Avista Launches Energy Storage Project

Avista recently launched its Energy Storage Project to test a new large-scale battery storage system in a real-world setting at Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories using batteries manufactured by UniEnergy Technologies.

The $7 million project is funded by a $3.2 million grant from Governor Inslee and the Washington State Department of Commerce’s Clean Energy Fund and $3.8 million in Avista matching funds. The Energy Storage Project is part of Avista’s investment into research that will improve power system reliability.

To learn more, go to http://avistacorp.mwnewsroom.com.

Palouse Knowledge Corridor Host Successful Be the Entrepreneur Bootcamp™

Approximately 100 people attended the Be the Entrepreneur Bootcamp™presented by the Palouse Knowledge Corridor.

Experts from Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories and EMSI joined more than 40 other speakers, teachers and mentors over the five-day camp, lending expertise in a variety of areas. They didn’t just share expertise: They also shared contacts, and in some cases helped land a client.

After five days of intense camp experience, complete with business pitching, fundraising, marketing and real-life networking experiences, attendees headed back to their daily lives armed with new ideas to launch their businesses. To learn more, visit http://pkcecamp.com.

Grant County, Wash. Sees Retail Growth

Retail growth in Grant County is starting to catch up to the industrial growth that has been occurring over the past few years. Panda Express, Party City, Marshalls, Carl’s Jr. Fairfield Suites, and Pita Pit have all announced new locations that will open in Moses Lake this year.

It is estimated that local residents spend over $125 million at stores and restaurants outside of the area because shopping options are not available locally. These new stores are poised to capture some of those dollars that have been leaving the community. Collectively these businesses will employ more than 150 people.

To learn more, visit www.grantedc.com.

Comcast Creates 750 Jobs in Spokane with New Customer Support Center

Comcast recently announced it will build a state-of-the-art customer support center in the Spokane area, creating 750 jobs. The center, which will open in summer 2016, is a part of the company’s multi-year commitment to create more than 5,500 new customer service jobs with the addition of three new customer support centers in Spokane, WA; Albuquerque, NM; and Tucson, AZ.

For more information, go to http://corporate.comcast.com.

Hayden, Idaho Honored for Stoddard Park Work

The city of Hayden's work on Stoddard Park earned the city an award June 11 from the Idaho Association of Cities. Hayden won a City Achievement Award in the Parks and Recreation category.

These awards are given in several categories and recognize the work of cities around Idaho that have implemented pioneering approaches to improve quality of life, address community challenges, and enhance service delivery in cost-effective ways.

To learn more, read the Coeur d'Alene Press article.

INW in the News: Site Selection, "Top Micropolitan Groups of the Year"

Congratulations to Grant County Economic Development Council on being recognized by Site Selection magazine as a Top Micropolitan Group of the Year! Click here to see the article. To learn more about Grant County EDC, visit www.grantedc.com.

Comcast Selects Spokane for New Call Center

Comcast announced the selection of Spokane as one of three sites at which it will develop new state-of-the-art customer support centers. The other two locations are Albuquerque, New Mexico and Tucson, Arizona.

Hiring is already underway and Comcast expects to hire 80 people every six weeks, culminating in 675 new jobs for the greater-Spokane area. Positions will include management, human resources, training and customer care, with cumulative annual salary and benefits packages totaling more than $27 million. Comcast extends employee investments that include paid training, tuition reimbursement, opportunities for promotion, relocation and advancement within the company.

Employees will work from a temporary location until a permanent 80,000-square-foot facility, expected to cost $7 million, is built.

To learn more, read the Greater Spokane Incorporated article.