CREATING THE FUTURE TODAY
Dear Investors,
As we reflect on the past year of Believe Spokane, I want to personally thank you for your unwavering support and commitment to strengthening our community. Your investment has been instrumental in helping us convene, connect, and drive real impact across Spokane’s ever-evolving business and economic landscape. This report provides a comprehensive look at the impact and achievements made possible through your Believe Spokane support in 2024.
Throughout 2024, we’ve listened closely to the needs of our business community, and one challenge continues to rise to the top—supporting our workforce. Employers are struggling to retain talent as their employees face barriers to finding childcare and housing, two critical issues affecting our region’s ability to grow and thrive.
We are also focused on empowering our diverse small business community, recognizing their essential role in Spokane’s economic vitality. And through IN Schools, we are working to build trust and engagement around K-12 education, ensuring the next generation has the support and resources they need to succeed.
As we enter another year of collaborating, convening, and problem-solving, your continued support will be more critical than ever. Together, we are creating safe spaces for dialogue, fostering innovation, and tackling the tough conversations that shape Spokane’s future. Thank you for being part of this journey—we look forward to another year of impact, progress, and possibility.
Alisha Benson CEO
Greater Spokane Inc.
THANK YOU FOR INVESTING IN THE SPOKANE REGION
DIAMOND
PLATINUM
GOLD
BECU
GARCO CONSTRUCTION
MULTICARE
NUMERICA CREDIT UNION
PEARSON PACKAGING
PREMERA BLUE CROSS
SILVER
COMMUNITY COLLEGES OF SPOKANE
DAA NORTHWEST
DH
GONZAGA UNIVERSITY
MCKINSTRY
ROSAUERS SUPERMARKETS
UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON
URM STORES
WAGSTAFF
WSU SPOKANE
BRONZE
ALLIANT
BOUTEN CONSTRUCTION
CANOPY CREDIT UNION
CENTRAL PREMIX / INLAND ASPHALT
CHAS HEALTH
FRESH VUE
GESA CREDIT UNION
INLAND IMAGING
KAISER ALUMINUM
NUVODIA
PARAMETRIX
WHITWORTH UNIVERSITY
FRIENDS
BAKER CONSTRUCTION
BROADWAY TRUCK STOPS
EIDE BAILLY
MOSS ADAMS
WENDLE FORD
SUPPORTERS SNAP
SUSAN STACEY
EDUCATION & TALENT
Connecting students and companies to establish regional partnerships
With Believe Spokane's support, 2024 was a year of progress in education, workforce development, and childcare. We launched IN Schools, a five-year initiative connecting business and education to drive advocacy and investment. We expanded career-connected learning, giving students real-world experience and pathways to Spokane’s workforce. Our childcare initiatives advanced solutions to support working families and employers, strengthening our region’s talent pipeline.
IN Schools: Strengthening the Connection Between Business & Education:
In December, we launched IN Schools, a five-year partnership between businesses and school districts committed to building trust, increasing support, and engaging the community in education.
This initiative is about about sharing real stories, fostering understanding, and demonstrating the vital role strong schools play in our region’s economy and future. By bridging business and education, IN Schools creates a powerful network of advocates who champion school investment, inform the community about funding, and help students succeed.
To kickstart this effort, Believe Spokane is investing $50,000 in 2025, matching the collective $50,000 contribution from Spokane County school districts. To date, businesses have already demonstrated strong community commitment to building momentum and expanding this impact.
Our Long-term Goal:
• $1M in community investment by 2030.
Expanding Career-Connected Learning:
We are creating opportunities for students to explore industries, gain real-world experience, and connect with local employers. Through internships and Business AfterSchool (BAS) programs, we are bridging education and business to build Spokane’s future workforce.
The Internship Network Impact:
• 53 Students Participated in Internship Experiences
• 30 Businesses Provided Opportunities with banks and credit unions seeing the highest student engagement.
Business AfterSchool (BAS) Program Impact:
• 290 Total Students Participated 264 from High School
• 14 Organizations Engaged as Hosts and Sponsors
• 2024 Hosts:
º Spokane County Medical Examiner
º NEW Health Colville
º Avista
º UW School of Medicine
º Coffman Engineers
º Gesa Credit Union
º Providence
º Wagstaff
º WSU (Fall & Spring)
EDUCATION & TALENT
Building a Stronger Workforce Through Childcare Solutions
GSI is leading efforts to ensure access to affordable, quality childcare—an essential factor in workforce retention and economic growth. Through advocacy, partnerships, and employer engagement, we are driving solutions that support working families and strengthen Spokane’s economy.
Education and Talent Alliance Meeting
GSI’s Childcare Initiatives:
• We are continuing to lead efforts to ensure affordable, quality childcare remains a priority for Spokane’s workforce and economy.
Advocacy & Policy Work:
• We are engaging in Priority Spokane Taskforce and U-District Childcare Planning Committee to expand access and improve coordination between public and private providers.
Education & Talent Alliance (ETA) Task Force:
• The ETA Task Force brings business, education, and childcare leaders together monthly to align efforts and advocate for workforce childcare solutions.
Childcare Champion Awards:
• Launched in November 2024, the awards recognize businesses and leaders making a significant impact in improving childcare access.
Childcare & Early Learning Summit:
• We co-hosted in Fall 2024 with Inland Northwest Early Learning Alliance (INWELA), convening community partners to advance childcare solutions.
Employer Engagement:
• We are helping businesses explore employer-supported childcare models to attract and retain talent.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Driving Economic Growth & Innovation in Spokane
In 2024, GSI continued to strengthen Spokane’s economy by attracting new industries, supporting small businesses, and positioning the region as a leader in innovation. Through strategic recruitment, business expansion efforts, and data-driven advocacy, we are laying the foundation for sustainable economic growth.
From securing major investments in life sciences and clean tech to empowering small businesses through grants and government contracting support, our initiatives are driving real impact. Additionally, The Pulse, our new data-driven research initiative, is shaping policy and investment decisions to create a stronger, more competitive Spokane.
Industry Recruitment Success:
• 2 National Sales Missions:
º Puget Sound (Spring 2024) – Met with 12 companies across life sciences, manufacturing, and clean tech.
º San Francisco Bay Area (Fall 2024) –Engaged with 6 companies, including tech, venture capital, and research firms, interested in Spokane’s innovation potential.
Recruitment Lead Pipeline Growth:
• 46 Active Industry Leads in Clean Tech, Life Science, Manufacturing, and Innovation
Success Story: Remmie Health:
Remmie Health offers AI-powered ear-nosethroat (ENT) solutions to minimize unnecessary doctor visits and improve access to ENT specialists or accurate diagnosis.
• Met during Puget Sound Sales Mission and connected to Spokane’s life science ecosystem.
• Largest Health Sciences & Service Authority (HSSA) grant recipient ever.
• Founder remains in Puget Sound, but all business operations are expanding to Spokane, hiring 10 employees.
Overcoming Growth Challenges:
Tech Hub: Spokane’s Future on the Global Stage:
• Positioning Spokane as a national and international leader in advanced technology.
• Spokane secured $48M in federal funding to acquire cutting-edge equipment for the Tech Hub.
Looking Ahead: Seeking additional funding for economic development, workforce, and equity initiatives.
Every region faces barriers to economic growth. Here are a few recent opportunities Spokane County missed out on due to existing limitations:
• Project Forge: $1B investment, 230 jobs ($130K avg. salary) – stalled due to lack of 150-acre site.
• Project Optimus: $10M investment, 49 retained/added jobs – delayed by limited industrial space. (Industrial space shortages are a growing barrier to recruitment and retention)
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Supporting Small Business Success
Believe Spokane helps us drive small business growth through key initiatives. Below are some of the successes made possible through this support.
Spokane Inclusive Business Catalyst (SIBC):
The Business Accelerator Program
• 13 Courses Completed
• 23 Grants Awarded & Entrepreneurs Graduated
• $115,000 Grant Dollars Awarded with $115,000 cash match from the businesses that were assisted
APEX Government Contracting Support:
• 77 Contracts Won by 21 companies totaling $5.2M in awards
• 250 Businesses Assisted through 1,087 counseling sessions
APEX Focus on Inclusive Development:
• 25 Women Owned
• 21 Veteran Owned
ADVOCACY Action Through Believe Spokane Support
Data-Driven Insights Shaping Spokane’s Future: We know that real change starts with understanding. That’s why we launched The Pulse—a scientific polling initiative surveying 600 registered voters to capture sentiment on the most pressing issues impacting our community, workforce, and businesses.
A Few Key Findings from the First Pulse Survey (Oct 2024):
• Public Safety & Business Impact: 93% of voters say Spokane’s downtown cannot fully recover until public safety and homelessness are addressed.
• Quality of Life Concerns: 63% believe Spokane is on the wrong track, and 56% have considered moving away.
• Economic Growth & Infrastructure: 90% say a thriving downtown is critical to Spokane’s future, with 93% supporting greater investment in essential city services.
Why This Matters: The Pulse provides decision-makers, businesses, and community leaders with clear, data-driven insights to advocate for meaningful solutions. By tracking quality of life and policy sentiment trends every spring and fall, we ensure that Spokane’s voice is heard and acted upon.
Looking Ahead: the next survey will be conducted in Spring 2025.
• 36 BIPOC Owned
• 70 Rural Businesses
The Pulse Impressions:
• 41 Media Features
• 81M+ Media Reach
To Learn More:
scan the code or visit bit.ly/GSIElectionsCenter
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.
Thank you for investing in the Spokane region. For more information, contact Lisa Poplawski Lewis | (509) 321-3619 | lplewis@greaterspokane.org