Inland Northwest Economic Developments, Summer 2014

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.

MOSES LAKE, Wash. – SGL Automotive Carbon Fibers plans to triple the capacity of its carbon fiber plant in Moses Lake, Wash. The expansion is funded by an investment of $200 million, in addition to the previously invested $100 million. The site expansion, scheduled to be completed by early 2015, will make the plant in Moses Lake the world’s largest carbon fiber plant. With the anticipated creation of 120 new jobs, the headcount at the joint venture in Moses Lake is going to rise from 80 to about 200 people. With the automated production processes, the expansion of the site in Moses Lake will make it possible for the BMW Group to apply carbon fiber material also in other model series in the future, at competitive costs and in large quantities. For more information, visit http://www.sglgroup.com or http://www.grantedc.com.

AstaReal Technologies, Inc. held a grand opening ceremony for its new production facility in Moses Lake, Wash. The new 59,000 sq. ft. factory will produce natural astaxanthin and is expected to begin production this summer, initially employing approximately 45 people. Moses Lake was chosen after a global search and is a perfect match for AstaReal Technologies’ new factory. Moses Lake offers a stable supply of pure water and renewable electrical energy, two resources that are critical to the success of the new facility. To learn more, go to http://www.astareal.com or http://www.grantedc.com.

SPOKANE VALLEY, Wash. – Providence Health Care recently opened Providence Medical Park-Spokane Valley, its new outpatient facility in Spokane Valley. The $44 million, 11-acre property houses two connected buildings: one for physician offices and another for diagnostic and treatment services. For more information, visit http://washington.providence.org.

Core-Mark International, Inc., one of the largest distributors and marketers of consumer goods in North America, has signed into a new 15-year lease with Crown West Realty for a 50,000-square-foot expansion to their distribution center in the Spokane Industrial Park. Vandervert Construction will be the contractor for the expansion, which is expected to be completed late this year and be a multi-million dollar project. Once complete the distribution center will total 150,000 square feet. To learn more, visit http://www.inlandnwbusiness.com or http://www.core-mark.com.

Kaiser Aluminum Corporation and Boeing announced they have formed a closed-loop scrap recycling program that is expected to involve approximately 22 million pounds of aluminum during the 2014-2015 production period. This program, the largest aluminum recycle program to date, captures aluminum alloy recyclables generated at multiple Boeing facilities during production of commercial aircraft. The scrap alloys will be re-melted and utilized in production of aerospace sheet and plate at Kaiser Aluminum’s Trentwood facility in Spokane, Washington. To learn more, go to http://www.kaiseraluminum.com.

LEWISTON, Idaho – The Clearwater Economic Development Association (CEDA) will receive $152,492 through the United States Department of Agriculture’s Rural Community Development Initiative program to launch a "train the trainer" program that will teach community representatives how to complete development projects from start to finish. As part of the three-year program, titled, "Putting All the Pieces Together for Success," CEDA will assist each participating community in completing one priority community project. In the first year of the program, CEDA will provide training for four communities. In the second and third year, CEDA will work with six and four communities, respectively.

A total of 14 rural communities in the region have signed up to participate in the program. For more about the USDA program and funding recipients, visit http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/STELPRD4024067.html or http://www.clearwater-eda.org.

In addition, CEDA secured $15,000 in funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Business Enterprise Grant to support a concept design plan for the development of the Greater Palouse Slaughter Facility, a small-scale, shared slaughter facility. CEDA wrote the grant application for this funding and will administer the grant on behalf of Greater Palouse Meat Producers. For more details, visit http://www.uidaho.edu.

The ammunition industry continues to expand in north central Idaho. Vector Bullets, a start-up in Lewiston, is producing 223-caliber bullets that are popular for target shooting because they are a less expensive round. The company employs two people and is hiring four more. Owner Dan Dorman expects to employ 12 by the end of the year. In addition, Seekins Precision, manufacturer of high quality modern design sporting rifles, celebrated the grand opening of its new factory near the Lewiston airport in May. The business began 10 years ago in a garage, and then moved to the Port of Lewiston’s business incubator four years later. The company and its 25 employees has now outgrown the incubator. Its new 25,000-square-foot building represents a $4 million investment into the community. For more information, visit http://labor.idaho.gov or http://www.lewis-clarkvalley.org.

CLARKSTON, Wash. – The Port of Clarkston, Wash. held an official ribbon cutting for its 130-acre business and industrial park, Turning Pointe Business Park. For more information, visit http://www.lewis-clarkvalley.org.

POTLATCH, Idaho – Gritman Medical Center broke ground on a new 2,400 square-foot clinic in Potlatch. The new building will have three exam rooms and one procedure room and will be easier to access than the current location. The upgraded facility will better accommodate both scheduled and walk-in appointments and offer better privacy. The building should be open for business in November. For more information, go to http://www.gritman.org.

MOSCOW, Idaho – The University of Idaho plans to start a $19.5 million renovation of the College of Education building in July. Built in 1968, the structure contains asbestos in the walls and ceilings, and it is expensive to maintain. It also does not accommodate today’s multifaceted methods of teaching and learning. After renovation, it will contain seminar rooms equipped with technology for distance learning and furniture designed to create collaborative spaces for students to work in groups. Until construction is finished in August 2016, the college’s 60 employees will work in five different locations on campus. For more information, visit http://labor.idaho.gov or http://www.uidaho.edu.

GRANT COUNTY, Wash. – The Grant County EDC is helping showcase the county as a prime location for aerospace development. Jonathan Smith, executive director for the Grant County EDC, Pat Jones, executive director of the Port of Moses Lake, and Richard Hanover, director of business development for the Port of Moses Lake, will join Governor Jay Inslee as he leads a state delegation to the Farnborough International Air Show in July. Farnborough and the Paris Air Show are widely considered the largest global aerospace industry events. The two events take place on alternate years. The Grant County EDC was represented at the Paris Air Show in 2013. Over 70 aircraft will be on display at the show and the more than 1,500 companies that build the component parts for the aircraft will be exhibiting. An estimated 110,000 participants are expected to attend the five-day show which provides opportunities for business development and growing the industry. To learn more about the visit, go to http://www.grantedc.com.

SPOKANE, Wash. – Avista Capital, Avista Corp.’s non-regulated subsidiary, has closed on its sale of Ecova, Inc., an energy and utility management company, to Cofely USA Inc., an indirect subsidiary of GDF SUEZ, a French multinational utility company. The sale price was $335 million in cash, less the payment of debt and other customary closing adjustments. For more details, go to http://avistacorp.mwnewsroom.com.

Spokane County won a $25,000 Culture of Health grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. Priority Spokane, a Program Partner with Greater Spokane Incorporated, accepted the prize. Priority Spokane has joined a number of local organizations in using education initiatives in improving public health. The grant recognizes Spokane County for its strategies to empower young people and expand educational opportunities. To learn more, visit http://www.priorityspokane.ewu.edu or http://www.greaterspokane.org.

About the Inland Northwest Economic Alliance (INEA)

The Inland Northwest Economic Alliance (INEA) is an alliance of 11 regional economic development agencies representing 15 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.