2022 GSI Annual Report by greaterspokaneinc

ANNUAL REPORT 2022

LETTER TO OUR PARTNERS

At Greater Spokane Inc. (GSI), we create the place where organizations come together to advocate for the region, drive strategic economic growth, and champion a talented workforce. Thank you for your partnership and trust as we worked through yet another busy year. 2022 was full of connections, in-person and virtual meetings, and what I assume to be millions of emails exchanged for the good and growth of the economy.

Throughout this report, you will see words such as: secured, gathered, activated, obtained, and partnered. GSI and partners continued to make an impact on the region and launched new initiatives designed with a thriving economy in mind. With this publication, we take an intentional pause to share noteworthy accomplishments led by GSI and shared with many of you. Here are some of the highlights:

• Received a $500,000 Innovation Cluster Accelerator Program (ICAP) Grant from WA Department of Commerce to create Evergreen Bioscience Innovation, a modern innovation cluster that will grow and attract companies providing life and health science contract research, development, and manufacturing services in the Mountain Northwest region.

• Convened a delegation of 43 community leaders for meetings with federal policymakers back in Washington D.C. where we advocated for issues including military housing, medical residencies, infrastructure spending, and higher education on behalf of the Spokane region.

• Merged Spokane STEM and the Career Connect WA East Network to create Career Connect Northeast (CCNE) to more cohesively provide career-connected learning and STEM experiences for our students and our region through cross-sector partnerships.

• Implemented THRIVE Spokane, the Spokane region’s comprehensive economic development strategy in collaboration with more than 90 individuals representing 65 organizations around the region.

• Launched Believe Spokane, a five-year community campaign to increase economic vitality with a focus on economic development and talent attraction and retention that provides more opportunities to our community, laser-focused on growth, equity, and agility.

GSI staff, Board of Trustees, member partners, committee members, and community leaders worked together in navigating 2022 to reach these accomplishments. The Believe Spokane initiatives were curated to continue to build a vibrant Spokane region where businesses and communities thrive for 2023 and beyond. We’re excited for the journey ahead and are thankful we have you walking alongside us. Together, we are creating the future today. TOGETHER WE’RE GREATER.

Alisha Benson CEO Greater Spokane Inc.

2022 GREATER GROWTH

Together, we support business expansion to create job growth for a thriving economy.

GROWING OUR OWN

PTAC Provided 1,064 counseling sessions with 179 businesses to provide education about government contracting opportunities. 1,556 government contracts worth $43 million were awarded to 101 businesses.

Received a $500,000 Innovation Cluster Accelerator Program (ICAP) Grant from WA Department of Commerce to create Evergreen Bioscience Innovation, a modern innovation cluster that will grow and attract companies providing life and health science contract research, development, and manufacturing services in the Mountain Northwest region.

Secured $150,000 for a Spokane County Life Science Asset and Landscape study to be conducted in 2023 to provide recommendations for a strategic plan, asset map, and timeline to retain and attract companies from within the industry, in addition to determining the feasibility, square footage demand, and market desirability of wet lab space.

Gathered community input and implemented THRIVE Spokane, the Spokane region’s fiveyear comprehensive economic development strategy in collaboration with more than 90 individuals representing 65 organizations around the region.

Completed three business recruitment sales missions and outbound marketing campaign targeting life sciences and advanced manufacturing companies in LA, Seattle, and Portland for business expansion. The campaign resulted in 2,000 business contacts, 35 leads, and 30 in-person meetings about expansion possibilities for the Spokane region.

Delivered 17 business recruitment proposals to partner WA State Department of Commerce, pitching the Spokane region as an opportunity to expand their business.

Cultivated the Spokane AgShow with more than 3,000 attendees, 200 exhibitors, 43 professional seminars, and 800 Future Farmers of America (FFA) students participating at this three-day event at the Spokane Convention Center.

AT A GLANCE

How we fostered entrepreneurial and existing business growth.

58 Local businesses supported through StartUp Spokane 2,000 Businesses contacted

179 Businesses assisted through PTAC 30 In-person meetings

$500,000 ICAP grant received

How we shared the Advantages of Spokane.

6,634 Newsletters opened

116 Businesses assisted to identify risk or growth opportunity

24,635 Visitors to AdvantageSpokane.com

ADVOCATING FOR OUR REGION

Convened a delegation of 43 community leaders for meetings with federal policymakers back in Washington D.C. where we advocated for issues including military housing, medical residencies, infrastructure spending, and higher education on behalf of the Spokane region.

Led business interests as a member of the statewide coalition “House Washington” to secure Washington State’s largest investment in supportive housing, mental health services, and right-ofway clearing resources.

Activated a Phone2Action mobilization tool available for businesses and community leaders to contact elected officials to advocate on behalf of their businesses and our region. Advocates from Team Spokane sent 235 emails to elected officials on local and state issues ranging from price caps to state budget provisions.

Engaged with local stakeholders to advance a working group on Organized Retail Crime, engaging state and federal efforts to address the multi-million-dollar issue with retailers and law enforcement across the region.

Advocated to successfully amend the City of Spokane’s price control legislation and keep third-party delivery services as an option for restaurants, retailers, and consumers in Spokane.

Advocated for more than $202M in regional transportation funding priorities through Move Forward Washington, advancing projects including the Division Bus Rapid Transit line, Palouse River and Coulee City Short-Line Rail Rehabilitation, and Spokane International Airport Transload Facility.

AT A GLANCE

How we advocated for you in the last legislative session.

HB 1359 Reducing liquor license fees PASSED HB 1732 & HB 12733 Long Term Care Tax delay and exemptions expansion PASSED 2 Year Acceleration of the North Spokane Corridor project 2022 GREATER VOICE

PASSED SB 5755

tax incentives to convert surface parking

PASSED

into housing

BLOCKED

1099 Requiring

resiliency

Motion

tax incentive

SB 5901 instituting a smallbusiness manufacturing tax incentive for manufacturing jobs in Spokane County from

BLOCKED HB 1837 Ergonomics rulemaking BLOCKED HB 1868 Healthcare staffing mandates

businesses to meet salmon

requirements PASSED HB 1914

picture

increase

$3.5 M to $15 M

PASSED

Together, we support business expansion to create job growth for a thriving economy.

Together, we build, champion, and retain a talented workforce.

DEVELOPING OUR TALENT

Drive towards a 60% education attainment rate to create a skilled workforce that supports a thriving economy and a successful business community. Spokane County’s education attainment has grown from 40% in 2015 to 52.9% in 2022.

Merged Spokane STEM and the Career Connect WA East Network to create Career Connect Northeast (CCNE) to more cohesively provide career-connected learning and STEM experiences for our region through crosssector partnerships. Over 50 regional events were offered and 8 CCNE Program Builders received $500,000+ in grants.

Launched a campaign in collaboration with KSPS and NEWESD 101 to support Career Connect NW’s efforts to develop over 100 videos that raise awareness of needed career pathway opportunities and STEM skills for youth and working adults in underserved and rural communities.

Partnered with Riverside High School FFA and Slingshot for “Interviewing for Success.” This event brought 49 high school students and 35 businesses together to practice interviewing skills, resume writing, and career exploration.

Obtained a National Governors Association grant in partnership with WA Student Achievement Council, the WA Governor’s office, the WA Workforce and Training Board, and Washington State University to design and implement a Learning and Employment Record system for our region to be implemented statewide.

Convened GSI Education and Talent Alliance which brings together 30 leaders spanning early learning, K-12, higher education, and local businesses to strengthen the entire education attainment pipeline to build, champion, and retain a talented workforce.

AT A GLANCE

How we cultivated a workforce for the future.

1 of 9 Regional Career Connect WA networks

1 of 10 Regional WA STEM networks

130 Students and educators attended 7 Business AfterSchool Workshops

1,600 Students attended career fairs in partnership with the Air Force National Guard, Greater Spokane Valley Chamber of Commerce, and Hub Sports Center

2022 GREATER TALENT

GREATER ENGAGEMENT

Investment, Communications, Partnerships, Events, Programming

In addition to the work we do with you to create a thriving economy, there are a number of benefits to engage, connect, and boost your business success.

• Engage with elected officials and advocate for policies that support a healthy business climate

• Attend discounted events, network with peers, and stay informed

• Create visibility for your business through event sponsorships

• Post jobs and promote your events on our website

• Promote your business online, schedule a ribbon cutting, or join a committee

• Connect with us on social media or opt-in to our newsletter

• Meet with our team to discuss business incentives, programs, and challenges

• Expand your revenue and get access to government contracting opportunities

2022 AT A GLANCE

How we convened, communicated, and connected on behalf of the Spokane region.

2,845 Attendees convened at 17 signature and leadership events

2023 EVENTS

OLYMPIA FLY-IN

JAN 25-27

SPOKANE AGSHOW

FEB 7-9

STATE OF THE CITY

FEB 23

676,114,588 Reached via social channels

219,550 Impressions through local and national media

23,326 Visits to GreaterSpokane.org

PARTY ON THE PATIO

AUG 3

STATE OF THE COUNTY

SEP 14

MEET THE BIGS

NOV 2

ANNUAL CELEBRATION & BELIEVE SPOKANE KICK OFF

MAR 8

DC FLY-IN

APR 24-28

PARTY ON THE PATIO

JUN 20

GOLF TOURNAMENT

JUL 18

ECONOMIC FORECAST

NOV 8

LEGISLATIVE FORUM

DEC 6

PEER NETWORKING EVENTS

MONTHLY (EXCEPT JUN-AUG/DEC)

Current Event Info

GreaterSpokane.org/Events

Event Sponsorship

lplewis@greaterspokane.org

2023 BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Jay Allert

Brooke Baker-Spink

Bill Bouten

Jasen Bronec

Nadine Burgess

David Condon

Stephanie Curran

Dan Demchuk

Daryll DeWald

Col. Chesley Dycus*

Ezra Eckhardt

Kyle England

Matthew Ewers

Roger Flint

Chris Grover*

Pam Haley*

Rustin Hall

Phil Haugen

Steve Hauschild

Michelle Hege

Gordon Hester

Julie Honekamp

Alex Jackson

Christine Johnson

Jeff Johnson

Cris Kaminskas*

Otto Klein

Mary Kuney

Trent Maier*

Eva Marquette

Shari McMahan

Thayne McCulloh

Chris McFaul

Shelly O’Quinn

Chris Patrick

Kevin Person

Jeff Philipps

Paul Read

Kara Rowe

Keith Schmidt

Dale Silha

Nicole Sohn

Keva Sonderen

Susan Stacey

Gary Stokes

Adam Swinyard

Don Ting

Linda Underwood

Steve Utt

Jim van Loben Sels

Christine Varela*

Francisco Velázquez

Dennis Vermillion

Nadine Woodward*

Allert Cattle Ranch

Baker Construction & Development, Inc.

Bouten Construction

Inland Power

Spokane Gymnastics

Premera Blue Cross

Spokane Public Facilities District / Forward Fairchild

Moss Adams LLP

WSU Health Sciences Spokane

Fairchild AFB, 92d Air Refueling Wing

STCU

Kaiser Aluminum

IEDS Logistics

Parametrix, Inc.

City of Cheney

City of Spokane Valley

ALSC Architects, PS

Kalispell Tribes

BECU

Kiemle & Hagood Company

SNAP/Woman’s Business Center

MultiCare Inland NW

Retired, Community Colleges of Spokane

NAI Black

City of Liberty Lake

Spokane Indians Baseball - Longball, Inc.

Spokane County

Greater Spokane Valley Chamber of Commerce / Trailbreaker Cider

FreshVue

Eastern Washington University

Gonzaga University

Horizon Hospice

Innovia Foundation

Inland Imaging

Wagstaff, Inc.

Retired, Rosauers Supermarkets, Inc.

Journal of Business

KR Creative Strategies

Eide Bailly

McKinstry Company

Journey Discovery Center, Inc.

Sonderen Packaging Co., Inc.

Providence Inland NW

KSPS-TV

Spokane Public Schools

Pyrotek Inc.

Banner Bank

Washington Trust Bank

Mt. Spokane Ski & Snowboard Park

DH / Public Policy Council Chair

Spokane Regional Health District

Avista

City of Spokane

CHAIR | Carla Cicero Numerica Credit Union CHAIR-ELECT | Stacey Cowles Cowles Company GENERAL COUNSEL | William Symmes Hawley Troxell

TREASURER | Charlotte Nemec Canopy Credit Union

Ex Officio (Nonvoting Member of the Board of Trustees)

IMMEDIATE PAST-CHAIR | Marcelo Morales A4Ventures

LEADERSHIP CIRCLE

REGIONAL VISIONARIES

COMMUNITY LEADERS

CHAIRMAN’S CIRCLE

AgWest Farm Credit Banner Bank

Bouten Construction

Central Pre-Mix Concrete Co. a CRH Company

Chase Bank

Community Colleges of Spokane

Eastern Washington University

Gesa Credit Union

Gonzaga University

Inland Northwest Behavioral Health

Inland Power

Kaiser Aluminum

Lukins & Annis PS

Lydig Construction, Inc.

Pearson Packaging Systems

Premera Blue Cross

Rosauers Supermarkets, Inc.

Washington State University Health Sciences

Wells Fargo Bank

Whitworth University

Spokane

AS OF FEBRUARY 2023

MEMBER PARTNERS

116 & West

141st Air Refueling Wing

360 Clarity

7 Wonders Nails Hair Spa

940 North

A Catered Affair

A.M. Landshaper, Inc.

A.W. Rehn & Associates, Inc.

A4Ventures

ABC Mini Storage

Ability Employment Services

ABM

Absco Solutions

Accra-Fab, Inc.

Acme Concrete Paving

Acme Machine Works

ACRAnet, Inc.

ActionCOACH Business Coaching

Adams & Clark, Inc.

Adept Construction LLC

ADM Milling Co.

Aero-Flite Inc.

Aerospace Joint Apprenticeship Committee

Aging & Long Term Care of Eastern Washington

A-L Compressed Gases

Alaska Air

Alaska USA Federal Credit Union

Allert Cattle Ranch

Alliant Insurance Services

Allied Envelope Co.

Allwest Testing & Engineering

ALSC Architects, PS

Altek, Inc.

Alzheimer’s Association - Washington State Chapter

American Family Insurance

American Medical Response

American Red Cross Inland Northwest Chapter

Amerigroup

AmpliFI Advertising

Angus Brands, Angus Meats, Inc. Bold Eats

Anthony’s Restaurant

Apex Cannabis

Appiture Biotechnologies, Inc.

Applied Sciences Laboratory, Institute for Shock Physics

Arbor Crest Wine Cellars

Arby’s

Arc of Spokane

Archbright

Architects West

Ashley House NW

Associated Industries

Asuris Northwest Health

AT&T

Avidex Audio Video

Baker Commodities, Spokane Division

Baker Construction & Development, Inc.

Baldwin Sign Co.

Bank of America

Bank of Idaho

Banner Furnace & Fuel, Inc.

Barrister Winery

Beacon Hill Events

Becker Buick - GMC Truck, Inc.

Believe In Me Foundation

Bell-Anderson Insurance

Bernardo Wills

Berry Built & Design, Inc.

Best Western Plus - City Center

Better Health Together

Big Sky Public Relations

Blink Eyecare, PLLC

BLRB Architects

Boeing Co

Brett Sports

Brews Bros Coffee Bars

Broadway Truck Stops

Budinger & Associates

BumbleBar, Inc.

Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad

C & H Foreign Auto Repair

Cancer Care Northwest

Canopy Credit Union

Car Emporium of Spokane

Career Path Services

Cathay Inn

Cathect Creative LLC, Centennial Real Estate Investments

CenterPlace Regional Event Center

Central Valley School District 356

CFW Advisory Services

Charlie’s Produce Spokane

Cheney School District #360

Children’s Home Society

Chimney Rock Mortgage

Chirp Bookkeeping LLC

Christ Kitchen

CINTAS

City of Airway Heights

City of Cheney

City of Deer Park

City of Liberty Lake

City of Medical Lake

City of Millwood

City of Newport

City of Spokane

City of Spokane Valley

CliftonLarsonAllen LLP

Clouse Insurance Agency

Coca Cola of Spokane

Coffman Engineers, Inc.

Coldwell Banker Tomlinson Spokane

College Success Foundation

Collins Aerospace

Colormatics

Columbia Bank

Columbia Basin Development League

Columbia Electric Supply

Comcast

Commercial Creamery Co.

Commercial Tire Inc.

Communities In Schools

Community Health Association of Spokane

Community-Minded Enterprises

Compass Career Solutions

Construction Industry Training Council of WA

Corner Booth Media

Courtyard by Marriott

Craft3

Crescent Building

Crown West Realty, LLC

Cruise Planners

Crux Subsurface, Inc.

Cyrus O’Leary’s Pie

D.A. Davidson & Co.

DAA Northwest

Dale Damron

Davenport Hotels

DCI Engineers, Inc.

De Leon Foods

Deer Park School District #414

Design I.T. Solutions

Design Source, Inc.

Designer Decal, Inc.

DeVries Business Services

Dig Studio Directors Mortgage

Disaster Response

DIVCO Inc

DIVCON, Inc.

Division of Vocational Rehabilitation

DoorDash

DoubleTree by Hilton Spokane City Center

Downtown Spokane Partnership

Dry Fly Distilling Inc.

Dupree Building Specialties

East Valley School District #361

Eastern State Hospital

Eclipse Engineering, Inc.

Edge Construction Supply

Eide Bailly

Eljay Oil Co., Inc.

Empire Bolt & Screw, Inc.

Empire Health Foundation

Enduris Washington

Ethan Stowell Restaurants

Etter, McMahon, Lamberson, Van Wert & Oreskovich, P.C.

Evans Craven & Lackie, PS

Evco Sound & Electronics

Excelsior Wellness

Executech

Executive Women International

Exotic Metals Forming Company LLC

Expense Reduction Analysts

E-Z Loader Boat Trailers

Fairchild Air Force Base

Fairwinds Retirement Community

Family Promise of Spokane

Farmland Company

Feltman Ewing, PS

Ferguson Wellman Capital Management

First Choice Coffee Services

First Command Financial Services

First Interstate Bank

Fisher’s Technology

Flatstick Pub

Freeform Interiors

Freeman School District #358

FreshVue

Frontier Behavioral Health

Frontier Northwest

Fruci & Associates PS

G. Arger Company Real Estate, Inc.

Gallagher Benefit Services, Inc.

AS OF FEBRUARY 2023 A B C D G

MEMBER PARTNERS

GeoEngineers, Inc.

Girl Scouts of Eastern Washington & Northern Idaho

Global Credit Union

Glover Mansion / Red Rock Catering

Gold Reserve Corporation

Gonzaga Preparatory School

Goodale & Barbieri Company

Goodwill Industries of the Inland Northwest

Goodwin Group INC

GR8PM, Inc.

Graham Construction & Management, Inc.

Grand Canyon University

Greater Spokane County Meals on Wheels

Greater Spokane Valley Chamber of Commerce

Green Hammer Home LLC

Greenstone

H&R Block

H2E Incorporated

Haase Landscape, Inc.

Habitat For Humanity

Hainsworth Company

Haley Aldrich, Inc

Hallock Consulting

Hampton Inn & Suites Downtown Spokane South

Hawley Troxell – Spokane

Hayden Homes, LLC

HDR

Health Sciences & Services Authority of Spokane County

Heart and Homes Northwest

Helix Wines

Hennessey Funeral Home & Crematory

Hill International, Inc.

HireAbility Spokane

Historic Flight Foundation

Hold On Now

Horizon Credit Union

Horizon Hospice

Hospice of Spokane

HOTSTART, Inc.

HUB International Northwest

HUB Sports Center

Huckleberry Press

Humanix Staffing and Recruiting Services

Hydrafab Northwest Inc

IEDS Logistics

Ignite Northwest

Impact Washington - NIST MEP

Incyte Diagnostics

Inland Chess Academy

Inland Empire Paper Co.

Inland Imaging, LLC

Inland Northwest Business Alliance

Inland Northwest Council, Boy Scouts of America

Inland Northwest Metallurgical Services, Inc.

Inland NW Associated General Contractors

Inlander Publications, Inc.

Innovia Foundation

Integrate Technology LLC

Integrus Architecture PS

J & A Body and Fender

Jack Buell Trucking Co.

Jackson Contractor Group

Jewelry Design Center

JLL

Johnston Engineering

Journal of Business

Journey Discovery Center, Inc.

Joya Child & Family Development

Jubilant HollisterStier LLC

Junior Livestock Show of Spokane

K & N

K&L Gates, LLP

Kaiser Permanente

Kaizen CX Tech

KAYU-TV Fox 28/Imagicomm Communications, LLC.

KHQ TV

Kiemle Hagood

Kilgore Construction, Inc.

Kinetek Media

Knife River Prestress

Knitting Factory

KPFF Consulting Engineers

KR Creative Strategies

KREM-TV and KSKN-TV

Kris Fuehr

KSPS-TV

KXLY Broadcast Group

L & S Engineering Associates

La Quinta Inn & Suites DT Spokane

Lake Coeur d’Alene Cruises

Lamar Advertising

Landau Associates, Inc.

Landmark Restaurants

Latah Creek Wine Cellars, Ltd

Law Office of Steve Graham

Lawton Printing, Inc.

LCD Exposition Services

Leadership Spokane

League of Education Voters Foundation

Leavitt Capital Companies

Lee & Hayes

LegalShield

Leone & Keeble, Inc.

Life Flight

Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc

Lilac Bloomsday Association

Lilac City Early Learning Center

LITE-CHECK

Longhorn Barbecue Restaurant West

LORAN GRAHAM Co.

LSB Consulting Engineers, PLLC

Lutheran Community Services Northwest

Lyn-Tron, Inc.

MacDonald-Miller Facility Solutions

Machinists Institute

MacKenzie River Pizza, Grill & Pub

Mangia Catering Co.

Mann-Grandstaff VA Medical Center

Manpower

Maryhill Winery

MassMutual

Max J. Kuney Co.

McClintock & Turk, Inc.

McGregor Company

McKinstry Company

Measure Meant

Medical Lake School Dist.#326

Merry Glen

2022 GSI Annual Report

LETTER TO OUR PARTNERS

2022 GREATER GROWTH

GROWING OUR OWN

AT A GLANCE

ADVOCATING FOR OUR REGION

AT A GLANCE

DEVELOPING OUR TALENT

AT A GLANCE

GREATER ENGAGEMENT

2022 AT A GLANCE

2023 EVENTS

2023 BOARD OF TRUSTEES

LEADERSHIP CIRCLE

REGIONAL VISIONARIES

COMMUNITY LEADERS

CHAIRMAN’S CIRCLE

MEMBER PARTNERS

MEMBER PARTNERS

Articles inside

GREATER ENGAGEMENT

DEVELOPING OUR TALENT

ADVOCATING FOR OUR REGION

GROWING OUR OWN

LETTER TO OUR PARTNERS