Advanced Thermoplastic Composites Manufacturing Submits Plan for Manufacturing Plant in Post Falls

Advanced Thermoplastic Composites Manufacturing (ATC), manufacturer for the aerospace industry, has submitted a commercial site plan to the City of Post Falls for an office and manufacturing plant. ATC is seeking approximately $4.2 million in bonds for the project, according to the City of Post Falls. ATC currently employs 71 people and expects to expand that number by 30 to 45 in 2015. To learn more, read the Coeur d’Alene Press article.

Associated Painters Opens Second Aircraft-Painting Hangar in Spokane

Leading Edge Aviation Services, Inc., the world's leading commercial, military and VIP aircraft painting company, announced that its Washington-based division, Associated Painters, has opened a second aircraft-painting hangar at Spokane International Airport.

Associated Painters expects to grow its local workforce by 50 percent during the next year. The new 32,000-square-foot structure boasts state-of-the-art intelligent air handling, energy efficient high lumen lighting and top-of-the-line water treatment systems. The more than $6 million hangar has one large painting bay that is capable of handling up to a Boeing 757-300 and is located adjacent to Associated Painters’ current facilities.

For more information, visit www.leadingedgecorp.com.

Alliance Data Retail Services Celebrates Grand Opening in Coeur d'Alene

Alliance Data Retail Services, which manages more than 130 private label and co-brand credit card programs for many of today’s most recognizable brands, celebrated the opening of its new 44,500 square-foot facility in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. The center is expected to employ up to 200 people by the end of the year.

As part of its long-term growth plan, Alliance Data is hiring customer service representatives to serve its rapidly expanding portfolio of branded credit card programs and its renewal of agreements with existing clients.

To learn more about Alliance Data, visit www.alliancedataretail.com.

Deer Park Business & Industrial Center Broke Ground for Infrastructure Improvement Project

Ground has been broken on the Deer Park Business & Industrial Center infrastructure improvement project. The $2.2 million project includes a new roadway with sewer, water, sidewalks and underground electrical, natural gas and lighting systems. Five individual corporations own the 140-acre industrial center, which will be divided into 14 parcels.

The business center currently has two tenants, Knight Construction & Supply Inc. and an Avista Corp. service center, committed to construct buildings in the park once the infrastructure improvements are completed.

Read the full Journal of Business article to learn more – www.spokanejournal.com/local-news/deer-park-breaks-ground-on-business-center-project.

CERB Approves Loan to Support Infrastructure for AeroTEC Hangar

The Washington State Community Economic Revitalization Board (CERB) approved a $500,000 low-interest loan to support infrastructure for the new Aerospace Testing Engineering and Certification, LLC (AeroTEC) hangar where Mitsubishi will conduct flight-testing and certification.

The Port of Moses Lake will match CERB’s investment with $125,000 in local funds to complete the aircraft hangar. AeroTEC will invest $8 million in the private project and will retain two permanent jobs and create 24 permanent jobs as a result of this investment.

To learn more about the flight test center, visit www.grantedc.com.

Moses Lake to be Test Site for Mitsubishi Aircraft Regional Jet

Japan’s Mitsubishi Aircraft will create a flight-test center at Moses Lake for its new Mitsubishi Regional Jet (MRJ), bringing dozens of pilots, engineers and technicians to the Central Washington town.

Mitsubishi, which is completing Japan’s first new commercial passenger aircraft in more than 40 years, was attracted by the long, uncrowded runways at Grant County International Airport and the new-plane expertise available in Washington. In all, about 100 people in Moses Lake will work on the flight-testing project.

To learn more, visit www.grantedc.com.

Spokane County Wins $25,000 Grant

Spokane County won a $25,000 Culture of Health grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, it was announced today. Priority Spokane, a Program Partner with Greater Spokane Incorporated, accepted the prize.

Priority Spokane has joined a number of local organizations in using education initiatives in improving public health. The grant recognizes Spokane County for its strategies to empower young people and expand educational opportunities. In Spokane Public Schools, the graduation rate has jumped from less than 60 percent in 2006 to almost 80 percent in 2013.

For more information, visit http://greaterspokane.org.