Financially troubled Empire Health Services has taken another step to streamline its operations by hiring a Spokane real estate company to manage its extensive medical office space holdings.The big Spokane hospital operator, which owns and in &

Mountain West Bank is planning a major expansion in Idaho, including developing three branches in the Treasure Valley and a branch in Coeur dAlene.The aggressive expansion strategy is being launched because of strong economic growth in those

D.A. Davidson & Co. has increased its forecast of the earnings of Spokane-based Ambassadors Group Inc. for this year and 2006 and has raised its 12- to 18-month target price for the travel companys stock.D.A. Davidson, the Great Falls, says a

MWE Spokane Medical Properties LLC, of Midway, Utah, is proposing to build a $4.7 million skilled-nursing facility in the Spokane area this summer.The company has applied to the Washington state Department of Health for a certificate of need to

Shares of Itron Inc. have shot up to a 52-week high in the last week following a strong earnings report by the Spokane Valley-based automated meter-reading equipment maker and an analysts upgrade of the companys stock.Itrons stock jumped

Thomas Hammer Coffee Roasters, of Spokane, has bought the former Michlitch Co. building near downtown and plans to move its roasting operation, Mad Batter Bakery, and corporate offices there, says Thomas Hammer, its president and CEO.Were 4

Garco Construction Inc., of Spokane, has been selected as the general contractor-construction manager on the $54 million planned expansion and renovation of Rogers High School, in northeast Spokane.In that role, Garco will provide services, and

A man who didnt like driving a propane truck in Spokane snow has found a new career and a way to stay out of the cold by inventing an aesthetically pleasing cover for the large white propane tanks found outside homes and businesses.It was a a

Coldwater Creek Inc. is working to boost its operating margin by buying more of its womens apparel from overseas garment makers directly and is taking steps to keep tabs on conditions at its suppliers factories. Separately, it plans to launch a

It used to be a big deal. Spokanes downtown skywalk system, once thought to be the second most extensive in the country, teemed with retailers, and shoppers walked it like a mall.Today, more than 40 percent of the spaces in the 15-block are a