Washington Business Winter 2020 | Washington Business | Page 21

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So, if I’m an investor, or a young family just
starting out, why should we consider Spokane?
Alisha Benson
What are some of the main goals for GSI in the next
year or so?
Well, so many reasons (laughs). There’s all of the quality-
of-life factors, which are really significant and distinguish
our region as a wonderful place to work, live, and raise a
family. We’re still (in comparison to other communities)
an affordable place to buy a home. Spokane is a great place
for families and also for folks to get additional education
and training.
We have a diverse set of industry sectors. We have a really
great balance of healthcare and advanced manufacturing,
logistics, professional services — a good variety. And
Spokane was just ranked the 31st best place in the country
to start a business.
So, I’d say there are many reasons to consider Spokane.
Have you had any surprises since starting your new
job?
The most significant priority for us is driving towards a
I’ve been surprised in a great way by the support from people,
sustainable economic development funding mechanism for this
companies, investors, members, stakeholders, both here in
region, which we’ve coined the Point09 campaign. It will be
Spokane and across the state.
transformational and catalyzing for our region in a way nothing
At the core of this organization, we create the place where
else has been.
people come together to do big and important things on behalf
We’re (Spokane) the only county in the state of Washington
of our region. And so that support is energizing for both me
without sustainable economic development funding. And so,
individually and personally, but also for the organization in
when we talk about the role of a regional business development
how we continue to tackle the next big thing for Spokane.
organization, our opportunity is to lead transformational work.
This is a legislative change that would allow us,
as a border county, to access the sales and use tax
rebate of .09% to invest in infrastructure. And
that’s a huge opportunity and transformational
Alisha Benson at a glance
for the work that we do in this region. Not just
specific to GSI, but to our entire region and all of
Appointed chief executive officer of GSI in September 2019
the economic development partners that would
benefit from it.
First female to lead the organization as CEO since its inception in 1893
This legislative change will infuse dollars
Began her career in membership in 2008
into this community like never before to invest
in critical infrastructure projects. In addition,
Graduate of Washington State University
our region will have the dollars to market the
Hometown is Clancy, Montana
incredible assets of the community, businesses
First job was sorting pens and pencils in her dad’s office supply store
and employers that are here in the region, that
we currently aren’t able to do. Our region will
Married, mother of two
have a much more level playing field with our
peers both across the state of Washington and
around the country.
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