October 2026 Newsletter

PLEASE JOIN US

2025 Annual Meeting

The Future of Southern Idaho's Water:

Infrastructure & Management Challenges

Travis Rothweiler, City Manager

Twin Falls Idaho

Lieutenant Governor Scott Bedke

State of Idaho

Thursday, November 19

2:45 p.m. Check-in

3:00-5:00 p.m. Meeting

Fifth Avenue Point Event Center

243 5th Ave S, Twin Falls, Idaho

WE INVITE YOU TO ATTEND - PLEASE RSVP!

Thank you to our event sponsor!

Liberty Gold USA, Inc.

Building Better Together:

Infrastructure as the Foundation for Economic Development

The Idaho Economic Development Association (IEDA) held its 2026 Fall Workshop on September 29-30, bringing together Idaho's economic development professionals to explore a critical question: What does it take to build the infrastructure that supports thriving businesses and communities?

From water and wastewater to energy, transportation, and creative financing, the message was consistent: Infrastructure must be part of economic development planning from the beginning.

Tour of Nampa's Water Renewal Facility

Nampa officially renamed its facility "The Nampa Water Renewal Facility"

The workshop began with a tour of the Nampa Water Renewal Facility, an example of how proactive planning and community support can deliver long-term benefits.

In 2018, Nampa voters approved a $165 million sewer revenue bond with 85% support, funding essential system upgrades that increased capacity by 50%. The facility enables Nampa to produce Class A quality reclaimed water for irrigation, helping supplement the city's irrigation supply.

Nampa's success illustrates how infrastructure investments can address current needs while preparing a community for the future.

See Idaho News 6's story from July 1, 2025, about Nampa's facility

Plan Ahead: Infrastructure Makes Development Possible

Sheldon Mudd of the Northeastern Nevada Regional Development Authority shared a similar lesson from the mining and natural resources sector. New mining operations can bring jobs, investment, and revenue, but communities must plan ahead for the infrastructure, housing, and services needed to support that activity over the long term.

Water emerged as another critical consideration. Panelists representing the Idaho Rural Water Association, Great West Engineering, McHugh Bromley, and Advanced Engineering and Environmental Services challenged economic development leaders to ask: Can a community's water and wastewater systems reliably and affordably support the development being promoted?



Water availability varies by location, and communities must verify water rights, deliverability, system capacity, and wastewater needs before marketing a site or promising service to a major new user.

L-R: Nampa's planning; Sheldon Mudd on strategic planning for mining projects

Growth Should Pay for the Capacity It Requires

Planning infrastructure is only part of the challenge. Communities must also determine how to fund it fairly and sustainably. Water panelists emphasized the importance of distinguishing between infrastructure needed to accommodate new development and upgrades required to serve existing customers. Growth-driven capacity should be funded appropriately by those who require it, rather than shifting those costs to existing customers.

Megan Ronk of Idaho Power reinforced this principle during her presentation on energy as an economic catalyst. As demand accelerates, Idaho Power is working to maintain reliable, affordable electricity while managing the costs and timelines associated with new infrastructure. A project's size, location, power requirements, permitting, and equipment availability all influence the process. Large, energy-intensive projects require more extensive planning than typical industrial development.

Transportation funding offers another opportunity for communities preparing for future needs. Engineers from the Local Highway Technical Assistance Council (LHTAC), an affiliate of the Idaho Transportation Department, discussed available state and federal funding, technical assistance, and how LHTAC can support communities in navigating grants and project delivery.

Together, these presentations reinforced the importance of understanding infrastructure costs, funding opportunities, and timelines early in the development process.

L-R: Panelists advice on water; Megan Ronk on Idaho Power's planning for the future

Partnerships Turn Challenges into Opportunities

Infrastructure projects often require creative financing and collaboration across public and private sectors.

Morgan Treasure, Robyn Sellers, Paris Dickerson, and Mike Adler discussed Nampa's industrial expansion project, which helped make it possible to locate The Stow Company, a manufacturer of residential storage systems, in the community. Early coordination around land, utilities, and financing helped move the project forward. Urban renewal funding bridged a significant infrastructure cost gap, helping attract an anchor employer and create opportunities for further investment and jobs.

See Adler Industrial's October 2023 story about The Stow Company

Partnerships can also turn environmental challenges into economic opportunities. Mike Murgoitio of Timber Creek Recycling shared how discarded materials can become valuable resources, from converting food waste into compost or animal feed to reusing concrete on construction sites. Success depends on creative processing, strong partnerships, and careful attention to safety and quality.

L-R: LHTAC on Federal-aid Programs; Timber Creek Recycling resources

The Takeaway for Southern Idaho

This workshop offered a valuable reminder for communities and businesses across Southern Idaho: Successful economic development starts with infrastructure readiness.

Water, wastewater, energy, transportation, and financing all play a role in determining whether a project can move forward. By planning early, understanding costs, and bringing public and private partners to the table, communities can better prepare for investment, support existing businesses, and create lasting economic opportunities.

Rock Creek Watershed Restoration Meeting

The City of Twin Falls invites you to attend an introductory meeting to learn about the Rock Creek Watershed Restoration Master Plan, upcoming projects, and opportunities for business and community leaders to participate in committees or specific efforts.

Thursday, October 22, 2026

10:30 a.m. - Noon

City Hall, Room CH-116

203 Main Avenue East

Twin Falls, Idaho

Please RSVP to Molly Dawson

Read more on the Rock Creek Watershed Restoration Master Plan.

Idaho Advanced Energy Consortium and the Idaho National Lab

Magic Valley Public Screening: October 27, 2026

Economic and Industry Reports

Department of Labor's Idaho Economic Situation Report, September 18, 2026

South Central Idaho Labor Force and Economic Profile, September 2026

Opportunity Zones: Attracting Investment to Southern Idaho

Opportunity Zones are a federal economic development tool designed to encourage private investment in economically distressed communities through tax incentives for qualifying investments. Created under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, the program aims to direct private capital into communities that may otherwise struggle to attract investment. The original program designated more than 8,700 census tracts nationwide. For communities, the opportunity is to attract investment that can revitalize properties, support businesses, create jobs, and strengthen local economies.

A local example: 2nd South Market

The 2nd South Market is an example of how Opportunity Zone incentives can help make a project possible. At an August 19, 2025, celebration attended by U.S. Senator Mike Crapo and HUD Secretary Scott Turner, 2nd South Market owner Lisa Buddecke explained how the Opportunity Zone designation helped make her investment possible. A former hardware building was transformed into Idaho's first food hall, now home to seven small businesses.

OZ 2.0: A new opportunity for Idaho

In 2025, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act made the Opportunity Zone tax incentive permanent and established a new designation process every 10 years. Known as OZ 2.0, the updated program also includes enhanced tax incentives for qualifying investments in rural Opportunity Zones.

What it Means for Southern Idaho

Idaho received 36 applications from communities seeking a new designation. The Idaho Economic Advisory Council recommended 25 census tracts and Governor Brad Little submitted the nominations. On October 1, 2026, the U.S. Treasury officially approved all 25.

Three Southern Idaho communities—Jerome, Burley, and Twin Falls—are included in the new designations. The zones take effect January 1, 2027, beginning the first 10-year round under OZ 2.0.

For Southern Idaho, these designations create another opportunity to connect investors with projects that can strengthen local economies. Business and community leaders can help by identifying promising projects, raising awareness of the incentives, and connecting property owners, entrepreneurs, and potential investors.

Learn more about Opportunity Zones at the Idaho Department of Commerce Opportunity Zones website or at OpportunityZones.com.

Other News we are Following

Businesswire, October 15, 2026: Lease End Sees 48% YoY Revenue Growth in Q3 2026

KMVT11, September 17, 2026: New Shoshone Falls overlook opens in Jerome

Idaho News 6, September 17, 2026: "A dream for a long time;" New overlook opens on north side of Snake River Canyon with views of Shoshone Falls

Idahoatwork.com, October 7, 2026: Idaho expected to see annual growth over national average through 2034.

Thank you New and Renewing Investors!

COMMUNITY

Family Health Services

Hudson & Co.

New Leaf Properties*

Oregon Trail RV Park*

Sparklight*

Strategic Financial Group

Stratus Marketing

Twin Falls Handy Wash

Window Welder

LEGACY LEADERS

Leonard Anderson

Maxine Bell

Lance Clow

Cindy Collins

Chenele Dixon

Jeff Harris

Linda Hartgen, and in memory of

   Stephen Hartgen

Carleen Herring

Alan Horner

Dan Lloyd

Rex Lytle

Dave McAlindin

Mike McBride

Gregg Middlekauff

Gary Nelson

Dan Olmstead

Ruth Pierce

Jan Rogers

Amy Stahl

Rich Stivers

Jody Tremblay

Doug Vollmer

Lee Wagner

Deb Wilson

John Wright

SPONSORSHIP SUPPORT

Atlas Technical Services

Bank of Commerce

BBSI

Best Western Burley Inn

Columbia Bank

Con Paulos Chevrolet

D.L. Evans Bank

First Federal Bank

Frontier Community Resoures

ICCU

Idaho Power

Jerome 20/20

KeyBank

Liberty Gold USA, Inc.

Minidoka Memorial Hospital

Nu-Vu Glass

Packaging Specialties of Idaho

Pizza Factory

PMT

Sparklight

St. Luke's

Stratus Marketing

TOK Commercial

United Electric Co-op, Inc.

Watkins Distributing

Willamette Dental Group

WillTran, Inc.

*Indicates 10+ years of support since 2003