After a period of dormancy, StartUp Spokane is gearing up to return to action by expanding its services and partnering with Spokane Public Library.

After nearly a year of varying restrictions on social gatherings and business operations to stem the spread of COVID-19, business owners-and a growing number of politicians-say they've had enough of what they believe are heavy-handed mandates.

The Washington state Department of Ecology is seeking public input through Feb. 2 on proposed multimillion-dollar plans to clean up contamination at the grain elevator in the Freeman area, about 13 miles south of Spokane Valley.

The old 345-acre Northside Landfill, once the site of the largest garbage disposal operation in Spokane County, reached a milestone late last year as it was declassified as a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Superfund Site and removed from the age

The Spokane Regional Transportation Council, in partnership with several Spokane-based agencies, plans an electric vehicle infrastructure overhaul that will grow substantially the current number of charging stations in the county over the next few years.

The U.S. Small Business Administration has released a third round of Paycheck Protection Program loan funds, and bankers here say they're prepared to handle changes made as a result of updates to the program.

Development of two massive projects in northeastern Spokane-the Beacon Hill residential development and the Esmeralda Commerce Park-might not start as expected this year.

The city of Spokane Valley is planning a two-story, $10 million addition to the Spokane County Fair & Expo Center, with the goal of boosting tourism and retail spending.

Barring relief, some employers fear recently-implemented unemployment tax increases could be the final straw that puts them out of business permanently.