Special Report https://www.spokanejournal.com/rss en-us Saltese Creek development plans change in scope karinae@spokanejournal.com 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. 



]]> http://www.spokanejournal.com/articles/18213 Thu, 23 Apr 2026 03:00:00 -0400 https://www.spokanejournal.com/articles/18213-saltese-creek-apartments-in-the-valley-underway State expands property tax relief program karinae@spokanejournal.com 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.

]]> http://www.spokanejournal.com/articles/18207 Thu, 23 Apr 2026 03:00:00 -0400 https://www.spokanejournal.com/articles/18207-higher-tax-relief-helps-seniors-stay-home Tax-credit-(6)_web.jpg Around Town: April 23 http://www.spokanejournal.com/articles/18206 Thu, 23 Apr 2026 03:00:00 -0400 https://www.spokanejournal.com/articles/18206-around-town-april-23 Around Town.jpeg Work begins on Reardan primary care clinic 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.


]]> http://www.spokanejournal.com/articles/18204 Thu, 23 Apr 2026 03:00:00 -0400 https://www.spokanejournal.com/articles/18204-reardan-primary-care-clinic-breaks-ground Reardan-(51)_web.jpg Single-family residential permit totals concern market leaders 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.

]]> http://www.spokanejournal.com/articles/18186 Thu, 23 Apr 2026 03:00:00 -0400 https://www.spokanejournal.com/articles/18186-spokane-home-permits-hit-record-low Lee-McIntyre-2025-Headshot_web.jpg Davenport native launches new commissioning firm 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.


]]> http://www.spokanejournal.com/articles/18185 Thu, 23 Apr 2026 03:00:00 -0400 https://www.spokanejournal.com/articles/18185-davenport-local-starts-commissioning-firm Husky-(1)_web.jpg County begins expansion of treatment center karinae@spokanejournal.com 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.



]]> http://www.spokanejournal.com/articles/18184 Thu, 23 Apr 2026 03:00:00 -0400 https://www.spokanejournal.com/articles/18184-crisis-relief-and-sobering-center-expansion-begins crisis_relief_center_web.jpg Orchard Vista complex adds early learning center 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. 



]]> http://www.spokanejournal.com/articles/18183 Thu, 23 Apr 2026 03:00:00 -0400 https://www.spokanejournal.com/articles/18183-funds-awarded-for-orchard-vista-childcare Washington Trust Bank swings for growth karinae@spokanejournal.com Fans watching the Sunday Seattle Mariners game during opening weekend might have noticed a commercial featuring the team’s All-Star catcher and switch-hitter, Cal Raleigh, as the newest, high-performing team member at Spokane-based Washington Trust Bank.


]]> http://www.spokanejournal.com/articles/18161 Thu, 09 Apr 2026 03:00:00 -0400 https://www.spokanejournal.com/articles/18161-washington-trust-swings-for-growth-with-cal-raleigh WTB-(1)_web.jpg Quantum Financial Planning acquires firm, planner Spokane-based Quantum Financial Planning Inc. is growing with the acquisition of a Spokane Valley-based financial planning company and the addition of a new financial planner.



]]> http://www.spokanejournal.com/articles/18160 Thu, 09 Apr 2026 03:00:00 -0400 https://www.spokanejournal.com/articles/18160-promotions-acquisitions-grow-quantum-financial Quantum-(4)_web.jpg New millionaires' tax impacts Idaho companies For decades, Washington state's lack of a personal income tax was one of its defining economic advantages, a feature that drew executives, entrepreneurs, and high earners across the region. That era is ending.

]]> http://www.spokanejournal.com/articles/18154 Thu, 09 Apr 2026 03:00:00 -0400 https://www.spokanejournal.com/articles/18154-wa-millionaires-tax-impacts-on-id-businesses Collin-Kane_web.jpg State changes tax policy for credit unions Washington lawmakers have repealed a tax exemption for credit unions, disrupting a fast-growing deal market for mergers and acquisitions.

]]> http://www.spokanejournal.com/articles/18150 Thu, 09 Apr 2026 03:00:00 -0400 https://www.spokanejournal.com/articles/18150-state-changes-tax-policy-for-credit-unions AdobeStock_1773084034_web.jpg Spokane, Seattle law firms join forces karinae@spokanejournal.com Two long-standing personal injury firms, Spokane-based Layman Law Firm PLLP and Seattle-based Stritmatter Law PS, have joined forces in a new partnership that blends decades of legal experience with expanded reach into Eastern Washington.


]]> http://www.spokanejournal.com/articles/18128 Thu, 26 Mar 2026 03:00:00 -0400 https://www.spokanejournal.com/articles/18128-spokane-seattle-law-firms-join-forces Stritmatter2026-31_web.jpg Specificity is key to prevent legal pitfalls Proactive legal planning, detailed documentation, and intellectual property awareness can shield new Spokane businesses from significant financial, time-consuming, and legal pitfalls.


]]> http://www.spokanejournal.com/articles/18127 Thu, 26 Mar 2026 03:00:00 -0400 https://www.spokanejournal.com/articles/18127-specificity-key-to-avoid-business-legal-pitfalls Christal-Lam_pullquote_web.jpg Spokane County seniors access free legal aid Gonzaga University's Elder Law Clinic supports a variety of legal needs, from planning for the future to addressing immediate challenges that could threaten the stability of everyday life.

]]> http://www.spokanejournal.com/articles/18121 Thu, 26 Mar 2026 03:00:00 -0400 https://www.spokanejournal.com/articles/18121-gu-clinic-offers-free-legal-help-for-seniors AdobeStock_1239985836_web.jpg Craft3 eyes major Inland Northwest investments karinae@spokanejournal.com Craft3, a nonprofit community lender that helps finance projects in underserved communities, is planning to invest between $25 million and $30 million in the Inland Northwest following an $80 million New Markets Tax Credit allocation.


]]> http://www.spokanejournal.com/articles/18069 Thu, 12 Mar 2026 03:00:00 -0400 https://www.spokanejournal.com/articles/18069-craft3-eyes-25m-to-30m-inw-investment Jupiter's-Eye-(1)_web.jpg Sunflower Bank consolidates Spokane offices Dallas-based Sunflower Bank N.A. has consolidated two Spokane branches into one new licensed depository branch and is expanding into North Idaho with the opening of a new loan production office in Coeur d’Alene to meet high demand in the Inland Northwest region.  


]]> http://www.spokanejournal.com/articles/18053 Thu, 12 Mar 2026 03:00:00 -0400 https://www.spokanejournal.com/articles/18053-sunflower-bank-expands-to-meet-growth JoshMartin_pullquote_web.jpg Organ recoveries have banner year LifeCenter Northwest is capitalizing on a year of high performance following a record number of organs donated in Washington state and organs transplanted nationally in 2025.


]]> http://www.spokanejournal.com/articles/18014 Thu, 26 Feb 2026 03:00:00 -0500 https://www.spokanejournal.com/articles/18014-organ-recovery-nonprofit-sees-banner-year Training_web.jpg Excelsior Wellness advances proof of concept karinae@spokanejournal.com Construction of Excelsior Wellness’ 25-unit intergenerational apartment complex is underway on Northwest Boulevard and expected to be completed this fall.


]]> http://www.spokanejournal.com/articles/18010 Thu, 26 Feb 2026 03:00:00 -0500 https://www.spokanejournal.com/articles/18010-excelsior-wellness-intergenerational-projects-rises-in-north-spokane Excelsior-(1)_web.jpg Health systems navigate new operating reality The Pacific Northwest is a microcosm of a national shift. Three main pressures — financial, labor, and technology — are impacting the foundations of the health care industry here.


]]> http://www.spokanejournal.com/articles/17994 Thu, 26 Feb 2026 03:00:00 -0500 https://www.spokanejournal.com/articles/17994-traditional-expansion-strategies-are-failing-todays-health-systems Alex-Barrouk_web.jpg University of Washington expands access to health care At a time when the public is questioning the value of higher education, the University of Washington’s contributions in Eastern Washington offer some of the strongest examples of the power of our partnerships — and our commitment to improving the lives of all Washingtonians.

]]> http://www.spokanejournal.com/articles/17925 Thu, 26 Feb 2026 03:00:00 -0500 https://www.spokanejournal.com/articles/17925-university-of-washington-is-expanding-access-to-health-care-education-for-eastern-washington Tricia-Serio-Provost_web.jpg Riverview Retirement adds senior housing karinae@spokanejournal.com With a waiting list of over 150 prospective residents, Riverview Retirement Community is meeting demand for senior housing and increasing its expansion project to include a 31-unit luxury condominium complex dubbed The Crest.

]]> http://www.spokanejournal.com/articles/17965 Thu, 12 Feb 2026 03:00:00 -0500 https://www.spokanejournal.com/articles/17965-riverview-retirement-community-expands-with-99m-development The-Crest_web.jpg Proper planning can increase financial confidence With clear priorities, experienced guidance, and a realistic game plan, you can potentially reduce uncertainty and increase your financial confidence for the years ahead.

]]> http://www.spokanejournal.com/articles/17927 Thu, 29 Jan 2026 03:00:00 -0500 https://www.spokanejournal.com/articles/17927-proper-planning-can-increase-financial-confidence Sarah-Carlson_web.jpg Niche credit union seeks second Idaho branch Spokane-based Responders Emergency Services Credit Union is planning for additional growth into areas south of the Idaho Panhandle this year, after opening their first Idaho branch in 2024.



]]> http://www.spokanejournal.com/articles/17923 Thu, 29 Jan 2026 03:00:00 -0500 https://www.spokanejournal.com/articles/17923-first-responder-focused-credit-union-seeks-further-idaho-expansion RESCU-(1)_web.jpg Consider nuances before moving to avoid state taxes Do Washington state taxes have you thinking of moving away?


]]> http://www.spokanejournal.com/articles/17919 Thu, 29 Jan 2026 03:00:00 -0500 https://www.spokanejournal.com/articles/17919-moving-out-of-state-to-avoid-washington-taxes BeauRuffweb.jpg Ignite Northwest shifts focus to serve 'not yet bankable' Following the sale of Ignite Northwest's Spokane Technology Center in the University District to Washington State University in September, Ignite has made a strategic decision to focus its activities exclusively on providing credit facilities to rapidly growing, emerging companies here that are “not yet bankable” and unable to secure financing from a commercial bank or credit union. 

]]> http://www.spokanejournal.com/articles/17902 Thu, 29 Jan 2026 03:00:00 -0500 https://www.spokanejournal.com/articles/17902-ingite-northwest-shifts-focus Tom-Simpson_web.jpg Evergreen Gavekal opens Spokane office karinae@spokanejournal.com Wealth management company Evergreen Gavekal is opening its first Spokane office on the sixth floor of the Rock Pointe Tower, just a short walk from the city’s cluster of sports venues in the North Bank neighborhood.


]]> http://www.spokanejournal.com/articles/17884 Thu, 29 Jan 2026 03:00:00 -0500 https://www.spokanejournal.com/articles/17884-evergreen-gavekal-opens-spokane-wealth-management-office Swanson-(16)_web.jpg Raising Cane's to open soon in Coeur d'Alene tinas@spokanejournal.com Raising Cane’s is opening a restaurant at 201 W. Neider, just east of U.S. Route 95 in Coeur d’Alene.



]]> http://www.spokanejournal.com/articles/17857 Thu, 15 Jan 2026 03:00:00 -0500 https://www.spokanejournal.com/articles/17857-raising-canes-to-open-in-coeur-dalene Raising-(7)_web.jpg Two automotive businesses to expand in North Idaho tinas@spokanejournal.com Spokane-based vehicle brake and suspension repair shop Golden Rule Brake and Memphis, Tennessee-based AutoZone Parts Inc. both are planning new facilities in Kootenai County valued at a combined construction cost of $3.4 million.



]]> http://www.spokanejournal.com/articles/17856 Thu, 15 Jan 2026 03:00:00 -0500 https://www.spokanejournal.com/articles/17856-golden-rule-brake-autozone-parts-opening-in-kootenai-county Golden-(1)_web.jpg Associated Construction Inc. sticks to its niche After taking over Spokane-based Associated Construction Inc. from their father in 2021, third-generation owners Brandon and Kyle Smith say their niche of working with longtime clients has led the company to a successful last two years.

]]> http://www.spokanejournal.com/articles/17855 Thu, 15 Jan 2026 03:00:00 -0500 https://www.spokanejournal.com/articles/17855-associated-construction-inc-finds-niche Associated-(12)_web.jpg