Government

Building code updates to encourage solar power

Changes part of push to eliminate fossil fuel use

June 18, 2020

Washington state is now encouraging higher adoptions of solar energy systems in homebuilding as part of its drive to eliminate fossil fuel-generated electricity from the grid.

HUD awards $2.25 million in grants to INW tribes

Funds to repair houses, upgrade infrastructure

June 18, 2020

Natasha Nellis

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development awarded $2.25 million in Indian Community Development Block Grants to tribes in Eastern Washington and North Idaho. Overall, tribes in Washington, Idaho, and Oregon received $6.9 million in grants.

Spokane County extends valuation deadline

Staff will use more time to explore virus effect

June 4, 2020

Kevin Blocker

Pointing to the crushing effect COVID-19 may be having property values-especially commercial properties that have lost rental income-the Spokane County Assessor's Office says valuation notices to property owners won't occur until August this year.

$760 million in labor income lost in Spokane County, analysis shows

Study factors an 11-week decline in county wages

June 4, 2020

Kevin Blocker

An economic analysis the first 11 weeks COVID-19 had on Spokane County starting in mid-March reveals a little more than 17,000 jobs lost and lost labor income of $760 million.

Office building, garage planned on county campus

Structure to be across Monroe from YMCA

June 4, 2020

Kevin Blocker

A $10 million office building is envisioned along the 900 block of north Monroe Street, north of downtown Spokane. Spokane-based architectural design firm Uptic Studios Inc. is the project architect.

Municipalities prep for revenue shortages

Tax revenue plummets after stores closures, consumers stay home

June 4, 2020

Natasha Nellis

Sales taxes traditionally have provided a relatively stable revenue source for states and local governments during previous economic downturns, but the toll the coronavirus pandemic is taking on the economy is different.

Fueling an emerging industry: An alliance between public lands and timber products

State partners with CLT manufacturer on forest health initiative

June 4, 2020

Natasha Nellis

Hilary Franz wants to shorten Washington's forest-fire season, and she's executing a plan to do just that.

Washington Lottery office to move to NorthTown Mall

New space to house flagship retail store for organization

May 21, 2020

Natasha Nellis

Washington's Lottery plans to open its first retail space in the NorthTown Mall this year, although those plans have already been slowed somewhat by the current pandemic, says Grove Ayers, general manager of the mall.

WARN notice activity decreases

Three companies have furloughed fewer than 500 Spokane workers, latest notifications show

May 21, 2020

Kevin Blocker

In the last month, the number of Spokane County employers filing layoff notices with the Washington state Employment Security Department have arrived at a slower pace than the month prior.

Stimulus funds received, not targeted, some Spokane nonprofits say

Organizations focus on virtual fundraising, services

May 21, 2020

Natasha Nellis

Despite efforts nationwide to encourage people to donate their federal stimulus checks to nonprofits, Spokane-area organizations have largely avoided such campaigns.