Government

â€”State of Washington Department of Commerce

Zoning in on economic development opportunity in Spokane

Eleven tracts here chosen for new federal incentive

May 10, 2018

Eleven U.S. Census Bureau tracts in Spokane County have been selected as Opportunity Zones, in which investors can earn federal tax breaks and potentially bring further economic development to the region. The neighborhoods here are among 139 census tract

China's double-edged sword and its effects on Spokane recycling

Increased competition for recyclables expected here following Asian country's clampdown

May 10, 2018

Samantha Peone

New restrictions halfway around the world are expected to prompt increased competition for the Spokane-area's recyclables-and potentially increased costs-for businesses and consumers here. Deb Geiger, regional solid waste manager for Spokane County

Spokane Falls Blvd. configuration changes considered

Multiple options considered near future site of downtown plaza

April 26, 2018

Officials have started discussing how to handle the flow of traffic near a proposed pedestrian plaza to be constructed west of City Hall, along the 800 block of west Spokane Falls Boulevard next year. At least five options are being developed, one of whi

State launches online retirement marketplace

Program intends to increase access to savings boost plan

April 26, 2018

Mike McLean

Since the launch of the Washington Retirement Marketplace last month, the nation's first state-verified online marketplace for low-cost retirement plans, its director, Carolyn McKinnon, says the program is receiving an encouraging number of calls and we

$2 million fuel facility planned at Felts Field

Airport project to demolish, replace its current system

April 26, 2018

LeAnn Bjerken

A new aircraft fueling facility will be constructed at Felts Field this summer, and the current fueling system will be demolished, says Todd Woodard, spokesman for Spokane Airports. Woodard says the project, which has an estimated cost of between $1.5

Central City Line meets federal funding requisites

Project clears first hurdles for securing large grant

April 26, 2018

LeAnn Bjerken

Consultants from Washington, D.C.-based Cardinal Infrastructure LLC revisited Spokane Transit Authority headquarters this month with encouraging updates regarding progress toward obtaining a $50 million-plus Federal Transit Administration grant to help fu

Data protection law might have far reaching impact

Most companies aren't ready, IT consultant says

April 12, 2018

LeAnn Bjerken

Some cybersecurity experts are focusing their attention on the European Union's soon-to-be-implemented General Data Protection Regulation, which could have a big effect on how businesses worldwide handle data privacy. 'I believe that the majority of

Spokane Super Oval could turn corner, owner says

Racetrack operator hopes to capitalize on Airway Heights activity

April 12, 2018

After nearly four years of work and having spent $700,000 of his own money, Rick Nelson, the owner of Spokane Super Oval LLC, thinks the half-mile auto racing track in Airway Heights could finish this racing season in the black. 'We've struggled ever

The INB Performing Arts Center's next act

Iconic venue set for $22.3 million overhaul

April 12, 2018

The INB Performing Arts Center debuted 44 years ago as part of the World's Fair. It's largely been untouched ever since. That will change, effective May 1. Operated by the Spokane Public Facilities District, the performing arts center will shut down

North Monroe overhaul to begin in April

$8.8 million job divided between pair of contractors

March 29, 2018

LeAnn Bjerken

Work on the long planned and highly debated North Monroe Corridor project is set to begin early next month, says Marlene Feist, a Spokane city spokeswoman. The $8.8 million project will reconfigure a 1.1-mile stretch of Monroe Street between Indiana and