Kim Crompton

Empire Ford property sold at public auction

Ford Motor Credit Co. acquires ex-dealership facility for $2.4 million

March 25, 2010

The former Empire Ford auto dealership property in downtown Spokane has been sold at public auction to Ford Motor Credit Co. for $2.4 million, according to a trustee's deed filed with the Spokane County Auditor's Office.Nate Greene, who along at

Promoting a V-twin passion

March 25, 2010

Kim Crompton

Cruising east on Interstate 90 through Post Falls during the warm-weather months, it's difficult not to notice the dozens of chrome-laden motorcycles parked outside a retro-styled dealership next to the Hot Rod Caf on the south side of the some I

AmWest given new deadline

Company told to raise capital by Sunday; CEO expects to get more time

March 25, 2010

Kim Crompton

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. last month ratcheted up its pressure on AmericanWest Bancorp., giving the Spokane-based company 30 days—or until Sunday, March 28—to correct its lingering capital deficiencies.AmericanWest CEO Rusnak

Whitman posts big loss, but deposits jump

March 11, 2010

Kim Crompton

Colfax-based Bank of Whitman, which has three branches in the Spokane area, has reported to regulators a net loss of $7 million for 2009, down sharply from net income of $5.8 million in 2008. The bank's loans fell, but its deposits grew Tribbett, 2

Motorcycle dealer here adds BMW line

Westside MotorSports, on West Plains, now offers four bike brands

March 11, 2010

Kim Crompton

Westside MotorSports, a big West Plains motorcycle dealership, says it has added the upscale, German-built BMW line of motorcycles to the three other brands it carries.Scott Schmidtman, one of the dealership's owners, says it secured the line at

PFD buys C.I. Shenanigans property

$4.5 million transaction includes restaurant's building, acre of land

March 11, 2010

Kim Crompton

The Spokane Public Facilities District has bought the C.I. Shenanigans restaurant building and land downtown for $4.5 million as part of a long-range plan to develop additional convention exhibit space and meeting rooms. The restaurant is to to at

Educating consumers who want to generate their own juice

Inland Power headquarters devotes space to wind, solar, battery displays

February 25, 2010

Kim Crompton

Inland Power & Light Co, the Spokane-based electric cooperative, is seeking Leadership in Environmental and Energy Design (LEED) gold certification for its new headquarters building on the West Plains, but that's not the only energy-conservation at

State Bank Northwest posts $1.2 million loss; loans fall

Deposits, assets inch up, but charge-offs, loss provisions also climb

February 25, 2010

Kim Crompton

Spokane Valley-based State Bank Northwest posted a net loss of $1.2 million for last year, down from net income of $652,000 in 2008, according to year-end financial documents it has filed with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp.Though the bank's

Inland Power & Light's net margins, revenue rise

Co-op projects slower growth, sets 8.5 percent rate increase for April 1

February 25, 2010

Kim Crompton

Inland Power & Light Co., the Spokane-based electric cooperative, says its net margins jumped 56 percent last year to slightly more than $5 million, due largely to record power sales, lower operating costs, and the sale of its former headquarters

Photo courtesy of Hollister-Stier Laboratories LLC

Hollister-Stier grows work force

Drug maker cites revenue growth; outlook less clear

February 25, 2010

Kim Crompton

Hollister-Stier Laboratories LLC, the Spokane-based contract drug manufacturer, has added about 70 employees here over the last year, and has experienced double-digit revenue growth in its fiscal year that ends March 31, but likely will see smaller