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Better results expected in '12, bankers say

December 15, 2011

Spokane-area bankers say 2012 is expected to usher in slightly better results for financial institutions after seeing some improvement in 2011, but they sprinkle any projections with caution based on the economy's lingering uncertainty.They cite

A few sectors said to continue leading recovery

December 15, 2011

Mike McLean

Health care, tourism, and manufacturing will continue to lead economic growth in Kootenai County, while the real estate market there likely will see tepid improvement at best in the coming year, some North Idaho observers say.Kootenai County's a

Health care isn't recession proof, faces challenges

December 15, 2011

Treva Lind

Tough economic times have tapped on the shoulder of the region's health care sector this year, an industry that in past recessions held steady. The destabilizing impact of the struggling economy is expected to carry into 2012.Industry leaders in

Metal prices help mining industry shine

December 15, 2011

Treva Lind

Riding high metal prices, mining companies expect another year of improved cash flows in 2012 that also will support the pursuit of new development.Industry leaders say that higher prices for silver, gold, and copper are expected to continue the

High-tech firms to jockey for market share

December 15, 2011

Linn Parish

Inland Northwest technology companies say they will be adapting to changing markets in 2012 in efforts to boost sales—or at a minimum, maintain market shares.Meantime, says Innovate Washington co-founder Kim Zentz, startup activity appears

Construction industry expects lean year again

December 15, 2011

Mike McLean

A long-awaited construction rebound has been so slow to emerge that some in the industry are merely hopeful the market avoids another decline in the coming year.While some commercial contractors are working on substantial projects, most don't of

Real estate said heading to price stability in 2012

December 15, 2011

Mike McLean

Residential and commercial real estate sectors could see some market recovery as buyers take advantage of fallen prices and low mortgage interest and continue to pare down the recession-related glut of properties for sale, industry sources here by

Jobs could grow slowly next year

December 15, 2011

Linn Parish

The number of jobs in the Inland Northwest is expected to increase in 2012, though not nearly as quickly as analysts typically would expect them to grow in what appears to be a recovering employment market. Grant Forsyth, an economics professor

Tepid gains appear likely to remain

Most industry sectors foresee little change from this year's pace

December 15, 2011

Kim Crompton

Scattered examples that some industry sectors here are beginning to climb from the depths of this lengthy economic downturn aren't numerous or noteworthy enough to suggest that next year will be markedly stronger than this one has been.In fact,

Countertop maker opens Valley location

Winnipeg company leases 6,000-square-foot space, employs 16 people there

December 15, 2011

Mike McLean

Floform Countertops, a Winnipeg, Manitoba-based manufacturer, dealer, and installer of countertops, has opened a 6,000-square-foot showroom in Spokane Valley.The facility, at 5320 E. Sprague, features displays of a range of countertop materials,