W E E K L Y N E W S L E T T E R
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A Message from our President...
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Dear Spokane Community,
On July 2nd, 2024, the Spokane Business Association (SBA) was officially formed—born from the dedicated roots of the East Spokane Business Association (ESBA), which has long championed the East Central neighborhoods of our great city. From those deep foundations, the SBA emerged with a broader mission: to establish a unified, citywide voice for Spokane’s business community.
Our goal was clear—businesses across Spokane needed representation not just at City Hall, but in Olympia as well. They deserved a seat at the table, and the Spokane Business Association answered that call. After all, it is Spokane’s business community that shoulders a significant share of the property taxes that keep our city functioning. Without thriving businesses, there is no thriving Spokane.
In just our first year, SBA has stood firmly in the gap—blocking harmful legislation like HB 1380, which would have permitted widespread camping on public property. We've worked relentlessly to shine a light on the spiraling crises of addiction, homelessness, and untreated mental illness. Our Director of Strategic Initiatives, Gavin Cooley, launched 100 consecutive days of 5:00 AM Crisis Walks through downtown Spokane—not for headlines, but to bear witness to a worsening crisis that too many continue to ignore.
Spokane now ranks among the highest in the nation for overdose deaths. This is no longer a policy problem—it’s a public health emergency. That’s why SBA has called on city leaders to work with county and state officials to declare a 90-day state of emergency. We also commissioned an independent study led by one of the nation’s foremost homelessness experts. His findings were blunt and undeniable: more than half of those living and using drugs on our sidewalks have no meaningful tie to Spokane. They’re here because our city has been too passive—offering sidewalks instead of solutions.
Most recently, SBA took the bold step of releasing a proposed amendment to the Spokane City Charter. Amending the city charter is the civic equivalent of rewriting Spokane’s constitution—binding the mayor, council, and bureaucracy to clear rules they can’t ignore or water down. This isn’t just symbolic; it’s structural. This amendment would empower law enforcement and recovery experts to intervene earlier and more effectively—redirecting lives from sidewalk encampments to real services and second chances. Just as importantly, it would allow our businesses to once again open their doors to customers without fear or disruption.
This work is made possible by the unwavering support of our members and our investor-level sponsors. The SBA receives no public funding—every dollar comes from businesses like yours who believe Spokane can and must do better.
If you haven’t yet joined the movement, now is the time. Help us write Spokane’s next chapter. Click below to become a member of the Spokane Business Association. If you're interested in exploring investor-level sponsorship and helping shape the direction of our work, I invite you to reach out directly. Gavin and I would be honored to sit down with you and share what’s next.
Together, we’re building something bold. And we’re just getting started.
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Your partner in business,
Brad
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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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Coming Up: ESBA Member Meeting | July 23, 2025
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Guest Speaker - Lt. Justin Elliott, Spokane County Sheriff's Office
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Lt. Justin Elliott serves as the Commander of the Intelligence Division and the Real-Time Crime Center (RTCC) at the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office. With more than 25 years of law enforcement experience, Lt. Elliott is a recognized leader in data-driven public safety, having spearheaded Spokane County’s groundbreaking RTCC initiative—an innovative, tech-enabled hub that fuses real-time data, regional collaboration, and precision policing. Under his leadership, the center has rapidly delivered results: recovering stolen vehicles, locating missing persons, and assisting in hundreds of arrests. A champion of both innovation and accountability, Lt. Elliott remains committed to enhancing public trust, safeguarding civil liberties, and delivering measurable impact through smart policing strategies.
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Contractors & Developers Focus Council
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Don't miss out. Sign up today!
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The Spokane Business Association, in collaboration with the City’s Department of Community and Economic Development, has partnered with some of Spokane’s most innovative and forward-thinking businesses to streamline the permitting process and support the city’s construction momentum. From affordable housing developments to luxury high-rises, Spokane’s skyline is rising—and the future is looking up.
Join the Contractors & Developers Focus Council and be part of the conversation driving real change. Whether you’re building affordable housing or commercial high-rises, your voice matters. Help us create smarter policy, faster processes, and a stronger foundation for Spokane’s growth.
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Thursday, July 17th
11:00 AM - 12:30 PM | Doors open at 10:30 AM
$30 - Lunch Included
Ruby River Inn | 700 N Division | Shoreline A Ballroom
Registration Required to Attend
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On June 11th, a dedicated group of North Spokane business owners, managers, and community leaders came together—not out of routine, but out of urgency. They gathered as part of the North Spokane Focus Council to discuss the real issues affecting their livelihoods: rising crime, the impact of “road diets” on accessibility and customer flow, and the growing strain on businesses already fighting to stay afloat.
This wasn’t a box-checking meeting. It was a frank, honest conversation about the mounting pressure local employers face—how employee safety, customer convenience, and long-standing economic stability are being compromised by policies that too often ignore the day-to-day realities on the ground.
Those in the room spoke not just for themselves, but for the people they employ and serve. They spoke with clarity, with resolve, and with the shared belief that Spokane deserves better. This is what civic engagement looks like—when business leaders decide they won't be silent observers to their own decline. They show up. They speak out. And they push for change.
In response to our recent survey, a clear message emerged: our dedicated members are eager to meet more frequently to stay ahead of the urgent issues impacting our businesses and our community. Your voices are driving this momentum—and we’re listening. Beginning in August, this focus council will meet monthly. We'll share more details with you next week!
Watch for details on our next North Spokane Focus Council meeting, coming soon. If you care about protecting your business, supporting your employees, and strengthening Spokane’s economic future, we invite you to join the conversation.
Your seat at the table matters.
Watch for details on our next North Spokane Focus Council meeting, coming soon. If you care about protecting your business, supporting your employees, and strengthening Spokane’s economic future, we invite you to join the conversation.
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Your seat at the table matters.
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Save the Date | Tuesday, September 23, 2025
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Registration begins next week!
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The Spokane Business Association’s Annual Dinner is just around the corner—mark your calendars for Tuesday, September 23, 2025.
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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David Bieter is the longest-serving mayor in Boise’s history, known for his visionary leadership and deep commitment to community. Over four terms, he expanded parks and open space, opened new neighborhood libraries, championed early childhood education, and pioneered a “housing first” approach to homelessness. A former land-use attorney and state legislator, Bieter remains a respected voice in civic innovation.
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WHERE THE JOURNEY BEGAN...
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Lunch Breaks that Mean Business | Coming Soon!
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New SBA Lunch & Learn Series Coming in August!
Bring Your Own Lunch, Leave with Insight 🍎 🧃 🛍️
Watch your email! We're getting ready to have some fun!
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Downtown Spokane stands at a pivotal moment. For business owners, the challenges of addiction, homelessness, and public safety are not distant policy debates—they are daily realities. And waiting for someone else to fix it is no longer an option.
That’s why the Spokane Business Association exists. Born from a coalition of business leaders unwilling to accept the status quo, we take action: walking the streets before dawn, engaging directly with decision-makers, and pushing for solutions grounded in accountability, compassion, and courage.
This work is hard. But it’s necessary—and it’s fueled by people who still believe Spokane can be better.
If you care about building a safer, stronger, more just city, your voice belongs here. Not because we claim to have all the answers—but because together, we are asking the right questions. And we will not stop until Spokane gets the answers it deserves.
Join us. This is how change begins.
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SBA THANKS OUR VALUABLE INVESTORS
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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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