News

Inland Northwest Economic Developments, Winter 2016

The following are projects, initiatives and economic developments making news in eastern Washington and northern Idaho. This email is distributed by the Inland Northwest Economic Alliance (INEA) on behalf of its regional partners.

QUINCY, Wash. Yahoo announced that it will expand its data center in Quincy, adding about 300,000 square feet of space, effectively doubling its size. The company chose to expand in Quincy as "a direct result of the unbeatable mix Quincy offers: impressive local talent, abundant renewable energy sources and Washington State’s commitment to creating an attractive business location," according to a company spokesperson. To learn more, visit http://www.grantedc.com.

COEUR D?ALENE, Idaho – Coeur d’Alene was listed among the Metro High Growth Leaders in a report by research firm SYNEVA Economics. Metro High Growth Leaders are currently experiencing six or more consecutive months of employment growth with annual growth rates in the top 25 percent of all metros, as measured by the year-over-year change in employment for the same month. Coeur d’Alene has experienced a six-month average job growth of 4.4 percent. To learn more, read the SYNEVA press release http://syneva.com/.

The City of Coeur d’Alene has been named the Google 2015 eCity for the State of Idaho. Google’s eCity Awards recognize the strongest online business community in each state. These cities? businesses are using the web to find new customers, connect with existing customers and fuel their local economies. More information about Google eCities can be found at http://www.google.com/economicimpact/ecities.

WHITMAN COUNTY, Wash. – Whitman County is the top wheat producing county in the nation, according to Wheat Life, the official publication of the Washington Association of Wheat Growers. In 2015, the county produced nearly 30.5 million bushels, according to the National Agricultural Statistics Service. For more information, read the Spokesman-Review article or visit http://www.seweda.org.

MOSCOW, Idaho – Economic Modeling Specialists Inc. (EMSI), an independent and respected economic analysis firm located in Idaho, recently released a study showing that the University of Idaho provided a cumulative impact of more than $1 billion in the Fiscal Year 2013-14. The University creates economic value in a variety of ways. It improves higher education delivery throughout the state and helps students increase their employability and potential. The university facilitates new research and company developments and also draws visitors to
the state, generating new dollars and opportunities for Idaho. For more information on the study, go to http://www.uidaho.edu/president/news/economic_impact.

SPOKANE VALLEY, Wash. – Servatron Inc., an electronic manufacturing services provider, has entered the aerospace industry by signing a three-year contract with AvtechTyee, an Everett, Wash.-based manufacturer of electronic systems for the aerospace industry, to test and assemble that company?s electronic circuitry boards. Tom Vieri, Servatron?s vice president of sales, says the contract will require hiring more employees and the addition of more shifts effective immediately and most likely continuing through 2016. Read the Journal of Business article or go to http://www.servatron.com to learn more.

HAYDEN, Idaho – The Odom Corp., Bellevue-based wholesale beverage distributor, is erecting a 92,000-square-foot distribution center and warehouse in Hayden, where it plans to move its North Idaho operations, according to a Journal of Business article. The building permit application on file with the city of Hayden lists the construction value at $9.2 million. For more information about Odom Corp., go to http://www.odomcorp.com.

COLFAX, Wash. – Colfax was recently accepted into Washington’s Main Street Program. The Washington State Main Street Program helps communities revitalize the economy, appearance and image of their downtown commercial districts. To learn more about the program, visit http://www.dahp.wa.gov/programs/mainstreet-program.

The Port of Wilma received $1 million in WSDOT Freight Rail Assistance Funds (FRAP) for the Port of Wilma Rail Rehabilitation Project. The project will consist of rehabilitation of the existing lead by replacing the existing wooden tie and asphalt crossings with concrete crossings, installing cross bucks at all railroad crossings, replacing approximately 1,200 railroad ties and 600 tons of railroad ballast. For more information on the Port of Wilma, visit http://www.portwhitman.com/doingbusiness/portwilma.

POST FALLS, Idaho – Tedder Industries, a North Idaho company that makes gun holsters, has purchased the outlet mall in Post Falls, according to an article in the Spokesman-Review. Tedder Industries is known for its Alien Gear line of concealed carry holsters. The fast-growing company was founded in 2010, and employs about 300 people. The company will use about half of the space in the outlet mall. Thomas Tedder, the company?s founder, said he’ll be looking for tenants to lease the remaining area. For more information about Tedder Indutries, visit http://tedderindustries.com.

The University of Idaho Cybersecurity Training and Operations Center recently opened at the university?s Post Falls research park. The cybersecurity professional development and technical education training program includes a cybersecurity certification exam preparation boot camp and classroom seminars, on the job training and Security Operations Center laboratory. For more information, visit http://www.uidaho.edu/cda/uirp/ctoc.

LEWISTON, Idaho – The Port of Lewiston?s Business and Technology Park will soon have a new tenant. The port is finalizing negotiations with the developer of Advanced Health Care’s in-patient physical therapy center for the sale of 2 acres in the business park. The planned facility will be approximately 20,000 square feet with 30 beds and employ 35 people. Employees will provide intensive rehabilitation for patients recovering from knee, hip and shoulder replacements. This operation is part of a chain that has locations in Denver, Colo.; Meridian, Idaho; and Albuquerque, N.M.

The Southgate Plaza shopping center in Lewiston was purchased by a developer who is breathing new life into the commercial property. Major renovation activities are underway at the 10-acre site, including paving, new roofs and facades and demolishing a previous restaurant building. A new national chain restaurant will be constructed, and improvements are underway for a variety of new retail tenants.

For more information about news in the Lewis-Clark Valley, contact Valley Vision at (208) 799-9083.

SPOKANE, Wash. – The developers for the Vinegar Flats Public Market, a proposed seven-story, $12 million mixed-use building in Spokane, intend to break ground this year, according to an article in the Journal of Business. The building’s main level would have 11,800 square feet of commercial space. Plans call for a total of 52 living units on the second through seventh floors, and 21 one-bedroom units would be designated as housing for international exchange students.

About the Inland Northwest Economic Alliance (INEA)
The Inland Northwest Economic Alliance (INEA) is an alliance of 13 regional economic development agencies representing 16 counties in Northern Idaho and Eastern Washington. The collaborative effort is aimed at building economic growth through enhancing the brand recognition of the Inland Northwest and its communities and showcasing its business value. To learn more, visit http://www.inlandnorthwestregion.com.

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