Treva Lind

Northwest Farm Credit Services reports record income for 2012

Ag lender attributes rise to loan growth from mix of current, new customers

February 28, 2013

Northwest Farm Credit Services, the big Spokane-based agricultural lender and crop insurance provider, has reported record net income of $187.3 million for 2012, up from prior-year earnings of $159.2 million, which also were a record.The loan by

Coeur d'Alene Mines to acquire Orko Silver in $350 million transaction

$350 million transaction to buy Orko Silver Corp. expected to close in April

February 28, 2013

Treva Lind

Coeur d'Alene Mines Corp., of Coeur d'Alene, says it has reached a definitive agreement to acquire the assets of Orko Silver Corp., of Vancouver, British Columbia, in a transaction that's valued at about $350 million and expected to close in in is

Addressing Saturday's mail

Few businesses say they need sixth day; courier work might rise

February 28, 2013

Treva Lind

Inland Northwest businesses likely won't experience a significant impact from the U.S. Postal Service's plan to end Saturday mail delivery to street addresses by August, say observers involved in the handling of customer correspondence. Citing a

Countdown to employers' rules under health care law

Companies mull standards for benefit plans next year; ACA carries potential fines

February 14, 2013

Treva Lind

Spokane-area businesses face significant decisions this year centered on employee health benefits, as major provisions of federal health care reform legislation take effect on Jan. 1, 2014, reshaping insurance coverage in the U.S. In basic most

Magnuson Hotels hikes loan limit for affiliates

Hoteliers now can borrow as much as $1.5 million for remodels, equipment

February 14, 2013

Treva Lind

Magnuson Worldwide, a hotel services business that offers reservation management and branding support with headquarters in Spokane and London, says it now can offer brand-affiliated property owners greater loan options for renovations or equipment

Pedal-party trolley rolls out

February 14, 2013

Treva Lind

A business venture called Spokane Party Trolley LLC has started rolling under the power of its 16-passenger, specialized bike in the shape of a trolley bar for groups touring downtown.Since September, groups of between eight and 16 have rented

Northwest Farm Credit Services hits new high with $54.8 million refund

Cooperative here allocates $54.8 million in patronage checks to its shareholders

February 14, 2013

Treva Lind

Northwest Farm Credit Services, the big Spokane-based ag-lending cooperative, says it's sending to its stockholders patronage refund checks totaling a record $54.8 million.The total is $1.8 million higher than last year's $53 million in refunds

Inland Northwest brews craft beer industry

Small breweries emerge as specialty beverage draws fans

February 14, 2013

Treva Lind

As microbreweries grab a bigger market share from major U.S. beer manufacturers, nearly a dozen Inland Northwest craft brewers have hopped into the beverage business, mainly in the past year. "Seattle and Portland have very well-developed craft

Red Lion goes green

Partnering with Ecova, company sets goals high to lower energy use, costs

January 31, 2013

Treva Lind

Spokane-based Red Lion Hotels Corp. executives say the company's energy costs declined by six figures over a 12-month period ending last November, a savings they attribute to a new sustainability strategy put in place at its 28 corporate-owned had

Viren & Associates focuses on diverse financial advice

Longtime company helps clients with investments, estates, and benefit plans

January 31, 2013

Treva Lind

Viren & Associates Inc., a Spokane-based financial planning and employee benefits advisory company, has remained viable for almost 20 years by diversifying the services it offers clients, says Paul Viren, managing principal there. Viren, who in