SPOKANE, Wash. – A group of business and community leaders from Spokane are working to ensure their city’s voice is heard in federal decision-making.
Greater Spokane Incorporated has organized an annual trip for 20 years, bringing together leaders from major industries such as healthcare, education, finance, transportation, agriculture and technology.
The group recently visited Washington D.C., focusing on timely topics like trade policy and its implications for local employers and the agricultural community. They also discussed the importance of healthcare and research grants, as well as infrastructure needs, including transportation and broadband.
Alisha Benson, CEO of Greater Spokane Incorporated, said federal trade policies create harmful uncertainty for Spokane-area businesses.
“We are very concerned about the trade and tariff policies that are coming down and really the unpredictability of it,” Benson said.
Benson also highlighted concerns regarding potential Medicaid cuts and threats to federal funding.
“We’re very concerned about what’s going to happen around both Medicaid, potential Medicaid cuts but also the threats to federal funding,” she said.
Benson said Spokane leaders were well-received and came prepared with critical data and information for congressional leaders to consider.
