By Jim Hedrick, GSI WA State Lobbyist and Spokane Regional Advocate Week two of the 2026 short legislative session was marked by intense activity as lawmakers worked within a highly compressed short session timeline. In a short session, bills have only 24 days to be introduced, heard in committee, potentially amended, and voted on before […]
Legislative Session Update: Week 2 (January 19-23, 2026) Read More »
Spokane, WA – Greater Spokane Inc. (GSI) is pleased to announce the hiring of Lance Beck as its new Chief Strategy Officer, effective early March. Beck joins GSI following seven years of leadership at the Greater Spokane Valley Chamber of Commerce, where he guided the organization through a period of growth, alignment, and expanding regional
Greater Spokane Incorporated Welcomes Lance Beck as Chief Strategy Officer Read More »
By Jim Hedrick, GSI WA State Lobbyist and Spokane Regional Advocate The first week of the 2026 Washington State Legislative Session is complete, as lawmakers returned to Olympia for what is expected to be a fast-moving, 60-day session shaped by several powerful forces: a sharpened progressive edge following the 2025 special elections, a deeply challenging
Legislative Session Update: Week 1 (January 12-16, 2026) Read More »
This story part of a series highlighting local community members as part of GSI’s IN Schools campaign. Watch each week for the next edition! Standing amidst a sprawling yard stacked with massive concrete blocks, manholes, and various precast concrete structures in north Spokane, TJ Houk, CEO of Wilbert Precast, describes the business: “We make really
Fifth Generation CEO Credits Internships, Advisory Council Read More »
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW We just launched the 2026 State Legislative Agenda. It is used to advocate in Olympia on behalf of the Spokane region. Priorities in the agenda will help address business climate and taxation, transportation projects, drug pricing, and healthcare workforce shortages. Advocating for the Spokane Region Each year, GSI and a
Launching Our 2026 State Legislative Agenda Read More »
This story part of a series highlighting local school community members as part of GSI’s IN Schools campaign. Watch each week for the next edition! As you enter Nick Herberger’s advanced construction shop at Mt. Spokane High School, it’s immediately apparent this isn’t the traditional woodshop. Students operate with a quiet confidence, exchanging measurements, inspecting
Building Futures: Inside Mt. Spokane’s Construction Pre-Apprenticeship Read More »
This story part of a series highlighting local community members as part of GSI’s IN Schools campaign. Watch each week for the next edition! Samuel Cummings, a graduating senior from Lakeside High School, is known for his determination and passion for problem-solving. Set to study Electrical and Computer Engineering at Eastern Washington University, Samuel has
Building a Future in Engineering: Samuel Cummings’ Next Chapter Read More »
By Joey Gunning, Director of Economic Development, Greater Spokane Inc. Recently, something caught my eye: the historical trend of Dietetic Technicians in Spokane County. Maybe it will catch yours, too: I came across this graph because I noticed that from 2022-2025, the fastest growing occupation in Spokane County (by percentage) was Dietetic Technicians – up
Food for Thought: Dietetic Technicians Read More »
This story part of a series highlighting local community members as part of GSI’s IN Schools campaign. Watch each week for the next edition! After 41 years of inspiring students and shaping futures, Kevin Kernan is retiring from his role as a CTE Industrial Technology teacher at Deer Park High School in the Deer Park
Celebrating a Career in Education: Kevin Kernan’s Impact and Legacy Read More »
This story part of a series highlighting local school superintendents as part of GSI’s IN Schools campaign. Watch each week for the next edition! For Kyle Rydell, superintendent of West Valley School District since 2019, leadership means showing up—whether it’s visiting schools, speaking from a podium, on the sidelines, or behind the wheel of a
A Generational Approach: Kyle Rydell’s Mentors Include Educator Parents Read More »
