Latest News

WARN notice activity decreases

Three companies have furloughed fewer than 500 Spokane workers, latest notifications show

May 21, 2020

In the last month, the number of Spokane County employers filing layoff notices with the Washington state Employment Security Department have arrived at a slower pace than the month prior.

Medcurity plans to add staff, move

Seattle firm invests $200K in medical records tech firm

May 21, 2020

Kevin Blocker

Medcurity Inc., the Spokane-based medical records tech company, has secured $200,000 in funding from a West Side investment firm. WRF Capital, the investment arm for Seattle-based nonprofit Washington Research Foundation, made the investment last month,

McKinstry launches building optimization service

Company aims to improve systems for vacant, low-occupancy facilities

May 21, 2020

Virginia Thomas

Construction and energy-efficiency contractor McKinstry Co., which is based in Seattle and has a big presence in Spokane, has launched a new service meant to help building owners and managers optimize their facilities while occupancy is low due

Social capital drives fund for response to COVID-19

Over $2 million raised for community groups through month of April

May 21, 2020

Mason Burley

We were lost. Not dangerously lost, but definitely turned around and off-course. During the third day of a 50-mile backpack trip with my son's Scout troop, we broke camp and unknowingly started following a ridgeline that led away from our planned route.

SNAP, utilities partner to keep lights on

Requests for payment assistance surge in midst of COVID-19 pandemic

May 21, 2020

Virginia Thomas

Requests for assistance paying utility bills have essentially doubled in Spokane, according to Carol Weltz, director of community action at community service nonprofit Spokane Neighborhood Action Partners.

Next phase of expansion starts at Bella Tess apartment complex

Addition to bring total number of units to 600

May 21, 2020

Natasha Nellis

The city of Spokane Valley has issued permits for the $18.7 million third phase of the Bella Tess apartments. When complete, the project will add 156 living units in five, three-story buildings to the multifamily complex, building permit application

Sonderen Packaging sees pandemic sales boost

Coronavirus-related hoarding drives up demand at custom paperboard maker

May 21, 2020

Natasha Nellis

As more custom paperboard packaging manufacturers are bought out by large conglomerates, Spokane-based Sonderen Packaging Inc. intends to stick to its vision of remaining 'fiercely independent,â€ says principal and co-owner Keva Sonderen.

Q&A with Mountain Dog Sign's Marshon Kempf

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May 21, 2020

Virginia Thomas

Custom sign maker Mountain Dog Sign Co. isn't making many signs in the midst of a viral pandemic. The company has been manufacturing face shields and counter barriers-transparent partitions that separate customers from cashiers-to sell or donate to

Manufacturers grapple with aerospace slowdown

Long-term outlook remains positive as companies shift focus to other sectors

May 21, 2020

Virginia Thomas

Spokane-area manufacturers that serve the aerospace industry say they're staying aloft for now and feeling somewhat optimistic about the long term, even as new orders for aircraft and components have taken a nosedive.

Stimulus funds received, not targeted, some Spokane nonprofits say

Organizations focus on virtual fundraising, services

May 21, 2020

Natasha Nellis

Despite efforts nationwide to encourage people to donate their federal stimulus checks to nonprofits, Spokane-area organizations have largely avoided such campaigns.