Three and a half years ago, Itron Inc. proved that it wasnt afraid to take big bites when it agreed to spend $255 million to buy Schlumberger Electricity Metering, a leader in the North American electric meter market.Now, in a move that makes

A little more than a year ago, Michael Igo thought he would have to close his struggling West Plains knife and cutlery business. Then, he sought help from Spokane Neighborhood Action Programs microenterprise development program. Since then, he to

Payne Financial Group Inc., a Missoula, Mont.-based insurance brokerage that operates a growing office here, says Spokanes strong economy has been helping drive its robust, companywide growth. At the same time, the company, which has its top

Servatron Inc., a Spokane Valley-based contract electronics manufacturer, says that after experiencing flat revenue growth in 2006, it expects to make strong gains this year and is adding floor space at its plant to prepare for future company has a

TinaMarie Bell can really cut a rugliterally. On a typical day, Bell isnt gliding across dance floors, but rather is busy cutting pieces of carpet and fashioning them into rugs she has designed for homes, businesses, and vehicles.Bell owns

Extendicare Health Services Inc., of Milwaukee, a large operator of long-term care facilities in the U.S., including three here, says it hopes to open a 120-bed, $14 million skilled-nursing center on the South Hill.The Milwaukee-based company a

Kootenai Medical Center, of Coeur dAlene, says it and two dozen of its fellow public hospitals in Idaho are asking the Idaho Legislature for help in the wake of a recent state Supreme Court ruling that makes it more difficult for such hospitals a

Project Access, a program here in which health-care providers offer free medical care to low-income, uninsured residents, is stepping up efforts to secure more funding as it works to help a growing uninsured population. It has been growing strongly

Provisional Services Inc., a Spokane-based provider of temporary help and employee recruiting, says its hoping its focus on specialized professional staffing will help continue its robust growth amidst a tightening labor market.Provisional C.

Meridian Construction Inc. has started work in Spokane Valley on what will be the first G.I. Joes sporting goods store here.Last summer, Wilsonville, Ore.-based G.I. Joes Inc., which operates a chain of sporting goods and auto-accessories a