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.