Palouse Knowledge Corridor Hosts Business Showcase on Oct. 15 to Promote Economic Development

Several presenters have been selected for Palouse Knowledge Corridor’s upcoming Business Showcase event to promote economic development and growth on the Palouse. This event is free and open to the public, October 15 from 2–5 p.m. at the University Inn Best Western, located at 1516 Pullman Rd, Moscow, ID.

The goal of the Business Showcase event is to connect people with good business ideas to those who might be able to help make those ideas happen. Each presenter will showcase their business in 15-minute presentations, highlighting their business idea and relating management, product and/or service, technology, market, financial viability, and employee growth implications. Time will also be allowed for question and answer with each presenter.

Read the Palouse Knowledge Corridor's press release to learn more.

4 Wheel Parts Unveils Post Falls, Idaho Retail Store and Distribution Center

Transamerican Auto Parts will further its major expansion initiative with the Grand Opening of its Post Falls, Idaho 4 Wheel Parts retail store and adjacent distribution center this Saturday, October 10.

The event marks the growing presence of the national truck and Jeep performance product reseller into the Pacific Northwest while providing an increased level of service and delivery to customers in the region. 4 Wheel Parts is pleased to welcome area off-road enthusiasts to the family-friendly event, who will be greeted with installation specials, hourly prize drawings, aftermarket parts giveaways and tours of the newest, state-of-the-art facility.

Click here to learn more.

SEWEDA Hosts Cup O’ Joe to Discuss Shipping Solutions for Small Businesses

Entrepreneurs and small business owners from the greater Palouse region are invited to attend the next Cup O’ Joe on Wednesday, October 7 from 7:30- 8:30 a.m. at the Crimson Commerce Club, a co-work space at the Pullman Armory, 540 East Main Street, Pullman. Tony Poston from College Hill Custom Threads and Ed Robertson from Badger Braces will be on hand to discuss shipping solutions for small businesses. No RSVP is necessary. Coffee is provided.

Cup O’ Joe is an entrepreneurial support program sponsored by Startup Pullman, a new initiative for the Whitman County office of Southeast Washington Economic Development Association (SEWEDA), and takes place the first Wednesday of each month.

“Tony and Ed will help new manufacturers navigate the business of shipping goods,” says Robin Ohlgren, Whitman County Director of SEWEDA. “Distributing product is often an afterthought to a start-up entrepreneur and these guys have some great tips.”

SEWEDA is a private non-profit economic development organization committed to enhancing economic vitality and quality of life through partnerships with business, civic interests, and government for the benefit of the residents of Asotin, Columbia, Garfield, and Whitman Counties.

For more information about Cup O’ Joe or Startup Pullman, contact Ohlgren at robin@seweda.org.

University of Idaho Awarded Multiple Grants

A University of Idaho team developing a novel water treatment process has been granted $427,000 to perform a one-year feasibility study on its work. The funding comes from Idaho Global Entrepreneurial Mission, which helps Idaho’s universities, business leaders and other stakeholders push new technology beyond laboratories into the private sector. N-E-W Tech uses biochar, a charcoal-like activated carbon, to remove organic and mineral contaminants in wastewater with high efficiency. The process generates energy, and the minerals stripped from the water are used to produce fertilizer.

In addition, the National Institute of Health has awarded the University of Idaho a $10.6 million grant to help fund its new Center for Modeling Complex Interactions. The center will focus on using mathematical, statistical and molecular models to address biomedical research questions. The award is the first phase of a new Institutional Development Award Center (IDeA) of Biomedical Research Excellence for the university.

For more information on these projects, visit www.uidaho.edu or http://labor.idho.gov.

Relay Application Innovation Completes Construction of Headquarters

Relay Application Innovation, provider of electric power system protection, recently finished construction of its new headquarters in the new Palouse Business Center in Pullman. It is the first tenant in the business center.

For more information, visit www.relayapplication.com or http://palousebusinesscenter.com.

Inland Northwest Towns Upgrade to LED Streetlights

A landmark arrangement between the state of Washington and two major utilities will facilitate the installation of cost-saving LED streetlights in numerous small cities at no cost to the cities. Small cities have lagged nationwide in LED conversion because they cannot afford the initial capital cost. If all the small cities (population less than 5,000) were in one location in Washington, they would form the second largest city in the State, with 40,000 streetlights. The new program - called Relight Washington - is the result of an agreement proposed by the Washington State Transportation Improvement Board (TIB).

To learn more about the program and which cities will receive the streetlights, read the TIB's press release.

Dahmen Barn Artisans Receive Grants from the Inland Northwest Community Foundation

Artisans at the Dahmen Barn received grants from the Inland Northwest Community Foundation ($29,581) and Northwest Farm Credit Services ($2,500) to complete restrooms in the facility’s new 3,600-square-foot addition that includes more studio space for artists, a multi-purpose room to be used for larger classes, live music performances and rentals for private events, restrooms and storage.

Also included is a commercial kitchen to be used by event caterers and will allow us to expand our programming into culinary arts classes. The addition adds 60 percent capacity to the facility.

To learn more, visit www.artisanbarn.org.