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Ag loans remain gainful, expected to rise next year

Niche requires specialized knowledge among lenders

February 26, 2015

While commercial and other kinds of loans have taken a hit over the years since the economic recession, agricultural loans have remained more robust, some industry leaders here say. Northwest Farm Credit Services, the Spokane-based agricultural lending

SBA lenders encouraged by rebound in volume

Banks hope incentives will embolden more borrowers

February 26, 2015

Mike McLean

Some providers of U.S. Small Business Administration-backed loans here are anticipating a second consecutive year of loan growth after the dollar volume bounced upward in fiscal 2014 from a year-earlier decline. Last year, lenders in the SBA's Spokane

Refis bounce back

Mortgage rates down; FHA lowers insurance cost

February 26, 2015

Judith Spitzer

Some Spokane banks and credit unions are reporting a mini-boom in home mortgage refinance loans in recent months due to another dip in mortgage interest rates. In the Spokane area, 30-year, fixed-rate mortgage rates had fallen to between about 3.69 perce

Security system features, controls are going mobile

Integrated capabilities fueling rise in demand

February 12, 2015

Mike McLean

Advances in electronic security systems are bringing new capabilities into the mainstream, says Jay Hunt, president of Spokane-based Allied Fire & Security Inc.

Key to IT security: user training, monitoring

Savvy employees might be your best defense against intrusion

February 12, 2015

John Coleman

Your cell phone rings. It's your office manager. Something has happened. An employee has a cryptic text file on their screen, something about all their files being gone and a demand of $500 ransom to get them back.

Making security strides at Riverfront Park

Crime call volume declines as safety plans progress

February 12, 2015

Judith Spitzer

Security calls at Spokane's Riverfront Park have fallen as the park's security department starts to plan for $2.8 million in public safety improvements-part of the $64.3 million master plan passed by voters in November, says Jeff Bailey, acting Rive

Steadily rising

Phoenix Protective Corp. now employs 400 overall

February 12, 2015

Katie Ross

Phoenix Protective Corp., a Spokane-based provider of security services, had revenues of $10 million for 2014, up about 10 percent from the previous year, and is expecting more growth this year, says co-owner and President Sheila Leslie.

Small food businesses in West Central share space, ideas

Bakery, yogurt company owners band together

January 29, 2015

Katie Ross

Mika Maloney and Karyna Hamilton, owners of Spokane small businesses Batch Bakeshop and Flora Yogurt Co., respectively, teamed up this month to share space and help promote each other and the Spokane small business community. Batch, which is located at

Port delays could hurt agricultural markets, Northwest Farm Credit Services report says

Many producers, however, are coming off good years

January 29, 2015

Katie Ross

Northwest Farm Credit Services, the Spokane-based agricultural lending cooperative, says in a 2015 market outlook that lower fuel costs are good news for producers, but that many are experiencing higher transportation costs and slower sales due to shippin

Joanie's Magic Spoon classes deliver comfort food

Jamison teaches cooking from Indian Trail-area home

January 29, 2015

Judith Spitzer

After raising two daughters, and having a successful career as an administrative assistant, Joan Jamison retired, but not for long. She decided to open Joanie's Magic Spoon almost five years ago, teaching cooking classes from home in her dream kitchen o