Government

Dutch energy professionals share insights here

Thu, 05 Nov 2026 03:00:00 -0500

Energy leaders from 20 Dutch companies and institutions met in Spokane in October to tackle grid management challenges and digital energy solutions alongside regional leaders from Avista, Itron, WSU, and the city of Spokane.

AI threats challenge cybersecurity landscape

Thu, 05 Nov 2026 03:00:00 -0500

Artificial intelligence is accelerating cybersecurity threats against businesses and government agencies, allowing criminals to potentially impersonate employees, steal sensitive information, and compromise corporate networks faster than organizations can respond, warn some cybersecurity experts.

RiverBank leads Spokane County in SBA lending

karinae@spokanejournal.com — Thu, 05 Nov 2026 03:00:00 -0500

Two years after developing its Small Business Administration lending department, RiverBank Holding Co., the parent company of Spokane-based RiverBank, has become the county’s top SBA lender. The increase in SBA lending comes as the community bank establishes a director of fintech position, reinforcing its founding principles of relationship banking and technology.

INW census tracts selected for federal program

karinae@spokanejournal.com — Thu, 22 Oct 2026 03:00:00 -0400

Washington state Gov. Bob Ferguson has selected nine low-income census tracts in Spokane County — seven of which are located within Spokane city limits — for the federal Opportunity Zones 2.0 program.

Spokane care providers work to protect services

Thu, 22 Oct 2026 03:00:00 -0400

Despite recent staffing and service reductions across Spokane's healthcare sector, some providers here expect to maintain their workforces and offerings, even as they face rising expenses, growing patient demand, and difficulties with Medicaid compensation.

Spokane aids fire victims with asbestos testing

Thu, 22 Oct 2026 03:00:00 -0400

The city of Spokane is leveraging over $1.3 million raised through its temporary fire recovery fund to cover asbestos testing and assist families rebuilding after the August wildfires.

Terrain gains ground downtown

karinae@spokanejournal.com — Thu, 22 Oct 2026 03:00:00 -0400

Terrain Programs is pursuing an ambitious plan to acquire downtown Spokane's historic Jensen-Byrd Hardware buildings and redevelop them into a year-round cultural hub.

A $3.5M hangar is underway at StanCraft Jet Center

karinae@spokanejournal.com — Thu, 08 Oct 2026 03:00:00 -0400

Construction of a new $3.5 million hangar is underway at the StanCraft Jet Center, a full-service fixed base operator at the Coeur d’Alene Airport.

New Markets pipeline grows in Spokane

karinae@spokanejournal.com — Thu, 08 Oct 2026 03:00:00 -0400

Organizations behind a growing pipeline of projects across Spokane — including a behavioral health center, a mixed-use childcare development, and an expanding transitional pediatric health facility — are actively positioning themselves for a federal tax-credit program to help their projects move forward.

Fire repairs are ongoing at Northside Landfill

Thu, 08 Oct 2026 03:00:00 -0400

An emergency repair project at Spokane's Northside Landfill is underway afterthe massive property sustained damage during the August wildfires.

Chair sees strength amid county budget pains

Thu, 08 Oct 2026 03:00:00 -0400

Spokane County has added $1.5 billion in new construction this past year — its second-highest total on record — driven by steady population expansion and economic development. However, that regional growth is placing intense pressure on county finances, Commissioner Mary Brooks explained during her State of the County address.

Voters' view of Spokane region holds steady

Tue, 06 Oct 2026 13:49:00 -0400

Spokane County voters’ overall view of the region held steady this fall, even as concerns about homelessness and public safety rose and financial anxiety eased, according to the latest results from The Pulse, a survey commissioned by Greater Spokane Incorporated.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Bouncing Back: Spokane's plans for rebuilding

Thu, 27 Aug 2026 03:00:00 -0400

The city of Spokane is preparing to accelerate debris removal, testing permits, and reconstruction efforts as property owners affected by the Spokane Complex Fires face what officials expect will be a lengthy rebuilding effort.

Spokane-area higher ed sees slow, steady admissions

Thu, 27 Aug 2026 03:00:00 -0400

Student enrollment at several colleges and universities in Spokane County has been flat or slowly increasing in the last two years after pandemic-era declines, but leaders at some institutions contend that the higher education environment in Spokane is generally healthy.

Year-to-date apartment permits rise through July

Thu, 27 Aug 2026 03:00:00 -0400

Spokane multifamily permit numbers are up in several categories this year compared to 2025.

Solar work rises ahead of tax credit deadlines

Thu, 27 Aug 2026 03:00:00 -0400

Solar and renewable energy system installations on commercial buildings in Spokane have increased since the One Big Beautiful Bill Act was passed in 2025, as building owners and businesses hurry to perform planned projects before a clean energy tax credit ends.

Alisha Benson named chair-elect of ACCE

karinae@spokanejournal.com — Thu, 13 Aug 2026 03:00:00 -0400

Alisha Benson, CEO of Greater Spokane Incorporated, has been named the chair-elect for the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives, a professional organization that supports, connects, and develops leaders and staff of local, regional, and state chambers of commerce and economic development associations.

Catching up with: Dr. Bob Lutz, former SRHD health officer

karinae@spokanejournal.com — Thu, 13 Aug 2026 03:00:00 -0400

Although he considers himself partially retired, Dr. Bob Lutz continues to find ways to keep caring for the well-being of the public.

Fair housing organization faces budget gap

Thu, 30 Jul 2026 03:00:00 -0400

Northwest Fair Housing Alliance is facing a budget gap as the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development is delaying the funding of a key grant the nonprofit relies on.

Power moves: Commercial energy-saving strategies

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

Complying with Washington state's Clean Buildings Act can prove costly for building owners, but there are some low-cost solutions that can help them save money and avoid fees, according to some energy efficiency experts here.

The Silver Surge

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

North Idaho’s silver mining corporations expect to benefit from faster permitting and increased demand since the U.S. Geological Survey added the precious metal to its 2025 List of Critical Minerals late last year.

Philanthropic planning strategies for 2026

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

It's not lost on individuals, estate planning attorneys, financial advisers, and CPAs that several changes to tax laws could impact charitable giving this year.

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.

Rising from the ashes: Home insurance rates show signs of steadying

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

Wildfire risk is reshaping the homeowners insurance market in Washington state, particularly for residents living in areas that are more vulnerable to wildfire activity, including many residences in Spokane County. While premiums have increased sharply in recent years, new data from the Washington state Office of the Insurance Commissioner shows rate increases are now beginning to cool down.