Latest News

AquiPor tackles stormwater challenges

Startup develops permeable pavers as new tool for concrete contractors

June 18, 2020

The owners of AquiPor Technologies Inc. claim that after about a decade of research and development, they've produced a porous, hardened material with the ability to absorb surface stormwater and alleviate drain flooding in heavily paved urban

Parting Thoughts with Cassel Promotions' Tracy and Sam Cassel

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June 18, 2020

Virginia Thomas

Cassel Promotions & Signs started with a tube of fabric spinning in the wind atop a car. Cassel President and co-owner Tracy Cassel, now age 63, came up with a windsock in 1987 to advertise his now-defunct Spokane Valley deli delivery business.

Going mobile: Online banking usage spikes during pandemic

Inland Northwest banks, credit unions report more downloads, transactions

June 18, 2020

Natasha Nellis

With banks limiting contact between employees and their customers, the use of digital and mobile banking tools that the institutions have been investing in for years have seen sudden, dramatic spikes, Spokane-area financial industry representatives say.

Spokane bankers frustrated by sluggish guidance on PPP

Flexibility Act causes more confusion than clarity for some aspects of program

June 18, 2020

Virginia Thomas

Inland Northwest bankers say they're frustrated by a lack of federal guidance regarding particulars of the Paycheck Protection Program. Some say they and their customers are confused about some aspects of the program.

Spokane hoteliers hope to buck West Side trends

INW hospitality industry isn't immune to uncertainty, though

June 18, 2020

Natasha Nellis

Reports of hundreds of layoffs at hotels in the Seattle area this month have some in the industry here concerned that Spokane will once again follow the trends set by the West Side.

Going the distance: The future of restaurants and retail stores in the Inland Northwest

Despite reopening, restaurateurs, retailers still face stiff headwinds

June 18, 2020

Kevin Blocker

On May 11, Bob and Barbara Materne celebrated the 39th anniversary of The Swinging Doors with little fanfare, because patrons weren't allowed inside the North Side restaurant and sports bar at that time.

SCC building is being expanded, renovated

Project intended to create new space for college's fire sciences program

June 4, 2020

Kevin Blocker

Construction crews have started work on a $1.7 million expansion and renovation of a building on the Spokane Community College campus, in East Spokane.

New apartment, townhome projects to create 154 units

Spokane Valley complex valued at $17.4 million

June 4, 2020

Virginia Thomas

Three residential projects with a total of 154 living units are in the works-two on Spokane's South Hill and one in Spokane Valley. Building permit information for The Monika Apartments, at 16618 E. Broadway, in Spokane Valley, shows that six buildin

Puget Sound Pipe & Supply to build West Plains operation

Company looks to expand access to Idaho, Montana

June 4, 2020

Natasha Nellis

Kent, Washington-based pipe valve and fitting manufacturer and retailer Puget Sound Pipe & Supply Co. plans to build a new, roughly 20,000-square-foot warehouse and office building on the West Plains to better serve customers in Eastern Washington, Idaho,

Women-owned Cd'A contractor grows with federal work

Design-build firm takes jobs in 13 western states

June 4, 2020

Kevin Blocker

Not even the COVID-19 pandemic has been able to blunt the tide of growth the design-build construction company Verdis is experiencing. Since becoming a member of the Small Business Administration's 8(a) Business Development Program in 2016, Verdis has