Spokane Cannot Afford More Self-Inflicted Damage
|
Spokane’s business community is not asking City Hall for favors. It is asking elected officials to recognize the damage their policies are creating, not just for businesses, but for the jobs our community depends on.
Look at the context:
- Spokane is a border community. We compete every day with Idaho, just a few miles away. That is much harder when our tax rates are already much higher, including a sales tax rate 52% higher than Idaho’s and a state gas tax 73% higher.
- Development is already moving east. Over the last decade, Kootenai County has been building housing at nearly twice the rate of Spokane County.
- Our overdose crisis remains among the most serious in the nation. This is first and foremost a humanitarian crisis. But it is also a downtown business crisis. because so much of its visible impact is concentrated in and around the city core.
- Public safety and street conditions are far better than they were before the passage of Safe and Accessible Spaces ordinance last October. But anyone getting off the Division Street exit knows Spokane still has a long way to go.
- Downtown remains deeply strained. Spokane downtown office vacancy is around 35% - by comparison, Boise and Kootenai County are at approximately 8% and 5% respectively.
And in that environment, what has City Hall done?
- Imposed a commercial parking tax on paid parking in commercial lots and structures.
- Adopted an emergency drive-through moratorium affecting most of the Division Street corridor north of the river, one of Spokane’s highest volume and most important commercial and traffic corridors.
- Kept supporting a reduction of three lanes available to car travel on Division and Ruby, creating bottlenecks on a state highway corridor that is already often congested.
- Continued to advance new housing mandates, including a proposed residential cooling requirement.
- Failed to fix redevelopment burdens around change of use, utility, and stormwater requirements that owners and developers consistently say can delay or kill projects.
That is the problem
This all adds up to City Hall’s clear message to the business community: more friction, more cost, more uncertainty, at exactly the time Spokane should be doing the opposite.
And that is not just a problem for “business.” It is a problem for the people whose jobs depend on a strong business climate and long-term growth.
Tomorrow’s Barriers to Building meeting at the Spokane Central Library, 1:00 – 3:00 (906 W. Main Street, 3rd floor) is welcome. But the real test is whether elected officials are willing to change course.
|
- Meetings Are Held On The Fourth Wednesday of Every Month
- 1420 E Sprague Ave, Spokane
- 12PM In The Community Room
- Members Welcome
- Lunch provided
- Enter in the Back
|
With Guest Speaker
Washington State Representative Suzanne Schmidt, 4th District
|
Representative Suzanne Schmidt serves Washington’s 4th Legislative District. She has built a reputation for thoughtful engagement on issues tied to employers, public safety, and government accountability, and brings that perspective to her work on behalf of the district.
|
I want to share that Brad Barnett has resigned as President of SBA. We are grateful for Brad’s service to the organization over the past year and wish him the very best in what comes next.
At the same time, I want to be very clear: SBA’s mission is more important, and more sharply focused, than ever, advocating for the issues that most directly affect Spokane businesses, including public safety, housing, and Spokane’s long term economic competitiveness.
Top of Form
Bottom of Form
Gavin Cooley
Director of Strategic Initiatives
|
Come Join Us - May 20, 2026
|
The Spokane Business Association’s North Spokane Focus Council brings together community voices, business leaders, and guest speakers to highlight the issues, opportunities, and ideas shaping the future of the area. Held on the third Wednesday of every month from noon to 1:00 p.m., these gatherings create a welcoming space for meaningful conversation around the North Spokane corridor and surrounding community. All SBA members are invited to attend, enjoy lunch, and engage in thoughtful discussion on the topics that matter most to local businesses and neighborhoods. Members are encouraged to invite prospective businesses that would benefit from being part of the SBA community.
➡️ Meetings are held on the Third Wednesday of Every Month
➡️ 25 W Nora Avenue (Spokane Housing Authority) | Parking Available
➡️ Noon – 1:00 pm
➡️ Come Enjoy Lunch and Let’s Talk North Spokane
➡️ All SBA Members Welcome
|
You're invited to the Spokane Business Association Annual Dinner
Spokane Convention Center
September 22, 2026
|
THANK YOU to our Sponsors
|
Mission Statement
To advocate for the businesses and residents in Spokane by influencing public policy and ensuring accountability to advance a safe, healthy, and thriving community.
Vision
Spokane is the City of Choice for businesses and residents to invest and prosper.
|
|
