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.