Four Spokane wineries offer tours of their award-winning facilities and products. Arbor Crest Wine Cellars . 455-7835 Knipprath Cellars . The Spokane economy is heavily trade and service oriented, and is working to expand its manufacturing sector. Because of Spokane's strategic location, it has been Washington State's primary inland distribution center and transportation hub since 1881.
Lush forests line the region.
An estimated one quarter of the world's largest stand of white pine lie within the 31 million acres of commercial forests in the Spokane marketplace. Consequently, forest products play an important economic role. Pulp, paper, plywood, paneling, wood chips, cedar products, and many large timber and lumber mills contribute to the regional economy. Miners have been active in the region since gold and silver were discovered in the late 1800s in the Coeur d'Alene mining district. The Military All branches of the armed forces are represented in Spokane County.