Latest News

Manufacturer invests $150M in Post Falls

Thu, 24 Sep 2026 03:00:00 -0400

Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories Inc. is investing $150 million in a Post Falls manufacturing facility to meet the company's high demand for power grid protection products.

Many INW businesses report AI integration issues

Thu, 24 Sep 2026 03:00:00 -0400

Some Inland Northwest companies are facing security concerns and public perception issues as they integrate artificial intelligence tools into their operations. A new program at Gonzaga University, however, could help businesses address some of those challenges.

The Lilac Room opens in downtown Spokane

karinae@spokanejournal.com — Thu, 24 Sep 2026 03:00:00 -0400

The Lilac Room, an upscale craft cocktail lounge tucked between Spokane Comedy Club and Gamers Arcade Bar, is now open at 319 W. Sprague, in downtown Spokane.

Powering the Inland Northwest

karinae@spokanejournal.com — Thu, 24 Sep 2026 03:00:00 -0400

Spokane-based Novara Energy Alliance is preparing to host its inaugural Novara Energy Summit 2026, where innovators, researchers, and leaders will convene to identify the most pressing energy challenges facing the Inland Northwest.

Four public amenities planned at Riverfront Park

Thu, 24 Sep 2026 03:00:00 -0400

Several public amenity projects collectively valued at over $4 million are planned at or near Riverfront Park in downtown Spokane.

Spokane sees spate of summer acquisitions

Thu, 24 Sep 2026 03:00:00 -0400

Primarily driven by outside capital and nationwide corporate interest, a wave of business acquisitions and early-stage investments has swept through the Inland Northwest this summer. From Missouri and South Dakota to Georgia and Utah, out-of-town buyers and national firms are acquiring and investing in established Spokane-area companies across a variety of industries.

Catching up with: Ginger Ewing, executive director of Terrain

karinae@spokanejournal.com — Thu, 24 Sep 2026 03:00:00 -0400

Terrain, the nonprofit arts organization that began as a one-off event nearly two decades ago, is entering a new era of growth as it expands its staff, programs, and economic impact on Spokane’s creative community.

March 2027 opening slated for Vineyard Park

Thu, 24 Sep 2026 03:00:00 -0400

A March 2027 opening is now slated for a new five-story senior living community, dubbed Vineyard Park North Spokane, at 7609 N. Division, bringing 128 new units to Spokane's North Side.

Crunch Fitness enters Coeur d'Alene market

Thu, 24 Sep 2026 03:00:00 -0400

Fitness club operator and Crunch Fitness franchisee Fit Fusion LLC is opening a $5 million, 30,000-square-foot gym facility in Coeur d’Alene.

Agriculture labor crunch drives H-2A growth

Thu, 24 Sep 2026 03:00:00 -0400

Caught between shifting federal administrative rulemaking and ongoing litigation, some Washington state agricultural employers are struggling to navigate changing wage requirements and H-2A guest-worker regulations.

Riverview Retirement secures accreditation

karinae@spokanejournal.com — Thu, 24 Sep 2026 03:00:00 -0400

Riverview Retirement Community has earned accreditation for its RiverCare home health division, expanding services to meet a surge in seniors who are choosing to age in place rather than move to a facility.

BuyWander secures $21M in Series A funding

Thu, 24 Sep 2026 03:00:00 -0400

Following its recent relocation to Kent, Washington, BuyWander Inc. has raised $21 million in Series A funding as the Spokane Valley-founded auction marketplace prepares to expand into more U.S. cities, invest in technology, and build its leadership team.

Stevens Clay expands to keep schools compliant

Thu, 24 Sep 2026 03:00:00 -0400

Spokane-based law firm Stevens Clay PS is expanding its team to help clients in the education sector navigate increasingly complex regulations.

LaunchNW pushes for proper use of Meta funds

karinae@spokanejournal.com — Thu, 24 Sep 2026 03:00:00 -0400

LaunchNW wants to ensure that funds from the landmark $17.1 billion settlement with Meta Platforms are dedicated to mitigating the harms that initiated the lawsuit rather than plugging the state budget.

Voltage Electronics rides live shopping surge

Thu, 24 Sep 2026 03:00:00 -0400

Voltage Electronics is expected to more than double its annual revenue this year as the Spokane Valley-based resale company adds employees and expands its livestream shopping operation.

Rockwood eyes retirement campus

karinae@spokanejournal.com — Thu, 10 Sep 2026 03:00:00 -0400

Spokane-based Rockwood Retirement Communities is actively engaged in planning a new senior living campus within the River District development in Liberty Lake.

Federal funding triples in Spokane to $23M

karinae@spokanejournal.com — Thu, 10 Sep 2026 03:00:00 -0400

Spokane-area companies are capturing substantially more federal research funding than they were 15 years ago.

MultiCare plans to shut down multiple health clinics

Thu, 10 Sep 2026 03:00:00 -0400

MultiCare Health System plans to close several Rockwood clinics by the end of 2026 due to financial challenges in the health care industry.

Craft3 invests $35M in Eastern Washington projects

karinae@spokanejournal.com — Thu, 10 Sep 2026 03:00:00 -0400

Craft3, a nonprofit community lender that helps finance projects in underserved communities, has finalized two investments into Eastern Washington valued at $35.5 million.

City seeks purchase of justice campus

Thu, 10 Sep 2026 03:00:00 -0400

The city of Spokane entered a 90-day review period after a special city council meeting on Aug. 25, as part of an $18.5 million plan to purchase space for a new criminal justice campus.

$4M residential care facility planned in the Valley

Thu, 10 Sep 2026 03:00:00 -0400

A Liberty Lake-based residential care company is erecting a new $4 million, 16-bed residential treatment facility on a more than three-fourths acre parcel at 18101 E. Appleway in Spokane Valley.

Catching up with: Eric Frickle, Kitchen Engine co-owner

karinae@spokanejournal.com — Thu, 10 Sep 2026 03:00:00 -0400

When first walking into The Kitchen Engine store inside the historic Flour Mill building in Spokane’s North Bank neighborhood, it's not immediately noticeable that the cookware and appliance shop offers patrons much more than culinary products and equipment.

Tattoo shop inks out wildfire relief event

Thu, 10 Sep 2026 03:00:00 -0400

Heartbreaker Tattoo and Artist Co-op, a trade name of La Rompe Corazones LLC, is expanding its community advocacy beyond its studio walls with Spokane Strong, a two-day event designed to connect wildfire survivors with recovery resources, services, and support.

Bunker Hill acquires mine for $163M

Thu, 10 Sep 2026 03:00:00 -0400

Kellogg-based Bunker Hill Mining Corp. says it plans to acquire Silver47 Exploration Corp. out of Vancouver, Canada, in an all-stock transaction valued at $163 million. The potential transaction would expand Bunker Hill's mineral projects across four states.

Post Falls hospital transitions to rehab use

Thu, 10 Sep 2026 03:00:00 -0400

Northern Idaho Advanced Care Hospital, at 600 N. Cecil Road in Post Falls, will cease operations as a long-term acute care hospital in October and begin operating as an extension of Rehabilitation Hospital of the Northwest.

Developers put commercial conversion program to work

karinae@spokanejournal.com — Thu, 10 Sep 2026 03:00:00 -0400

Old offices, warehouses, and other underused commercial buildings in the city of Spokane are slowly finding new life as apartments, retail areas, and mixed-use spaces through the city’s 2-year-old commercial conversion incentive program designed to make difficult conversion projects more feasible.

Clearwater Construction acquired by Utah company

Thu, 10 Sep 2026 03:00:00 -0400

Draper, Utah-based Kelso Industries has acquired Spokane-based Clearwater Construction & Management LLC, expanding the national contractor’s construction capabilities and adding a Pacific Northwest company to its growing portfolio.

Manufacturer begins facility expansion

Thu, 10 Sep 2026 03:00:00 -0400

ATC Manufacturing Inc. is nearly doubling its 67,000-square-foot headquarters and manufacturing facility at 1224 N. Lean with a new 57,600-square-foot expansion project.

Workspace designs are starting to feel like home

Thu, 10 Sep 2026 03:00:00 -0400

Postpandemic office design trends are shifting from designing for utility to designing for human comfort, some Spokane-based interior designers say.

Kindlers opens restaurant in Spokane Valley

Thu, 10 Sep 2026 03:00:00 -0400

Kindlers LLC has opened its first-fast casual restaurant this month, at 14816 E. Sprague, bringing a certified gluten- and seed oil-free eatery to the city of Spokane Valley.