The Evergreen Bioscience Innovation Cluster is taking the first steps to develop a new facility costing up to $50 million and providing space for up to 500 workers in Spokane.
The cluster was awarded a $200,000 grant from the Washington State Department of Commerce to help create a 55,000-90,000 square-foot facility. They also plan to apply for grants in partnership with Spokane-based Health Sciences and Services Authority of Spokane County to continue the project.
Spokane County and Idaho’s Kootenai County have above-average job growth in the industry at 13% between 2017 and 2022, creating 281 jobs in that period. Adding the Evergreen Bioscience Innovation Building is expected to more than double that.
“What we’re trying to do is create an environment where we have researchers, contract research and development, academia, and workforce development come together,” said Andy Johnston, Evergreen Bioscience board member.