Special Report

Spokane, Seattle law firms join forces

karinae@spokanejournal.com — Thu, 26 Mar 2026 03:00:00 -0400

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.

Specificity is key to prevent legal pitfalls

Thu, 26 Mar 2026 03:00:00 -0400

Proactive legal planning, detailed documentation, and intellectual property awareness can shield new Spokane businesses from significant financial, time-consuming, and legal pitfalls.

Spokane County seniors access free legal aid

Thu, 26 Mar 2026 03:00:00 -0400

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.

Craft3 eyes major Inland Northwest investments

karinae@spokanejournal.com — Thu, 12 Mar 2026 03:00:00 -0400

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.

Sunflower Bank consolidates Spokane offices

Thu, 12 Mar 2026 03:00:00 -0400

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.

Organ recoveries have banner year

Thu, 26 Feb 2026 03:00:00 -0500

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.

Excelsior Wellness advances proof of concept

karinae@spokanejournal.com — Thu, 26 Feb 2026 03:00:00 -0500

Construction of Excelsior Wellness’ 25-unit intergenerational apartment complex is underway on Northwest Boulevard and expected to be completed this fall.

Health systems navigate new operating reality

Thu, 26 Feb 2026 03:00:00 -0500

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.

University of Washington expands access to health care

Thu, 26 Feb 2026 03:00:00 -0500

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.

Riverview Retirement adds senior housing

karinae@spokanejournal.com — Thu, 12 Feb 2026 03:00:00 -0500

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.

Proper planning can increase financial confidence

Thu, 29 Jan 2026 03:00:00 -0500

With clear priorities, experienced guidance, and a realistic game plan, you can potentially reduce uncertainty and increase your financial confidence for the years ahead.

Niche credit union seeks second Idaho branch

Thu, 29 Jan 2026 03:00:00 -0500

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.

Consider nuances before moving to avoid state taxes

Thu, 29 Jan 2026 03:00:00 -0500

Do Washington state taxes have you thinking of moving away?

Ignite Northwest shifts focus to serve 'not yet bankable'

Thu, 29 Jan 2026 03:00:00 -0500

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.

Evergreen Gavekal opens Spokane office

karinae@spokanejournal.com — Thu, 29 Jan 2026 03:00:00 -0500

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.

Raising Cane's to open soon in Coeur d'Alene

tinas@spokanejournal.com — Thu, 15 Jan 2026 03:00:00 -0500

Raising Cane’s is opening a restaurant at 201 W. Neider, just east of U.S. Route 95 in Coeur d’Alene.

Two automotive businesses to expand in North Idaho

tinas@spokanejournal.com — Thu, 15 Jan 2026 03:00:00 -0500

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.

Associated Construction Inc. sticks to its niche

Thu, 15 Jan 2026 03:00:00 -0500

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.

Renovations underway at Ruby River Hotel

karinae@spokanejournal.com — Thu, 15 Jan 2026 03:00:00 -0500

A host of improvements and renovations are underway at the Ruby River Hotel, at 700 N. Division on Spokane's North Bank.

North Side multifamily brokerage aligns services

mikem@spokanejournal.com — Thu, 15 Jan 2026 03:00:00 -0500

Dallas Lightner and Ryan Towner, co-owners of LT Real Estate LLC and LT Property Management LLC, say, despite a challenging year overall for the multifamily real estate market in 2025, they’ve managed to maintain steady growth by pairing real estate and property management services.

Jacklin family rebrands, adds residential development

karinae@spokanejournal.com — Thu, 15 Jan 2026 03:00:00 -0500

Against the backdrop of rising housing demand in North Idaho, JMC Idaho Inc. is consolidating its various business ventures under one regional entity and rebranding to Jacklin Northwest, while expanding its development footprint to include residential housing for the first time in its nearly 100-year history.

Around Town: Jan. 15

Thu, 15 Jan 2026 03:00:00 -0500

Widmyer Corp.'s Spokane portfolio expands

Thu, 15 Jan 2026 03:00:00 -0500

Since acquiring Spokane-based Kiemle Hagood’s multifamily division in April, Coeur d’Alene-based Widmyer Corp. has expanded its portfolio of managed affordable and subsidized housing in the Spokane region.

$5.7M True Hope Church expansion begins

Thu, 15 Jan 2026 03:00:00 -0500

Capacity challenges at True Hope Church have prompted a $5.7 million expansion and partial renovation project to add 19,000 square feet of assembly and worship space to the organization's building at 1316 N. Lincoln, in Spokane.

INW health care systems show signs of improvement

dylanh@spokanejournal.com — Thu, 18 Dec 2025 03:00:00 -0500

Financial challenges continue for the Inland Northwest service areas of Providence Health & Services-Washington and MultiCare Health System, but Spokane’s two largest health care providers have shown signs of improvement.

Spokane races towards $110M in sports-driven economic impact

Thu, 18 Dec 2025 03:00:00 -0500

Spokane County stands to reap the rewards of a robust sports season in 2026 with an estimated $110 million combined economic impact from major athletic events and professional teams in the area.

Startup scene expected to build off strong 2025

dylanh@spokanejournal.com — Thu, 18 Dec 2025 03:00:00 -0500

As the Inland Northwest startup ecosystem matures, the year ahead is expected to build off what has been a strong 2025.

Agriculture industry to show mixed growth in 2026

karinae@spokanejournal.com — Thu, 18 Dec 2025 03:00:00 -0500

Washington state agriculture experienced mixed results in 2025 amid broader economic uncertainty and industry headwinds.

Spokane faces flat labor growth projections in 2026

ericab@spokanejournal.com — Thu, 18 Dec 2025 03:00:00 -0500

The Spokane area is expected to face a cooling, yet stable, level of economic activity in the new year that will be reflected in a flat labor force trajectory, some economists here say.

K-shaped recovery defines Spokane retail spending

tinas@spokanejournal.com — Thu, 18 Dec 2025 03:00:00 -0500

Retail sales in Spokane had a slow start in 2025, with low single-digit percentage growth, says Patrick Jones, executive director of Eastern Washington University’s Institute of Public Policy & Economic Analysis.