Hagadone Plans Mega Marine Center in Coeur d'Alene

The Hagadone Corp. is expanding its boat sales and service operation on Blackwell Island in Coeur d’Alene, according to an article in the Spokesman Review. Hagadone Marine Group will create a “mega marine center,” adding three new buildings with over 32,000 square feet of service center space by next spring. The center will have up to 20 service bays and 40 technicians, plus moorage and storage.

To learn more visit www.hagadonemarine.com or read the Spokesman Review article.

Comcast Customer Support Center in Liberty Lake

Comcast celebrated the grand opening of its new 80,000-square-foot National Center of Excellence customer support center. The Liberty Lake facility represents a total economic impact of more than $95 million and will provide jobs for more than 700 employees once the facility is fully built out.

Read the Greater Spokane Incorporated article to learn more.

North Idaho College Opens Career Technical Education Facility in Rathdrum

North Idaho College celebrated the grand opening of its Career Technical Education Facility in Rathdrum. The $20 million, 100,000-square-foot facility is home to professional-technical programs to meet student and industry demand for well-trained and qualified graduates in the Trades and Industry sector.

To learn more, visit www.nic.edu.

Pinecroft Business Park Expanding in Spokane Valley

The Pinecroft Business Park broke ground on a $5.25 million multiuse building in the office complex, according to an article in the Journal of Business. The catalyst for the project is PayTrace Inc., a Spokane Valley-based payment-processing company and a current tenant at Pinecroft. The company has committed to take about 10,000 square feet in the new building. The company plans to move there from a 3,000-square-foot space it currently occupies in the park.

Read to Journal of Business article to learn more.

Coeur d’Alene’s Sherman Avenue Among 2016 Great Places in America

Coeur d’Alene’s Sherman Avenue has been named a 2016 Great Place in America in the Great Streets category by the American Planning Association. The awards celebrate stories of exemplary planning that have resulted in stronger, healthier and more just communities. Sherman Avenue was recognized as the main vein of connectively through the Idaho resort town of Coeur d’Alene. The street is always bustling with commerce and festivities that reflect the unique local flair.

For more details on the awards, visit www.planning.org/greatplaces.

BNSF Railway Invests in New Vehicle Unloading Facility in Spokane

Credit BNSF Railway

BNSF Railway is investing in a new much larger vehicle unloading facility to replace an existing facility in Spokane. The $6 million BNSF vehicle unloading facility will serve the more than 12,000 vehicles each year that the railroad delivers to the Spokane market. Plans for the facility include a small office building, fencing and other security features and about 1,000 vehicle storage spaces. BNSF hopes to have the new vehicle unloading facility operating by the end of 2016. 

For more information, read the Inland NW Business article or visit www.bnsf.com.

ALK-Abello Source Materials Inc. Expanding Post Falls Facility

ALK-Abello Source Materials Inc., a leading manufacturer of quality allergenic biological source materials, is expanding its facility in Post Falls, according to the Journal of Business. The $14.3 million addition will be 35,000 square feet.

Source: Spokane Journal of Business

$300-million Silicon Smelting Facility Proposed for Usk, Washington

The Washington State Department of Commerce announced that a new $300-million silicon smelting facility proposed for Usk by HiTest Sand Inc. has been designated a Project of Statewide Significance and will receive $300,000 in economic development assistance through the Pend Oreille Economic Development Council.

Based in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, HiTest estimates about 400 construction jobs and once operational, about 170 permanent, full-time jobs will be created. Paying an average salary well above the community’s prevailing wage, these high-skill jobs will deliver a significant boost to the tri-county region in the northeast corner of the state. Much of the silicon produced from sand at the smelter will be used by in-state solar cell manufacturers, computer chip makers and aluminum product manufacturers.

For more information, read the Washington State Department of Commerce press release.

Spokane-area Exports Grow by $17 million

Goods exported from the Spokane and Spokane Valley metropolitan area totaled a little over $823 million last year, marking a 2.1 percent increase from 2014, according to the International Trade Administration’s 2015 Metropolitan Area Export Overview released earlier this month.

The 2.1 percent increase marked a $17 million bump for the area from 2014 to 2015, the report says. Hotstart Inc., the Spokane-based engine-heating equipment manufacturer, contributed significantly to the increase. U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker presented Hotstart with the President’s ‘E’ award For Exports earlier this year.

To learn more, read the article in the Journal of Business.

Coeur d'Alene Chamber of Commerce Announces Advanced Leadership Program

The Coeur d'Alene Chamber of Commerce recently announced the launch of a new annual program - Advanced Leadership Coeur d’Alene. The program builds on Leadership Coeur d'Alene program, with an increased focus on the principles of leadership. The program will keep past Leadership Coeur d’Alene graduates engaged with the Leadership Coeur d’Alene Program, the Chamber and the Community.

The advanced program will consist of five monthly programs offering one half-day session per month, the exception being the final session in May 2017, which will be a full day including a luncheon.

 The program will start in January 2017 and take place at the CDA Chamber of Commerce Conference Room on the first Thursday of each month.

Orgill Announces New Distribution Facility in Post Falls

Orgill, Inc., an international hardlines distributor based out of Tennessee, announced plans for a new distribution facility in Post Falls. The company has begun work to upgrade an existing 500,000 square foot building. The facility will result in almost $30 million in capital investment and $5.8 million in anticipated annual wages in the community.

To learn more, visit www.orgill.com or www.relocatetoidaho.org.

EcoAnalysts and Ecological Specialists Merge

EcoAnalysts, Inc. of Moscow, Idaho and Ecological Specialists, Inc. (ESI) or O’Fallon, Missouri are merging. ESI focuses largely on freshwater mussel surveys and ecology, environmental impact assessment, endangered species consultation, fisheries surveys and training for clients. EcoAnalysts’ core services focus on aquatic biological communities, such as algae, plankton, macroinvertebrates and fish.

This merger will allow both firms to offer services on the coasts and in the Midwest and offer quality field, laboratory, agency coordination and data analysis services for freshwater mussels, fish and benthic invertebrates. Under the terms of the merger, EcoAnalysts will be acquiring the stock of ESI and ESI will continue to operate under its current name as a subsidiary of EcoAnalysts through the end of 2016. In 2017 we will combine all operations under EcoAnalysts, Inc.

To learn more, visit www.ecoanalysts.com or read the press release.

Spokane International Airport to Make $9 Million in Improvements

Spokane International Airport has two projects totaling just over $9 million that are set to begin in early 2017, according to an article in the Journal of Business. The first project is a $5.2 million south pilot ramp rehabilitation project. The project is being funded by a Federal Aviation Administration grant and is designed to improve the apron concrete surface and aircraft maneuverability for tenants such as U.S. Customs.

 The $4 million second project involves upgrades to explosive detection systems and improvements to the airport’s checked baggage resolution areas. The checked baggage resolution area is where passengers can go for feedback on baggage delays and damaged bags, as well as lost or missing items that may have been left on the aircraft.

Read the Journal of Business article to learn more.

Alliance Data Continues to Expand in Coeur d'Alene

Alliance Data will create 364 permanent full-time positions at its Coeur d’Alene customer support facility and provide training using $87,310.60 from the Idaho Department of Labor’s Workforce Development Training Fund. The new workers will bring the total of employees at the Coeur d’Alene location to 810 by Feb. 28, 2018.

Alliance Data, headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, is a leading provider of tailored marketing and loyalty solutions, delivered through branded credit programs. The Coeur d’Alene customer care center provides support for many of Alliance Data’s more than 145 credit programs representing many of the world’s most recognizable brands. For more information, read the Idaho Department of Labor’s press release.

Vista Outdoor to Expand in Lewiston, Idaho

Vista Outdoor Inc. announced plans to expand its ammunition manufacturing capacity in Lewiston, creating up to 137 new jobs and adding $99.3 million to the local and state economy. The company’s current Lewiston operations (CCI, Speer and Southport locations) occupy approximately 400 acres and 315,000 square feet, employing approximately 1,400 employees. Expansion plans include hiring engineers, program managers, technicians and manufacturing employees.

To learn more, read Vista Outdoor’s press release.

Inland NW in the News: Aerospace supply chain under cost pressure as OEMs seek technically adequate, best cost solutions

In its coverage of the the I-90 Aerospace Corridor Expo, Intelligent Aerospace discusses the view that the commercial aerospace sector holds great opportunity, while the defense side is winding down. In June, engineers and executives committed to creating a better aerospace future assembled in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, at the I-90 Corridor Aerospace Expo, hosted by the Idaho Aerospace Alliance, Inland Northwest Aerospace Consortium (INWAC) and American Manufacturer Network.

Read the article, "Aerospace supply chain under cost pressure as OEMs seek technically adequate, best cost solutions," to learn more.

Inland NW in the News: Agile aerospace suppliers able to respond quickly can benefit from unprecedented growth and opportunity

In its coverage of the the I-90 Aerospace Corridor Expo, Intelligent Aerospace highlights the unprecedented growth the aerospace market has experienced in the past five years. In June, engineers and executives committed to creating a better aerospace future assembled in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, at the I-90 Corridor Aerospace Expo, hosted by the Idaho Aerospace Alliance, Inland Northwest Aerospace Consortium (INWAC) and American Manufacturer Network.

Read the article, "Agile aerospace suppliers able to respond quickly can benefit from unprecedented growth and opportunity, to learn more.

Empire Airlines Nominated to Idaho Hall of Fame

Empire Airlines was nominated to the Idaho Hall of Fame in June. The business received the prestigious honor for being a good citizen corporation that hires and cares for its employees. The company was recognized for providing a safe and healthy working environment, encouraging its employees to be creative thinkers in finding new and innovative business methods and products, and promoting a work setting for its employees to be comfortable and void of hostile relationships among the employees." Empire has 345 employees and has a history of flying into new horizons.

For more information, read the Coeur d’Alene Press article.

Culinary Tourism: How to Develop Your Taste of Place

Learn how to develop your taste of place at the Inland Northwest Partners 2016 Fall Meeting, which will focus on culinary tourism. The event takes place on Thursday Sept. 15 from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Lindsay Creek Vineyards in Lewiston, ID.

Rebecca Mackenzie, executive director of the Culinary Tourism Alliance in Toronto, Ontario, will keynote the event and discuss, "Food Tourism 101: Key Strategies, Market Readiness & the Importance of Partnerships" and "The Anatomy of a Foodie: Characteristics, Behaviors, Marketing Trends & Techniques."

The event will also feature regional experts sharing best practices for culinary tourism.

Reviving Rural Downtowns Workshop: Sept. 21-22, 2016

The Reviving Rural Downtowns Workshop, Sept. 21-22, 2016 in historic downtown Ritzville, will provide valuable tools and information for anyone working to improve their rural to mid-sized community. The conference will provide attendees with access to an impressive list of knowledgeable presenters, including keynote speaker Joseph E. “Tripp” Muldrow, III, a principal in the firm Arnett Muldrow & Associates in Greenville, South Carolina. Muldrow will discuss planning and marketing for small and rural communities. The workshop will benefit Washington Main Street members, downtown associations, city council members, planning commissions, chambers of commerce, economic developers and citizens interested in helping their cities and towns.

For more information and to purchase a ticket for $25, visit http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/2593927.

Spokane VA Medical Center Plans to Build Mental Health and Education Building

The Spokane Mann-Grandstaff Veteran Affairs Medical Center plans to erect a mental health and education building on its campus in northwest Spokane to kick off a few projects in the works there with a combined value estimated at nearly $35 million, according to an article in the Journal of Business.

The 20,000-square-foot Intensive Outpatient Mental Health and Education Building will have two stories and a basement. Other planned projects likely to start this year or next include a $16 million boiler plant, a $10 million primary care clinic and a $1 million computed-tomography unit expansion.

To learn more, read the article or visit www.spokane.va.gov.

Brunswick Corporation Acquires Thunder Jet

The Brunswick Corporation recently acquired Thunder Jet. The Brunswick family of companies includes 20 boat manufacturers, including such well-known names as Bayliner, Boston Whaler, Lund and Crestliner. Thunder Jet manufacturing will remain in the Lewis -Clark Valley and is expected in expand operations in the future.

For more information on news from the Lewis-Clark Valley, visit www.lewis-clarkvalley.org.

North Idaho College Breaks Ground on New Recreation Center

North Idaho College broke ground on its new Student Wellness and Recreation Center. The $7.7 million, 30,000-square-foot center will have a rock climbing wall, running track, weight area, multi-activity court, open recreation space, locker rooms, offices and storage, among other amenities. The project is expected to be completed in early summer 2017.

To learn more, visit http://www.nic.edu/reccenter.

Pearson Packaging Systems Experiences Growth

Pearson Packaging Systems, maker of packaging equipment, says it expects double-digit revenue growth this year and for the foreseeable future, according to an article in the Journal of Business.

President and CEO Michael A. Senske says the company has experienced that sustained level of growth every year for the last eight years. Pearson expects to hire up to four new control engineers at its packaging equipment plant in Spokane. Meanwhile, as many as six mechanical engineers could be hired at a facility it operates in Vernon, Ill., near Chicago.

Pearson now has an employee roster of 200 workers, up from 134 at the beginning of 2011. Roughly 150 employees are based at Pearson’s 110,000-square-foot manufacturing and assembly operations facility on the West Plains. The company employed approximately 100 workers at its Spokane operation in 2011.

Read the Journal of Business article or visit www.pearsonpkg.com to learn more.

Kootenai Health Begins Construction on Second Phase of Expansion

Kootenai Health has begun construction on phase two of its expansion project. The $45.2 million project will add 7,000 square feet of new space to the emergency department and will increase total capacity to 36 rooms. Three additional operating rooms will be added to the surgical department for a total of 11 operating suites. 

For more information, visit www.kh.org/phase2.

Deer Park Business & Industrial Park Welcomes New Tenants

The new Deer Park Business & Industrial Park will soon have new tenants: Knight Construction & Supply and Avista Utilities. Knight Construction & Supply is building a new 30,000-square-foot building with manufacturing, warehouse and office space all under one roof. The company is moving its operations from smaller quarters in Deer Park. The company is the parent company to Knight EZ Dock and Knight Wall Systems, which will also set up shop in the new building. The Knight building should be complete by this fall.

Avista Utilities is in the planning phase of a 30,000-square-foot service center in the park to serve Deer Park and Northern Spokane County. The 140-acre business park opened in summer 2015 and offers abundant land and a prime location near US 395.

To learn more, read the full Inland NW Business article.

Renaissance Marine Remodels Clarkston Product Facility

Renaissance Marine has just completed the purchase and remodel of a 65,000-square-foot building for their production facility. Operations have recently been moved from the former site that has nine buildings and a total square footage of 34,000 square feet. The new space is expected to increase both the efficiency of their production lines and total output. Customer demand has exceeded production capacity in recent years.

For more information on news from the Lewis-Clark Valley, visit www.lewis-clarkvalley.org. 

Healthcare Resource Group Sees Workforce Growth

Healthcare Resource Group Inc., which provides medical billing and coding staffing services to hospitals and large medical practices, has hired 70 new employees over the last year, spurred by increased demand for its services, and it’s not done hiring yet. According to an article in the Journal of Business, the company now has 400 employees in all, with more than 200 of them based in Spokane. The majority of workers here—medical coders and billers—are located in 28,000 square feet of office space in the Pinecroft Business Park.

For more information, read the Journal of Business article or visit www.hrgpros.com.

Alliance Data Systems Corp. Expands Coeur d'Alene Operations

Alliance Data Systems Corp., the Plano, Texas-based credit card, customer service call center operator, has expanded its Coeur d’Alene operations, according to an article in the Journal of Business. The company moved into an additional 75,000-square-foot building and intends to add 200 more employees there by the end of 2016. Derrek Thomas, senior director of operations at Alliance Data’s Coeur d’Alene call center, says the company has been growing rapidly there and expects to continue doing so.

To learn more about Alliance Data, visit http://knowmoresellmore.com.

Pullman Regional Hospital Awarded $250,000 M. J. Murdock Charitable Trust Grant

Pullman Regional Hospital has received a grant from the M. J. Murdock Charitable Trust to help fund the expansion of surgical services and technology upgrade for Pullman Regional Hospital. The grant award, $250,000 in funding, complements the donations made by the community and the Schweitzer family as part of Pullman Regional Hospital’s 2016 Annual Giving for Excellence Fund Drive, which supports the Surgery Expansion Project.

To learn more, visit www.pullmanregional.org/news.

E-payment Center Plans Move to Larger Spokane Valley Location

Merchant e-Solutions Inc. plans to move its Spokane Valley operations center to a larger, more open office space this summer, according to an article in the Journal of Business. The Atlanta-based electronic payment acceptance and management company plans to move its call center in July.

The move will follow a $1.1 million overhaul of the 19,600-square-foot leased office space. Remodeling work started in March and is expected to finish in time for a July 15 opening. Baker Construction & Development Inc., of Spokane, is the contractor for the project, which will include creating new meeting rooms, informal break and game rooms, and office workstations.

Tainio Technology and Technique, Inc. Breaks Ground and Expands in Spokane County

Tainio Technology and Technique, Inc., a family-owned company pioneering the development of sustainable, biological agriculture and farm products, recently broke ground for the construction of its new 13,650-square-foot facility.

The building will consist of offices, laboratories, warehousing, and research and production facilities. The project is planned for completion in December of 2016. Tainio plans to bring on additional employees once the facility is complete.

To learn more, read the Greater Spokane article or visit www.tainio.com.

Accra-Fab Announces Retention and Expansion Plans in Liberty Lake

Accra-Fab announced its plans to remain and grow in Washington at its Liberty Lake facility. Accra-Fab began as a sheet metal fabricator, and has expanded over recent years to include engineering, design, prototyping, contract manufacturing, welding, finishing and assembly.

Accra-Fab has been instrumental in growing the aerospace industry in Spokane County, helping to lead the Inland Northwest Aerospace Consortium (INWAC) and driving supply chain innovations and technologies. To accommodate their growth plans, the company had been performing a multi-year business case analysis, including looking at alternate locations in Washington and Idaho.

To learn more read the Accra-Fab's press release.

LightSpeed Networks to Bring Fiber Optics to Inland Northwest

A privately owned Portland-based fiber optic company plans to expand into Eastern Washington and rural locations across the state, according to an article in the Journal of Business.

LightSpeed Networks Inc. says it will bring LS Networks to more businesses and residential customers in Spokane, Tri-Cities, and Yakima this year. LS Networks has built and operates more than 1,200 miles of high-capacity fiber broadband in Washington already.

To learn more about LightSpeed Networks, go to www.lsnetworks.net.

Alliance Data Expands in Coeur d'Alene

Alliance Data Systems Corp., the Plano, Texas-based credit-card, customer-service call center operator, has expanded its Coeur d’Alene operations, according to an article in the Journal of Business. The company moved into an additional 75,000-square-foot building and intends to add 200 more employees there by the end of 2016.

 Derrek Thomas, senior director of operations at Alliance Data’s Coeur d’Alene call center, says the company has been growing rapidly there and expects to continue doing so.

To learn more about Alliance Data, visit http://knowmoresellmore.com.

Pearson Packaging Systems Experiences Growth

Pearson Packaging Systems, the West Plains-based maker of packaging equipment, says it expects double-digit revenue growth this year and for the foreseeable future, according to an article in the Journal of Business. President and CEO Michael A. Senske says the company has experienced that sustained level of growth every year for the last eight years.

Pearson expects to hire up to four new control engineers at its packaging equipment plant in Spokane. Meanwhile, as many as six mechanical engineers could be hired at a facility it operates in Vernon, Ill., near Chicago, he says. Pearson now has an employee roster of 200 workers, up from 134 at the beginning of 2011. Roughly 150 employees are based at Pearson’s 110,000-square-foot manufacturing and assembly operations facility on the West Plains. The company employed approximately 100 workers at its Spokane operation in 2011.

Read the Journal of Business article or visit www.pearsonpkg.com.

Interwest Communications Expands to Spokane

Interwest Communications, a Wenatchee-based, family-owned telecommunications company, is expanding its operation into the Spokane, Wash. market. This move allows the company to continue to grow its business and allows it to better serve its existing customers in the Spokane area. The new office opened on April 1.

To learn more, go to www.interwestcommunications.com/blog.

I-90 Aerospace Corridor Conference and Expo to Showcase Region's Growing Aerospace Cluster

Idaho Aerospace Alliance (IDA) and Inland Northwest Aerospace Consortium (INWAC) are co-sponsoring the I-90 Aerospace Corridor Conference and Expo, May 31 to June 2 at the Coeur d’Alene Resort, to showcase the region’s growing cluster of aerospace businesses. With a higher multiplier effect and significantly higher wages than state averages, the aerospace industry is generating a powerful and positive impact on the regional economy.

More details about the event can be found at https://amnsolutions.regfox.com/i-90-aerospace.

Post Falls-based Farb Guidance Systems Building Driverless Tractors

Farb Guidance Systems, founded by a Post Falls, Idaho, seed potato farmer, is building driverless tractors and will deliver the first machine to a Southern Idaho farmer within 60 days. With no cab, steering wheel, seat or gauges, David Farb said his innovation will require just 75 horsepower and will be roughly half the size of a modern, conventional tractor.

Farb expects to build about 60 units in 2016 and has already received commitments for 100 units. He plans to step up production in 2017. The purchase price for one of his tractors will be from $160,000 to $170,000. He’s working with equipment dealers around the state, including a large dealership in Southern Idaho, to provide a network to maintain the machines.

For more information, read the Capital Press article.

Summit Cancer Center Opens in Post Falls

The Summit Cancer Center recently open on the Northwest Specialty Hospital campus. The 11,000-square-foot facility is owned by a group of local physicians and Select HealthCare Solutions, a private, for-profit firm based near San Diego that has helped develop 13 cancer centers throughout the West in the past nine years. In addition to medical and radiation oncologists, the center includes nurse practitioners, pharmacists and a radiation treatment center. It offers consultations, chemotherapy and diagnostic testing and lab services to identify and treat cancer.

To learn more, read the Coeur d’Alene article.

Lewis-Clark Valley Named American Viticultural Area

The Lewis-Clark Valley has been established as an American Viticultural Area. The Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) established the approximately 306,650-acre Lewis–Clark Valley viticultural area in portions of Nez Perce, Lewis, Clearwater and Latah Counties in Idaho and Asotin, Garfield, and Whitman Counties in Washington.

TTB designates viticultural areas to allow vintners to better describe the origin of their wines and to allow consumers to better identify wines they may purchase.

To learn more, read the TTB press release.

Lakeside Junior-Senior High School Expanding Capabilities with 3D Printing

Lakeside Junior-Senior High School is expanding its capabilities to include 3D printing, design and fabrication with help from the Idaho STEM Action Center. At a recent workshop at the STEM Action Center, Lakeside teacher Stefani Hoffman learned how to operate, maintain and troubleshoot 3D printers. The professional development opportunity is part of FabSLAM, a team-based digital fabrication competition launched by the Digital Harbor Foundation.

Twenty teachers from 15 schools throughout Idaho took part in the training. They also received brand-new 3D printers to bring back home to their schools, and they will assemble teams in their communities to participate in FabSLAM and serve as coaches.

Visit www.digitalharbor.org/fabslam/idaho for more details or read the Coeur d’Alene Press article.

Empire Aerospace Secures Approval to Service ERJ 145 Jets

Empire Aerospace, a subsidiary of Hayden-based Empire Airlines Inc., has secured approval from the Federal Aviation Administration to provide heavy maintenance service on Embraer S.A. ERJ 145 jets. The ERJ 145 is the first jet aircraft for which Empire Aerospace has gained approval—called operations specifications—to provide maintenance services. The Embraer aircraft is a Brazilian-made, twin-engine, 50-passenger airliner. Empire Aerospace expects to service 20 to 30 such aircraft a year at its hangar at the Coeur d’Alene Airport.

For more information, read the Journal of Business article.

Interwest Communications Announces Spokane Expansion

Interwest Communications, a Wenatchee-based, family-owned telecommunications company, is expanding its operation into the Spokane, Wash. market. This move allows the company to continue to grow its business and allow it to better serve its existing customers in the Spokane area.

The new office opened on April 1. To learn more, go to www.interwestcommunications.com/blog.

Schweitzer Engineering Expansion to Bring More Than 850 Jobs to Pullman

Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories (SEL) recently announced that it will expand production, research and development operations at its Pullman, Washington headquarters.

The company plans to construct two new buildings, adding over 200,000 additional square feet of space. One building will be devoted to production and the other to research and development. The new facilities will enable SEL to hire more than 850 additional employee owners in Pullman over the next several years.

To learn more, read the press release here.

F5 Networks Opens Second Liberty Lake Facility

According to an article in the Journal of Business, F5 Networks Inc., a Seattle-based maker of computer networking equipment, has opened its second facility in Liberty Lake. The new 28,000-square-foot facility, which opened earlier this month, is set to be F5’s largest support center in North America, and will house the company’s global support services team and include several conference rooms and an 18-seat training room.

Read the Journal of Business article to learn more.

UW and GU Partner in Medical Education

In a recent press release, the University of Washington and Gonzaga University announced that they have signed an agreement to continue, enhance and expand medical education and research in Spokane. The agreement makes Gonzaga a partner in the University of Washington’s regional, community-based medical education program and sets in motion plans to advance health-related research, entrepreneurship and interdisciplinary health sciences teaching in Spokane. 

Starting fall 2016, the University of Washington School of Medicine-Gonzaga University Partnership will welcome its largest-ever entering class to dedicated facilities on the Gonzaga University campus. Gonzaga faculty will recruit, teach and mentor medical students together with UW faculty utilizing the UW’s new, award-winning medical curriculum. The UW and GU will also embark on a collaborative Regional Health Initiative to develop shared facilities and high-impact, applied research. A dedicated executive director at Gonzaga, Spokane-based UW School of Medicine leadership, and a new Community Advisory Board will guide the development of the partnership.

Read the full press release to learn more.

Eastern Washington Economic Development Association Formed

Adams County Development Council, Grant County Economic Development Council, Port of Pasco and Yakima County Development Association have come together to form the Eastern Washington Economic Development Association. Now the four entities are able to cover a larger region and pool resources to market as one area.

Over 60 different crops are grown in Eastern Washington and the region is one of the largest agriculture producing areas. The entities work together seamlessly and represent each other at all shows and conversations with businesses. The first show the alliance attended was the Northwest Food and Beverage Expo in Portland, Ore. There the team had a booth and met with many companies who wanted to learn more about the region. The alliance was also able to reconnect with businesses they had previously met and continue conversations.

To learn more, visit www.grantedc.com.

University of Idaho Opens Cybersecurity Training and Operations Center

The University of Idaho Cybersecurity Training and Operations Center recently opened at the university’s Post Falls research park. The cybersecurity professional development and technical education training program includes a cybersecurity certification exam preparation boot camp and classroom seminars, on the job training and Security Operations Center laboratory.

For more information, visit www.uidaho.edu/cda/uirp/ctoc.

Colfax Accepted into Washington's Main Street Program

Colfax was recently accepted into Washington’s Main Street Program. The Washington State Main Street Program helps communities revitalize the economy, appearance and image of their downtown commercial districts.

To learn more about the program, visit www.dahp.wa.gov/programs/mainstreet-program.

$12 Million Mixed-use Building Planned in Spokane

The developers for the Vinegar Flats Public Market, a proposed seven-story, $12 million mixed-use building in Spokane, intend to break ground this year, according to an article in the Journal of Business. The main level would have 11,800 square feet of commercial space.

Plans call for a total of 52 living units on the second through seventh floors, and 21 one-bedroom units would be designated as housing for international exchange students. Additionally, plans call for 18 one-bedroom and loft-area units, nine studio units, and four two-bedroom units.

The Odom Corp. Plans New Distribution Center and Warehouse in Hayden, Idaho

The Odom Corp., Bellevue-based wholesale beverage distributor, is erecting a 92,000-square-foot distribution center and warehouse in Hayden, where it plans to move its North Idaho operations, according to a Journal of Business article. The building permit application on file with the city of Hayden lists the construction value at $9.2 million.

For more information about Odom Corp., go to www.odomcorp.com.

The Port of Lewiston’s Business and Technology Park Gains New Tenant

The Port of Lewiston’s Business and Technology Park will soon have a new tenant. The port is finalizing negotiations with the developer of Advanced Health Care’s in-patient physical therapy center for the sale of 2 acres in the business park. The planned facility will be approximately 20,000 square feet with 30 beds and employ 35 people. Employees will provide intensive rehabilitation for patients recovering from knee, hip and shoulder replacements. This operation is part of a chain that has locations in Denver, Colo.; Meridian, Idaho; and Albuquerque, N.M.

For more information about news in the Lewis-Clark Valley, contact Valley Vision at (208) 799-9083.

Coeur d’Alene Named Google 2015 eCity

The City of Coeur d’Alene has been named the Google 2015 eCity for the State of Idaho. Google’s eCity Awards recognize the strongest online business community in each state. These cities’ businesses are using the web to find new customers, connect with existing customers and fuel their local economies.

More information about Google eCities can be found at www.google.com/economicimpact/ecities.

Port of Wilma Receives $1 million in WSDOT Freight Rail Assistance Fund

The Port of Wilma received $1 million in WSDOT Freight Rail Assistance Funds (FRAP) for the Port of Wilma Rail Rehabilitation Project. The project will consist of rehabilitation of the existing lead by replacing the existing wooden tie and asphalt crossings with concrete crossings, installing cross bucks at all railroad crossings, replacing approximately 1,200 railroad ties and 600 tons of railroad ballast.

For more information on the Port of Wilma, visit www.portwhitman.com/doingbusiness/portwilma.

Whitman County is Nation's Top Wheat Producing County

Whitman County is the top wheat producing county in the nation, according to Wheat Life, the official publication of the Washington Association of Wheat Growers. In 2015, the county produced nearly 30.5 million bushels, according to the National Agricultural Statistics Service. For more information, read the Spokesman-Review article or visit www.seweda.org.