ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT 1

Create 5,000 jobs and $1 billion in new capital investment through targeted business recruitment and expansion efforts in targeted sectors

ACTION 1

Q2 Campaign Update

Attended four trade shows and one sales mission to the Bay Area. Met with more than 30 companies and generated 16 business leads internally rated at good or above in likelihood to generate a site visit and potential expansion in the region. Companies represent target sectors of life science, advanced manufacturing, and green tech.

ACTION 2

Participated in numerous conversations regarding tech hub funding opportunities. Efforts are coalescing around an advanced materials proposal and a life science proposal.

ACTION 3

Completed the preliminary design criteria for the Evergreen Bioscience Innovation Building to be utilized as a graduation and shared resource space to grow life science companies.

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.

Opportunity Fund investment total as of this report = $75,000

ACTION 1

Partnered with AHANA to create the Spokane Inclusive Business Catalyst, a small business accelerator program. Developed program curriculum and identified class instructors for 10 BIPOC business owners to participate in the first cohort.

ACTION 1

Connect 100 underrepresented businesses with assistance and resources to promote the growth and expansion of existing companies and small businesses

Provided support services to more than 40 underrepresented businesses (36% BIPOC, 54% women, and 10% veteran). Forty of these come from our PTAC/APEX program. We support small businesses on registering, bid submittals, bid reviews, marketing assistance, contract performance, billing, small business designations and more. The other assistance was connecting several BIPOC businesses to business planning and marketing resources.

ACTION 2

Assisted a rural business in Rockford, WA to obtain a Disaster Relief Grant from the Washington State Department of Commerce due to loss of inventory and closure for a week due to the 2022 hail storm.

TALENT ATTRACTION & RETENTION 2

Establish Spokane regional partnerships, bridging businesses with education sectors to provide a minimum of 300 internships for post-secondary students

ACTION 1

Q2 Campaign Update

Developed and delivered a survey to determine capacity for interns, the need to connect industry with universities/colleges, and the need for a workshop to help businesses succeed with interns.

ACTION 2

Active lead generation with contacts to 45 businesses and postsecondary schools for the creation of internship opportunities.

ACTION 3

Partnered with seven local organizations to provide 57 businesses Hiring & Retention Strategies tools.

Provide workforce and employee upskill training support for 100 underserved businesses in the Spokane region through external partnerships and/or grant funding

ACTION 1

Supported 15 businesses in grant applications for Career Connect Washington Program Builder Funding and Apprenticeship Building America Grant to produce Career Pathway experiences.

ACTION 2

Partnered with more than 15 local organizations to continue developing the Coordinated Community Mentoring Program (CCMP) to increase post high school educational attainment.

ACTION 3

Partnered with seven local organizations to provide 57 businesses with Hiring & Retention Strategies tools, such as:

• Transform your hiring

• Diversify your workforce

• Upgrade the culture

• Update compensation packages

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

ACTION 1

Led two Business AfterSchool events and partnered with NEWESD 101, Spokane Community College, and East Valley School District with Automotive, Healthcare, and Construction Trades nights. Supported the Automotive Skills challenge. These events provided more than 900 students career exploration opportunities.

ACTION 2

Partnered with Providence Health to recruit 25 students to participate in an Ortho Watch Live remote surgery viewing.

Establish additional Spokane regional business and education partnerships to develop 30% more career pathways and the progression through pathways to postsecondary education and/or employment

Action 1

Mapped and highlighted three career pathways for education and early childhood learning.

Action 2

Partnered with Eastern Washington University and Providence Health to establish a Summer Bridge LER Partnership through the use of the Merit Learning and Employment Record (LER).