As a result, says Mark Turner, president of the Spokane AreaEconomic Council, the bulk of manufacturing in the area is nowelectronic or high-tech oriented. "Of the top 12 manufacturers(here), eight are technology based," says Turner, dropping nameslike Cisco Systems and Key Tronic Corp. Turner says the recentgrowth among local manufacturers is creating a ripple effect andfostering economic activity throughout the high-tech sector."Clusters of suppliers and vendors are growing in Spokane, whichwill help (the EDC) better meet the needs in technology-basedbusiness and spur future growth," says Turner.

Another spokesperson at the EDC tells GlobeSt that two ofSpokane's attractions are its relative proximity to Seattlecombined with its significantly lower costs of doing business,including cheaper land and lease rates. Here's a look at somecompanies that already have taken advantage of the lower costs:

* Avista Development and Wells & Co. have teamed up toconvert a former Roadway Inn to a high-tech office building on 827W First. The $4.5 million project will contain 32,000 sf withinfrastructure scaled to meet the needs of its target tenants:high-tech.