Despite rising labor and material costs, the Spokane-area construction sector likely will see another healthy year, say industry professionals here.

This year has turned out better than expected in terms of the number of groups and conventions, and 2019 is shaping up to be an even bigger year for Spokane tourism, says TJ Hake, interim president and CEO at Visit Spokane.

The commercial real estate sector will see a strong year in 2019 due in part to companies from other areas leasing space in Spokane, some industry professionals here say. Jon Jeffreys, broker at NAI Black, says he saw some office space absorbed this year

It's unusual-arguably unprecedented-to go into a new year knowing one employer plans to hire 1,500 people in the Spokane area. A pair of Spokane economists, however, are projecting job growth in 2019 similar to what has occurred this year

Predevelopment plans on file with the city of Spokane show a new $900,000 early childhood education facility is planned just south of Interstate 90, near Liberty Park.

Eastern Washington University recently selected ALSC Architects PS, of Spokane, to handle the predesign services for a potential remodel of Roos Field.