Spokane STEM Network Awarded Grant

Spokane STEM Network announced it will receive a multi-year grant totaling $200,000 from Washington STEM to help improve teaching and learning of science, technology, engineering and math in the region.

The Spokane STEM Network, a collaborative effort of early learning, K-12, higher education, and business and community organizations, works to transform the way we think, learn, work, and live through STEM by enhancing STEM education opportunities for all youth in the region and by increasing the number of students pursuing and achieving success in STEM careers.

To learn more, visit http://greaterspokane.org.

University of Idaho Breaks Ground on Integrated Research and Innovation Center

The University of Idaho recently broke ground on the Integrated Research and Innovation Center. The center will host discovery-based or interdisciplinary research across a broad spectrum of science, engineering and other disciplines. The IRIC will feature flexible laboratory, office and meeting space that can be adapted for use by faculty, staff and student researchers from across the university. The building also includes a state-of-the-art visualization laboratory, as well as space for core research facilities, equipment, video conferencing and other specialized needs. To learn more, visit www.uidaho.edu.

Grant County EDC Showcases County at International Aerospace Shows

The Grant County EDC is helping showcase the county as a prime location for aerospace development. Jonathan Smith, executive director for the Grant County EDC, Pat Jones, executive director of the Port of Moses Lake, and Richard Hanover, director of business development for the Port of Moses Lake, joined Governor Jay Inslee as he led a state delegation to the Farnborough International Air Show in July. Farnborough and the Paris Air Show are widely considered the largest global aerospace industry events. The two events take place on alternate years. The Grant County EDC was represented at the Paris Air Show in 2013. Over 70 aircraft will be on display at the show and the more than 1,500 companies that build the component parts for the aircraft will be exhibiting. An estimated 110,000 participants are expected to attend the five-day show which provides opportunities for business development and growing the industry. To learn more about the visit, go to www.grantedc.com.

Cascade Windows Expands to the Southwest

Spokane Valley-based Cascade Windows, already one of the larger vinyl window and door manufacturers in the western U.S., is expanding to the Southwest. It says it has acquired Tempe, Ariz.-based manufacturer Paramount Windows, boosting its overall workforce to more than 850 employees. Cascade, which operates as Window Products Inc. and is a portfolio company of Altamont Capital Partners, a San Francisco-based private investment firm, also has facilities in Portland and Salt Lake City. Read the full Journal of Business article here.

University of Idaho Starts Renovation of College of Education Building

The University of Idaho has started a $19.5 million renovation of the College of Education building. Built in 1968, the structure contains asbestos in the walls and ceilings, and it is expensive to maintain. It also does not accommodate today’s multifaceted methods of teaching and learning. After renovation, it will contain seminar rooms equipped with technology for distance learning and furniture designed to create collaborative spaces for students to work in groups. Until construction is finished in August 2016, the college’s 60 employees will work in five different locations on campus. For more information, visit http://labor.idaho.gov or www.uidaho.edu.

Clearwater Economic Development Association Secures Funding from USDA

Clearwater Economic Development Association (CEDA) secured $15,000 in funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Business Enterprise Grant to support a concept design plan for the development of the Greater Palouse Slaughter Facility, a small-scale, shared slaughter facility. CEDA wrote the grant application for this funding and will administer the grant on behalf of Greater Palouse Meat Producers. For more details, visit www.uidaho.edu.