Old offices, warehouses, and other underused commercial buildings in the city of Spokane are slowly finding new life as apartments, retail areas, and mixed-use spaces through the city’s 2-year-old commercial conversion incentive program designed to make difficult conversion projects more feasible.

The city of Spokane is preparing to accelerate debris removal, testing permits, and reconstruction efforts as property owners affected by the Spokane Complex Fires face what officials expect will be a lengthy rebuilding effort.

Student enrollment at several colleges and universities in Spokane County has been flat or slowly increasing in the last two years after pandemic-era declines, but leaders at some institutions contend that the higher education environment in Spokane is generally healthy.

Spokane multifamily permit numbers are up in several categories this year compared to 2025.

Solar and renewable energy system installations on commercial buildings in Spokane have increased since the One Big Beautiful Bill Act was passed in 2025, as building owners and businesses hurry to perform planned projects before a clean energy tax credit ends.

Alisha Benson, CEO of Greater Spokane Incorporated, has been named the chair-elect for the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives, a professional organization that supports, connects, and develops leaders and staff of local, regional, and state chambers of commerce and economic development associations.

Although he considers himself partially retired, Dr. Bob Lutz continues to find ways to keep caring for the well-being of the public.