Spokane is touted by economic cheerleaders here as one of the most wired cities in the U.S. for its size, but whether that has translated into increased recruitment of information-technology companies and quality jobs in the citys core is to of a

Spokane developer Walt Worthy, who is rehabilitating the Davenport Hotel, says he hopes to begin erecting a seven-story parking garage just southeast of the downtown landmark in September and to complete it by the end of the year.He says hed a

3M, the huge international company that acquired Spokane-based American Electronic Sign Co. late last year and renamed it 3M Dynamic Message Systems, isnt wasting any time in making its presence felt here.The Spokane business unit, now as a of

A Clarkston, Wash.-based developer of cooling systems for electronic components says it expects as early as 2003 to move its headquarters to Spokane and open a manufacturing plant here, both of which would employ 300 to 400 people.The company, a

CHENEYIf community leaders here get their way, Spokane Countys second-largest city will be known as much more than a sleepy college town.The city of Cheney is seeking grants to develop an industrial park, has set in motion about $5.5 million

Avista Utilities, of Spokane, has added greatly to its annual energy-conservation goal in the wake of the power-supply crunch and this years drought.For more than a decade, the companys customers have conserved enough power each year to save

Coldwater Creek Inc., of Sandpoint, is using a new tool it calls a webalog to further its aim of vigorously cross-promoting its three retail channelsits brick-and-mortar stores, its Web sites, and its vast catalog distributionso that they a

Thermoguard Insulation Co., of Spokane, has been bought by a big Richmond, Va., area-based insulation company called Service Partners LLC.Nat Bonanno, Thermoguards general manager here, says the Spokane operation will retain its name and its a

More Spokane-area developers are looking into whether tax-increment financing could act as a catalyst for big-ticket projects theyve been considering.At least two elected officials here also hope to take advantage of the new tool for public he

Inland Orthopedic Institute PLLC, of Spokane, is moving forward with plans to develop an ambulatory surgery center downtown.Inland Orthopedic could join forces on the project with Premier Development Inc., of Spokane, says Randy Ramey, president