April 23 / Employment here rises

About 207,800 people held nonagricultural wage and salary jobs in the Spokane area in March, up by 3,200 from the March 2012 level, but down by 1,100 from February this year, preliminary state figures said. Preliminary results from another state survey put the unemployment rate at 9.1 percent during March, down from 9.7 percent in the year-earlier month.

April 23 / Potlatch's net income jumps

Potlatch Corp., of Spokane, reported first-quarter net income of $15.5 million, or 38 cents a diluted share, up sharply from $5.1 million, or 13 cents a share, in the first quarter of 2012. Michael Covey, the company's chairman and CEO, said the results exceeded expectations, and he noted that lumber prices continued to strengthen despite reduced demand due to poor winter weather in much of the country. Based partly on an improving housing sales and remodel market, Covey said the company has "a very favorable outlook for the remainder of the year."

April 19 / Trade alliance to become part of GSI

The International Trade Alliance, based in Spokane, said it plans to become part of Greater Spokane Incorporated. Details of the integration, which the two organizations began exploring earlier this year, still are being worked out. Victor Vera, chairman of the International Trade Alliance, said in a press release the relationship will help that 17-year-old organization, which has about 40 member businesses that it assists with export trade, form more relationships in the region and grow their export volume.

April 18 / Glacier Bancorp's earnings rise

Glacier Bancorp Inc., the Kalispell, Mont.-based parent of Mountain West Bank, reported first-quarter net income of $20.8 million, or 29 cents a share, up from $16.3 million, or 23 cents a share, in the year-earlier quarter. Mick Blodnick, Glacier's president and CEO, said the company had a good start to the year, highlighted also by agreements to acquire First State Bank, in Wheatland, Wyo., and North Cascades National Bank, based in Chelan, Wash. The two banks have combined assets of about $628 million, and Glacier said it expects to complete the acquisitions in the third quarter of this year.

April 17 / Fairchild attributes touted

The entire Washington state congressional delegation sent a letter to Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley to express strong support for basing the Air Force's new KC-46A aerial refueling tankers at Fairchild Air Force Base on the West Plains. With its strategic location, investments in infrastructure, strong community support, and cohesive air-refueling military presence already in place, "we believe Fairchild is the strongest candidate to serve as the first Main Operating Base for the KC-46A," the delegation wrote. The Air Force has said it expects to decide this spring on which bases will host the new Boeing Co.-built planes.

April 16 / Ambassadors suspends dividend

Ambassadors Group Inc., the Spokane-based provider of educational travel experiences and online education research materials, said its board has suspended the company's quarterly dividend to preserve liquidity and enhance the company's financial flexibility. It said the action will result in cash savings of about $4 million annually.

April 15 / Associated Painters acquired

Leading Edge Aviation Services Inc., of Costa Mesa, Calif., said it has acquired Spokane-based aircraft painter Associated Painters Inc. Kathryn Brewer, Leading Edge's chief operating officer, said Associated Painters will remain in Spokane and continue to operate under its current name and leadership. Satellite facilities that Associated Painters operates in Everett, Wash.; Goodyear, Ariz.; and Oklahoma City will continue to operate as well.