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Wishing for steady upward trajectory

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December 17, 2015

The Spokane-Coeur d'Alene area and the broader Inland Northwest have enjoyed healthy gains in most economic sectors this year, further obscuring unpleasant memories of the Great Recession and the sluggish recovery that followed. Some-but certainly no

Workplace issues likely to reemerge

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December 17, 2015

Linn Parish

We, as the Journal of Business staff, have spent a lot of time during the past couple of weeks looking ahead to the new year and trying to discern what's in store for our readers. Following a 2015 that's been better than expected in many respects, 201

NorthTown remodel results in store shuffle

Redeveloped north wing leaves room for new stores

December 17, 2015

LeAnn Bjerken

NorthTown Mall's $8.5 million redevelopment of its north entrance has resulted in a shuffling of retailers and restaurants, with some new stores opening in the shopping center. 'Basically we've given our Queen Avenue entrance a facelift,â€ says

Spokane is among 10 cities in national Smart City initiative

Year-long project to begin with workshop in Charlotte

December 17, 2015

Mike McLean

Envision America, a nonprofit supporting arm of the Obama Administration's Smart Cities initiative, has selected Spokane to be among the first 10 cities in the U.S. to participate in the collaborative program. Spokane Smart City Accelerator will repres

State business confidence index hits 25-year high

Spokane businesses were slightly less bullish in poll

December 17, 2015

LeAnn Bjerken

A recent poll of 200 Washington state business owners sponsored by Spokane-based Washington Trust Bank has found overall confidence in the economy to be the highest in the survey's 25-year history. The third-quarter business confidence survey conducted

Drivers' license surrenders suggest more in-migration in Spokane County

Economist says additional data show population rise

December 17, 2015

LeAnn Bjerken

Out-of-state drivers' license surrenders, one of the indicators of new residents moving into the area, have increased in Spokane County during the first 11 months of this year, according to Washington state Department of Licensing data. Although the n

Tech companies grow in maturing markets

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December 17, 2015

A strong entrepreneurial spirit in the technology sector today has contributed to a local and national boom, and that, say some of those in the industry here, is a big reason why the sector continues to blossom.

Bouten Construction scores Tri-Cities work worth $127 million

Projects includes hospital addition, airport expansion

December 17, 2015

Mike McLean

Prominent Spokane construction contractor Bouten Construction Co. is heading up three projects in the Tri-Cities with a combined value of $127 million. The largest of the projects is a $72 million expansion of the River Pavilion at the Kadlec Regional Me

Inland Northwest retail sales to keep rising, for now

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December 17, 2015

LeAnn Bjerken

Following the trend of recent years, retailers here are again predicting sales growth for 2016. However, not all of those interviewed are confident this period of gains will last.

Planet Turf: Beyond greens, fairways

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December 17, 2015

Jim Connolly has reached the top of his profession in agronomy. Twice. He was once a United States Golf Association agronomist and now he is the co-owner of a growing grass seed and fertilizer company. From 1988 to 1994, the Washington State