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Esvelt Environmental fills niche in INW

Engineering company maintains 40-year focus on water systems design

August 27, 2020

With just four employees, including owners Mark and Allison Esvelt, Millwood-based environmental engineering company Esvelt Environmental Engineering LLC is small - and the Esvelts intend to keep it that way. Allison Esvelt says the company, located

Avista exceeds energy-savings target

Utility achieved savings of 99K megawatt hours

August 27, 2020

Kevin Blocker

A Washington state Department of Commerce report released last month shows 17 utilities statewide exceeded their projected 2018 and 2019 energy efficiency targets. Spokane-based Avista Corp. reported reaching 111% of its conservation goal.

Spokane Conservation District moves forward with new building

New conservation campus to be a multiphase project

August 27, 2020

Natasha Nellis

The Spokane Conservation District has broken ground on its planned new facility in Spokane Valley, says Vicki Carter, director of the district. The project will be a multiphase development, Carter says.

Inland Pacific Trailer Sales pulls strong growth

Company expected bigger year before COVID

August 13, 2020

Kevin Blocker

It was hardly an unconventional move on Ryne Brockway's part to approach his longtime colleague and friend, Steve Hanning, about the idea of forming a truck trailer sales company. What was unconventional was how they determined who'd be the head of

Freight volumes by planes, trains, trucks all drop steeply

Outlook in INW remains positive for rest of 2020, though, observers say

August 13, 2020

Natasha Nellis

Use of the biggest freight transportations modes in the Inland Northwest all declined sharply in usage at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic but are slowly starting to climb back to normal levels, industry representatives say. Spokane boasts all three

White's Boots kicks it up a notch

Spokane bootmaker expects to grow via new lifestyle markets, CEO says

August 13, 2020

Virginia Thomas

White's Boots Inc. is diversifying its product offerings with the goal of appealing to a wider clientele. Located at 4002 E. Ferry in East Spokane, the company makes rugged boots worn by wildland firefighters, loggers, and linemen: sturdy calf-height

Allen foundation study to aid virus response

$3.4M UW research to determine state's infection prevalence

July 30, 2020

Staff Report

The Washington state Department of Health and the University of Washington Medicine, backed by the Seattle-based philanthropic organization Paul G. Allen Family Foundation, have launched a major study to determine the percentage of Washingtonians who have

Refugee Connection Spokane pivots services

Nonprofit receives $800K in grants to be disbursed during next five years

July 30, 2020

Natasha Nellis

Refugee Connections Spokane's flexible setup left it well-positioned to pivot its services when the COVID-19 outbreak spread here, says Marijke Fakasiieiki, the nonprofit's executive director. Over the past year, the organization, which was created

Salvation Army Spokane sees food requests soar

Pandemic said to drive demand for services

July 30, 2020

Kevin Blocker

The Salvation Army Spokane distributed nearly 4 million pounds of food to individuals and families in need last year. As a result of temporary furloughs and permanent layoffs due to economic lockdown imposed in the state's response to the COVID-19

Socially distanced, socially conscious

Some nonprofits switch to longer fundraising cycles, spend less on overhead

July 30, 2020

Virginia Thomas

Instead of canceling fundraising events, many Inland Northwest nonprofits have moved them into the digital realm. Donor participation in charity events is lower, but some nonprofits say they're receiving nearly as many donations as in prior years from