Week in Review
Top Story
After more than a century in Spokane, the Northwest Mining Association’s annual meeting will move to Reno this year in an effort to boost flagging attendance. A decade ago, more than 3,000 geologists and mining officials showed up for the meeting; last year, attendance was around 1,200. The meeting is typically held at the beginning of December, boosting holiday shopping in the region. The association has committed to bringing the event back to Spokane in 2007.
Tuesday
Ford Motor Co. announced plans to cut up to 30,000 jobs and shutter 14 plants in a sweeping restructuring that the automaker hopes will tackle declining market share and rising costs.
“ Microsoft is eyeing 74 acres in Quincy, Wash., for what officials there have been told would be a data center for storage and backup of critical company information. The center would employ 30 to 50 people. Yahoo Inc. is also rumored to be scouting sites in Grant County.
“ Inland Imaging is buying for $3.3 million two commercial buildings on Spokane’s lower South Hill that formerly housed the corporate headquarters of Itronix Corp. The two buildings will be used by Duvoisin and Associates, a wholly owned subsidiary of Inland Imaging that provides technology and business services for its parent company and others.
“ Nike said its CEO of one year left the company due to differences with Nike founder and Chairman Phil Knight.
Wednesday
Two confidential state reports said that more than 3,100 Wal-Mart employees in Washington were benefiting from state-subsidized health coverage throughout 2004, which was nearly double the total for any other company.
“ Cuda Apparel Inc. and Buffalo LLC, two companies that make custom sports apparel and merchandise, have merged and the combined company is called Cuda Buffalo Apparel.
Thursday
A group of partners has bought the former Joel Inc. building in downtown Spokane and plans to convert it to urban condominiums. Joel, a furnishings and giftware retailer, had occupied the Kirtland Cutter-designed building since 1967 when the company’s founder, Joel Ferris II, purchased the property. Construction of the up to 18 condominium units could begin in the spring.
“ About 450 technical workers at Sacred Heart Medical Center rejected a contract offer from the hospital, saying it didn’t provide enough protection against changes in their health insurance plans, among other things.
Friday
The Federal Trade Commission says data warehouser ChoicePoint Inc. will pay $15 million to settle charges that its security and record-handling procedures violated consumers’ privacy rights and federal laws.