Arrow-right Camera
The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Around the Corner

Schweitzers, SEL contribute

$1.5 million for endowment

Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories founder and its employees have contributed $1.5 million to Washington State University to establish an endowment to support the school’s power engineering program.

The Edmund O. Schweitzer III Chair in Power Apparatus and Systems in the Voiland College of Engineering and Architecture will be created with the gift from Edmund and Beatriz Schweitzer and employees of the Pullman-based company.

The endowed professorship will support WSU’s teaching and research in the fundamentals of power engineering, including electromagnetics, controls, communication theory, high-voltage materials and practice, according to a WSU news release.

Accounting firm among Intuit online tech award finalists

Spokane accounting firm Business Cents Inc. has been named one of four finalists in the annual Firm of the Future award presented by Intuit Inc.

The award recognizes accounting firms that embrace online technology such as cloud storage, new business models and modern marketing to help small-business clients. Other finalists include firms in Australia, Canada and the United Kingdom.

Firms submitted a written explanation of their work, culture and vision and now will create a video to help determine the Firm of the Future, based on public voting. Voting takes place Oct. 16-29, with the winner to be announced at Intuit’s QuickBooks Connect conference Nov. 15-17, in San Jose, California.

“We are both humbled and incredibly proud to be recognized by Intuit as a Firm of the Future,” Steffanie Anderson, owner and CEO of Business Cents Inc., said in a news release. “… We are grateful to have made the list alongside so many other technologically-driven firms.”

Holster maker a finalist

for Idaho innovation awards

Tedder Industries LLC, which makes gun holsters in Post Falls, is a finalist in two categories for the 2017 Idaho Innovation Awards.

Tedder Industries is a finalist for the innovative company of the year award. The company’s ShapeShift Modular Holster System is a contender for consumer product of the year.

Winners will be announced at the Idaho Technology Council “Hall of Fame” meeting Oct. 24 in Boise.

Tedder Industries makes holsters under the Alien Gear Holsters brand. Owner Thomas Tedder started the company in 2010 at his kitchen table.

Performing arts venue plans open house later this week

A venue to promote and teach dance, theater and other performing arts will mark its opening in Spokane with a Thursday event.

The Professional Performing Arts Institute will celebrate its opening 6-8 p.m. at 521 E. Holland Ave., Suite 50. It will feature a performance by Spokane Symphony concertmaster Matseuz Wolski and the Professional Ballet School, according to a PPAI news release.

The PPAI, home to the Professional Ballet School, offers the community a place to experience the arts. It is a multifaceted performance and education institute specializing in dance, theater and performing arts instruction for all skill levels, ages and abilities, the release said.

Therapy, health centers

plan opening event

The Center for Music Therapy and The Center for Healthy Couples and Families will commemorate the move to a new location at 1315 N. Napa St. with an open house.

The event will be 3-6 p.m. Oct. 13 and 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Oct. 14, with interactive drum circles 10:30-11:30 a.m. that day.

The Center for Music Therapy uses music as a technique to improve sensory-motor and cognitive skills, problem-solving skills and improve language. The Center for Healthy Couples and Families helps couples and families resolve conflict, improve trust and build healthier relationships. It also provides music psychotherapy to help with anxiety, depression and trauma.

Around the Corner is a periodic roundup of business-related happenings in the Inland Northwest. To submit items for consideration, email Business Editor Paul W. Smith at pauls@spokesman.com.