Avista Earns A-Plus

Tue., Feb. 22, 2000

By John Webster johnwe@spokesman.com (509) 459-5421

How can the Spokane area strengthen its economy? One of the best ways is to strengthen the people who live here, equipping the next generation with the career skills the new economy rewards.

This is a task in which government and business must be partners.

In government, Gov. Gary Locke is an exemplary contributor, arguing tirelessly for enhancements to education. For instance, he wants bigger state grants for colleges that expand enrollments in information technology. There is such a shortage of IT workers that Washington employers must go out of state to fill job openings.

Spokane’s Avista Corp. is a model for the kind of support the private sector can provide. Over the past 11 years, the company has distributed $250,000 in grants to creative classroom projects by our region’s K-12 teachers. Last week, the company announced a significant increase in another of its community enrichment programs: scholarships.

Avista now plans to award $100,000 a year in scholarships to students seeking degrees Avista covets at any of 13 Northwest colleges. Winners can seek summer internships at Avista and the company hopes to hire some of them when they graduate. Half the scholarships will go to multicultural students, reflecting Avista’s desire to strengthen our region’s ethnic diversity.

The stock market recently recognized Avista’s progressive business initiatives. The community should applaud the company’s equally progressive move to invest in our region’s human capital.

Educators and business people often talk about how schools could impart what the job world needs. Efforts like these cross the bridge from talk to fulfillment.

Local journalism is essential.

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