Announcing our Business Plus Board of Directors for 2022. We look forward to working with this group of distinguished business leaders!

Last month we said goodbye to someone who helped weave the fabric of our organization. Stephen Hartgen served on the Business Plus Board, was a founder of Southern Idaho Economic Development, was the first Business Plus Executive Director, and was one of our first Legacy Leaders. Steve's legacy is reflected in recent words from U.S. Senator Mike Crapo, Idaho Governor Brad Little, Jim Jones, Chuck Malloy, Mychel Matthews, and in Steve's obituary. All these words share a common theme of Steve as an intellectual, a historian, a business leader, and public servant.

I knew Steve for 20 years, working under him on the Business Plus Board and as our first Executive Director. We shared ideas on challenges and opportunities; Steve even helped me plan our last meeting. I will miss him.

In Steve's memory, Business Plus has made a contribution to the College of Southern Idaho Foundation, to pass onto a new generation his love of learning. Our condolences to Linda Hartgen and their family.

Join me in welcoming Jan Rogers as Interim Director for Southern Idaho Economic Development. Jan served as the founding executive director from 2001 to 2015. During that time she worked with city and county officials to bring in more than 30 companies and numerous business expansions.

“Southern Idaho Economic Development is excited to welcome Jan Rogers as our interim director,” said Dan Olmstead, SIED board chair, in a press release. “Jan’s broad economic development experience, regional relationships, and her 15-year previous history with SIED will serve our economic development efforts in the region very well.”

Ervina Covcic, Rural Economic Development Specialist for REDS, announced she has taken a position with Jerome City's Planning Department. Covcic served as Director since February 2020, and was administrative support for SIED since June 2016. The REDS program serves rural areas in Camas, Gooding, Jerome, Lincoln and Twin Falls counties and is funded in part by a grant from the Idaho Department of Commerce, member communities, and business support through Business Plus.

Covcic has served our rural communities well. In fact, she knocked it out of the park! We wish her well in her next chapter. The REDS Board will seek to fill her position.

Zions Bank's "2022 Economic and Market Outlook Webinar" with Senior Economist Robert Spendlove sharing economic trends, job gains and industry growth. Spendlove's 28-minute presentation is worth watching. Zions Wealth Management Portfolio Manager Rich Mebius follows with investment markets, returns and market volatility (33:00).