The Spokane region, with over 8,000 employed in airframe production, is the nation's fifth largest aerospace cluster and the second largest in the state of Washington. A diversified supply and service chain and a highly skilled workforce equip the region to support and grow new business within the industry.
Leading industry segments:
The Spokane region is a life sciences industry hub that connects companies with infrastructure, talent, and a network of clinical partners. Spokane's uniquely collaborative spirit and supportive business environment create a culture that propels innovation and advances the health of people and communities.
As the largest healthcare, health sciences and medical education hub from Seattle to Minneapolis and from Calgary to Salt Lake City, Spokane provides services to a population of approximately 1.2 million. With over 4,000 health-related businesses, Spokane has a track record of growing high-value companies in Health IT, pharmaceutical manufacturing, biological products, surgical and medical instruments, medical laboratories and software development.
Spokane's University District, 770 acres adjoining downtown Spokane, provides connections between the healthcare industry center and the institutions of medical and health sciences education. Education partners include:
Spokane is primed for growth with the infrastructure for life sciences and lifestyles. It boasts an attractive cost of doing business – 18% below the national average. The region's affordable land, buildings and space, combined with renewable hydroelectric power and some of the lowest utility rates in the nation, present an attractive environment for start-ups and early-stage companies to minimize their cost of operations.
Agriculture is one of our region's most important industries. There is a strong interdependency of agricultural jobs and agricultural-related jobs in non-agricultural sectors which directly affect the spending power in the region.
The “Local Food Movement” is also creating a significant impact through farmers' markets, field-to-table restaurants, breweries, distilleries, cideries, and wineries.
Whitman County, just south of Spokane, is the #1 wheat-producing county in the US, and ranks #2 in the country for barley production.
Spokane County has the second-highest number of farms in Washington State with over 2,500.
Food processing in Spokane accounts for $566 million in revenue.
The Inland Northwest's largest farm machinery show, Spokane Ag Expo, celebrated its 40th year in 2017. Ag Expo provides the best possible marketing showcase of agricultural equipment and related products for the large scale operator to small acreage farms and ranches. More than 6,000 attendees visited the 2016 event at the Spokane Convention Center.
Known as the Evergreen State, Washington State's economy embraces clean technologies, business-driven energy efficiency and environmental solutions. As a region, Spokane is leading the way in creating innovative and exciting best practices.
Our region is fortunate to be home to a number of globally, regionally and nationally significant companies in a variety of sectors that provide services and products in areas as diverse as:
Planning & Economic Development Department
Economic Development Team
509.625.6500
incentives@spokanecity.org
