Business in brief: Schweitzer Labs confirms expansion

Pullman-based Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Inc., on Thursday confirmed expansion plans announced by founder and President Ed Schweitzer earlier this spring.

The company will add 75,000 square feet of manufacturing space to an existing 103,000-square-foot plant in Pullman. The expansion also includes 25,000 square feet of space for offices and conference rooms, the company said in a press release.

Schweitzer Engineering expects to add 300 jobs as a result of the expansion, which is expected to be completed by May 2007.

Ed Schweitzer said in April that the expansion was anticipated, but that the company was looking at sites in Idaho and elsewhere.

Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories makes power-management and digital-relay devices for utilities and large corporate customers.

Liberty Lake

Walgreens will displace gas station

A new Walgreens drug store is moving into Liberty Lake and taking out a gas station along the way.

The Walgreens drugstore will be built at the corner of Appleway and Liberty Lake Road, an area currently filled with weeds and bordered by a 76 gas station, said Doug Smith, director of planning and community development in Liberty Lake.

The gas station, a minor “landmark” to Liberty Lake, will be demolished to make way for the drug store, Smith said. There is no start date for the project yet, but after a July 6 pre-application meeting, a clearer timeframe may emerge, Smith said.

The 76 station was originally a BP station and was one of the first buildings to be constructed before the recent population and business boom in Liberty Lake, Smith said. It was also one of the first gas stations in the state to have double-walled gas storage units.

Hayden

Fastenal store changes location

Fastenal, an industrial supply store, is moving to a new location in Hayden.

The new store will open Monday at 10048 Taryne St. in Hayden, replacing the Coeur d’Alene store at 2623 Seltice Way. Three people will work at the new location, said Mike Peterson, the general manager.

Fastenal is Minnesota-based chain that supplies manufacturers and construction accounts with fasteners and other supplies, such as power tools. The firm has more than 2,000 stores nationwide.

Fastenal also opened a new store in Post Falls in June at 317 E. Seltice Way.