KXLY
January 27, 2021 4:02 PM Emily Oliver
SPOKANE, Wash. More than 7.5 million pieces of personal protective equipment have been distributed throughout Spokane County since efforts began eight months ago, the County said in an update Wednesday.
The County first teamed up with several local partners to deliver much-needed protection to private schools, small businesses, non-profits, and more as community members struggled to navigate life under newly implemented pandemic procedures.
“This effort would not have become a reality without the support of partners such as Greater Spokane Incorporated, United Way, and local media outlets,” said Cindy Wendle, with the Spokane County Office of Financial Assistance. “Through these partnerships, we tackled the herculean effort of procurement, distribution, logistics, marketing, and communication among all the audiences we wanted to provide this opportunity for.”
Losses mount; recovery expected to take years but hope for second-half rally persists in industry The tourism industry here expects to see some signs of recovery in 2021 from the stifling effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, but likely not until midyear. Meg Winchester, president and CEO of Visit Spokane, says that by all accounts, 2020 was shaping up to a be an excellent year for tourism in the Spokane area until the pandemic and related lockdowns hit here in the spring. Since then, Spokane has lost more than $57 million in convention group tourism revenue alone, Winchester claims. Visit Spokane, along with Greater Spokane Incorporated, Downtown Spokane Partnership, Inland Publications Inc., and the West Plains and Spokane Valley chambers of commerce, received nearly $2 million from the Spokane County Commissioners for Spokane County business promotions.