Mike McLean

Exchange evolution

Healthplanfinder has success in signups, but users call for improvements

May 8, 2014

Even though the Washington Health Benefit Exchange surpassed the state's health insurance enrollment goals, a lot more work can be done to improve the system, sources familiar with the exchange say. In all, the exchange enrolled more than 1 million p

StanCraft boat manufacturer rides wave of growth

Post Falls boat maker to move to larger space

May 8, 2014

Mike McLean

Stan-Craft Boat Co., the Post Falls-based venerable wooden boat manufacturer that's no stranger to staying afloat in turbulent times, actually thrived during the Great Recession and is now stronger than ever, its third-generation owners say. Coeur d'

Family-run Fairwood thriving on resident referrals

Complex north of Spokane expands its assisted living

April 24, 2014

Mike McLean

Fairwood Retirement Village & Assisted Living opened more than 26 years ago as a family-run facility, and directors there say they continue to strive to treat everyone at the community like family. Fairwood has 165 independent-living units and 55 assiste

FlyBack expands in tire merchant's former space

TRC occupies smaller quarters on South Hill

April 24, 2014

Mike McLean

Green energy technology company FlyBack Energy Inc. has leased an 8,000-square-foot building formerly occupied by TRC Tire Sales LLC, at 102 S. Flora Road, in Spokane Valley, and has consolidated its operations there, says Paul Babcock, company president

Grapetree Village owners mull expansion

Recent leases fill all retail space at South Hill center

April 24, 2014

Mike McLean

Retail space at Grapetree Village is all leased up, and the owners are considering developing two new buildings at the South Hill commercial center on the 2000 block of east 29th Avenue, says a real estate broker involved in the leases. Recently signed t

Umpqua Bank has changes in 'store'

Bank espouses commitment to community, to roll out its retail brand

April 24, 2014

Mike McLean

Portland-based Umpqua Holdings Corp. now is operating Spokane-founded Sterling Bank under the Umpqua Bank name following a shareholder-approved acquisition that cleared its last regulatory hurdle Friday, April 18. Umpqua has started changing out Sterl

VPI Quality Windows to buy assets of Oregon company

VPI-Mercer Windows deal expected to close by July

April 24, 2014

Mike McLean

VPI Quality Windows Inc., a Spokane Valley vinyl window and patio door manufacturer, has agreed to buy the window and door manufacturing assets of Beaverton, Ore.-based Mercer Windows. Burke Blevins, president and CEO of VPI, says that specifically, the

Silverwood Theme Park aims for record season

Season-pass, group sales indicates attendance likely to grow

April 24, 2014

Mike McLean

Silverwood Theme Park is expecting its ninth consecutive annual increase in attendance during the upcoming season that starts May 3. Season-pass sales and group business are up over previous years, which is a good indicator for the upcoming season, says

Assisting departing workers in transition to new jobs

Moloney+O'Neill unit hits outplacement niche

April 10, 2014

Mike McLean

Jerry Smith, at Spokane-based insurance and employee-benefits brokerage Moloney+O'Neill, helps departing employees of certain companies pursue other career options. As director of career-transition and outplacement services at Moloney+O'Neill, Smit

Jack in the Box planned at CrossRoads in Coeur d'Alene

Calif. franchisee to hire 35 to 40 employees

April 10, 2014

Mike McLean

The City of Coeur d'Alene has issued a building permit for a Jack in the Box restaurant to be built in the CrossRoads Coeur d'Alene retail center, which is anchored by a WinCo Foods grocery store, in northwest Coeur d'Alene. Feast Foods LLC, of M