Spokane is a Strong Town (or city?), we all know that but now the nation has a chance to take note as well as Spokane is one of 16 cities nominated in the 2026 Strongest Town competition from the Minnesota based non-profit organization Strong Towns. The organization is dedicated to cities and towns in the United States and Canada achieve financial resiliency though civic engagement. For information on what Strong Towns advocates for, visit their website at https://www.strongtowns.org
Spokane is as of my writing this, one of 16 cities that will be removed tournament style, similar to March Madness over the coming weeks. Spokane is joined by cities like Madison,WI , Stowe,VT and even the much larger Chicago,Ill. with voting done online at https://www.strongesttown.com/ . The site also allows voters to read about what the origination and its members deem making the cities listed the "Strongest town". Voting is open to all, however.
Spokane was presented to the competition by Spokane based Spokane Reimagined ( https://spokanereimagined.org ) who meets and advocates for many similar local level issues. The Spokane page of the Strongest Town competition page notes the "building opportunity for all" ordinance, which legalizes fourplexes citywide and encourages denser development near transit. The city has also eliminated parking mandates for all uses and lifted height restrictions on new buildings in the Downtown core. Among a few other things including building a better transit system by boosting and encouraging ridership on Spokane Transit.
There is also a page on https://www.strongesttown.com that explains what Spokane stands to win should the Lilac City win the competition. This includes a documentary on the city produced by Strong Towns and a screening with (in-person or virtual) appearance by Strong Towns founder Chuck Mahron. Who I (Matt Behringer, owner of this blog) am seen with above after the documentary screening in 2025 Strongest Town winner Marion,OH.
I think many in the Inland Northwest would love to see the Strongest Town 2026 title come to Spokane. So, vote now on https://www.strongesttown.com , with the first round of voting now through Mar. 13 at 11:59pm CST
