18annual report

MISSIONWe lead transformative business and community initiatives

to build a robust regional economy

VISION A vibrant Spokane region where businesses and communities thrive

VALUESCollaboration

We are inclusive and welcome a diversity of perspectives that reflect the aspirations of our community.

InnovationWe are resourceful and creative and strive for intentional progress in all that we do.

RespectWe foster mutually respectful relationships between members,

our partners, and the community.

509.624.1393 | GreaterSpokane.org | 801 W Riverside Ave Suite 100 | Spokane WA 99201The Spokane region’s business development organization

our future

is greater than

any one of us!

In today’s business climate, collaboration and coordination are more essential now than ever before. It takes all of us working together to create opportunities for our region and to overcome the obstacles that we’ll face moving forward. We may not have all the answers and we may not always have the best idea, however we are committed to working with our partners to find strategies and solutions that are tangible and attainable.

GSI is a business development organization. Our mission is to lead transformative business & community initiatives to build a robust regional economy. Most importantly for us though, “lead” means serving as a convener.

We ask that you join us around the table. We value your different viewpoints and perspectives and hope to share some goals that we all can rally around to make this region a more exceptional place for our businesses and families.

Together, we continue developing the place where organizations come together to drive strategic economic growth, champion a talented workforce and advocate for the region.

We’re proud to partner with you in this place we call home.

Todd Mielke, CEO, Greater Spokane Inc.

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ICETogether, we create business and job growth for a thriving economy. What does

this mean? We support the growth and success of your business at every level, whether you’re an entrepreneur just starting out, a growing company expanding, or a business that’s looking for a place to relocate. We know that if your business thrives, your employees do too. This strengthens our economy and leads to a better quality of life for everyone.

SECURED $450k in Strategic Reserve funds for 2 expansions and 1 recruitment project, supporting the growth and recruitment of businesses.

DEVELOPED and delivered 83 business recruitment proposals to businesses considering the Spokane region as a place to expand or relocate.

MANAGING 112 leads / businesses looking at Spokane as an option to relocate.

LED process for County set-aside of Opportunity Zones and actively supported municipalities in their competitive bid for designations.

SCREENED more than 60 Mind2Market early stage accelerator applicants, bringing 15 pitches to the Investor Panel with 4 investments made since its launch.

LED the production of Ag Expo that brought more than 5,500 attendees, and $14M of economic impact to the region.

SUBMITTED AND WON the Abilene Trophy on behalf of the Greater Spokane community in recognition of the Spokane region’s exceptional support for Fairchild Air Force Base.

CONNECTED AND CONVENED more than 1,000 business members to support their success and create a thriving Spokane region.

PROVIDED support as a collaborative partner on the Governor’s New Mid-Market Airplane (NMA) Executive Council team, positioning Eastern WA as a prime opportunity for Boeing expansion.

ASSISTED 439 entrepreneurs to help get their startup to the next stage of business development, leading to the creation of 500 jobs.

SUPPORTED more than 100 companies by providing business assistance to retain them in the Spokane region.

PROVIDED 464 hours of government contracting counseling services for more than 200 companies, connecting businesses with new revenue opportunities. 7,821 contracts were awarded worth $168M.

WORKED with Fairchild Air Force Base leadership to make it the largest tanker base in the world, protected the Base against encroachment, assisted with water issues, and advocated for the Nurses Licensure Compact.

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Together, we have a greater voice for the future of our region. Your business needs a healthy business climate to thrive and grow. We support your business by advocating on your behalf at the local, state, and federal level for business-friendly policies and community projects. A climate that’s healthy allows your company to grow, prosper, and create new jobs – it invites businesses to stay and attracts others to our region.

ADVANCED federal advocacy efforts to prepare for the addition of 60 KC-135 aircraft to Fairchild Air Force Base and the necessary infrastructure, training, and housing to support the mission.

ENGAGED with local government officials and staff to generate positive outcomes on business climate, regional transportation efforts and other community priorities.

REACHED 13.4K viewers with Facebook Live candidate debates featuring Spokane City Council races.

LED D.C. and Olympia Fly-ins to advocate for legislative priorities with a record number of business and community leaders participating.

RE-ENERGIZED our Public Policy Council by adding new members representing business, community organizations, and local governments to help drive our agenda process, evaluate ballot measures, and legislative issues.

LED vibrant listening sessions for GSI members with Senator Maria Cantwell, Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers and various state lawmakers that led to positive policy outcomes.

ADVOCATED for 13 Capital Budget projects that generated nearly $175 million in funding for the Spokane region.

ADVOCATED for the return of Associate Development Organization (ADO) funding to the General Fund and a reduction in the general manufacturing B&O tax to the aerospace industry rate.

CHAMPIONED the passage of critical water legislation to address the Supreme Court’s “Hirst” decision, ensuring greater certainty for landowners, builders, lenders and county governments.

HELPED defeat proposals for a new state carbon tax and capital gains tax.

ADVOCATED for successful increases to federal agencies & programs vital to community stakeholders, including funding for the National Institutes of Health, transportation grants, and graduate medical education.

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Together, we build, champion and retain a talented workforce. Your employees work every day to support your business and are the heart of your success. It’s important that you have the skilled talent you need to compete effectively in today’s economy. We work to connect business and education to identify gaps and provide programs and solutions to help fill workforce needs for employers and to support the health of our economy.

LED and convened 5 GSI education committees, activating over 125 volunteers to champion talent development in our community.

CONVENED, LED, AND PARTNERED with more than 103 volunteers, 40 organizations, and 10 committees to provide strategic expertise for the creation of a life sciences hub, focused on infection disease prevention, cancer, and diabetes clinical research/trials.

WORKED WITH 32 business professionals and 27 business mentors who provided guidance & education to startups through StartUp Spokane every month.

SUPPORTED more than 40 startups and entrepreneurs at the StartUp Spokane co-working facility, offering a shared work environment to meet, connect and learn through collaboration.

LED 18 Business AfterSchool and Teaching the Teacher workshops, connecting 150 business professionals and 75 educators to 380 middle and high school students to create awareness around high-demand career and education pathways.

LAUNCHED access2experience.com platform, connecting educators to business leaders to further career connected learning experiences for local youth, developing future talent for the region.

ENGAGED 450 adult students in the Greater Minds initiative, resulting in the enrollment of 50 students in our region’s colleges and universities.

FACILITATED the award of $18,000 in scholarship dollars, encouraging education attainment for adult students in the region.

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Tom BarbieriGoodale & Barbieri

Company

Clark BrekkeGoodwill Industries of the

Inland Northwest

Bill BoutenBouten

Construction

David BlackNAI Black

Jay AllertAslin-Finch Company

Barry Baker Baker Construction & Development Inc

CHAIRTom Johnson

Individual

CHAIR-ELECTMichelle Hege

DH

IMMEDIATEPAST CHAIRJack Heath

Washington Trust Bank

GENERAL COUNSELBill Symmes

Witherspoon Kelley

TREASURERCarla Cicero

NumericaCredit Union

Together, with great community partners, we put the pieces in place to attract organizations, talent, and people with big dreams to create a vibrant community.

TOP LEVEL INVESTORS

CIVIC PARTNERSSpokane CountyCity of SpokaneCity of Spokane ValleyCity of Cheney

City of Deer ParkCity of Liberty LakeCity of Medical LakeCity of Millwood

City of Newport Washington State Department of CommercE

CHAIRMAN’S CIRCLEBank of America Banner BankBECUBouten ConstructionCentral Pre-Mix Concrete Co, a CRH CompanyGarco Construction IncGonzaga University Inland PowerKXLY Broadcast GroupLydig ConstructionNorthwest Farm Credit ServicesNumerica Credit Union

REGIONAL VISIONARIESAvistaCowles CompanyMultiCare Health System Providence Health CareSpokane CountyWashington Trust Bank

COMMUNITY LEADERSItronKalispel Tribe of IndiansUmpqua Bank

Pearson Packaging SystemsPremera Blue Cross Red Lion Hotels CorporationSpokane International AirportSTCUUniversity of Washington School of MedicineURM StoresU.S. BankWashington State University Health Sciences SpokaneWells Fargo BankWhitworth University

2018-2019 Board of Trustees

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* Ex O

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Dr. Beck TaylorWhitworth University

Regina MalveauxYWCA of Spokane

Mayor Kevin Richey*

City of Airway Heights

Patricia McRaeKHQ TV

Kevin Twohig*Spokane Public

Facilities District (PFD)

Russell LeeInland Northwest

Bank

Kevin PersonWagstaff Inc

Andrew McDirmidEide Bailly LLP

Don TingPyrotek Inc

Shelly O’QuinnInnovia

Harry SladichRed Lion Hotels

Corporation

Christine Varela*DH

Dr. Thayne McCullohGonzaga University

Jeff PhilippsRosauers

Supermarkets Inc

Kelly StanfordColumbia Medical

Associates

Ben SmallCentral Valley School District

Sharelynn MooreItron Inc

Marcelo MoralesA4Ventures

Paul ReadJournal of Business

Dr. Shelley RedingerSpokane Public

Schools

Dale SilhaMcKinstry Company

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Clancy WelshGarco Construction Inc

Erica Young*Anderson, Peretti & Co

CPAs PS

Dennis VermillionAvista

Dr. FranciscoR. Velázquez

Individual

Dr. David O’BrienMultiCare Health

System

Linda UnderwoodU.S. Bank

Mayor Rod Higgins*City of Spokane Valley

Otto KleinSpokane Indians

Baseball-Longball Inc

Tyler LaffertySeven2

Doug Kelley* Avista

Chris Henjum Hydrafab

Northwest Inc

Dr. Christine JohnsonCommunity Colleges

of Spokane

Phil HaugenKalispel Tribal

Economic Authority

Chad JensenInland Power

Steve DuvoisinInland Imaging

Steve HauschildBECU

Kyle EnglandKaiser Aluminum

Rustin HallALSC Architects

Scott DietzenCliftonLarsonAllen

Dr. Daryll DeWald WSU Health

Sciences Spokane

W. Stacey Cowles The Spokesman

Review

Dr. Mary Cullinan Eastern Washington

University

Elaine Couture Providence Health Care

Richard DenennyLee & Hayes

Mayor Chris Grover*City of Cheney

Ev HopkinsSTCU

Commissioner Josh Kerns*

Spokane County

Laura LawtonLawton Printing

Jeremiah LemonsCentral Pre-Mix Concrete Co

a CRH Company

Eva MarquetteFreshVue

Tom MessickPremera Blue

Cross

Katherine MorganBank of America

Colonel Derek Salmi*Fairchild

Air Force Base

Larry SoehrenKiemle & Hagood

Company

Nicole SohnJourney Discovery

Center Inc

Jim van Loben SelsArbor Crest Wine Cellars

Mayor Steve Peterson*

City of Liberty Lake

Nadine BurgessSpokane

Gymnastics

Dr. Ana Mari Cauce University of Washington

Mayor David Condon* City of Spokane

2018-2019 Board of Trustees

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