Groups Map Out Growth Strategy Organizers Say Spokane’S ‘Bunker’ Mentality Is Dying

Ten area business groups have started meshing their game plans to help improve Spokane’s economy.

After a meeting earlier this week, representatives of the groups said they will continue to work together to attract new businesses and boost economic activity here.

The intent of Tuesday’s meeting, said Joann Matthiesen, was building a common vision and defining ways to help the community.

“We all agree we could have more influence and move the community forward if we came together,” said Matthiesen, chair of the Spokane Chamber of Commerce.

The groups represented at the meeting were Focus 21, The Spokane Area Economic Development Council, the Spokane Chamber of Commerce, the Spokane Valley Chamber of Commerce, Technet, the Spokane SymposiumSeries, Inland Northwest Technology Council, the International Trade Alliance, the Spokane Area Convention and Visitors Bureau and the Downtown Spokane Partnership.

Those taking part were either current board presidents, past presidents or presidents-elect.

Other area groups also will join the group to expand the coalition, Matthiesen added.

Representatives expect to continue the discussion in two to three weeks.

Matthiesen said each group will define its three or four vital community goals, then work in common to decide each group’s role toward achieving that target.

“We will put those answers into a databank and try to come to some understanding” on what needs to be done to build a stronger economy, she said.

The need for the dialog is the evolution of Spokane’s economic landscape, said John Stone, president of John Stone Development Co.

“It’s clear we’re going through a change, from an extraction economy to a new generation model of doing business,” said Stone.

Stone is a founder of the Spokane SymposiumSeries, a group of leaders dedicated to building the area’s technology and education infrastructure.

Stone said he’s felt somewhat shunned in the past by “old-line” Spokane business leaders.

But that’s gradually changing, and the meeting with the other groups displayed more cordiality, more cooperation, he said.

“We’re all coming out of the bunker, hoping to see things start happening here,” said Stone.