Avista

Today we're sending a 15-member line crew and other personnel to Lake City, Florida to assist with repairs in preparation for Hurricane Milton making landfall. The 12-vehicle, 19-person convoy left Avista’s Coeur d’Alene office at around 7:00 a.m. this morning and should arrive in Lake City within 4-5 days. They'll join numerous other utilities from across the country that are also supporting hurricane restoration efforts. A return date for our crews has yet to be determined. We wish them safe travels! #AvistaUtilities #HurricanMilton #HurricaneHelene

The Springdale Food Pantry is known for helping families in the small Eastern Washington town. Now the helpers are receiving support of their own from Avista. Since opening, the Springdale Food Pantry has grown to serve as many as 238 people per month. That’s especially impressive for a town with just under 300 people. “It takes a village and we’re that village,” said Sue Uttech, Springdale Boosters treasurer and pantry lead volunteer. “We help with any needs. If we can’t help, we’ll find someone who can.” But volunteers have worked through tough conditions in their old building. Without good insulation or a reliable heating/cooling system, hot summers and cold winters have been hard. “We could see our breath when we were inside working during the winter,” said Krista Wilson, a volunteer and booster board member. “And it was nearly impossible to keep produce fresh long enough to give it out.” That’s changing thanks to help from Avista. This year, the pantry received support through Avista’s Named Communities Investment Fund (NCIF)* and Avista’s energy efficiency rebate programs. They also qualified for Avista’s Small Business Partner Program. A licensed contractor worked with them to learn about their energy-saving potential, identify available Avista rebates and services, provide a project bid, and install the upgrades. By the end of the project, the pantry had improved insulation, added energy-efficient LEDs with light sensors, and installed two new energy-efficient A/C and heating units. Avista’s programs covered the entire cost of the project. “Avista’s help has been beyond a blessing. We are so grateful, and it makes such a big difference,” Sue said. The Springdale Food Pantry’s drive-through pickup happens on the third Wednesday of each month from 3-5 p.m. in Springdale, behind the town hall. *Avista's Named Communities Investment Fund (NCIF) was approved by the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission as part of the company's Clean Energy Implementation Plan (CEIP) to meet compliance targets for the state's Clean Energy Transformation Act (CETA, 2019). The NCIF will invest up to $5 million annually in projects, programs, and initiatives that benefit Avista's Washington electric customers residing in historically disadvantaged and vulnerable communities (i.e., "Named Communities"). Community-based projects will be selected for funding through a competitive grant application process. Application information and eligibility guidelines can be found at myavista.com/NCIF.

Avista partnered with Spokane Arts in commissioning two local artists to create original artwork inspired by the Spokane theme, “We All Belong.” On October 4, from 12-1 p.m., we'll host a First Friday celebration to recognize the artists - Aaron Smith and Stacie Boyer. The new facility is located on the 700 block of West 3rd Avenue between Post and Wall in downtown Spokane. Please join us!

Congratulations to the Spokane Tribe of Indians on receiving $2.75M from the Washington State Department of Commerce, a grant that will be used to design and build a microgrid to power a new resiliency center in Wellpinit, Washington.

For over 71 years, the Lewiston Veterinary Clinic has been helping animals in the Lewiston-Clarkston Valley. Thanks to a free lighting upgrade from Avista, the clinic will save energy and money so it can continue its legacy of providing affordable care and specialty procedures. The clinic serves all kinds of animals and is one of the few that takes new clients and addresses after-hours emergencies. Alecia Zenner, a second-generation client, trusts the clinic for her pets’ care. Not only has her family been going there for over 40 years, but they helped her cattle dog through a serious injury. Alecia and her family are among the numerous loyal Lewiston-Clarkston Valley customers who trust the clinic with their small animals, horses, exotics, and livestock. Some of the clinic’s team members have been there for over 40 years, making it easy to find comfort in a familiar face. Dr. John Hoch joined the clinic in 1989 as an Associate. When the clinic’s previous owners retired, Dr. Hoch, Dr. Shelly O’Connell, and the late Dr. “Doni” Wagner eventually took ownership. Dr. Hoch has now practiced for over 38 years. The clinic has remained in the same location since Gary MacIntosh opened it as the Macintosh Vet Clinic in the 1950s. Given the building’s age, it recently underwent extensive renovations, which included a new roof and other major improvements. During the project, an Avista contractor suggested the clinic use Avista’s small business direct-install lighting program to upgrade the building’s old fluorescent lights. Avista covered the entire $34,675 energy-efficient lighting upgrade. The new lights are estimated to save the clinic over 52,604 kWh of electricity annually. For comparison’s sake, that’s enough electricity to power more than three average Washington or Idaho homes for an entire year. Washington and Idaho Avista small business customers can easily qualify for lighting upgrades like this. Plus, Avista typically covers 100% of the project costs. Sign up for Avista's program now at https://lnkd.in/g4UV8ise.

Jack and Dan's Tavern has been a Gonzaga neighborhood staple for over six decades. Its two-story brick building has been in place for more than 125 years. Built in 1909 for the Pioneer Educational Society, it was converted into a pub in 1933 after prohibition. In 2006, it was placed on the Spokane Register of Historic Places, commemorating its rich history. However, given its age, the building has benefited from some upgrades. Throughout, various outdated light fixtures used more electricity than they should. That won’t be a problem anymore, thanks to a recent lighting upgrade from Avista’s Small Business Lighting program. Avista's program offers small business owners a way to update old, inefficient lighting with little to no out-of-pocket expenses. An approved program contractor takes care of the installation and all the details. The lighting improvements enhanced the ambiance of the 5,000-square-foot neighborhood tavern., too. “The charm of the place is it stayed pretty much the same over the years," said long-time customer Joseph "Pat" Tully. "There are so many other things changing. It's nice to have something remain constant." At 103, Pat has been coming to the Spokane landmark for over 70 years. He recalls visiting the bar in the early 1950s when it was known as Joey's. When Jack Stockton and Dan Crowley took ownership in 1961 and changed the name to Jack and Dan’s in the early 1970s, Pat remained one of its regulars. He still visits weekly to enjoy a meal and the rich fellowship the place is known for. Named one of Sports Illustrated's 25 best sports bars, the historic venue features 18 big-screen televisions and a 25-beer tap list. It attracts Gonzaga students, sports fans, and visitors from around the globe. Celebrities like Bing Crosby, Muhammad Ali, and Dave Matthews have even been customers over the years. Jack's son, John Stockton, was a star player for the Utah Jazz and neighboring Gonzaga Bulldogs. During his 19-year NBA career, the tavern drew capacity crowds on game days. Decades later, there is still standing room only on 'Zags' game days. With new lighting, Jack and Dan’s is now running more efficiently. Avista covered the tavern’s entire $19,250 energy-efficient lighting upgrade. The new lights are estimated to save over 34,656 kWh of electricity each year, amounting to nearly $3,700 in energy savings for the Spokane small business. It’s easy for Avista small business customers in Washington and Idaho to qualify for the program. Plus, Avista typically covers 100% of the project costs. Visit www.myavista.comsmallbizlighting to sign up today.

Join us in congratulating Avista Strategic Investment Business Partner Doug Forkner on being named a Journal of Business 2024 Rising Star. The commendation recognizes people who demonstrate excellence in their fields and leadership in the business community. Doug began his career at Avista as an intern while he was a student at Gonzaga University. More than a decade later, he’s now helping shape the future of economic development in the Inland Northwest through his work at Avista and his volunteerism. Doug joins nine other honorees in this year’s class. Each person was selected from nearly 100 nominations the Journal received from its readers. Learn more about Doug in this Spokane Journal of Business story: https://bit.ly/4gwrzMY

Welcome Bidgely and our utility peers to the #EmPOWERAI2024 Annual Conference! We're thrilled to be the host utility in Spokane, Washington. This week we'll be exploring how technology and innovation can drive progress, and our teams look forward to collaborating on energy insights and innovation to power the future.

A Spokane mother at risk of homelessness found help and stability through the support of local nonprofit Village Cohousing and her own determination. Originally from Spokane, Danielle Gonzales is raising her 11-year-old daughter as a single mom. In 2024, their lives changed when a long-term relationship ended, and they had to leave their home. “I came to my boss and told him I was going to end up being homeless,” Danielle said. Her boss connected her with @BigTable, a nonprofit organization supporting restaurant industry workers in crisis, which then referred her to Village Cohousing Works. Village Cohousing Works provides affordable, permanent housing to low-income households in the North Spokane area. Within about four months, they were able to help Danielle navigate the journey to home ownership. “I cried when I got in there after we started to move stuff in,” she shares. “It was wonderful. It felt like, finally, I have something of my own. I don’t have to depend on anyone else.” Avista supported Village Cohousing Works by passing on the affordability of homeownership with its energy efficiency rebates and incentives, and grant support from Avista's Named Communities Investment Fund (NCIF). To help with the affordability and the efficiency features of each home, an NCIF rebate was designed uniquely for the Village Cohousing Works homes. Avista committed to continuing this support for additional home purchases in 2024 and 2025. “When a home is built with energy efficiency in mind, the savings may help to free up funds for other living expenses and ease financial stress,” said Ana Matthews, Avista program manager. With a new home and a renewed sense of stability, Danielle and her daughter are looking forward to a brighter future in their energy efficient home. They’re dreaming of planting a small garden in their yard and creating a comfortable outdoor patio area. “My daughter said she was so proud of me because I did this all myself. Hopefully she’ll bring that lesson with her into her future and show that same drive,” Danielle said. Danielle is proving that with the right support and determination, overcoming life’s challenges and achieving your dreams is possible. “Don’t ever be afraid to ask for help because there could be way more resources than you could dream of,” said Danielle.

Students are getting hands-on experience that's helping jumpstart their careers thanks to Avista’s Student Development Program. For Gonzaga University senior Clara Green, earning a spot in Avista’s internship program was an important milestone. “My professor recommended I look into the program, and I’m so glad I applied,” said Clara. “Very early on, I felt like I could envision a career at Avista.” Clara is pursuing a Bachelor of Business Administration degree with concentrations in management information systems (MIS) and operations and supply chain management. Since starting her paid summer internship with Avista’s energy efficiency analytics team, she’s been applying what she’s learning in school to two large projects around energy efficiency and energy use by commercial customers. “I feel like I am respected by my coworkers and am part of a team,” said Clara. Clara joins 16 other students in the program this year, all bringing their unique talents, passion, and perspectives to Avista. Each one worked on multiple projects over the summer, visited different facilities, and networked with many Avista employees. “We are better because of these students. Each one has worked hard to make impactful contributions to Avista and our community,” said Keri Gross, Avista senior electrical engineer and Student Engineering Development Program coordinator. Originally started in the 1990s as the Student Engineering Development Program, the internship program has grown to include other areas of focus at Avista. Many former participants, including Avista President and Chief Operating Officer Heather Rosentrater, have gone on to lead successful careers at the utility after their internship. For the 2024 cohort, a fulfilling career at Avista is the long-term goal. And thanks to this internship, it’s already becoming a reality for some. “I’ll be staying on with the energy efficiency team for at least a few more months to help with projects while a member of our team is deployed in the military,” said Clara. “My hope is to work here full-time after I graduate from Gonzaga later this year.” Applications for 2025’s intern class open this fall and will be posted on Avista’s careers webpage: https://bit.ly/3aoKVmY