Join Spokane Mayor David Condon for the grand opening of the City’s new My Spokane Development Services Center on the third floor of City Hall, 808 W. Spokane Falls Blvd., on Friday, March 1, at 11 a.m.

The Development Services Center is part of ongoing work to enhance customer service and make it easier to do business with the City of Spokane.  The center serves as a streamlined one-stop shop for permitting, inspections, and related services and questions.

“This is an exciting change for the City and our partners in development. As we see a continued uptick in permitting activity, we are poised to enhance this economic recovery and increased investment in Spokane,” says Mayor Condon.  “We must be sure the City is a springboard to economic development by creating greater clarity, consistency, and reliability for our partners in development.”

The center has been configured to accommodate customers with additional seating and an open floor plan.  And key staff members have all been moved to the third floor of City Hall, where the center is housed, to provide timely, improved service to customers.

The high-stakes drama of "Shark Tank" will play out this weekend, right here in Spokane.

Startup Weekend is a global movement for entrepreneurs that's headquartered in Seattle.  This weekend, Startup Weekend will host its signature event at Spokane's WSU Riverpoint Campus. 

Budding entrepreneurs have the opportunity to pitch their startup ideas and receive feedback from other like-minded business people.  The top ideas are determined by popular vote, and then teams work to develop those ideas into bona fide business models.  That's when local entrepreneurial leaders get a chance to weigh in.  It's a great chance to network and learn new skills.

More details, including registration information, can be found at the Startup website.