While local professional teams have been successful in recent months between the lines, the Inland Northwest teams also are successful in the box offices. Spokane is an average-sized market for the AF2, but it has topped the league in attendance the past three years. The team routinely sells out its games, drawing about 10,600 fans per game. Of those, about 8,000 are season-ticket holders.
Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories Inc., the Pullman, Wash.-based maker of power-protection systems and other technology for power generators, crested $300 million in sales last year, according to company spokeswoman Susan Fagan, up from about $245 million in total revenue in 2006.
For decades, women have been making strides in the tricky arena of office politics, but most would agree the rules are still set by top, predominantly male executives. So after all these years, is there still gender bias in the workplace—an old boys’ club, if you will—or is the only issue how well women play the corporate game?
With the growing awareness of environmental issues and their connection to health and well-being, more homeowners and builders are seeking to incorporate eco-friendly products and practices in to living and work spaces.
As of last fall, the average annual rental rate for recently leased Class A space downtown was $20.28 per square foot, comparable to what it has been for four years. Experts say, though, those rates are going up this year, and they expect them to continue to increase.
Condominium storage units, like the one Cameron purchased at GarageTown USA, are growing in popularity in the Inland Northwest and across the U.S., catering to those with more toys than space and businesses that need a little extra elbowroom.
At first glance Thomas Hammer resembles a poet or artist instead of the traditional MB A-credentialed CEO. But then again, he understands the artistic, image-driven concept of branding.
How does all of this election activity affect business? First of all, not everyone is convinced that it does have a discernable effect. Some business owners see no real connection between the political campaign and their day-to-day activities.
Meet as many people as you can and really get to know them. “Build your network by attending SSYP events, which draw friendly, outgoing people who are excited about the potential for new professional relationships,” says Recreation Chair Ryan Erlandson.
Once dependent on mining industry, Silver Valley makes transition to tourism destination. Not long ago, many residents in the sleepy-yet-hardworking town of Kellogg feared the worst for their community. A rugged mining town built above the surrounding mines’ rich silver, zinc, gold and lead deposits, the town hit bottom in the 1980s—and lost almost half its population—once the bigger mining shafts went dark.
With five major universities and several smaller colleges in the area, Spokane has no trouble attracting young adults. The difficulty comes in keeping them here once they graduate. According to a 2006 article in The Gonzaga Bulletin, Eastern Washington is home to nearly 60,000 college students. Unfortunately, for many of those students, the stay often is for college days alone. Demographics data suggested that, of the nearly 444,000 county residents, not even 8 percent are of this age bracket, the article reported.
Written by Cody George, co-owner of Vintage Hill Cellars
Cody George, co-owner of Vintage Hill Cellars (www.vintagehillcellars.com) and Georgetown Properties (a real estate investment, development and rental firm), went from basement vintner to commercial winemaker. A 20-Under-40 alum who has an undergraduate degree from Washington State University and an MBA from the University of Washington, George is a former economic development adviser for the City of Spokane.
Quality is both a battle cry and a boasting benchmark in corporate America, with organizations implementing processes to reduce waste, minimize defects, maximize resources and improve efficiency. The intent, of course, is to improve products and services with the ultimate goal of increasing profitability. Lean manufacturing and Six Sigma process improvement are arguably the two best-known systems for attaining this goal.
When the temperature hovers around triple digits, everything sizzles, including me. But I’m not complaining, especially when I’m sitting on my shady deck with some tasty cheese, fruit and a glass of wine. I might be hot, but I’m happy.
High-end home market slows at greater rate than market as a whole. Trying to sell a high-end home in the current market often isn’t a luxurious experience. Sales of second homes and luxury homes have slowed at a greater rate than the market as a whole during the past 12 months. While sales trends are expected to level off in the near future, some say the current sales pace will be in place for the foreseeable future.
Many people are returning to work—some because they want to, some because they have to. Unlimited leisure time. An end to office politics. Freedom to travel. What’s not to like about being retired? Regardless of the perks, for many, leaving the workplace is more difficult than they ever imagined. Garry Shea and Molly Harley, financial consultants for the D.A. Davidson & Co. office in Spokane, say it’s increasingly common to see retirees return to the work force in some manner. In the majority of cases, they return to full- or part-time employment for economic reasons. Others are bored and simply flunk retirement.
The Spokane County Parks Advisory Committee recommended for the Board of County Commissioners to acquire the raceway site. The County held a public hearing at the Fairgrounds where hundreds of citizens turned out to publicly voice their support for the acquisition. The County hired racing consultants to examine the viability of the facility and was advised by those consultants that a truly unique opportunity existed here.
