Maria Vandervert, Author at Greater Spokane Inc.

What Election Outcomes Mean for Business

What the Election Might Mean for Business Policy in Olympia

Leave a Comment / Public Policy / By Maria Vandervert

By Jake Mayson, Director of Public Policy, Greater Spokane Inc. The results of Washington State’s 2024 elections revealed what many have already seen as a shifting political landscape. With retirements of several key moderates from the legislature at the end of last session, the business community has been bracing for significant policymaking changes in Olympia. […]

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Passage of Initiative 2066 a Win for Energy Affordability, Industry, and Consumers

Leave a Comment / Public Policy / By Maria Vandervert

Spokane Employers Hopeful for Energy Future Greater Spokane Inc. (GSI) applauds the passage of Initiative 2066, a significant victory for energy affordability, consumer choice, and an economically sustainable energy transition. The initiative repeals overly restrictive and inconsistent regulations that sought to ban natural gas hookups in new construction and require the transition from natural gas

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Spokane’s Veteran-Owned Businesses – How Supporting Them Strengthens Our Community

Leave a Comment / Doing Business in Spokane, Membership, Small Business / By Maria Vandervert

Veterans have dedicated their lives to serving our country, and now, many are bringing that same spirit of dedication, leadership, and resilience to the businesses they operate here in Spokane. Whether it’s a small shop, a restaurant, a tech startup, or a service-based business, veteran entrepreneurs are making a lasting impact on our local economy

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2025 Economic Forecast Shares Economy will Continue to Grow but at a Slower Pace

Leave a Comment / Doing Business in Spokane, Economic Development, News and Announcements / By Maria Vandervert

Yesterday, more than 500 business representatives and students attended the 2025 Economic Forecast, presented by U.S. Bank, featuring local economists Steve Scranton, Chief Economist, Washington Trust Bank; Dr. Vange Hochheimer, Professor of Economics and Finance, Whitworth University; and Dr. Grant Forsyth, Chief Economist, Avista Corp. Sharing local, national, and international influences, we learned that it’s

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Peer Networking at The Globe Highlights Spokane Lilac Festival, Brings Together Professionals

Leave a Comment / Celebrations, Membership / By Maria Vandervert

On October 22nd, more than 100 gathered at Globe Bar & Kitchen for our final Peer Networking event of 2024. Thanks to GSI member partner Tangen Hospitality for providing such a cool place to meet and connect. We want to extend a heartfelt thank you to our sponsors who made the event possible – Presenting

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Cybersecurity Trends for 2025

Leave a Comment / Doing Business in Spokane, Small Business, StartUp & Entrepreneurship / By Maria Vandervert

What All Small Businesses Need to Prioritize By Heather Stratford, National Cybersecurity and AI Thought Leader, Inland Northwest Cyber Hub/Inch360 The cybersecurity landscape is evolving at a breakneck pace, and small businesses are increasingly at risk. As digital threats grow more sophisticated, hackers are no longer only targeting large corporations—they’re setting their sights on smaller

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Introducing the Pulse: Spokane’s New Benchmark for Voter Outlook

Leave a Comment / Public Policy / By Maria Vandervert

Poll Reveals Critical Issues to Guide Community-Supported Solutions At Greater Spokane Inc. (GSI), we’re committed to helping our region grow and thrive by making sure our community’s voice is heard loud and clear. That’s why we’re excited to announce the release of The Pulse, a groundbreaking series of comprehensive, scientific polls that dive into the

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Greater Spokane Inc. Launches The Pulse to Measure Voter Sentiment on Spokane’s Most Pressing Issues

Leave a Comment / Public Policy / By Maria Vandervert

Greater Spokane Inc. (GSI) is proud to announce the release of The Pulse, a comprehensive, scientific survey designed to measure Spokane County residents’ opinions on key issues including public safety, homelessness, economic growth, and workforce development. This is the first poll of its kind in the region, providing a reliable snapshot of voter sentiment at

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Made in the Spokane Region

Leave a Comment / Economic Development, Small Business / By Maria Vandervert

Celebrating Manufacturing in the Month of October Manufacturing has been an important part of Spokane’s economy, fueling growth, innovation, and job creation across the region. It employs thousands of residents and produces a wide array of goods, many of which are essential to industries around the world. With over 1,400 manufacturing businesses in the greater

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State of the County: Building Our Future

Leave a Comment / News and Announcements / By Maria Vandervert

Event shares key priorities such as infrastructure needs, public safety, and mental health and treatment services Last week, we had the honor of hosting the 2024 State of the County, presented by Canopy Credit Union, where over 400 business leaders, elected officials, and community members gathered at the Spokane Convention Center to hear from Spokane

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Maria Vandervert