It’s a good time to give kudos where kudos are due. Actually, it’s always a good time.

Anyway, there’s a lot happening in Spokane worth recognizing. We thought we’d take a moment and highlight a handful of individuals and businesses.

• Jeanette Radmer, Business Development Representative for Numerica Credit Union, recently received the organization’s Bud Crump Award for Service Excellence for 2010. Jeanette has made contributions to many community organizations, including Big Brothers Big Sisters, Spokane’s Tree of Sharing, Sustainable Local Investment Partners (SLIP) and a lot more.

• Kudos to Governor Gregoire who signed a bill that makes changes to the state Unemployment Insurance system, which will lower the unemployment insurance tax rates for 80 percent of all small businesses. Good news!

• The word “Interim” retired from Jon Eliassen’s job title at Red Lion Hotels Corp. Eliassen was named CEO of the hotel chain earlier this week. Eliassen previously was CEO of the Spokane Area Economic Development Council before it integrated in 2007 with the Spokane Regional Chamber of Commerce to become…..Greater Spokane Incorporated. Congrats, Jon!

• Kudos to the Washington Department of Revenue for traveling around the state to hear from small businesses in its effort to simplify the tax process. The DOR came to our office on Valentine’s Day to listen to local small businesses. Give your input with this survey.

• Congrats to Magnuson Hotels for celebrating eight years of operations on Feb. 3! The company was a 2008 GSI AGORA Award winner as well.

• The Martin Woldson Theater at the Fox was a recent National Preservation Honor Award winner. The downtown landmark is a, “community treasure,” according to the National Trust for Historic Preservation. We agree!

Kudos to all of the above!

If you know of a Spokane business or individual that deserves “kudos,” email Kevin Dudley and he’ll consider it for future blogs.