Prospects look generally positive for commodities produced in the Inland Northwest, although wheatan important crop herecould face some tough challenges in the coming year.Phil DiPofi, president and CEO of big Spokane-based ag lender
Retail spending volumes here haven't changed much in the last year, and Inland Northwest industry observers say that they anticipate activity slowly will continue improving through 2012 as effects of the recession linger."In the minds of the are
Inland Northwest tourism leaders accurately foresaw no increase in the number of visitor-attracting events here this year, but they predict that travel likely will pick up the pace again next year. They say, though, that 2012 activity isn't to &
Spokane-area bankers say 2012 is expected to usher in slightly better results for financial institutions after seeing some improvement in 2011, but they sprinkle any projections with caution based on the economy's lingering uncertainty.They cite
Health care, tourism, and manufacturing will continue to lead economic growth in Kootenai County, while the real estate market there likely will see tepid improvement at best in the coming year, some North Idaho observers say.Kootenai County's a
Tough economic times have tapped on the shoulder of the region's health care sector this year, an industry that in past recessions held steady. The destabilizing impact of the struggling economy is expected to carry into 2012.Industry leaders in
Riding high metal prices, mining companies expect another year of improved cash flows in 2012 that also will support the pursuit of new development.Industry leaders say that higher prices for silver, gold, and copper are expected to continue the
Inland Northwest technology companies say they will be adapting to changing markets in 2012 in efforts to boost salesor at a minimum, maintain market shares.Meantime, says Innovate Washington co-founder Kim Zentz, startup activity appears
A long-awaited construction rebound has been so slow to emerge that some in the industry are merely hopeful the market avoids another decline in the coming year.While some commercial contractors are working on substantial projects, most don't of
Residential and commercial real estate sectors could see some market recovery as buyers take advantage of fallen prices and low mortgage interest and continue to pare down the recession-related glut of properties for sale, industry sources here by