Inland Power & Light Co., the Spokane-based electric cooperative, has bought 17 acres of land on the West Plains adjoining the 5 1/2-acre site where its main warehouse and maintenance facility is located.


CEO Kris Mikkelsen says the cooperative plans to expand that 14,000-square-foot facility, which is located at 10110 W. Hallett Road, on the south side of Interstate 90 near the Medical Lake interchange.


Mikkelsen says she doesnt know yet how large that expansion might be or how much it might cost because Inland Power is just beginning a six- to nine-month design phase for the project.


We have a warehouse facility that was built in the early 1970s, when we had just about half the members we have today, she says. We run crews all over the county out of that location. The facility today just is not adequate to handle the growth that weve had. Were just looking ahead at the long term for the utility.


Inland Power paid a little over $1.3 million, or roughly $1.80 a square foot, for the additional West Plains land, which is located between Hallett Road and I-90, she says. Its got great access on and off the freeway, she adds.


Inland Power hopes to begin the expansion there next year. It has a number of smaller warehouses within its mostly rural 13-county service area, including north of Spokane and in Davenport and Colfax, but does all of its vehicle and equipment maintenance at the West Plains facility.


The 36,000-member co-op added a record 1,200 new customers last year, which was double its annual growth of a few years ago, and had record revenue of $39.4 million, up from $38.4 million in 2004. It employs about 100 people.


Dick Edwards, of Hawkins Edwards Inc., handled Inland Powers purchase of the West Plains land.


Contact Kim Crompton at (509) 344-1263 or via e-mail at kimc@spokanejournal.com.