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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883
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Five reasons Spokane can tout in bid as site for Amazon’s second North American headquarters

Near the urban center and home to higher education and research facilities, Spokane’s U-District meets some of Amazon’s criteria for its second headquarters. (Jesse Tinsley / The Spokesman-Review)
By Becky Kramer beckyk@spokesman.com(509) 459-5466

Spokane is buzzing with bright minds

Think U-District – among other areas – with talented entrepreneurs and innovators. The area also has a growing group of tech companies: Tier Point, Salesforce, Second Watch, Gravity Jack, LimelYte Tech Group, Maplewood Software, Soft Technologies, Bias Software

EWU freshmen make their way to Showalter Hall, September 22, 2008, as the academic year for college students gets underway in Cheney, WA. (Brian Plonka / The Spokesman-Review)
EWU freshmen make their way to Showalter Hall, September 22, 2008, as the academic year for college students gets underway in Cheney, WA. (Brian Plonka / The Spokesman-Review) Buy this photo

We create tech pipelines

Eastern Washington University and Microsoft are partnering on a new data analytics degree. Students who complete Microsroft’s data science program will graduate with a B.S. in data analytics, as well as a company certificate showing they completed its courses.

The bright lights of the world's fair create a riot of color in the heart of Spokane against a backdrop of nighttime sky. This view, looking northeast, focuses on Havermale Island, with the shimmering canopy of the United States Pavilion rising like the glowing cone of a live volcano from the center of the 100-acre fairgrounds. ("PHOTO ARCHIVE; dale morgan" / PHOTO ARCHIVE)
The bright lights of the world’s fair create a riot of color in the heart of Spokane against a backdrop of nighttime sky. This view, looking northeast, focuses on Havermale Island, with the shimmering canopy of the United States Pavilion rising like the glowing cone of a live volcano from the center of the 100-acre fairgrounds. (“PHOTO ARCHIVE; dale morgan” / PHOTO ARCHIVE)

We’re the little engine that can

And we can play on the world stage with the big boys and meet their demands. Expo ’74 proved to be the catalyst for a renaissance that revitalized downtown and, to a large degree, Greater Spokane. We’re one of the smallest cities to host a World’s Fair.

A Southwest Airlines departure lifts off at Spokane International Airport Tuesday October 11, 2011. (Christopher Anderson / The Spokesman-Review)
A Southwest Airlines departure lifts off at Spokane International Airport Tuesday October 11, 2011. (Christopher Anderson / The Spokesman-Review) Buy this photo

Connectivity beyond tech

The area boasts a top-notch transit system locally, and easy access to Amazon’s Seattle headquarters as well as metropolitan centers across the country and around the world via Spokane International Airport, recently named by Smart-Asset among its Top Ten most-efficient airports in the nation.

Michael Prentice, of Spokane Valley, paddles away from the landing under the Division Street bridge Monday, July 31, 2017. Kayak and stand-up paddleboard rentals were brisk Monday for the business, Fun Unlimited, which opens for business each summer after Spokane River dams are closed and the current is slower and safe for boating. Renters can paddle upstream past Gonzaga University. (Jesse Tinsley / The Spokesman-Review)
Michael Prentice, of Spokane Valley, paddles away from the landing under the Division Street bridge Monday, July 31, 2017. Kayak and stand-up paddleboard rentals were brisk Monday for the business, Fun Unlimited, which opens for business each summer after Spokane River dams are closed and the current is slower and safe for boating. Renters can paddle upstream past Gonzaga University. (Jesse Tinsley / The Spokesman-Review) Buy this photo

Near nature, nearly everything

We’re at the crossroads where quality of life meets affordability; an easy commute meets an envy-worthy outdoor getaway. Where the great outdoors is rivaled by a great indoors. Hike, bike, ski, fish, or relax in pristine parks. Take in a symphony, a Broadway play or a Gonzaga basketball game.