Early-stage funding for founders of startups in the Pacific Northwest, including the Spokane area, is expected to improve this year following a stubborn downturn in funding activity in 2023 and 2024.

Jim Elmer, who died Jan. 6 is being remembered as a prominent Spokane contractor and a nationally recognized construction industry advocate.

Pam Senske, former leader of Spokane based Pearson Packaging Systems, instilled a culture that continues to drive the company, people who knew and worked with her say.

The Coeur d’Alene-based nonprofit originally known as Jobs Plus, which was formed in 1987 to help diversify the economy in Kootenai County, has become more selective in business recruitment and more involved in housing and labor issues in recent years.

Kootenai County has a lot of economic opportunities ahead, although it faces challenges of a tight labor supply and a need for attainable housing.

As the Eastern Washington COVID-19 Fraud Strike Force approaches its third year of cracking down on thefts of COVID-relief funding there’s no slowdown to prosecutions in sight.

Randall Fewel, former president and CEO of Inland Northwest Bank, remains in touch with some of his one-time counterparts in the banking industry, but he’s really enjoying being out of the business

Since the Journal last visited with him nearly a decade ago, Berry Fowler, who perhaps is best known as the founder of the Sylvan Learning Centers franchise operation he sold in 1985, remains active with his executive coaching business school and a franchise consultancy.

Steel Structures America owners Shawn and Justin Sternberg now have five complementary stand-alone companies based in Post Falls.