Holding check, right to left, are  Valley Mayor Tom Towey, Rick Cooper of Pepsi Bottling Co., and Dan Duer, general manager of Wolff Services.

A few weeks ago, the state gave a $50,000 grant to the Pepsi Bottling Co., as an incentive to move into the Central Business Park in Spokane Valley. 

Pepsico consolidated its area operations into an 80,000 square foot distribution center, and received $50,000 from the governor's Strategic Reserve Fund.

As is customary with such awards, there had to be a ceremony that we in the newsbiz refer to as a "grip and grin." It's a chance to hold a gigantic pair of scissors to cut a ribbon, or a chance to line up folks in business suits with shiny hard hats and shovels to scoop up a bit of dirt, or a chance to hold a giant check.

This was the giant check variety of grip and grin. And while it isn't significantly different from others, it reminded us some things that we always wonder about these events. Like:

--Has anyone ever taken one of these to a bank and tried to cash it?

--Is there a book of giant checks that the state has for just such occasions?

--And if there is a giant book of checks, does it come with a free simulated leather cover, or is that extra?

--Why doesn't the state use electronic funds transfer, like everyone else?

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