WASHINGTON STATE

The majority of American scientists and engineers work for manufacturers and industrial companies account for more than two-thirds of business research and development spending.

Northeastern publicly declared its interest in Seattle last fall, and has continued to follow through on the idea by hiring prominent local attorney and civic leader Tayloe Washburn to be the CEO of its new Northeastern campus in Seattle.

Now that the firm is in fundraising mode, it will surely be talking up the winners in its recent portfolio, including Seattle-based Calistoga Pharmaceuticals, Oakland, CA-based Cerexa, San Diego-based Calixa Therapeutics, Carmel, IN-based Marcadia Biotech, Cambridge, MA-based Alnara Pharmaceuticals, and Boulder, CO-based Clovis Oncology.

"We can tell young people they can stay here and not move. We have companies that are doing cool stuff here," Noyes said.

Catching the criticism has been Greater Spokane Inc., Spokane’s chamber of commerce. In March the business advocacy group included a news release about the free website program in its newsletter, sent to about 4,900 area businesses.

About 50 would-be business owners are jumping into a whirlwind weekend designed to help them start a successful company.

The division will include the city’s building, planning and engineering services; capital programs; business and development services; and work force development departments.

"People here now think the freeway could be our salvation."