When Scale House Market opened in May 2025, the goal was to establish a year-round farmers' market and support 65 farm-based businesses. Eighteen months later, it has surpassed expectations, supporting between 150 and 175 small businesses spanning agricultural operators, food producers, bakers, makers, artisans, dairy farmers, cattle ranchers, among others.

For its latest episode of Elevating The Conversation, the Journal sat down with Fred Brown, a serial entrepreneur and the founder of Omniscia AI, to discuss Spokane's startup scene.

More than $1.8 million in commercial renovations and build-outs is reshaping North Spokane's commercial corridors, including new locations for retailers Sephora and Spencer Gifts and restaurants Habit Burger & Grill and El Pollo Loco.

The use of mass timber is steadily growing as rising construction costs push building developers toward more cost-effective materials, according to some Spokane area manufacturers and contractors.

Seattle-based general contractor Sellen Construction Co. Inc. is expanding into Spokane County with a new office in the University District.

Alameda, California-based World Market LLC has opened its second Spokane-area store, bringing 60 jobs to a 17,000-square-foot retail space, at 15110 E. Indiana in Spokane Valley.

Two years after developing its Small Business Administration lending department, RiverBank Holding Co., the parent company of Spokane-based RiverBank, has become the county’s top SBA lender. The increase in SBA lending comes as the community bank establishes a director of fintech position, reinforcing its founding principles of relationship banking and technology.

Fueled by a 20% revenue increase and workforce expansion plans, Spokane-based Fulcrum Financial Group LLC is launching its next growth phase under new leadership following the retirement of founder Sarah Carlson.

Rising small business loan demand is bolstering some Inland Northwest banks in the third quarter, but persistent inflation, high interest rates, and trade tariffs are depressing agricultural and commercial borrowing.

Driven by booming demand for weight loss medications, medical spas across the Inland Northwest are rapidly expanding beyond traditional cosmetic procedures into full-service wellness and metabolic health centers. For many operators, offering these treatments supports clinic growth and provides a financial boost amid rising operational costs.

Spokane Falls Community College’s Orthotic and Prosthetic Technology program — one of only four certified training courses in the nation — has doubled its cohort size in three years to help address a nationwide technician shortage.

Seattle-based biotechnology company Orlance Inc. is expanding its vaccine research and development operations into Spokane County through a $250,000 grant from the Health Sciences and Services Authority of Spokane County, bringing new jobs and plans for clinical trials to the region.