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Veteran analyst tracks small signs

November 25, 2009

Fred Dickson has learned to watch for telling, if unofficial, economic indicators during his 38 years in the securities industry.Eighteen months ago, Dickson, who's a market strategist and director of retail research for D.A. Davidson & Co., a a

Much-smaller Telect sees reason for optimism in telecom

Liberty Lake company says sales are edging up, to stay conservative on hiring

November 25, 2009

Paul Read and Paul Read

No longer the shining star of high-tech manufacturing here, Liberty Lake-based Telect Inc. has settled into a new role as a scrappy fighter in the rough-and-tumble telecommunications equipment industry, and that appears to suit CEO Wayne Williams a

Two prosthetic vendors to take on Hanger name

Hanger-owned Riessen's to be moved farther up on North Side in 2010

November 25, 2009

David Cole

Hanger Orthopedic Group Inc., of Bethesda, Md., which owns Schindler's Orthotic & Prosthetics and Riessen's Orthotic & Prosthetic Services here, plans to change the name of both those operations to Hanger Prosthetics & Orthotics starting early next

Clare House looks to receive $9.5 million from state bond

Funding for 120-unit apartments to include low-income tax credits

November 25, 2009

Jeanne Gustafson

The Washington state Housing Finance Commission has agreed to issue $9.5 million in tax-exempt revenue bonds for a multifamily affordable housing project at the Clare House retirement complex on Spokane's South Hill.Whitewater Creek Inc., of on

American Drapery to move to larger space in the Valley

Renton-based company also will begin marketing flooring products here

November 25, 2009

David Cole

Renton, Wash.-based American Drapery, Blind & Carpet says it plans to move its longtime store on East Sprague further east to larger quarters, and also will begin selling flooring products at the new location. Wendy Edwards, a Renton-based for a

AmericanWest expects boost from tax rule

Bank holding company anticipates $13.7 million gain under assistance act

November 25, 2009

Kim Crompton

AmericanWest Bancorp., of Spokane, says it expects its regulatory capital ratios and those of its main operating subsidiary, AmericanWest Bank, to improve significantly as the result of a new law that extends the federal income tax carryback period

CVB to add panel to study future funding

Also plans to open joint office with Hartford CVB in Washington, D.C.

November 25, 2009

Richard Ripley

The Spokane Regional Convention and Visitors Bureau will seek to appoint a blue ribbon committee of board members and other business leaders to help it address long-range funding issues.Separately, the CVB and the Greater Hartford (Conn.) and a

Empire Ford property sale said pending

Transaction, if completed, would stave off trustee's sale postponed to Feb. 5

November 25, 2009

Kim Crompton

A California-based real estate investment trust has signed a purchase agreement to acquire the former Empire Ford auto dealership property in downtown Spokane, says Nate Greene, who along with his wife, Roberta, owns the property through The Greene

Ham hawkers hot on holidays

November 25, 2009

Jeanne Gustafson

Spokane residents Jeff and Shawna Miller have shouldered their share of challenges in their small-business ventures here in the last year. Jeff Miller says that although his eyes may have glazed over a few times at the circumstances he's faced &

Shipper plans $3.6 million Valley terminal

Old Dominion says it will move terminal operations from space it leases here

November 25, 2009

Mike McLean

Old Dominion Freight Line Inc., a national trucking company based in Thomasville, N.C., says it plans to erect a $3.6 million, 18,000-square-foot terminal in Spokane Valley and move its Spokane operations there from space it currently leases.The