Apparently Forbes Loves Spokane

In one year, Spokane has jumped from #114 to #20 on Forbes list of best places to do business and to build a career.  Not only did we make the list, but we were one of three cities profiled.  Not too shabby, and we like the exposure.  High points in the article:  We scored well on income growth, job growth, and cost of doing business.  Low points:  Culture & Leisure and Crime Rate.

We're a bit stymied by the 'index' they use to calculate the culture ranking of a city.  According to them it is an index consisting of museums, theaters, golf courses, sports teams and other activities. Golf courses?  Golfing is an indicator of culture?

Forbes loves it's annual listing of cities.  It's easy soundbite-worthy material, and results in lots of media coverage by the municipalities regardless of where they land in the rankings.  Little do people realize that this news comes fast on the heels of a lesser-known Forbes list profiling Spokane.  In February, Forbes released it's long awaited Most Expensive Cities For a First Date.  Apparently while Spokane may be cheap for business, it's not that cheap for dating:  Forbes ranked Spokane as the 21st most expensive city for a first date.