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Issue 11 | July 22, 2025

A Message from our President...

Dear Spokane Community, 

The City of Spokane recently introduced the HEART ordinance—an effort to ease the financial strain of building low-income housing. On paper, it’s a solution: more affordable housing, faster. But in practice, it risks becoming another well-meaning gesture that fails to confront the deeper emergency unfolding in our city.

Let’s say it plainly: this isn’t just a housing issue—it’s a human crisis.

We aren’t merely short on housing units. We’re caught in a storm of addiction, mental illness, and untreated trauma—realities that no amount of brick and mortar alone can contain.

There’s a freeway of fentanyl running through Spokane. People are dying on our sidewalks. Encampments aren’t growing because folks are patiently waiting for affordable housing—they’re growing because people are stuck in something far more tangled: the breakdown of every system meant to intervene.

And that’s where policy has to catch up with reality.

Because no one climbs out of crisis from the top of Maslow’s pyramid. You don’t start with self-actualization—or even stable housing—when you’re still fighting for the basics: food, water, rest, and protection from harm. The unsheltered aren’t refusing help—they’re trapped in survival.

Maslow taught us that growth starts at the ground level. First comes safety. Then comes healing. Only after that can people reach for stability, community, and purpose. The HEART ordinance tries to build at the top of the pyramid without laying the foundation. And bricks without a foundation crumble. Always.

Meanwhile, businesses are choosing not to move to Spokane—or worse, many family-run, deeply rooted, and long-committed businesses are quietly making the decision to leave. They’re tired of cleaning up needles, garbage, and human waste before opening their doors. Tired of calling for help and being told there’s nothing that can be done. Tired of losing staff who no longer feel safe walking to work.

The cost isn’t just human—it’s economic. When a city’s core starts to erode, opportunity slips through the cracks. We’re not just losing retail—we’re losing revenue, jobs, and our credibility as a city where business can grow.

You can’t tear down the bridge and then wonder why you’re stuck on one side of the river.  

The HEART ordinance may be a step. But Spokane needs more than steps—we need a path forward. One that begins by addressing what’s breaking people long before we ask them to rebuild their lives.

Until we get serious about the underlying causes, we’ll keep watching the same cycle play out:
Build the unit. Lose the tenant. Repeat.

People experiencing addiction today won’t “hit rock bottom” and ask for help—they will die. We must enforce the law. When given a real choice between jail or treatment, the vast majority will choose treatment.

Spokane deserves more. Its people deserve better. And it begins by bridging the gap between what’s politically convenient and what’s morally necessary.

That's why the Spokane Business Association and our community partners are working to create the Spokane Public Safety, Health, and Jobs Act.  Commonly known as the "Prop 1 - 75% Act".  In the months ahead, we'll be gathering public input on this proposed City Charter Amendment - named for the 75% of voters who supported Proposition 1 in 2023.  This measure would restore that public mandate, but with far more clarity, enforceability, and accountability.  

Your partner in business,

  Brad

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.

Guest Speaker - Lt. Justin Elliott, Spokane County Sheriff's Office

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.

LUNCH & LEARN SERIES

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!

SBA ANNUAL DINNER

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.

WHERE THE JOURNEY BEGAN...

MEMBERSHIP

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.

SBA THANKS OUR VALUABLE INVESTORS

PINNACLE INVESTORS

DIAMOND INVESTORS

PLATINUM INVESTORS

GOLD INVESTORS

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

NAI Black | Black Realty Management

RenCorp Realty

Spokane Hardware Supply, Inc

STCU

SVN | Cornerstone

SILVER INVESTORS

Alliant Insurance Services

Anthony's Restaurants

Bouten Construction Company

Budinger & Associates, Inc

CliftonLarsonAllen LLP

CollinsWoerman

DCI Engineers

Merit Electric of Spokane, Inc

Randall & Hurley Inc

Tom Simpson

Umpqua Bank

Walker Construction

BRONZE INVESTORS

Able Label

Allstar Glass Company

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

Dupree Building Specialties

Empire Bolt & Screw, Inc

Finley Construction, Inc

GoJoe Patrol

GT Capital

Integrus Architecture

Kiemle Hagood

Marsh & McLennan Agency

MJM Grand

NW Granite

Pella Inland Northwest

Peppertree Hospitality Group

Perlo Construction

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

West Plains Development, LLC

PASS IT ON

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.

LEADERSHIP

SBA BOARD OF DIRECTORS