Company’s Coming, Development Council Says

Officials with the Spokane Area Economic Development Council promise to announce this week “a nationally recognized company” that has been recruited to Spokane.

The announcement will be made Thursday during the agency’s 23rd annual meeting. Last year’s results of EDC recruitment efforts, and the coming year’s goals, also will be reviewed at the meeting.

Doors open at 3:30 p.m. at Cavanaugh’s Inn at the Park, with the business meeting beginning at 4 p.m.

Cost of the event is $25 per person. Call the EDC at 624-9285.

Today

Martin Luther King Day. Stock markets open, government offices, banks, government bond market and some commodities markets closed.

President Clinton and Vice President Gore are sworn in for a second term.

Kiwi International Air Lines, which suspended regular service in October and is in bankruptcy reorganization, is scheduled to resume flights between Atlanta, Chicago, Newark and West Palm Beach, Fla.

Tuesday

Service Professional Group meets at noon at the Red Lion in the Valley to discuss employee training. Call Denise Pilgrim or Lori Stansburg at 536-4520.

Managing Market Risk workshop on commodity futures and options for farmers is scheduled for 9 a.m. at the Community Building of the Palouse Empire Fairgrounds in Colfax. Cost: $30. Call 509-659-0090.

IBM earnings expected.

Chrysler earnings expected.

University of Idaho Potato Conference opens in Pocatello, through Thursday. Call Jim Hughes at 208-529-8376.

Wednesday

Washington State University Cooperative Extension agents conduct crop production seminar beginning at 8:30 a.m. in the Ritzville, Wash., American Legion Hall.

Montana Grain Elevator Association and Montana Agri-Business convention opens in Great Falls.

U.S. Department of Commerce Department releases December housing starts.

Federal Reserve releases Beige Book of regional economic activity.

Wisconsin farmers call milk strike organized by member of governor’s task force on cheese pricing.

Thursday

Trial of former Crop Growers Corp. chairman John J. Hemmingson scheduled to begin in U.S. District Court in Washington, D.C., to determine if the Post Falls resident conspired to make illegal campaign contributions to gain favors from former Agriculture Secretary Mike Espy.

U.S. Department of Treasury releases December budget statement.

Friday

Bond attorney Roy Koegen and attorney and civic activist Steve Eugster debate the use of tax increment financing for public projects at 7:30 a.m. at the Spokane Area Chamber of Commerce’ Issues & Answers meeting, 1020 W. Riverside. Call 459-4113.

Spokane Ag Bureau meets at noon at the Stockyards Inn.

Reform Party convention opens in Nashville, with Perot and Lamm forces struggling for control. , DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Graphic: Lumber prices

MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: ON THE SHELF Forbes, Jan. 27: Meet Microsoft’s coach, cheerleader and hatchet man. Steven Ballmer, Forbes says, is Bill Gates’ enforcer and No. 2 man at the software giant. Business Week, Jan. 20: AT&T may use cellular technology to invade the Baby Bells’ local turf. The goal: bypassing the wired network in cities and towns.

THEY’RE NO. 1 Westin scored highest among 11 upscale hotel chains in a survey that rated business travelers’ satisfaction, J.D. Power and Associates and Frequent Flyer Magazine say. But the study found that even the best hotels had room for improvement. Out of a score of 1,000, Westin received 670 points, followed by Renaissance, 642; Hyatt, 637; Marriott, 633; and Omni, 629. Other hotels: Crowne Plaza, Doubletree, Hilton, Sheraton, Radisson and Red Lion.