W E E K L Y N E W S L E T T E R
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Issue 16 | August 26, 2025
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A MESSAGE FROM OUR PRESIDENT...
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Dear Spokane Community,
Since moving to Spokane, I’ve learned something firsthand: allergies can wear you down. At first, a quick spray or pill seems to help, but the relief is fleeting. The symptoms always return — the runny nose, the watery eyes, the constant discomfort. Relief without real remedy only delays the inevitable truth: the suffering has to stop, and the root cause must be addressed.
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Our downtown is facing the same struggle. Too often we’ve settled for quick fixes to ease the symptoms — moving people from one block to another, sweeping up for appearances, making just enough of a change to get through the day. But the underlying illness remains. Spokane’s business core is weakened by unchecked addiction, homelessness, and public safety concerns that drag down the health of our entire city.
The alarming overdose rate — among the nation’s highest — is tragic. Allowing it to continue is not compassion. Nor is it civil liberties, or freedom of expression. It is the clearest sign of a sickened system in desperate need of real treatment.
The answer isn’t simple, and it won’t come overnight. Just like treating an illness, healing a city takes time, persistence, and a willingness to confront the deeper causes rather than masking the pain. But we cannot ignore the suffering or grow numb to it. The people who live, work, and invest here deserve a downtown that is thriving, safe, and truly well.
That is why the Spokane Business Association and its partners are releasing The 75% Act in September for public review and comment. This is your chance to take ownership of your community. Our elected officials cannot ignore the will of the people — they must stand beside their city, listen to their citizens, and be willing to rewrite the playbook. Even when it’s uncomfortable. Even when it’s hard. And quite simply, time has run out.
You can dress it up however you like, but the numbers show Spokane’s decline is steep and accelerating. Spokane is worth more than that. Spokane CAN thrive.
Sign up today! Details are below. Let's talk.
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Your partner in business,
Brad
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Spokane CAN - Call to Action
The 75% Act
Breaking Down the Plan for Spokane’s Future
Sign Up Today | See our Lunch & Learn Details Below
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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 purchase a Table (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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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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SEE YOU TOMORROW AT ESBA!
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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
Judge Mary Logan | Incumbent, Running for Spokane Municipal Court
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Coming October 22nd for Meet The Candidates
Jonathan Bingle| Incumbent, Running for Re-Election City Council District 2
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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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Thursday, October 9th
Ruby River Inn
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Lunch & Networking
Doors open at 11:30 AM
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Wednesday, September 17th
Spokane Public Library
906 W Main Ave, Spokane WA
Events Room B (Main Floor)
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The 75% Act
Breaking Down the Plan for Spokane’s Future
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Bring your lunch, leave with insight!
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THANK YOU WASHINGTON POLICY CENTER!
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A huge thank you to Chris Corry, Eastern Washington Director at the Washington Policy Center, for leading a fabulous inaugural SBA Lunch & Learn!
The Washington Policy Center is an independent, non-partisan think tank that uses official state data to deliver fact-based research and strengthen our communities through transparency. WPC's Washington State Report Card measures the state’s performance in areas like education, business, environment, and transportation—highlighting successes and shortcomings to encourage solutions based on facts, not politics.
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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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Able Label
Associated Industries of the Inland NW
Baker Construction
Banner Bank
BECU
Coffman Engineers
Comcast Business
Copenhaver Construction, Inc
Devries Business Services, Inc
Dexter's Demolition
Dupree Building Specialties
Empire Bolt & Screw, Inc
Finley Construction, Inc
GoJoe Patrol
GT Capital
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Integrus Architecture
Marsh & McLennan Agency
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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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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