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W E E K L Y N E W S L E T T E R |
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Issue 14 | August 12, 2025 |
A MESSAGE FROM OUR PRESIDENT... |
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Dear Spokane Community,
Our city—and our nation—are facing a battle for their future like never before. We are divided on so many issues: on-street homelessness and addiction, affordable housing, and deep cultural divides between communities. We’ve allowed the extreme left and extreme right to pull us apart. Political extremists are not only harming our citizens—they’re having a negative impact on our business community.
Far-left policies from state and city offices have created a hostile environment for businesses. Many long-time Spokane-based companies are planning to relocate to Idaho in the coming years, continuing the exodus of tax dollars to other communities. We can no longer point fingers and complain—we must act, and act now.
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Over the next two months, I will be publishing a series of articles on the issues we face and the challenges SBA is putting forward to make a difference. Only when we, as a community, come together to support common-sense leadership at all levels of government—local, state, and national—will we see real policy change. SPOKANE CAN be a business-friendly community again, but that will require leadership that understands our businesses are the largest taxpayers.
SPOKANE CAN be a place where families enjoy one of the most beautiful downtowns in the nation—but only if we turn out and vote for leaders who will enforce the law. Change is possible, but it requires every citizen to engage, research, and vote for leaders at all levels who understand that without a strong business community and a thriving downtown, the entire region will suffer.
Join me on this journey starting next week as we explore how we can come together to move our community forward. SPOKANE CAN—but only if its people let their voices be heard this November. |
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Your partner in business, Brad |
WELCOME NEW MEMBERS |
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SBA ANNUAL DINNER |
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September 23rd, 2025 at The Spokane Convention Center |
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This year promises to be our most impactful yet. It’s more than a meal. It’s a moment. A gathering of Spokane’s business leaders, visionaries, and changemakers—coming together to celebrate how far we’ve come, ignite bold ideas, and shape what’s next.
We are honored to welcome David Bieter, former mayor of Boise, as our guest speaker. Known for his dynamic leadership and forward-thinking approach to urban development, Bieter will bring invaluable perspective to our shared challenges and opportunities.
Join us for an evening of connection, inspiration, and momentum. This is where the future of Spokane takes root—around the table, among allies, with purpose. |
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Get your tickets or reserve your table today! |
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Grab Individual Dinner Tickets or turn it into a party with a Table for 8!
Ticket Prices Individual Dinner Tickets $150 Table $1,400 (logo on the event centerpiece, receive visibility on all promotional material and advertising) |
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If you have already renewed your Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum, Diamond or Pinnacle membership for 2025-2026, the SBA Annual Dinner is included. Click here to submit the names and email addresses of your attendees so that we can register your table(s). |
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If you were an SBA member in 2024–2025 and haven’t yet renewed for 2025–2026, please contact Sherri Britton at (509) 590-0600 or Sherri@SpokaneBusinessAssociation.com. |
SBA FOCUS COUNCILS |
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GET INFORMED. GET INVOLVED. BE PART OF THE SOLUTION.
Sprague Union Terrace Community Room 1420 E Sprague Avenue, Spokane, WA 99202 12 PM | 4th Wednesday of Every Month
East Central matters—and so do you. Let’s get to work. |
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Next Member Meeting Wednesday, August 27th |
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Lynden P. Smithson Running for Municipal Court Judge Pos. 2 |
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For the past twenty-three years I have worked for the City of Spokane. I have held positions as head of our Domestic Violence Unit, I was Chief Assistant City Prosecutor. And most recently I was Spokane’s City Attorney; supervising, twenty-three lawyers in the Prosecutor’s Office and City Legal. My office advised over thirty City departments, the Mayor and City Council. I was charged with developing policy in many areas including criminal justice and homelessness response. I worked closely with the Mayor, Council and SPD to further sound policies to enhance our constituents experience in the downtown core. We were required to bring suit against the State of Washington to close the largest homeless encampment in the area and I led the charge in this endeavor.
In 2011 I was asked to establish a Domestic Violence Unit in the Prosecutor’s Office. I worked with the Spokane Police Department to establish policies and procedures to hold offenders responsible and to give victims the support they needed. We reduced recidivism and gave victims a voice in the legal proceedings. I continue to be involved in the Spokane Domestic Violence Consortium where I hold a board seat.
This opportunity to run for judge is the culmination of over twenty-five years in the practice of law. I have learned much during that time and I want to use my skills to better serve our community from the Municipal Court bench. |
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Coming September 24th for Meet The Candidates: Alejandro Barrientos | Running for City Council District 2 Pos. 2 Judge Mary Logan | Running for Spokane Municipal Court Pos. 2 |
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SAVE THE DATE |
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Wednesday, September 11th Ruby River Inn 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM Lunch & Networking Doors open at 11:30 AM |
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Tuesday, September 30th Ruby River Inn 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM Lunch & Networking Doors open at 11:30 AM |
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LUNCH & LEARN SERIES |
Bring Your Lunch, Leave With Insight! |
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We’re excited to partner with the Washington Policy Center for the kickoff of our new Lunch and Learn series! Bring your own lunch and join us for a thoughtful, engaging session—you’ll leave with fresh insight and meaningful takeaways.
Join Eastern Washington Director Chris Corry who will be there to discuss WPC's findings and ongoing work—like the Report Card for Washington, a tool to help citizens evaluate the performance of their state government.
Whether you’re a small business owner, an engaged resident, or someone who wants to better understand state policy, this event is opportunity you won’t want to miss.
Join us for this free, informative event —reserve your spot below! |
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THE JOURNEY CONTINUES |
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WHY RESOURCES FOR ADDICTION ARE SO VITAL |
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Follow Gavin Cooley as he walks the streets of downtown with Sarah Nowels, her mom, Shawna, and her dad, Spokane County Sheriff John Nowels, as they share their family's incredible story of love and recovery.
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MEMBERSHIP |
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Spokane Business Association gives businesses a united voice, direct access to decision-makers, and a seat at the table where real change happens. Together, we advocate, connect, and grow Spokane’s business community. |
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SBA THANKS OUR VALUABLE INVESTORS |
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PINNACLE INVESTORS |
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DIAMOND INVESTORS |
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PLATINUM INVESTORS |
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GOLD INVESTORS |
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Bank of America CPM Development Corporation Diamond Parking Services Goodale & Barbieri Company Hainsworth Laundry Company Linden Street Solutions Lukins & Annis Attorneys Lydig Construction, Inc Mackin & Little Inc RenCorp Realty STCU SVN | Cornerstone |
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SILVER INVESTORS |
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Alliant Insurance Services Allstar Glass Anthony's Restaurants Bouten Construction Company Budinger & Associates, Inc CliftonLarsonAllen LLP CollinsWoerman DCI Engineers Kiemle Hagood Merit Electric of Spokane, Inc Pella Inland Northwest Randall & Hurley Inc Spokane Symphony Tom Simpson Umpqua Bank Walker Construction |
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BRONZE INVESTORS |
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Able Label Arby's Of Spokane Associated Industries of the Inland NW Baker Construction Banner Bank BECU Bernardo Wills Breakthrough, Inc Coffman Engineers Comcast Business Commercial Construction & Improvements Copenhaver Construction, Inc Devries Business Services, Inc Dexter's Demolition Dupree Building Specialties Empire Bolt & Screw, Inc Finley Construction, Inc GoJoe Patrol |
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GT Capital Integrus Architecture Marsh & McLennan Agency MJM Grand NAI Black | Black Realty Management NW Granite Peppertree Hospitality Group Selkirk Development Spokane Regional Plan Center Stifel Financial Summit Electric LLC Surface Experts Franchising The General Store Thomas Hammer Coffee Roasters Trudeau's Marina Vandervert Developments Wendle Ford West Plains Development, LLC |
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PASS IT ON |
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If you believe in what we're building and want to see Spokane thrive, don’t keep it to yourself—share this with your neighbors, colleagues, and friends. The more voices we have, the stronger our impact. |
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LEADERSHIP |
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SBA BOARD OF DIRECTORS |
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