Local Business
05/03/2026 · Pullman
Spokane Construction Surges After Year of Sharp Declines
After a brutal 2025 that saw housing permits plummet 53% and construction values crater, Spokane is showing unmistakable signs of recovery heading into spring 2026. Year-to-date housing unit permits have surged 81% compared to early 2025, signaling the market may finally be stabilizing in Eastern Washington's largest city.
Boeing Tentative Pact with Everett Machinists Averts Strike Threat
Boeing and its Puget Sound machinists union struck a tentative four-year deal Sunday, offering 25% wage hikes and a pledge to build the next airliner in Washington, staving off a strike that loomed over Everett's factories. The 33,000 workers now face a high-stakes ratification vote Thursday amid vocal protests. Job security hangs in the balance for Washington's aerospace heartland.
05/03/2026
Amazon Pours $2B into Seattle-Area Housing Amid HQ Growth
Amazon is accelerating its Puget Sound presence with a massive $2 billion Housing Equity Fund targeting 20,000 affordable units, including 1,000 in Bellevue. The initiative counters criticism over skyrocketing rents near its South Lake Union headquarters. This comes as the tech giant eyes further expansions in Washington state's core economic hub.
05/03/2026