Mike McLean

Sanctions against Venezuela hit Gold Reserve hard

Sanctions block company from its operations there

December 19, 2019

A cloud of uncertainty once again hangs over Gold Reserve Inc., a Canadian mining company with executive offices in Spokane. A quarterly earnings report the company released last month claims a recent escalation of international sanctions bars Gold

Momentum in Kootenai County expected to carry into 2020

Significant projects planned or underway help sustain economy

December 19, 2019

Mike McLean

Momentum from a decade of economic growth in Kootenai County is expected to carry over into 2020 with a mix of developments recently underway or planned for the coming year. The Coeur d'Alene City Council last month approved an urban renewal plan and

2020 Economic Outlook: Long economic roll could start to slow

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December 19, 2019

Mike McLean

Although the current decade of economic expansion still appears to have some momentum rolling into 2020, prognosticators here are expecting a slowdown in growth in major economic sectors. Spokane-area economists are projecting up to 1.5% growth in jobs

Remitly opens Spokane office

International money transfer company cites talent pool here

October 16, 2019

Mike McLean

Remitly, a Seattle-based international money transfer company that claims to serve nearly 2 million customers, has opened a Spokane office in the Bennett Block building, at 503 W. Main downtown. The company transfers more than $6 billion annually for c

2019 Rising Stars: Dan Wadkins

Young partner expands big law firm's services

September 12, 2019

Mike McLean

At age 35, attorney Dan Wadkins already has put in 10 years helping prominent Spokane-based law firm Lee & Hayes PLLC law firm broaden its corporate intellectual property services. 'I'm technically the first person they hired as part of this

2019 Rising Stars: Rosemary Warnick

Owner works with investors to 'make Spokane better'

September 12, 2019

Mike McLean

Rosemary Warnick, owner and president of Premier 1031 Inc., says she became a business owner almost by necessity, after her mentor died, leaving a void in service providers for Spokane-area commercial real estate transactions known as 1031 exchanges.

Itron tabs new CEO from within

Tom Deitrich selected to succeed Philip Mezey

July 22, 2019

Mike McLean

Itron Inc., the Liberty Lake-based provider of energy and water resource management products and services, has named Tom Deitrich as its new president and CEO, effective Aug. 6. Deitrich was selected by the company's board from within Itron's ranks

Spokane contractors want to boost job-filling programs

Construction industry anticipates shortage of workers to intensify

July 18, 2019

Mike McLean

The top executive for national construction trade group Associated General Contractors of America visited Spokane early this month not only to tout the strong construction market here, but to promote AGC's initiative calling for more training programs

Etailz names new CEO

Kunal Chopra will replace co-founder Josh Neblett

July 12, 2019

Mike McLean

Kunal Chopra has been named CEO of Spokane Valley-based online marketplace retailer etailz Inc. He will start in September, replacing Josh Neblett as the company's top executive, says Keri Rhodes, etailz marketing director. Neblett, who resigned from t

Avista CEO Scott Morris to retire

Vermillion named successor

May 13, 2019

Mike McLean

Scott Morris, CEO and chairman of the board of Avista Corp., will retire from the Spokane-based energy company effective March 1, 2020, the company announced this afternoon. Morris will continue to serve as the executive chairman of the board of direct