Virginia Thomas

Reporter Virginia Thomas has worked at the Journal since 2017 and covers the health care industry. As a reporter, she loves learning about Spokane's many growing industries. She enjoys traveling with her husband, snuggling with her cats, and cross stitching.

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ARTICLES

Tourism growth likely to remain steady

March Madness, recurring events to bring in $65M
December 19, 2019
Virginia Thomas
Tourism in Spokane has been riding a wave of growth, and industry experts here say they expect the trend to continue in 2020, albeit at a more measured pace. Matt Jensen, corporate director of sales and marketing for the Davenport Hotel Collection, says
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New year might not be as good for finance sector

Interest rates, trade issues described as contributing factors
December 19, 2019
Virginia Thomas
Financial experts here say that growth began to flatten in 2019, and they expect further slowing -- though not necessarily a recession -- in 2020. Tim Vorpahl, president and founder of Spokane-based Vorpahl Wing Securities Inc., says 2019 was a
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Stable demand, prices expected for wood products

Industry grappling with trade, production issues
December 19, 2019
Virginia Thomas
After a year of recovering from a late 2018 lumber price drop, pricing and demand are likely to remain fairly steady in 2020, some wood products industry observers say, despite some regional issues with supply. Joel White, executive officer of the
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Q&A with Vanessa Behan Crisis Nursery's Amy Knapton Vega

Vanessa Behan Crisis Nursery executive director
December 19, 2019
Virginia Thomas
Amy Knapton Vega has been executive director of the Vanessa Behan Crisis Nursery for about 13 years. The nonprofit organization, named for a Spokane two-year-old who died in 1982 due to injuries from child abuse, has been serving children at risk of abuse
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Spokane groups establish legislative priorities

Issues surrounding housing, health care to be focal points
December 19, 2019
Virginia Thomas
Issues and opportunities involving housing and health care top the list of priorities for Spokane-area municipalities and organizations as they prepare to make their cases at the 2020 Washington state legislative session. To bolster the housing market
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Greater Spokane Incorporated launches Point 09 campaign

GSI-led effort could bring in $11M per year for economic development
December 19, 2019
Virginia Thomas
If Greater Spokane Incorporated gets its way in the next legislative session, Spokane County would receive an additional $11 million a year in economic development funding moving forward. GSI, which acts as Spokane's joint chamber of commerce
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Ptera inks broadband contract with Cheney

City to exchange dark fiber access for service
December 5, 2019
Virginia Thomas
Cheney City Council has approved a contract with Liberty Lake-based telecommunications provider Ptera Inc. that will allow the city government to lease inactive fiber-optic lines to the company in exchange for broadband service.
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