Pasha Petronov said the Slavic community accounts for a sizable portion of Spokane’s workforce and that newcomers and immigrants have filled roles in construction, trucking, logistics, cleaning, hospitality and caregiving.

“Seasoned professionals” and skilled tradespeople, Petronov said, have driven demand in those sectors, and some Slavic residents are launching restaurants, barber shops and small retail businesses. He named Amazon, Hanwha Cabinets, Scafco and the Davenport casinos as local employers that have provided jobs for Slavic workers.

Petronov also described a pursuit to bring a hydrogen fuel cell plant to the Spokane area. “I’m working with a company to bring a hydrogen fuel cell plant here to the Spokane area. New hydrogen plant in Spokane will revolutionize the trucking industry and and make a green fuel,” he said. Details about the company, project timeline and any permitting or financing were not specified in the interview.

Commissioner Al French, who hosts Spokane County Spotlight, described firsthand experience working with Slavic tradespeople and praised their work ethic and skills in construction trades. “They bring incredible talent especially in the trades,” French said.

Petronov said downtown and neighborhood Slavic churches, more than 20 in the Spokane area, provide cultural, social and educational services including language classes and event networks that support integration and community resilience. He also pointed listeners to local Slavic grocery stores and a pastry shop he named My Flavor as places to sample Slavic food and culture. Exact employment counts, company project details and timelines for the hydrogen plant were not specified.