Latest News

Spokane bankers approach U.S. capital program warily

Competitive aspect seen as they mull peers' participation

November 6, 2008

Spokane bankers are eyeing with some skepticism the federal government's offer to provide capital to some U.S. banks by becoming investors in them.As the first deadline approaches on Nov. 14 to apply for the government's so- called Capital Plan,

Greening up indoor spaces

November 6, 2008

Kim Crompton

Moving indoors as winter weather approaches doesn't mean you have to give up being surrounded by the warm plant life that helps make summertime so pleasurable, Karen L. Goldberg submits. Rather, it might just mean that you need some help in picking

ALSC tabbed for study of 'south block'

Property across from PFD's convention complex could include parking, facilities

November 6, 2008

By Jeanne GustafsonThe Spokane Public Facilities District has selected ALSC Architects PS, of Spokane, to perform a feasibility study of the so-called "south block" property downtown where it hopes to expand.The property, which is bounded by Main

Graham wins $43 million freeway project

Contractor will lower U.S. 2 north of Farwell Road, build interchange for N-S freeway

November 6, 2008

Jeanne Gustafson

Graham Construction & Management Inc., of Spokane, has won a $42.8 million contract to lower the grade of U.S. 2 in the vicinity of a planned interchange for the North Spokane Corridor freeway and to construct six bridges associated with the will a

Potlatch eyes new way to fund spin-off

Company now will have Clearwater tap credit line, take some of its debt

November 6, 2008

Paul Read

Potlatch Corp., the big Spokane-based wood-products concern, says the national credit crisis has forced it to change how it will finance the planned spin-off of its pulp-based operations into a new publicly traded company called Clearwater Paper it

Mall owner looks to trim big debt load

Parent of NorthTown, Valley, and Silver Lake ousts CEO, to sell assets

November 6, 2008

Kim Crompton

General Growth Properties Inc., the Chicago-based owner of three of the Spokane-Coeur d'Alene area's largest shopping malls, has taken dramatic steps in the last couple of weeks to try to ease a massive debt burden that analysts say is threatening

Bank reports give insights into economy

Nonperforming assets rise sharply at institutions here as quarterly profits plummet

November 6, 2008

Richard Ripley

Third-quarter earnings reports from Inland Northwest banks are providing insights into the region's economy.One of the most-watched numbers in bank earnings reports for the third quarter, which ended Sept. 30, will be nonperforming how they've a

Bracing for rise in utility bills

Convergence of rate-boosting forces to impact businesses here

November 6, 2008

David Cole

Babyland Diaper Service here operates two 250-pound dryers and four 115-pound machines—compared with the 15-pound dryers typical in most homes.So when rates for natural gas, which heats the dryers, go up, it hurts, says Dan Anderson, owner a

Rendering Courtesy of SRG Partnership Inc.

CCS projects total $155 million

Work on six structures worth $98 million to start in '09

November 6, 2008

Mike McLean

Community Colleges of Spokane is planning roughly $155 million in construction projects, nearly $100 million of which are scheduled to get under way next year, says Dennis Dunham, director of capital projects at the college district.Although some

In the News: October 23, 2008

October 23, 2008

Oct. 21 / Spokane County selects racetrack operator Spokane County commissioners unanimously selected Midway Muffler & Radiator Inc., headquartered in Fife, Wash., and owned by businessman Bucky Austin, to operate Spokane County Park /