Latest News

Spokane Colleges Foundation recognizes Journal publisher

Thu, 23 Apr 2026 14:49:47 -0400

The Spokane Colleges Foundation has named Paul Read, publisher of the Spokane Journal of Business and Tri-Cities Area Journal of Business, as the 2026 Distinguished Alumni of the Year.

INW companies raise $11M in funding since January

karinae@spokanejournal.com — Thu, 23 Apr 2026 03:00:00 -0400

A handful of companies across Eastern Washington and North Idaho have raised millions of dollars in recent months, with the majority of funding falling outside the traditional angel- or venture-backed technology, health care, and consumer industries.

Barker Logistics Center adds to Valley footprint

Thu, 23 Apr 2026 03:00:00 -0400

An 87,000-square-foot industrial multitenant warehouse building is under construction at Spokane Valley-based Crown West Realty’s Barker Logistics Center project in Spokane Valley.

Premera, MultiCare contract dispute raises concerns

karinae@spokanejournal.com — Thu, 23 Apr 2026 03:00:00 -0400

A contract dispute between Premera Blue Cross and MultiCare Health System is putting thousands of Spokane-area workers and employers at risk of higher health care costs, or potential disruptions in care if the two sides fail to reach an agreement by the end of May.

Spokane Valley benefits broker joins adviser network

Thu, 23 Apr 2026 03:00:00 -0400

Packard Wheeler Succession, an employee benefits and wealth planning team of Northwestern Mutual representatives based in Spokane Valley, has joined Cleveland-based Benefit Advisors Network as an independent member.

LaunchNW grant supports student job exploration

Thu, 23 Apr 2026 03:00:00 -0400

Workforce development nonprofit Slingshot is leveraging a $120,000 grant from Spokane-based Innovia Foundation’s LaunchNW initiative to help connect Spokane County students to businesses.

Garland Resale Boutique moves next door

karinae@spokanejournal.com — Thu, 23 Apr 2026 03:00:00 -0400

Garland Resale Boutique has moved just a few doors down from where it first opened its doors in the summer of 2019.

Safariland LLC buys Alien Gear for $10.3M

Thu, 23 Apr 2026 03:00:00 -0400

Post Falls-based firearm holster manufacturer Alien Gear Holsters, a trade name and brand of Tedder Industries LLC, has been purchased by Safariland LLC, of Delaware, for $10.3 million following a court-approved bankruptcy auction, according to filings with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas.

Saltese Creek development plans change in scope

karinae@spokanejournal.com — Thu, 23 Apr 2026 03:00:00 -0400

The city of Spokane Valley has issued commercial building permits for a six-building, $18.7 million multifamily development located south of Saltese Creek, permit information shows.

State expands property tax relief program

karinae@spokanejournal.com — Thu, 23 Apr 2026 03:00:00 -0400

A newly expanded Washington property tax relief program is expected to lower tax bills for the households of more than 10,000 Spokane County seniors and people with disabilities, with thousands more newly eligible individuals expected to enroll.

Work begins on Reardan primary care clinic

Thu, 23 Apr 2026 03:00:00 -0400

Site work is now underway for a new 4,100-square-foot primary care clinic in Reardan, Washington, and the $2.3 million facility is expected to open by Oct. 31.

SREC centralizes emergency communication services

ericab@spokanejournal.com — Thu, 23 Apr 2026 03:00:00 -0400

Spokane Regional Emergency Communications is investing $8.4 million in tenant improvements that will support the centralization of the entire organization under one roof for the first time since it was formed in 2019.

New transfer agreement targets workforce gap

karinae@spokanejournal.com — Thu, 23 Apr 2026 03:00:00 -0400

Spokane Colleges has established a new transfer agreement with the University of Idaho that aims to create a pathway to help students advance their education and prepare them to work in natural resource fields across the Inland Northwest.

Cybersecurity program expands in scope at EWU

Thu, 23 Apr 2026 03:00:00 -0400

The cybersecurity industry is experiencing significant growth as one of the fastest-expanding fields on a regional, national, and international level.

Single-family residential permit totals concern market leaders

Thu, 23 Apr 2026 03:00:00 -0400

The housing crisis in the city of Spokane has now reached a dangerous level. The total number of permits for residential housing for 2025 was only 146. The last time we built that few homes was in 1970, around the time the Beatles were still a band.

Davenport native launches new commissioning firm

Thu, 23 Apr 2026 03:00:00 -0400

After more than a decade working in the building systems and performance industry, 45-year-old Garrett Husky has launched his own business. Davenport, Washington-based Husky Consulting LLC, which does business as Husky Commissioning, is aimed at helping developers, contractors, and building owners meet state-regulated energy standards for their projects across the Inland Northwest.

County begins expansion of treatment center

karinae@spokanejournal.com — Thu, 23 Apr 2026 03:00:00 -0400

Construction of the new Spokane County Prevention, Assessment, Treatment, and Healing, or PATH, Crisis Relief and Sobering Center is underway at 1168 N. Cedar, less than a block west of the Spokane Transit Authority operations and maintenance building.

Orchard Vista complex adds early learning center

Thu, 23 Apr 2026 03:00:00 -0400

The Washington State Department of Commerce has awarded $126,000 to Spokane Housing Authority to design an early learning and child care center as part of its ongoing housing development near the Dishman Hills Natural Area in Spokane Valley.

West Plains retail building takes shape

Thu, 23 Apr 2026 03:00:00 -0400

A $1.1 million, 12,000-square-foot commercial retail building is coming to the West Plains at 10573 W. Westbow Road, according to permit information on file with Spokane County.

Eastern Coffee Roasters to open at train depot

Thu, 23 Apr 2026 03:00:00 -0400

After more than a decade of fundraising, planning, and restoration, the Cheney Depot Society is reopening the city's historic train depot as a community gathering space anchored by a growing coffee company at 15 Union, in Cheney.

Land banking law supports affordable housing

karinae@spokanejournal.com — Thu, 09 Apr 2026 03:00:00 -0400

Ami Manning, executive director of Spokane Regional Land Holding Properties LLC, doing business as Spokane Land Bank, says the passage of House Bill 1974 establishes a statewide coordinated land banking authority and creates the legal and financial framework needed to make land banking a more effective, affordable housing tool.

HSSA awards five Spokane startups $3.25M

karinae@spokanejournal.com — Thu, 09 Apr 2026 03:00:00 -0400

The Health Sciences & Services Authority of Spokane County has awarded $3.25 million in grants to five health and bioscience businesses that will help the startups catalyze their research, create well-paying jobs, and create future economic growth in the county, a press release from the organization announced.

Continuous Composites relocates facility, expands

Thu, 09 Apr 2026 03:00:00 -0400

Continuous Composites Inc., a Coeur d'Alene-based carbon fiber parts and machines manufacturer, is planning to expand its workforce following a successful move to a new office and warehouse space at 3875 N. Schreiber Way in the Coeur d’Alene Commerce Park.

Failed sale clouds startup's future

karinae@spokanejournal.com — Thu, 09 Apr 2026 03:00:00 -0400

In early January, Liberty Lake-based Vega Cloud Inc., a software company that helps organizations manage their cloud spending, was in the late stages of a strategic sale that ultimately failed, leading the company to a workforce stoppage, followed by a petition to place it into receivership, court records filed with the King County Superior Court indicate.

Post Falls manufacturer snags Air Force contract

Thu, 09 Apr 2026 03:00:00 -0400

ATC Manufacturing Inc. will seek to prove that thermoplastic composite components can be scaled up in size for aerospace and defense uses after being awarded a $7 million contract by the Air Force Research Laboratory in March.

Townhomes proposed in southwest Spokane

Thu, 09 Apr 2026 03:00:00 -0400

A new $49 million, 111-unit townhome development is under consideration in the Grandview/Thorpe neighborhood in southwest Spokane, predevelopment planning documents on file with the city of Spokane show.

Fireweed Baking Co. readies to open in April

Thu, 09 Apr 2026 03:00:00 -0400

Spokane native Lynette Pflueger is preparing to open Fireweed Baking Co. LLC, a seasonal bakery located inside The Dormitory building at 1516 W. Riverside, on the edge of Spokane’s Browne's Addition neighborhood.

Businesses pay when ignoring drivers of health costs

Thu, 09 Apr 2026 03:00:00 -0400

In Spokane and across Eastern Washington, health care affordability is no longer a future concern. It's already shaping decisions that local employers are making today about jobs, growth, and compensation.

Catching up with: Patrick Donovan, president of Dry Fly Distilling Inc.

karinae@spokanejournal.com — Thu, 09 Apr 2026 03:00:00 -0400

Patrick Donovan, president of Spokane-based Dry Fly Distilling Inc., says the company received no advance notice that the spirit maker’s canned Bloody Mary would be featured on HBO’s new television series DTF St. Louis, much less that the canned cocktail would play such a prominent role in the show’s storyline.

$11M housing project underway by Dishman Hills

Thu, 09 Apr 2026 03:00:00 -0400

An $11 million, 78-unit multifamily complex aimed at outdoor enthusiasts and remote workers is under construction in Spokane Valley.