Spokane-area building-permit values surpassed $900 million in 2005, easily shattering records set the previous year. Paced by an increase in home construction and a few big-ticket projects, the city of Spokane, Spokane County, and the city of a

The number of bankruptcy filings in Eastern Washington hit record levels in 2005 after an unprecedented surge last fall, when debtors rushed to submit their petitions before new bankruptcy laws went into effect on Oct. 17.Businesses and filed a

Spokane Teachers Credit Union plans to enter North Idaho with its first branch there, to be located in Post Falls.Steve Dahlstrom, STCUs president and CEO, says the organization has bought 1.25 acres of land in Post Falls, near the southwest

ElkRidge Development Group, of Spokane, has agreed to buy 98 acres in the Spokane Valley from Spokane entrepreneur Bernard Daines and wants to develop an upscale, 240-home subdivision there. Jim Maki, a Spokane-based partner in the development

Spokane Public Schools has selected Garco Construction Inc. as general contractor and construction manager for the planned $59 million modernization of Shadle Park High School, on Spokanes North Side. Mark Anderson, the districts associate

Sams Club, the members-only warehouse-store chain operated by retail giant Wal-Mart Stores Inc., is coming to Spokane.Eric Berger, a Seattle-based Wal-Mart spokesman, says that plans submitted to the city of Spokane for an $11.7 million, on a

Precious metals prices have surged faster than expected this year and are showing no signs of slowing in 2006, mining executives say. Consequently, some Inland Northwest mining companies are looking to ramp up exploration efforts or production or a

The construction industry has plenty of concerns going into 2006, but still is anticipating a healthy level of activity next year. Commercial and public-works activity is expected to surpass that of 2005, with more road construction getting be

Commercial and residential real estate markets here are expected to remain strong in 2006, with activity levels at least equal to this years brisk clip.In the office market, tenants are expected to gobble up some of the glut of available The

Rosauers Supermarkets Inc., the Spokane-based 21-store regional grocery chain, is planning a $3 million expansion and remodel at its store in the Lincoln Heights shopping district, on Spokanes South Hill. As part of the project, says Rosauers