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.