Latest News

Banner Bank to lay off handful of employees in Spokane

Company plans to reduce workforce by up to 28 in all

March 11, 2021

Banner Bank is laying off employees here for the first time since it entered the Spokane market. Kelly McPhee, Spokane-based vice president of communications and public relations for the Walla Walla-based bank, says six people here have received

26-unit duplex project starts in Spokane Valley

Work marks first foray into new construction for Secured Investment

March 11, 2021

Natasha Nellis

Coeur d'Alene-based Secured Investment Corp. is voyaging into the new construction market with its first development, a 13-building, 26-unit duplex housing development in Spokane Valley. Crews broke ground on the first phase of the project

Coeur d'Alene Window, McVay Brothers move HQs

Consolidation frees up manufacturing space

March 11, 2021

Virginia Thomas

Spokane-based window manufacturer Coeur d'Alene Window Co. and sister company McVay Brothers Contractors Inc. have moved their corporate offices into a building at 2205 N. Woodruff, in Spokane Valley. Coeur d'Alene Window President Mark McVay says th

COVID-induced business concepts urged for 2021

'2020 hindsight' focuses on gaining some momentum

March 11, 2021

Kurt Walsdorf

Many of us in the Spokane and North Idaho business community are seeing progress and momentum after the unexpected challenges we faced in 2020. As you plan for the months ahead, here are some recommendations to continue building resilience

Downturn squeezes women financially

Child care, disrupted income are having disproportionate toll

March 11, 2021

Sarah Carlson

In Spokane, our community has been hit hard by the pandemic's impacts due to our business demographics and population. According to the Washington state Employment Security Department, our economic engine in the Inland Northwest is a community of

Pandemic spurs unprecedented giving at Innovia

2020 saw a record $10M in grant awards, well above amount in previous year

March 11, 2021

Kevin Blocker

When Innovia Foundation CEO Shelly O'Quinn moved all office operations from an antiquated database server to a cloud-based system, she had no idea how big of a deal the decision ultimately would be.

Honest In Ivory Bridal, Dearly Consignment move to larger space

Restaurants & Retail

March 11, 2021

Kevin Blocker

In need of more space, Honest in Ivory Bridal Shop and Dearly Consignment have moved into 7,750 square feet of space at 123 E. Sprague, just east of downtown Spokane, owner Cassie Cleary says.

INW nonprofits ramp up planned giving outreach

Nonprofits, advisers report increases in end-of-life donations

March 11, 2021

Natasha Nellis

Planned giving is expected to increase in the coming years, and Spokane-area nonprofits are ramping up efforts to draw in long-term donors. The U.S. is barreling toward the largest wealth transfer in history, with baby boomers expected to transfer

Gonzaga ministry sells properties near campus

Organization reevaluates its offerings in Spokane

March 11, 2021

Natasha Nellis

The Mater Dei Ministry Institute at Gonzaga University has sold its seven-property residential portfolio and is reevaluating how the nonprofit will serve students moving forward, says program director Shonna Bartlett.

Fatbeam, Ednetics buy Twin Falls tech company

Fiber optics provider continues expansion

March 11, 2021

Kevin Blocker

Fiber optics company Fatbeam LLC, of Coeur d'Alene, and its subsidiary, Ednetics Inc., have purchased a Twin Falls, Idaho-based tech company that serves education-based organizations and local and state governments.