Economic Restructuring
Business Development strengthens a community's existing economic assets while expanding and diversifying its economic base.
Neighborhood business center revitalization helps sharpen the competitiveness of existing business owners and recruits compatible new businesses and new economic uses to build a commercial district that responds to today's consumers' needs.
Converting unused or underused commercial space into economically productive property also helps boost the profitability of the district.
City & County Demographic and Market Reports
District Market Analysis reports
DRAFT COPY of Monroe District's Beginning Market Analysis. Download a PDF copy of the 78 pages report (7MB file size).
DRAFT COPY of Garland District's Beginning Market Analysis. Download a PDF copy of the 70 pages report (7MB file size).
Community Indicators
Spokane County's estimated mid-year population in 2009 was 465,000. Since 1981, it has gained 118,185, with most of the gains occurring in the 1990's. Its annual rate of growth has ranged from a negative 0.5% to a high of 3.2% (1991). Since 2001, County growth rates have fluctuated around 1%. For the entire period, Washington growth rates have rested above Spokane's although the gap has narrowed in recent years.
Hundreds of more community economic, social and environmental indications can be found on the Community Indicators website.
ZIPskinny
Vist ZIPskinny website and enter your ZIP code to see U.S Census data and comparisons with neighboring ZIPs.
YourEconomy
. . . is a free resource that enables visitors to take a closer look at business activity in their local communities—and across the country. YourEconomy.org
Resources
Economics and Statistics Administration - U.S. Department of CommerceStatistical, economic, and demographic information collected by the Federal Government is made available to the public through the bureaus and offices of:
- Bureau of Economic Analysis - BEA produces some of the most closely watched economic statistics that influence the decisions made by government officials, business people, households, and individuals.
- Bureau of Labor Statistics - is the principal fact-finding agency for the Federal Government in the broad field of labor economics and statistics.
- Economic Indicators . Gov - Provide timely access to the daily releases of key economic indicators from the Bureau of Economic Analysis and the U.S. Census Bureau.
- STAT-USA - STAT-USA/Internet, a service of the U.S. Department of Commerce, is the site for the U.S. business, economic and trade community, providing authoritative information from the Federal government.
- U.S. Census Bureau - The preeminent collector and provider of timely, relevant, and quality data about the people and economy of the United States
If you are thinking about starting or expanding your business, SNAP may be able to help. Spokane Neighborhood Action Programs (SNAP) offers assistance to small businesses through its Microenterprise Program. SNAP provides business loans up to $25,000, and will also provide free business consulting services such as writing a business plan, marketing, accounting, and developing financial statements. Individuals must meet certain income qualifications and live within Spokane County. Contact Dave Heyamoto, 456-7174, heyamoto@snapwa.org for more information.
60-Second Guides
- Biz Planning & Managing
- Finance
- Human Resources
- Office Management
- Marketing & PR
- Sales & Customer Service
- Technology
TOPIC: Succession Planning - what will happen to your business when you no longer want to manage it?
PANEL: Leading the panel will be Dr. Robert Schwartz, EWU Foundation Distinguished Professor of Entrepreneurship and Director of the Center for Entrepreneurial Activities at Eastern Washington University. Dr. Schwartz has experience with business transitions of many kinds. Joining him will be Mike Taylor, President of Taylor Engineering, and Jill Smith, creator and harvester of seven businesses, both of whom will share their personal experiences about succession and harvesting. Lisë Stewart, the managing partner of Galliard Group, a business consulting firm that specializes in services to family-owned and closely held companies, will round out the panel. Come join us! View the Dean's Seminar video on Succession Planning
"Finding Money for Your Small Busine$$"
At this workshop small business owners learned about a multitude of small business funding opportunities and how they can access the funding and training available.
View the entire program
