By Drew Repp, Business Growth Director
Agriculture. Business expansion. Government contracting. Infrastructure. Life Sciences. Military support. Retention. Startups. Recruitment. All fall under the pillar of Greater Growth.
Our Greater Growth work supports business creation and job growth in the region to further a thriving economy. We believe there are many factors and strategies that drive and impact economic development. We focus on business development—anything that impacts how the employer community contributes to the economy.
This pillar is centered on the belief that the vast majority of job creation and a community’s growth comes from within. That’s why our growth programs exist: to help local businesses access the information and resources they need to grow. Whether it’s our StartUp Spokane program helping an entrepreneur manage the complexities of taking an idea to market, or our Procurement Technical Assistance Center helping a local small business secure a federal government contract. With retention and expansion, Greater Growth takes a proactive approach, seeking to meet with businesses and identify pain points as well as expansion opportunities.
Additionally, our industry and initiative focuses recognize the importance of maintaining existing industries and assets such as agriculture and Fairchild Air Force Base. Life Sciences Spokane (VISION 2030) continues to build on the asset and potential of health and life sciences in the region, and specifically at the University District, by expanding the cluster through business investment.
Regarding business recruitment, we are currently in the process of revamping our lead processing to work more effectively and transparently with partners, while at the same time developing concrete outreach strategies for targeted industries: aerospace and advanced manufacturing, health and life sciences, IT, and agriculture.
As we continue to refine business recruitment, we are committed to serving businesses in a variety of industries and at any stage of the business process—to meet needs and help accomplish goals for businesses and the region.
