Kootenai County’s economy continued to plot a steady path of growth in 2023 and faces a favorable outcome in the coming year.

Reports from mining companies in North Idaho suggest activities will increase in 2024.

The economy here is expected to improve in some metrics here in 2024 although it faces persistent challenges in interest rates, inflation fears, and labor shortages.

While Harlan Douglass had a reputation as a tough and controversial businessperson, the Spokane man who built a billion-dollar real estate empire was “just a normal guy” to his friends and occasionally enjoyed a good prank, even if it was on himself.

Safeguard Equipment Inc., the Post Falls maker of personal devices that detect electrocution hazards, has upgraded its core product to provide additional safety features and is expanding its markets both beyond utility-industry customers and into new geographic territories.

Evan Armstrong, a Spokane restaurateur who some say introduced Mexican fast food and full-service restaurants to Spokane, is being remembered by those who worked around him as a fun, daring, generous, and grateful boss and entrepreneur.