorities of recovery and resilience. This next chapter builds on that foundation with a sharper focus on competitiveness: how we attract investment, support business growth, and create quality, good-paying jobs. We’re bringing together businesses, local governments, educators, and community partners to identify shared priorities and turn them into action. The updated five-year strategy is scheduled for release in June 2027, and we invite you to help shape it. Your perspective will help ensure this roadmap reflects the opportunities and challenges facing our region.

Building a resilient economy takes a unified effort. The Economic Forecast is an opportunity to examine the forces shaping our economic future, learn from diverse perspectives, and consider how we can turn uncertainty into opportunity. We hope the insights and conversations from this year's event help you make informed decisions, strengthen your business, and contribute to a more competitive and resilient Spokane region.

Learn more about GSI's work to advance our regional economy at GreaterSpokane.org.

Alisha Benson is CEO of Greater Spokane Incorporated