Virginia Thomas

Tractor Beverage raises $18.5 million in VC capital

North Idaho company distributes organic drinks exclusively to restaurants

May 7, 2020

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

Strata's overhaul bring higher revenue, better retention

Geotech company turned to employees for direction

May 7, 2020

Virginia Thomas

Geotechnical and construction engineering firm Strata Inc. has been overhauling its leadership and culture for the past three years, and recently-promoted chief operating officer Paxton Anderson says the company is starting to see an improvement

Spokane Gymnastics acquires Northwest Gymnastics Academy

Purchase involves Pines facility, hiring of founders

May 7, 2020

Virginia Thomas

Spokane Gymnastics has acquired Northwest Gymnastics Academy and is expanding into that company's former space at 11712 E. Montgomery, in Spokane Valley.

Concrete pumping tax to proceed

Bill to reclassify service will be reintroduced during next session

April 23, 2020

Virginia Thomas

A bill intended to clarify the definition of concrete pumping services for tax-assessment purposes will be reintroduced in the next session of the Washington state Legislature, says Sen. Jeff Holy, of Cheney.

Iron Bridge building to be converted into condos

Former PAML offices will be transformed into 13 residential units

April 23, 2020

Virginia Thomas

A building in the Iron Bridge development will be reverted to its former use as residential condominiums. The 16,650-square-foot building at 629 N. Iron Court will be remodeled from office space to 13 condo units, says Iron Bridge co-owner Houston Stock

Northwest Entrepreneur Competition names winners

Judging moved online in response to COVID-19

April 23, 2020

Virginia Thomas

Nine student teams have taken home a total of $42,000 in prize money through the 2020 Northwest Entrepreneur Competition. For the traditional business category, Washington State University won first place. Second place went to Stripped Basics

Women largely absent from construction fields

More learning opportunities needed for school-aged girls, industry women say

April 23, 2020

Virginia Thomas

A lack of promotion of the construction industry in schools has led not only to a shortage of workers, but a dearth of women in the industry, some women in construction and trades here claim.

Quest for knowledge: Virtual learning gains popularity at Post Falls software company

Manufacturing software provider introduces daily webinar series for kids

April 23, 2020

Virginia Thomas

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, Quest Integration Inc. rarely offered online training. Now, the Post Falls-based company, which sells and provides support of manufacturing-design software and hardware, is providing all training

Q&A with cybersecurity expert Heather Stratford

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April 23, 2020

Virginia Thomas

In times of turmoil, there are always people who seek to exploit the chaos for their personal gain. That's why cybersecurity is more important than ever, says Heather Stratford, owner and CEO of Spokane-based cybersecurity company

Protecting paychecks in Spokane

Spokane employers bring back workers as checks come in

April 23, 2020

Virginia Thomas

Nearly $7 billion of the total $348 billion in Paycheck Protection Program loans offered by the U.S. Small Business Administration have gone to businesses in Washington, including a number of employers in the Spokane area.