THE SPOKANE REGION has made great strides, has worked hard to recover from the global pandemic, and is poised to excel in the years ahead. Built on the historic foundation laid by community leaders before us, we have the opportunity to build on this trajectory and create investment in our community that develops and aligns our workforce, grows jobs, builds business, and creates a thriving economy.
To continue to compete, and generate momentum, Greater Spokane Inc. is launching Believe Spokane, a five-year campaign to provide more opportunities to our community, laser-focused on growth, equity, and agility.
The goal of this five-year campaign is to increase economic vitality with a focus on economic development and talent attraction and retention. In this campaign, strategies were developed to:
• Solidify critical services to support small and underserved businesses
• Market our community with a focus on the life sciences, health care, advanced manufacturing, energy, and technology industries
• Increase leadership around local, state, and federal economic advocacy that drives business and regional competitiveness, sustainability, and prosperity
• Establish a fund to ensure the region can proactively react to unique growth opportunities
• Double down on the development of talent and sustainable career pathways
• Implement equity-minded tactics to focus on targeted populations to ensure none are left behind
Over the past year, GSI has served the community through convening broad based conversations of community stakeholders to develop a Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) called THRIVE Spokane to promote sustainable economic prosperity. The ideals of economic development and talent attraction and retention found in Believe Spokane are building blocks in support of that strategy for the next 15 to 20 years.
The campaign investment goal of $3,000,000 leans deeply into the region’s CEDS and is the first chapter of many, as we look into the future with optimism, inspired to be more than we currently are, and use each chapter as a building block for community growth and readiness.
None of us know what the Spokane region will need in five or ten years, however, what we do know with certainty is we can, and must, be ready. We are convinced there is no better time than now to focus on these critical areas of work to ensure our community continues to thrive.
That is why we and our businesses are investing in Believe Spokane, and we ask you to invest with us.
Together, we can make a difference.
JOIN US!
Alisha Benson CEO
Greater Spokane Inc.
1
Marcelo Morales Board Chair, Greater Spokane Inc. & Founder, A4Ventures
MEET THE
LEADERSHIP TEAM
Brooke Baker-Spink Baker Construction & Development, Inc
Stacey Cowles Cowles Company
Joel Gilbertson Co-Chair, Believe Spokane & Providence Health Care
Carla Cicero Co-Chair, Believe Spokane & Numerica Credit Union
Dennis Vermillion Avista
Michelle Hege DH
Dale Silha McKinstry Company
Dr. Christine Johnson Community Colleges of Spokane
Steve Hauschild BECU
Lisa Poplawski Lewis Greater Spokane Inc.
2
OUR HISTORY
In 1892, the Spokane Chamber of Commerce was incorporated. Spokane Regional Chamber merged with the Spokane Area Economic Development Council and formed Greater Spokane Inc. (GSI) in 2007. In our combined 130 years, GSI has provided the resources of time, leadership, and marketing expertise to strengthen the Spokane region’s ability to attract, retain, and grow jobs as well as attract needed capital investment.
In recent years, GSI has advocated for and directly impacted:
Regional Economic Development by receiving a $350,000 award for Carbon Quest to retain 12 full-time employees and create 200 additional jobs, was awarded $200,000 to fund THRIVE Spokane, the new CEDS plan, and collaborating with the life sciences community to develop the Evergreen BioScience Innovation Cluster as a statewide, Spokane based initiative.
Regional education attainment grew from 49.14% to 52.9% during the 2018-2021 time period. During that time, GSI launched the Greater Minds awareness campaign and was awarded the renewal of a three-year contract to operate as the Spokane STEM Network with statewide partner Washington STEM.
No organization is or was alone when facing the global and regional challenges of COVID-19. Through the Spread Kindness campaign, GSI and partners worked together to address the changing environments and rising demands for assistance and connectivity. GSI assisted in the distribution of $24 million in grants to 2,234 businesses and 1.7 million pieces of PPE to 5,575 businesses.
The Spokane Region’s Business Development Organization Greater Spokane Inc is a non-profit 501C6 with a 501C3 Foundation
3
THE PLAN
BY THE NUMBERS
At the end of five years, Believe Spokane is targeting to grow 5,000 primary jobs.
These jobs are expected to create an additional 4,400 secondary jobs.
The primary jobs are an average pay of $32.94 an hour.
The primary jobs are expected to create indirect average pay of $23.67 an hour.
This economic activity is expected to generate $559,208,850 in annual total earnings and $309,109,966 in annual area personal consumption expenditures and could result in $48,320,486 in annual deposits for area banks.
In order to ensure an upward trajectory for the Spokane region, with equity in economic opportunity, it is imperative that GSI drives efforts to increase economic advocacy and vitality by supporting and growing existing industries, supporting and sustaining small businesses and entrepreneurship, attracting new investments and jobs to the region.
Amidst the great resignation, talent has become the gold standard for community growth. Spokane is uniquely positioned in the region with a wealth of educational services, stable and growing employers, and unique resources such as Fairchild Air Force Base. Serving as a leader and convener among educators, employers, and other vital community partners, GSI guides the strategic alignment of community resources and expertise to address disparities in access to opportunities and to meet the demands of employers across the region.
GSI leads the Spokane community through the execution of the following initiatives:
TOTAL ECONOMIC IMPACT OF BELIEVE SPOKANE IS $934,151,360.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
TALENT ATTRACTION & RETENTION 1 2
4
BELIEVE SPOKANE INITIATIVE OUTCOMES
1
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Create 5,000 jobs and $1 billion in new capital investment through targeted business recruitment and expansion efforts in targeted sectors
Establish an Opportunity Fund to ensure the region can proactively react to unique growth opportunities
Increase revenues for 50 underrepresented businesses by 25% in year one and 50% in year two after utilizing the accelerator
Connect 100 underrepresented businesses with assistance and resources to promote the growth and expansion of existing companies and small businesses
Establish Spokane regional partnerships, bridging businesses with education sectors to provide a minimum of 300 internships for post-secondary students
Provide workforce and employee upskill training support for 100 underserved businesses in the Spokane region through external partnerships and/or grant funding
Provide 5,000 students in the Spokane region career pathway experiences prior to high school graduation in partnership with Career Connect Washington and the Spokane STEM Network
Establish additional Spokane regional business and education partnerships to develop 30% more career pathways and the progression of students through the pathways to postsecondary education and/or employment (i.e. Childcare/ Early Education, Aerospace, Health Care, Education, and Information Technology pathways)
TALENT ATTRACTION & RETENTION 2
5
BELIEVE SPOKANE STRATEGIES & TACTICS
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT 1
Promote the Greater Spokane region as a great place to expand your business through in-person and virtual tours/visitations, outreach, and marketing to strategic cities and trade shows by targeted industry sectors (Life Sciences, Advanced Manufacturing, Green Energy/Building, and Technology)
Establish an Opportunity Fund to invest in needed studies to further understand and explore where emerging projects would benefit the overall betterment of prosperity, and expansion of our region economically
Launch a small business accelerator & services program that fills in gaps in the ecosystem in order to advocate for and connect underrepresented small businesses and entrepreneurs (underrepresented includes BIPOC, women, veteran, LGBTQ+ and rural communities) with access to capital, training programs, workforce and talent solutions, supply chain navigation, executive to executive mentoring, micro-grants and community connections - driving growth and viability of their businesses
Lead community communication and collaborate with regional economists to fill forecasting gaps, which will provide relevant, timely, and consistent trend reports needed for regional and organization planning and decision-making
TALENT ATTRACTION & RETENTION 2
Deepen the partnerships with Spokane area BIPOC entities (i.e. the Inclusive Development Council) to increase diversity, equity, and inclusion to attract and retain talent
Collaborate with businesses and post-secondary institutions to increase access to and funding supports for professional training, certification, and degree completion for these populations
Develop and work with business and community partnerships to reduce employee costs for workforce and employee upskill training costs in underserved/supported businesses
Convene business, community, and higher education leaders to align curriculum to workforce needs to address future workforce demands
6
$300,000,000
$200,000,000
$100,000,000
$559,208,850 $0
$400,000,000 Direct Earnings Indirect Earnings Total Earnings
$342,600,000 $216,608,850
$500,000,000 Earnings Impact EARNINGS IMPACT EMPLOYMENT IMPACT
$600,000,000 BELIEVE SPOKANE RETURN ON INVESTMENT 7
9,4001,000 2,000 3,000 4,000 5,000 6,000 7,000 8,000 9,000 10,000
Direct Jobs Indirect Jobs Total Jobs Employment Impact
5,000 4,400
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE IMPACT
JOBS IMPACT
Number of new primary jobs
Primary wage rate paid (hourly)
Total direct payroll
Total payroll, once all jobs are in place
Total jobs
Calculated indirect jobs created
Calculated indirect wage rate paid (hourly)
CONSUMER SPENDING
Personal income
Disposable personal income
Net personal consumption expenditures
BANKING IMPACT
Deposit potential for area financial institutions
5,000 $32.94 $342,600,000 $559,208,850 9,400 4,400 $23.67 $391,446,195 $330,811,179 $309,109,966
$48,320,486
8
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE IMPACT HOW THE MONEY WILL LIKELY BE SPENT BASED ON EARNINGS LEVEL OF TARGET JOBS FOR BELIEVE SPOKANE
How the money will likely be spent based on earnings level of target jobs for Believe Spokane Economic Development Initiative Impact
Food
Dining out
Housing, shelter
Utilities, fuels, and public service
Housing, other
Apparel and services
Vehicle purchases
Transportation, other
Healthcare
Entertainment
$23,814,665
$19,820,828
$9,625,564
$22,016,548
$23,102,540 Personal insurance and pensions
$16,889,244 Other expenditures
$32,419,516
$26,692,840
$16,355,150
BELIEVE SPOKANE RETURN ON INVESTMENT 9
$20,000,000 $40,000,000 $60,000,000 Personal care products and services
$59,213,240 $0
$3,637,775
$24,028,033
$31,493,753
COMMUNITY
Together, we put the pieces in place to attract organizations, talent, and people with big dreams to create a vibrant community.
VOICE
Together, we have a greater voice for the future of our region.
TALENT
Together, we build, champion and retain a talented workforce.
GROWTH
Together, we support business expansion to create job growth for a thriving economy.
ENGAGEMENT Events Investment Communications Partnerships Programming
MISSION
We lead transformative business and community initiatives to build a robust regional economy.
VISION
A vibrant Spokane region where businesses and communities thrive.
VALUES
Collaboration
We are inclusive and welcome diverse perspectives that reflect the aspirations of our community.
Innovation
We are resourceful and creative and strive for intentional progress in all that we do.
Respect
We foster mutually respectful relationships between members, our partners and the community.
WHAT WE DO
As the Spokane area’s business development organization, GSI brings regional partners together to advocate for our community’s priorities with a strong, unified voice. Together, we have a greater voice for the future of our region.
GreaterSpokane.org
10
CREATING THE FUTURE TODAY
Thank you for investing in the Spokane region. To get involved, please contact Lisa Poplawski Lewis O: (509) 321-3619 | C: (509) 270-4478 | lplewis@greaterspokane.org
