Avista Utilities projects it will need to spend $1.7 billion over the next 20 years to add or improve efficiency of power-generation capacity to meet a projected 1.6 percent annual increase in electric power demand.The vast majority of that - - -

Cupcake venture sets up in Millwood kitchen Sweet & Stout Co., a startup bakery that makes cupcakes with beer in the batter, has opened in Millwood.Sweet & Stout is leasing a 1,080-square-foot commercial kitchen at JP Fossil Creek, at 4302 &

Furniture store opens; art outlet in the worksPicture Peddler Inc., an artwork manufacturer based in Elk, Wash., has opened a furniture store at 40212 N. Newport Highway north of Spokane and plans to open a seasonal artwork outlet in the Mall a

Schaffer's Towing, a longtime Coeur d'Alene towing service, has new owners.Tim Vulles says he and his son, Terry, have acquired the business. Vulles declines to disclose the terms of the transaction.The new owners decided to take over the a a

The city of Spokane last month issued Minneapolis-based Target Corp. a building permit for a project to update the interior decor and to expand the grocery department of its retail store at the Northpointe Plaza shopping center, on Spokane's North

A group of local investors has started Spokane-based Inland Techstart Fund LLC, a new venture-capital fund that's expected to invest $600,000 in young companies during the next two to three years. Scott Broder, Inland Techstart's chairman, says

Five Guys Burgers & Fries franchise owner Wayne Sheffield says he plans to open a third Spokane-area restaurant this fall on the North Side.The restaurant will occupy 2,700 square feet of leased space in a multitenant retail building near the of

Spokane developer Mick McDowell is asking the city of Spokane to rescind a real estate deal involving downtown land a company he heads agreed to buy in 2008. The land is located east of the Spokane Fire Department Station No. 1, which is along a