One year ago, the unemployment rate had fallen to near 4%, output was at record levels, but the inflation rate was blasting through 7%, causing the Federal Reserve to begin to slow its purchases of securities.

As labor shortages continue to impact companies across industries, businesses are shifting their focus to employee retention. According to Bank of America's recent Workplace Benefits Report, 46% of

The Spokane Valley-based water utility company Consolidated Irrigation District No. 19, in Liberty Lake, has requested a permit to build a 2-million-gallon drinking-water storage tank valued at $3.9 million in Liberty Lake.

An Oregon-based company redeveloping a former Days Inn hotel into apartments in downtown Spokane plans a similar redevelopment project on the other side of Interstate 90.

Two separate construction projects involving Spokane-area learning centers are in the permitting stages. The total value of the projects, one of which is in the Hillyard neighborhood and the other on the South Hill, are valued at a total of $2.8 million.

The second and third floors of a 130-year-old, former hotel in downtown Spokane are being remodeled into apartments.