Spokane-CdA Rivals Boise In Size

Item: Spokane, Coeur d’Alene now one statistical region /John Stucke, SR

More Info: In the eyes of the U.S. Census Bureau, Spokane and Coeur d’Alene have been merged into a single metropolitan area with a population of 609,000 people. The combined statistical area “Spokane-Coeur d’Alene” ranks as the 87th most-populous metropolitan area in the United States, just behind Boise. The designation has been anticipated for years, and business boosters hope the placement in the top 100 largest U.S. population centers earns the region a closer look by companies planning to expand. It could also help the region collect more federal funding.

Question: What are your thoughts re: Spokane-Coeur d’Alene being viewed as a metro area that’s almost the same size as the Boise area? Would you rather have Coeur d’Alene continue to go it alone?