Spokane-area retailers say they are planning for strong sales next year. Bryn West, general manager for River Park Square, says the downtown shopping center expects to see an overall 3 percent increase in sales in 2014, which is on par with the predicti

Going into the new year, technology industry observers here say, positive trends in the sector statewide bode well for companies in the Inland Northwest, which they describe on the whole as coming back slowly. Tom Simpson, president of the Spokane Angel

Northwest wheat producers face a changing marketplace heading into 2014, with grain prices being pressured slightly lower because of weaker corn prices and a bountiful world wheat crop. Industry observers say the Inland Northwest's predominant soft whi

Financial institutions are projecting solid loan growth and continued low interest rates for 2014, bank executives here say. Peter F. Stanton, chairman and CEO of Washington Trust Bank, says he expects that Spokane-based institution to see 7 percent to

Health care executives appear mostly upbeat about the vitality of that sector here in the coming year, despite continuing national uncertainty related to the implementation of the federal Affordable Care Act. 'We're going to continue to be really in

With a significant decline in metal prices during 2013, mining companies are cutting costs and focusing on their most promising properties for next year. Laura Skaer, executive director of Spokane-based American Exploration & Mining Association, formerly