Deputy Editor Mike McLean has worked his entire journalism career in the Inland Northwest. Mike, who also lives to reel in fish and crank up music, has worked for the Journal since 2006.
The recession and job losses have contributed to a steep rise in apartment vacancies here recently, ending an extended period of high occupancy rates, industry observers say.Other related factors contributing to the near doubling of the vacancy
Akron, Ohio-based Associated Materials LLC, a building-materials supplier doing business here as Alside Supply Center, has leased 19,800 square feet of industrial space at 3420 E. Desmet, in the Chimney Rock Industrial Park, and plans to move its
Cherry Creek Mortgage Co. has leased 4,000 square feet of office space on the ground floor of the Riverview Corporate Center, at 162201 E. Indiana, in Spokane Valley, and plans to move its Spokane-area branch office there this spring, says Marco at
Spokane Valley-based Horizon Credit Union reported a 64 percent drop in net income for 2009, but posted gains in deposits, loans, and total assets during the year.Horizon reported 2009 net income of just over $1.3 million, down from $3.6 million
Spokane-based Global Credit Union posted a net loss of $1.1 million for 2009, compared with a loss of $3.5 million in 2008. Though it pared its losses substantially, the credit union's loans, deposits, and assets all declined.The credit union's
With lending criteria and mortgage-insurance premium rules tighter now for conventional loans, home buyers increasingly are turning to federally-backed mortgages, for which rules are less strict, lenders here say.Meanwhile, declining property a
Accurate Molded Plastics Inc., of Coeur d'Alene, is erecting a 20,000-square-foot addition at its manufacturing plant there, says Scott Gabbert, the company's general manager.The company currently occupies about 35,000 square feet of floor space
John Ferrell and Joe Wing started "turning," or making components for, pens as a hobby. Now, as business partners, they're hoping to turn a profit.Ferrell and Wing opened JJ's Pen Place LLC this year in the Eagle Plaza, at 14415 E. Sprague, they
Ownership groups led by Spokane developers Dick Vandervert and Lowell McKee plan to start work soon on three major commercial projects in the Tri-Cities area with a total value of $34.3 million.The planned projects include a hotel and an office
A development company headed by the president of Spokane-based Scafco Corp. wants to develop a commercial and industrial park with up to 800,000 square feet of floor space and 800 parking spaces, at the former site of the Playfair horse racing in a