June 2020
Newsletter


Private Investors Growing Southern Idaho's Economy



Dear Business Plus Partners,

So much has changed in such a short time. Within a matter of months our region went from a robust economy, with low unemployment rates, to a recession. 

What do the experts say about these changing economic times? 

Jan Roeser, Regional Economist for the Idaho Department of Labor, explains how this COVID crisis is different than the last recession in this article and slide presentation  from  Region IV Development's Annual Meeting.


Roeser's Article



Roeser's Slide Presentation


Robert Spendlove, Senior Economist for Zions Bank, explains what it means to be in a recession in  this video  and presents Idaho's  economic snapshot .
 
Spendlove's Video

 

Idaho Economic Snapshot


Are you searching for a way to improve this economy? Business Plus is a platform for business leaders to pool their resources, with the goal to attract and sustain companies to create jobs and grow the economy. Business Plus was founded at a time of economic uncertainty, and we are here to support our business community now. We invite you to join our investor group. 

Wishing you the best,


Rebecca Wildman, Executive Director
BUSINESS PLUS, INC.



A Word from Mitch Watkins, Business Plus Board Member

COVID-19 has caused a disruption to everyone in the Magic Valley, business owners, employees, students, retirees; no one has been left out of the devastation of this terrible virus. We need to stay safe and follow the CDC health guidelines, but we also know that eventually the virus will pass and we'll get back to our normal lives, and when we do, we'll need jobs to come back to.  

It's even more important to support Business Plus during hard times like these, because it is these efforts that will allow us to continue to attract quality employers to our community to help us get back on our feet. Communities that stop their growth efforts because the times are hard and money is tight, are destined to suffer much longer than those that continue to make the investments in the future.

Mitch Watkins, President Watkins Distributing
 


INL Industry Engagement Webinars

Do you want to partner with INL but aren't sure how to get started? INL's Small Business Program has developed a webinar series with an exciting array of guest speakers to help you understand partnership opportunities, particularly for small businesses, and how working with the lab can benefit your organization. Schedule of upcoming events.



State and Local Resources for COVID-19

Governor Brad Little and Idaho Rebounds
Idaho Department of Commerce  COVID-19 Page
Idaho Department of Labor  Idaho@Work Blog  and  Unemployment Dashboard
Idaho Economic Development Association (IEDA) COVID-19 Resources
Southern Idaho Economic Development  COVID-19 Links
Region IV Development Website with  Links to Loan Assistance
South Central Public Health District  Information on Coronavirus
St. Luke's  COVID-19 Information
United Way of South Central Idaho Website


Idaho Dairy Focus: Second Quarter 2020
Click for Link



Business Plus -  Working Together

We invite you to watch this video about Business Plus.  Thank you to KMVT and Tom Frank for producing.

Click to Watch



THANK YOU TO OUR NEW AND RENEWING INVESTORS!


       

      

           
        

Become an Investor!  

Give me a call! 
208-539-6470

Rebecca Wildman
BUSINESS PLUS, INC.


Campaign Investors

PLATINUM
First Federal*
D.L. Evans Bank*
Idaho Central Credit Union
KMVT*+
Magic Valley Media*+
McCain Foods
Project Mutual Telephone (PMT)*
  
GOLD
Clif Bar
Cooper Norman, CPAs*
Dairy West
Idaho Dairymen's Association
Idaho National Lab (INL)*
Idaho Power*
St. Luke's Magic Valley*
Woodbury Corporation - Magic Valley Mall, 
   Target, Best Buy & Dick's Shopping Centers
Zions Bank*
  
SILVER
American Real Estate and Appraisal*
Dot Foods
EHM Engineers, Inc.
Farmers Bank
Givens Pursley, LLP
Intermountain Gas Company*
Mountain West Realty
Mr. Gas*
Northwest Bank
NOVOLEX / Hilex Poly
Oasis Stop 'N Go / Travelers' Oasis*
PBC Petersen Brothers Construction
PCA Packaging Corporation of America*
Starr Corporation*
TitleOne*
United Electric Co-op, Inc.
Watkins Distributing*
Wells Fargo Bank
WillTran, Inc.
 
BRONZE
Banner Bank
BBSI
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Idaho 
   Homes & Properties
Best Western Burley Inn
Blue Cross of Idaho
Blue Lakes Inn / Snake River Pool & Spa
Cassia Regional Hospital - Intermountain Healthcare*
Chobani
Collins Connection - Kent & Cindy Collins 
   Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices*
Con Paulos Chevrolet
Farm Bureau Insurance
First American Title Company*
Goode Motor Auto Group
HC Company, Inc.
J-U-B Engineers
K&T Steel Corp*
Lytle Signs*
Materials Testing & Inspection
NEW! McKinlay Klundt Appraisal Co.
Minidoka Memorial Hospital

BRONZE (Cont.)
Nelson & Co.
Nu-Vu Glass
Safari Hospitality - Hampton Inn, Holiday Inn
    Express & Suites, Quality Inn and Suites
SimplicIT
St. Luke's Jerome
Thornton Oliver Keller
Titlefact, Inc.*
U.S. Bank
Ward Orthodontics
Westfall & Westfall CPAs / Impact Athletic 
   Club*
Wills Toyota*
 
COMMUNITY
Devil's Corral
Family Health Services
Gem State Welders Supply*
Moss Greenhouses
New Leaf Properties
North Canyon Medical Center
Oregon Trail RV Park
Sparklight (formerly CableOne)
Stevens Pierce & Associates CPAs*
Stratus Communications, LLC
United Way of South Central Idaho
Watco (Eastern Idaho Railroad)*
Wills, Inc.*
 
LEGACY LEADERS
Rep. Maxine Bell, Retired
Doug Brown
Rep. Lance Clow
Jeff Harris
Rep. Stephen Hartgen, Retired
Alan Horner
Ruth Pierce
Jan Rogers
Lee Wagner
 
IN-KIND SUPPORT
(past 3 years)
BBSI
Best Western Burley Inn
Darigold
Elevation 486
Idaho Central Credit Union
KeyBank
Mr. Gas
Packaging Specialties of Idaho
PCA Packaging Corporation of America
PerforMix Nutrition Systems
Minidoka Memorial Hospital
Mountain West Realty
Oregon Trail RV
Soran Restaurants, Inc.
Starr Corporation
Stone House & Co.
Stratus Communications
Thornton Oliver Keller
Watkins Distributing
Willamette Dental Group
WillTran, Inc.
 
*Indicates 10+ years of support since 2003
+ includes additional promotional investment

Private Investors Growing Southern Idaho's Economy

Rebecca Wildman, Executive Director
BUSINESS PLUS, INC.
www.BusinessPlusInc.org
Rebecca@BusinessPlusInc.org 
208-539-6470