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Western Farms hits 30,000 weekly deliveries

Thu, 16 Jul 2026 03:00:00 -0400

Western Farms of Idaho is increasing production in the Inland Northwest, now delivering 30,000 eggs per week to two dozen Spokane-Coeur d'Alene-area restaurants and 14 retail stores.

High stakes of sustainability at Browning Beef

Thu, 16 Jul 2026 03:00:00 -0400

As Browning Beef LLC contends with higher cattle prices nationally, the Spangle-based beef supplier is working to keep prices low for consumers.

Agriculture helps veterans find renewed purpose

Thu, 16 Jul 2026 03:00:00 -0400

Agriculture has long depended on people willing to learn by doing. But for many would-be producers, especially those who have served their country and are now looking for a second career, getting started in farming can be difficult. In Spokane, Vets on the Farm is one example of how local resources, relationships, and real-world training can help make that path more accessible.

West Side architecture firm builds INW presence

Thu, 02 Jul 2026 03:00:00 -0400

Bremerton, Washington-based architectural firm Rice Fergus Miller Inc. is seeing an increase in work in the Spokane area, and Gunnar Gladics, principal and partner at the firm, anticipates continued growth in both projects and personnel.

Sleepless nights inspire Spokane invention

karinae@spokanejournal.com — Thu, 02 Jul 2026 03:00:00 -0400

SleepVibe Inc. has increased sales of its sleep aid device by more than 300% over the past year through podcast advertisements and support from sleep apnea doctors and first responders across the Inland Northwest who are discovering the benefits of the company’s namesake invention, says CEO and founder James Marsh.

Groundcubed cultivates four-season design in INW

Thu, 02 Jul 2026 03:00:00 -0400

Groundcubed PC's downtown Coeur d'Alene studio is seeking to capitalize on the high-growth environment of the Inland Northwest as it brings its expertise in pedestrian-oriented design and cold-climate landscapes to projects across Idaho and Washington.

Historic wealth transfer boosts probate work here

karinae@spokanejournal.com — Thu, 18 Jun 2026 03:00:00 -0400

Probate work is rapidly increasing at some Spokane-area estate planning law firms as attorneys begin to see the effects of the nation’s historic transfer of wealth from baby boomers to their heirs.

Rental industry faces mounting headwinds

Thu, 18 Jun 2026 03:00:00 -0400

Rising regulatory requirements, escalating operating costs and new state housing laws are creating financial pressures for landlords and property managers that ultimately affect tenants across the rental market.

Legal workforce shows resilience in Spokane

Thu, 18 Jun 2026 03:00:00 -0400

Slow new job growth and high annual turnover characterize the current job market for attorneys in Spokane County, making for a resilient and stable environment, some industry experts here say.

Mable Dunbar leads through her service to others

Thu, 04 Jun 2026 03:00:00 -0400

Nonprofit leader Mable Dunbar says effective leadership starts with something simple: being willing to do the same work she asks of everyone else.

Barton English School leader evolves program

karinae@spokanejournal.com — Thu, 04 Jun 2026 03:00:00 -0400

When Becky Rempe arrived at the Barton English School at First Presbyterian Church of Spokane, the decades-old program consisted largely of one-on-one tutoring sessions. Today, the school is abuzz with conversations in multiple languages as immigrants, refugees, volunteers, and residents gather to learn and engage with each other and the community.

Gonzaga program drives women's leadership gains

Thu, 04 Jun 2026 03:00:00 -0400

Hundreds of women have benefitted from a leadership program at Gonzaga University since its creation more than a decade ago.

Strength in unity: The power of peer leadership

Thu, 04 Jun 2026 03:00:00 -0400

True leaders support other leaders. Whether it is a peer, colleague, or friend in a leadership role, one of the most impactful contributions you can make as a leader is to offer your support.

Zone home: City considers zoning changes for housing needs

Thu, 21 May 2026 03:00:00 -0400

City of Spokane planning department officials are considering residential zoning changes to increase housing density as part of PlanSpokane 2046, the city's comprehensive growth strategy.

Missing middle housing gains traction in Spokane

karinae@spokanejournal.com — Thu, 21 May 2026 03:00:00 -0400

Missing middle housing — once a mere sliver of residential permits issued by the city of Spokane between 2020 and 2022 — surged to nearly 20% of all residential permitting in 2025.

2026 Icons: Ray Lawton

dylanh@spokanejournal.com — Thu, 07 May 2026 03:00:00 -0400

Four generations of the Lawton family have maintained leadership of Lawton Printing Inc. and FILE-EZ Inc. — an accomplishment many family businesses can’t claim. Instrumental to that level of continuity has been Ray Lawton, 79, who, along with his late brother Gary Lawton, represents the third generation to lead both Spokane companies.

2026 Icons: Bill Simer

Thu, 07 May 2026 03:00:00 -0400

Retired certified public accountant and Spokane community leader Bill Simer says his life would have looked much different had he not happened to meet a young woman and her brother in Spokane more than 50 years ago.

2026 Icons: Barry Baker

mikem@spokanejournal.com — Thu, 07 May 2026 03:00:00 -0400

Barry Baker, longtime head of prominent Spokane-based general contracting company Baker Construction & Development Inc., says he doesn’t need to go into the office every day, but now he’s having too much fun there to stay away for long.

2026 Icons: Phyllis Campbell

karinae@spokanejournal.com — Thu, 07 May 2026 03:00:00 -0400

Phyllis Campbell, 2026 Spokane Journal of Business Icon, led an accumulative 50-year career in banking, philanthropy, and board service across the Inland Northwest and western Washington.

2026 Icons: Jeff Philipps

Thu, 07 May 2026 03:00:00 -0400

From a service clerk in Montana to the leader of a regional grocery chain in Spokane, Jeff Philipps says his legacy was built by consistently restocking a few simple ideas: "Businesses succeed when they invest in people, and communities grow stronger when leaders choose to give back."

2026 Icons: Elaine Couture

ericab@spokanejournal.com — Thu, 07 May 2026 03:00:00 -0400

Elaine Couture, former regional chief executive at Providence Health & Services who retired in 2021, is currently living her "best life," staying active and involved following a move to Arizona three years ago. Despite her relocation, her impact on the Spokane community remains anchored in the medical institutions she helped lead and expand over a distinguished 34-year career.

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.

Providence ElderPlace supports senior autonomy

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

Every weekday at 10 a.m., seniors whose lives have been impacted by issues such as Alzheimer’s, dementia, or injuries and frailties that come with aging arrive at Providence ElderPlace in Spokane's Nevada Heights neighborhood for four hours of adult day care.

Clarion Partners acquires The Grand at Spokane

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

The Grand at Spokane, a 137-unit senior living community, has been purchased by New York City-based real estate investment adviser Clarion Partners LLC, for $41 million.

Cheney Care Community advances expansion plans

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

Nonprofit senior care provider Cheney Care Community is moving forward with plans to develop dozens of independent living duplexes expanding its campus at 2219 N. Sixth, in Cheney.

Passing the torch: from operator to adviser

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

Some retired executives are seeking second careers as consultants as a way to ensure that decades of leadership experience gets passed on to emerging leaders.

2026 Large Business of the Year Finalist: Sunshine Health Facilities Inc.

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

Sunshine Health Facilities Inc. is a finalist for the 2026 Inland Northwest Business of the Year Awards, in the large-business category.

2026 Large Business of the Year Finalist: Bouten Construction Co.

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

Bouten Construction Co. is a finalist for the Inland Northwest Business of the Year Awards, in the large-business category.

2026 Large Business of the Year Winner: Jubilant HollisterStier LLC

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

Pharmaceutical contract manufacturer Jubilant HollisterStier LLC has been named the winner of the Large Business of the Year category in the Journal's 2026 Inland Northwest Business of the Year Awards.