Essentials - Flavor

Spokane: The heart of the Inland Northwest

– Dominic Bonuccelli photo.

Spokane has been the regional center of the Inland Northwest since its incorporation in 1881. As the largest city between Minneapolis and Seattle, from east to west, and between Calgary and Salt Lake City, from north to south, Spokane is a hub for transportation, education, health care, shopping, leisure activities, and more.

The Spokane-Coeur d'Alene area is located within driving distance of major cities, including Seattle; Portland; Salt Lake City; San Francisco; and Vancouver, B.C., and Calgary, Alberta, in Canada.

Its market covers an area the size of continental Europe, reaching Eastern Washington, North Idaho, Western Montana, and northeastern Oregon, as well as southern British Columbia and Alberta.

Arbitron reports that Spokane's designated market area (DMA) contains nearly 950,000 people age 12 and up, and ranks it 75th in the U.S.

“Spokane is a very significant player in a huge geographical area,” says Ed Clark, Spokane native and owner of The Clark Co., an advertising and public relations company.

Agriculture, mining, and timber once were the Spokane region's key economic drivers; the economy here now is far more diverse, with significant strength in health care, finance, technology, manufacturing, and education.

Spokane has seen a rebirth of its downtown core, becoming a destination for shopping, conventions, entertainment, and business. The beautiful River Park Square mall and historic Davenport Hotel and expanded convention center have served as catalysts, leading to vibrant activities, day and night.

Just to the east of downtown Spokane, sits the Riverpoint Campus that houses branches of nearly every college in the region, including Washington State University, Eastern Washington University, Whitworth University, and the Community Colleges of Spokane. Right across the river is Gonzaga University. It is also home to the new WSU College of Nursing building and Innovate Washington, a Washington state economic development agency and business technology incubator.

More than 100,000 people attend conventions in Spokane each year, spending millions of dollars on hotel nights and services. In 2010, the U.S. Figure Skating Championships contributed to a record-breaking year.

Spokane also is a gateway to a myriad of recreational activities. In minutes, one can reach the rugged beauty of Riverside State Park or drive to the summit of Mount Spokane for skiing, hiking, and sweeping views of the city, Idaho, and even Canada. More than 35 picturesque golf courses are within an hour's drive, including the lauded Coeur d'Alene Resort Golf Course with the world's only floating island green.