Growing trends

While many tout the West Plains' potential for business expansion, the region continues to grow in terms of population.

In June, the state Office of Financial Management issued a news release stating that Washington state's population estimates exceeded 7 million. According to the release, an estimated 7,061,400 people live in Washington as of April 2015, increasing by about 93,200 people between 2014 and 2015.

According to Thomas Kimpel, forecast analyst, OFM sends out surveys to each jurisdiction and collects data from cities, which include school enrollment, real estate, births and death records for its estimates. It starts with the total state population then divides it up into counties and incorporated areas.

"Once we get the state and county data, we allocate the populations to cities and towns," Kimpel said.

The city of Airway Heights led municipalities in growth in Spokane County. In the 2010 census data, Airway Heights' population was recorded at 6,114 and grew to 8,385 by 2015 - a 37 percent increase - according to OFM estimates. This made Airway Heights the fourth fastest-growing city as measured by percentage of growth in Washington.

City Manager Albert Tripp contributed Airway Heights' growth to several factors, one being the city's permit process, which makes it easier for developers to obtain permits and build in the city. In 2012, the city annexed property east of Hayford Road to Deer Heights Road, as well as 145 acres owned by the Spokane Tribe to the west of the city. The development of Northern Quest Resort and Casino has also contributed to the city's growth.

"Northern Quest and other businesses like that have also provided a number of jobs and there you have folks coming to the city and wanting to live closer to where they work," Tripp said.

Northern Quest employs about 1,500 people although less than 10 percent of current casino workers live in Airway Heights, according to Julie Holland, director of public relations and communications for Northern Quest.

The correction center's population is included in Airway Heights' numbers. However, the prison population has been stable over the past five years and hasn't affected much of Airway Heights' growth.

Tripp said the increase of population, which is between 2.5 to 4 percent every year, has tapered off.

"We're seeing a lot of growth in commercial and industrial side, which will beget additional residential growth," Tripp said.

The city of Cheney also experienced growth in population, going from 10,590 in 2010 to an estimated 11,440 - an 8 percent increase.

City Administrator Mark Schuller credits the city's "small town feel" and growth in its parks and recreation programs as a factor for more families moving to Cheney, as well as the increased enrollment at Eastern Washington University. Although most students move at the end of the school year, some remain.

"You see families who graduate and stick around," Schuller said. "We're quickly starting to see more residential growth. In the Harvest Bluff subdivision, located near Betz Road, all but one of those houses have been sold (in phase one)."

While Cheney and Airway Heights experienced growth, Medical Lake has experienced a slight decline, going from 5,060 in 2010 down to an estimated 4,945 - a 2.7 percent decline.

Part of the decline is from the loss in residents who permanently live at Eastern State Hospital and Lakeland Village.

"When Pine Lodge (Correction Center) closed after the census, the city lost about 150 people," Kimpel said.

While the number of residents at the hospitals have declined, City Administrator Doug Ross said Medical Lake's residential population has remained relatively the same over the years.

Joe Jackson, executive director for the West Plains Chamber of Commerce, agreed with Tripp that part of the reason for the population growth is due to people wanting to live closer to where they work. In addition to Northern Quest, businesses such as Trojan All-Pac, Spokane International Airport and Aero Flight, are among the larger businesses in the West Plains. Jackson said there are other businesses coming to the West Plains that could lead to more people working and moving to the area.

"You'll have Exotic Metals in Airway Heights and The Spokane Tribal Economic Project, which could employ up to 5,000 people," Jackson said.

Both Airway Heights and Cheney are preparing for the potential growth in their cities.

Tripp said the city will continue to operate on its current growth plan and expand where growth takes place. It will also work to enhance public safety and other services to accommodate growth.

Schuller said Cheney will continue to plan for growth, particularly at EWU. He hopes the city can flesh out its industrial and retail sectors, as well as have the staffing levels to accommodate the growth.

"We want to maintain that 'small town feel,'" Schuller said. "The concern is the general fund. We have to be prepared to find potential reserves and be ready to make our city as safe it can be."

As for Medical Lake, Ross said the residential population may continue to be flat, due mostly due to water availability. Although the city has enough water rights, it doesn't have the amount of water or a new water source to accommodate a large subdivision. However, Medical Lake will continue to provide current services at a "high level."

"We may not be adding services but we're always trying to improve the ones we provide," Ross said.

Al Stover can be reached at [email protected].