North Idaho

Colorado group acquires two Rathdrum companies

Mandere, Northwest Building to retain employees, names

July 2, 2020

Denver, Colorado-based Kodiak Building Partners has added two Rathdrum-based construction companies to its growing portfolio. Mandere Construction Inc. and Northwest Building Components Inc. have been acquired by the building materials supply and

Lone Wolf Distributors acquired by Texas group

Glock-accessory maker is based in Priest River

July 2, 2020

Virginia Thomas

A Priest River, Idaho, manufacturer and distributor of aftermarket parts and accessories for Glock brand firearms has been bought by an out-of-state company. Lone Wolf Distributors Inc. was acquired on May 22 by Jersey Village, Texas-based Vigilant Gear

NOBO Pets launches here as online leash retailer

Direct-to-consumer startup foresees big market among dog walkers

July 2, 2020

Kevin Blocker

Two years ago, when he lived in Denver, running and hiking enthusiast Evan Purcell arrived home from work, threw on his workout gear, leashed his dog Bode, and the two went for an evening run. The near inseparable pair were so eager to see each other

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.

AquiPor tackles stormwater challenges

Startup develops permeable pavers as new tool for concrete contractors

June 18, 2020

Kevin Blocker

The owners of AquiPor Technologies Inc. claim that after about a decade of research and development, they've produced a porous, hardened material with the ability to absorb surface stormwater and alleviate drain flooding in heavily paved urban

Women-owned Cd'A contractor grows with federal work

Design-build firm takes jobs in 13 western states

June 4, 2020

Kevin Blocker

Not even the COVID-19 pandemic has been able to blunt the tide of growth the design-build construction company Verdis is experiencing. Since becoming a member of the Small Business Administration's 8(a) Business Development Program in 2016, Verdis has

Intermax Networks acquires Tel-West

Cd'A tech company gains stronger foothold in Spokane market with purchase

June 4, 2020

Kevin Blocker

Internet provider Intermax Networks, of Coeur d'Alene, has acquired Telwest Inc., which does business as Tel-West Business Communications, a Spokane-based company that's long specialized in providing voice and communications services.

Uncertainty infects Inland Northwest health care industry

Shutdown of elective procedures causes losses; uptick expected in second half

June 4, 2020

Kevin Blocker

The economic effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on the health care sector has been as uneven as a Spokane street in the middle of winter. In hospitals, where it would seem a pandemic would deliver unprecedented job security, just the opposite has happened.

Goodwill lives tale of two states

Organization is back in business in Idaho, mostly shuttered in Washington

May 21, 2020

Kevin Blocker

The reopening of Goodwill Industries of the Inland Northwest stores in Idaho is a welcome relief to the organization, says CEO Clark Brekke. With most of its operations in Washington state, however, the Spokane-based organization still faces a myriad

Tractor Beverage raises $18.5 million in VC capital

North Idaho company distributes organic drinks exclusively to restaurants

May 7, 2020

Virginia Thomas

A specialty soda company based in Dalton Gardens has raised $18.5 million in venture capital funding. According to proprietary market data software subscription platform PitchBook, Tractor Beverages Inc. raised the funding as a combination of equity