News
Inland Northwest Economic Developments, Summer 2009
Despite a down economy across the nation, the Inland Northwest region continues to see strong economic activity. The following are projects, initiatives and economic developments that are 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.
Lewiston, Idaho – Lewiston, Idaho is the number one town for outdoorsmen according to Outdoor Life Magazine. Ranked number one out of the 200 towns listed in 2009, Lewiston’s world-class fishing and hunting and access to the economy and industry of the Pacific Coast and Asia brought it to the top of the list. Also included on the list are Coeur d’Alene, Idaho (#53) and Spokane, Wash. (#183). Read the article at http://www.outdoorlife.com/articles/hunting/2009/05/top-200-towns-2009.
David Howell of Howell Machine has reached a tentative agreement with an out-of-state investment group to form three new companies that would enable expansion into ammunition component manufacturing and cartridge loading to support other regional and national manufacturers. The three companies, Twin River Contract Loading Inc., Lewis-Clark Ammunition Components Inc., and Clearwater Bullets Inc., could create nearly 100 jobs with a combined annual payroll of approximately $2.4 million plus benefits. The Idaho Department of Commerce is providing $200,000 for water improvements for the facility, which are expected to be complete by the end of the year. For more details, visit Valley Vision’s website at http://www.lewis-clarkvalley.com.
Spokane, Wash. – Cascade Aerospace officially opened its aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul facility at the Spokane International Airport in May. Cascade’s 20-year lease includes approximately 32,000 square feet of hangar floor, 20,000 square feet of office and shop space, and 6.5 acres of aircraft parking apron. Contracted by Greenpoint Technologies, Cascade is reconfiguring Boeing 737-700 Business Jet aircraft from factory-new to a custom-designed executive interior at the new facility. They are also currently conducting maintenance checks for Denver, CO-based, Lynx Airlines, on Bombardier Q400 aircraft. To date the Cascade Aerospace has hired 60 employees to work on these projects, which is ahead of their plan. The company expects to grow to approximately 100 to 120 employees by the end of this year.
The Spokane International Airport was awarded $4 million for the Consolidated Aircraft Painting/Maintenance Hangar Facility by Washington State’s Community Economic Revitalization Board (CERB). The terms of the award include a 20-year interest-free loan, with a deferral of principal payments for the first 48 months. The 48,250-square-foot hangar will support the expansion of Cascade Aerospace and the addition of Associated Painters, an aircraft refinishing business. The award is a project catalyst and it will bring 266 aerospace jobs to the region. For more information about the Spokane International Airport, visit http://www.spokaneairports.net/press_menu.htm.
SiteCrafting, a Tacoma, Washington company, has selected Spokane for corporate expansion. An award-winning website design and application development company, SiteCrafting will relocate two employees from its Tacoma division to launch the new operation. The company plans to open its new office in July with a team of five and expects to have as many as ten employees by the end of the first year. Company founder, Gonzaga University graduate Brian Forth, selected Spokane because of the quality talent pool in Spokane’s colleges and universities. Visit http://www.greaterspokane.org. for more information.
Construction projects total $1.7 billion in the Spokane area. Projects on the list released by the Greater Spokane Incorporated will either start, be in process, or be completed this year. They are projected to have an estimated $3.4 billion economic impact on the region. For more information about news in Spokane, visit the GSI website at http://www.greaterspokane.org.
Post Falls, Idaho – Burly Products plans to relocate to the Riverbend Commerce Park in Post Falls. The metal fabrication firm, which builds aluminum boats, architectural railing, marathon racing boat hulls, truck bodies and performs general jobs for the public, recently broke ground on a new $1.5 million, 20,000-square-foot concrete block facility. The company currently employs 16, but hopes to grow after its expansion in Post Falls. For more information, visit http://commerce.idaho.gov/news.
Hayden, Idaho – BioLife Plasma Services, a part of Baxter Healthcare Corporation, recently broke ground for their new 15,000-square-foot facility in Hayden. Construction on the plasma collection center is expected to be complete by next summer. More details are available in the Journal of Business at http://www.spokanejournal.com/article.php?id=4841.
Bonners Ferry, Idaho – Despite a down housing market, business continues to be strong for timber-related companies. Pro X Building Supplies of Bonners Ferry recently purchased Northern Lumber Supply and relocated to their high-traffic location on Hwy 95. Pro X Building Supplies has completely re-merchandised the center and turned it into a full service lumber yard and hardware depot. For more information, visit http://www.proxsupply.com .
Bonners Ferry startup company, SCD Pergolas, also continues to grow. The manufacturing of custom Pergolas expects to sell 100 units by year end. Over 80% of the units sold have been to customers outside Idaho through the company’s website. To learn more, visit http://www.scdcustompergolas.com .
Cataldo, Idaho – The Old Mission State Park officially opened its new visitor center on June 17, according to the Shoshone News Press. The 9,000-square-foot $3 million facility was built to look like a tribal long house. The center offers visitors a place to watch the park video, pay the day fee, and use restroom facilities. Approximately 5,000 square feet of the center will be dedicated to a museum, which is still under developed. Read the article at http://www.shoshonenewspress.com/articles/2009/06/19/breaking_news/doc4a3bd72127a95736078159.txt
Wallace, Idaho – U.S. Silver Corporation announced that during the first quarter of 2009 the Galena mine continued the improved production it demonstrated in December 2008. Silver production for the first quarter was 634,791 ounces and exceeded 200,000 ounces in each of the first three months of 2009. Lead production was 1,057,600 lbs. and copper production in the quarter was 301,120 lbs. This represents a 20 percent increase in ounces of silver and a 17 percent increase in tons from the previous technical report on the Galena Mine dated June 1, 2008. For more information, visit http://www.us-silver.com/s/NewsReleases.asp.
Osburn, ID – The Two Mile Project, an extensive joint venture of Azteca Gold Corp. and Royal Apex Ventures Inc., recently announced the discovery of massive sulfide beds containing silver, zinc, lead, and smaller quantities of gold, copper, indium, gallium and germanium. The beds, with their depth, thickness and stratification, are very different from the vein-type mineralization so common in other mines of the Silver Valley. The hole dug by the project is one of the deepest holes on the continent, reaching over two miles below the earth’s surface. Azteca and Royal Apex plan to keep drilling and analyzing the minerals at Two Mile. Learn more at http://thesilversummit.com.
About the Inland Northwest Economic Alliance (INEA)
The Inland Northwest Economic Alliance (INEA) is an alliance of 10 regional economic development agencies representing 14 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://
http://www.inlandnorthwestregion.com.
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Alison Mallahan
Account Executive
Hill & Knowlton
Direct Line: 509-321-1184
Mobile/Cell: (509) 951-2032
Fax: (509) 744-3355
421 W Riverside Suite 450, Spokane, WA, 99201-0410 UNITED STATES
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