Alliance Data Systems Continues to Grow in Coeur d'Alene

Continued employment growth at the Alliance Data Systems Corp. Coeur d’Alene complex could make it one of the top five largest employers in Kootenai County by year-end. The Coeur d’Alene center had 610 employees as of late August and anticipates it will approach 750 employees yet this year.

Headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, Alliance Data is a leading provider of tailored marketing and loyalty solutions, delivered through branded credit programs. The Coeur d’Alene customer care center provides support for many of Alliance Data’s more than 145 credit programs representing many of the world’s most recognizable brands.

Contact the Coeur d’Alene Economic Development Corporation or visit www.alliancedata.com to learn more.

Hotstart Expanding into Overseas Markets

Hotstart, a leader in diesel engine heating solutions, is expanding into target markets overseas, which, along with increased sales opportunities, has brought many new internal developments. Currently, 25 percent of the company’s business comes from foreign markets. International trade as part of Hotstart’s portfolio has made positive contributions in the number of jobs available at the company and has increased innovations and critical thinking strategies to solve customers’ requests. It even allowed the company to add new product lines for marine, generator and natural gas solutions.

To learn more, read the Greater Spokane Incorporated article.

Lewiston-Nez Perce County Regional Airport Breaks Ground on New Operations Building

Lewiston-Nez Perce County Regional Airport recently broke ground on an operations building southwest of the terminal. The Airport Board decided to consolidate the airport’s rescue/firefighting and winter operations buildings into one facility to make room for a new Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting (ARFF) vehicle. The new facility will take a little over a year to complete, about the same time staff expects to take delivery of the latest in ARFF equipment. To learn more, go to http://www.golws.com/news/.

Port of Clarkston Continues Expansion of Fiber-optic Network

The Port of Clarkston continues expansion of its fiber-optic network to serve Asotin County. Begun in 2013, the investments in dark fiber make it possible for services to be provided by the private sector to businesses and homes without the need for duplicative runs of fiber optic cable in the community's rights-of-way.

The project’s greatest accomplishment in 2017 has been getting fiber across Southway Bridge to provide a redundant path, in case there is a problem somewhere along the way. The Ports of Clarkston and Lewiston lease the same conduit in the bridge, and each owns the sector of fiber within its jurisdiction.

To learn more about the project, go to http://portofclarkston.com or contact Valley Vision, the Lewis-Clark Valley’s economic development agency.

Tedder Industries Among Idaho Innovation Award Finalists

Tedder Industries, manufacturer of gun holsters and accessories, was announced as a finalist in two categories for the 12th Annual Idaho Innovation Awards, including Consumer Product of the Year and Innovative Company of the Year. The awards spotlight innovations, innovative professionals and innovative companies statewide.

For more information, read the award announcement.

Pullman-Moscow Regional Airport Undergoing Critical Improvements

Pullman-Moscow Regional Airport has received $5.2 million to make critical improvements to its runway through the Airport Improvement Program (AIP), according to a press release from U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell. The grant will fund a runway realignment of 7,100 feet of Runway 6/24 to meet Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) design standards as well as provide for land acquisition and additional site grading and earthwork on the realigned runway.

Other airport improvements include reconstruction of the airport’s terminal baggage claim area for $376,222, according to an article in the Moscow-Pullman Daily News.

To learn more about the runway realignment project, visit http://www.puw-ea.com.

Incyte Diagnostics and Mountain Pathology Announce Acquisition

Incyte Diagnostics based in Spokane, Bellevue, Walla Walla and Yakima, Washington and Blue Mountain Pathology based in Pendleton, Oregon have entered into a letter of intent to combine their two pathology practices. This transaction will create a regional pathology practice where physicians and hospitals can access 47 board certified pathologists with expertise in 27 disciplines/subspecialties.

For more information, read the press release.