Financial experts here say 2018 has been a good year for the Spokane area, but 2019 is unlikely to bring the same rate of growth. Steve Scranton, chief investment officer and economist for Spokane-based Washington Trust Bank, characterizes 2018

Health care administrators in the Inland Northwest say 2018 has been a growth year for the industry, particularly in the areas of technology and mental health, as organizations focus on tools to enhance patient experiences and improve access to care

A strengthening entrepreneurial presence and international cybersecurity changes could affect Spokane's technology sector in the upcoming year, some industry professionals here say.

Despite rising labor and material costs, the Spokane-area construction sector likely will see another healthy year, say industry professionals here.

This year has turned out better than expected in terms of the number of groups and conventions, and 2019 is shaping up to be an even bigger year for Spokane tourism, says TJ Hake, interim president and CEO at Visit Spokane.

The commercial real estate sector will see a strong year in 2019 due in part to companies from other areas leasing space in Spokane, some industry professionals here say. Jon Jeffreys, broker at NAI Black, says he saw some office space absorbed this year

It's unusual-arguably unprecedented-to go into a new year knowing one employer plans to hire 1,500 people in the Spokane area. A pair of Spokane economists, however, are projecting job growth in 2019 similar to what has occurred this year