Tom Sowa

Tom Sowa covers technology, retail and economic development and writes the Office Hours blog.

Contact Tom

Email: toms@spokesman.com
Phone: 509-459-5492
Fax: 509-459-5482

Recent stories by Tom

South Hill Target proposal moves forward

April 25, 2013 in Business, City on Page A5 Concerned residents who fought to add pedestrian-friendly features in a proposed Target retail project on the South Hill gained a little ground Wednesday during a City Hall hearing. Residents persuaded … 30
Trade Alliance agrees to merge with Greater Spokane

April 24, 2013 in Business on Page A8 Facing declining government support, Spokane’s International Trade Alliance has agreed to merge with Greater Spokane Incorporated. The alliance was created in 1996 to promote international business by regional companies. 2
Unemployment rate down in Spokane County

April 24, 2013 in Business on Page A5 State universities and colleges cut 500 positions in Spokane County last month to help drive March job losses to 1,100. And yet the county’s overall unemployment rate fell to 9.1 … 4
Former Zag Dan Dickau goes from broadcast booth to barber shop

April 19, 2013 in Business on Page A8 Former Gonzaga University point guard Dan Dickau, whose long hair and curls were a trademark during his playing days, is now running his own barbershop. After six seasons in the … 7
Bloomsday directors plan extra security measures

April 19, 2013 in Business on Page A1 Lilac Bloomsday Association directors say they’ll require runners and walkers to show their official race tags before lining up for the start of this year’s run. It’s one of the …
General Store CEO opening Ace in Valley

April 18, 2013 in Business on Page A8 For six decades the Barany family has operated the General Store in the same north Spokane location on North Division Street. For years, customers have told CEO Bruce Barany he …
GU law school fights enrollment trend

April 17, 2013 in City, Region on Page A10 Gonzaga School of Law will celebrate its 100th year with a party this weekend. But the bigger news for GU law school Dean Jane Korn on Tuesday was learning that … 2
Spokane Tribe leader fined for poaching bison in Montana

April 14, 2013 in City on Page B1 The vice chairman of the Spokane Tribe of Indians poached two bison north of Yellowstone National Park in February and lied about his identity to officers investigating the hunt, court … 216
Hart Capital’s index shows big local gains

April 13, 2013 in Business on Page A6 As the S&P 500 has hit record market highs, the gains also fueled a strong first quarter for the Hart Capital Inland Northwest Index. The Inland Northwest index is a … 1
Ruling stalls Montana mining project

April 11, 2013 in Business on Page A8 A Montana court ruling has added a legal roadblock to plans by a Spokane company to develop a large silver and copper mine in northwest Montana, including a portion that … 13
Frustrated by loitering crowds, building owners turn to technology

April 7, 2013 in Business, City on Page A1 Young people loitering on downtown Spokane sidewalks have a new foe: the Mosquito. Several building owners in the downtown core, fed up with swearing, spitting and unruly behavior on public … 215
Tower closings put on hold at Felts Field, other airports

April 6, 2013 in Business on Page A1 Federal government plans to close Felts Field and 148 other air traffic control towers have been postponed until June 15, the Federal Aviation Administration announced Friday. The cuts could have … 20
Five adjacent properties across from Manito Park to be sold separately

April 5, 2013 in Business on Page A5 The heirs of a longtime South Hill property owner have abandoned plans to sell five side-by-side residences near Manito Park to a single buyer. For more than a month, the … 22
Spokane Club is gearing up to sell its Valley component

April 5, 2013 in Business on Page A5 Spokane Club board members want to sell the club’s Spokane Valley facility. The former Central Park Racquet Club was purchased by the club in 2000 for roughly $3.2 million. Since … 17
CCS Foundation launches entrepreneurship campaign

March 30, 2013 in Business on Page A7 Community Colleges of Spokane Foundation intends to raise $250,000 to support Spokane Community College’s Integrated Business and Entrepreneurship program and students there who hope to start businesses. The commitment comes …
Perry district has neighborly feel

March 29, 2013 in Business on Page A5 The South Perry District has become one of Spokane’s hippest neighborhoods, and even a huge hole in the ground can’t deflate the upbeat mood shared by residents and business owners … 24
Sykes will close Spokane Valley call center in May

March 28, 2013 in Business on Page A8 Sykes Enterprises, which once had more than 300 area call center workers, will close its Spokane Valley office in late May, the company announced. The Tampa-based company said its last … 7
Armed man ties up manager, robs Spokane Valley tavern

March 28, 2013 in City on Page A5 An armed robber made off with an undisclosed amount of cash and two beers Wednesday after tying up the manager at Poppy’s Tavern in Spokane Valley. The robber used zip … 8
Five Mile development will add beer, pizza

March 27, 2013 in Business on Page A8 A commercial and residential development in north Spokane’s Five Mile area will introduce a new craft brewery and an artisan pizzeria, each operated by Spokane food business veterans. The two … 6
Old building, bright future

March 23, 2013 in Business on Page A7 The Buchanan Building in downtown Spokane will become the new home of Limelyte Technology Group, thanks to an innovative partnership between Limelyte’s CEO and a Spokane City Council member. Councilman … 1