February 2026 Newsletter

PLEASE JOIN US

2026 First Quarter Meeting

"A Southern Idaho Success Story: Pipeline Plastics comes to Rupert, Idaho"

Jason Jones

Gary Jones Construction

Kristen Ingman & Elissa Schauman

MoFi

Thursday, February 26, 2026

2:45 p.m. Check In

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

Burley Inn Convention Center

800 North Overland Ave

Burley, Idaho

Thank you to our Sponsors!

Bank of Commerce

Minidoka Memorial Hospital

United Electric Co-op, Inc.

WE INVITE YOU TO ATTEND - PLEASE RSVP

International Trade vs. Foreign Direct Investment: What's the Difference?

International Trade and Foreign Direct Investment both play important—but distinct—roles in strengthening Southern Idaho’s economy:

• International Trade helps Idaho-based companies sell products such as food, agricultural goods, and manufactured items to customers around the world—expanding markets without companies needing to relocate or build overseas facilities.

• Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) brings the world to us. Through FDI, global companies invest directly into Southern Idaho by investing in facilities, equipment, and people. FDI can also open doors for local businesses by creating international partnerships and global connections.

The State of Idaho has long supported international trade through strategic policies, export programs, and focused trade missions. Today, Idaho goods and services are sold in more than 150 countries worldwide, with particularly strong export ties to Canada, Taiwan, Mexico, Japan, Singapore, and China, along with growing engagement in Southeast Asia. At the same time, Southern Idaho is taking the lead in a targeted approach with FDI strategies that bring global companies—and global opportunity—directly to our region.

They both matter! International trade allows our businesses to reach the world, while FDI brings the world to Southern Idaho. Together, they help diversify our economy, create quality jobs, and strengthen Southern Idaho's long-term competitiveness.

Southern Idaho's Approach

Team Idaho attending SPACE 2025, Rennes, France

Southern Idaho is pursuing foreign direct investment through a deliberate, multi-pronged strategy designed to build long-term global relationships and attract high-quality investment to our region. This approach includes:

1. Participating in Select USA, the premier national event connecting international investors with U.S. communities.

2. Partnering with Daniel Dozier, an FDI consultant with deep expertise in European markets.

3. Maintaining a presence at the World Trade Centers Association in Rennes, France, strengthening on-the-ground connections with European companies.

4. Joining the Council of American States in Europe (CASE) to expand visibility and collaboration across key European markets.

Read on for a closer look at how each of these initiatives supports Southern Idaho's FDI strategy—and helps position our region for global investment.

1. Participating in Select USA

Southern Idaho is leading the state again at the 2026 Select USA Investment Summit held May 3rd to 6th. For the first time, this year we are sending representatives from SIEDO, Business Plus, the College of Southern Idaho, and communities from our region!

In past years, Southern Idaho leaders have met with key international and diplomatic partners, including representatives from the European Union, Japanese Ambassadors, the British Embassy, and the U.S. Embassy in South Korea. In 2025 they were able to engage with officials from the U.S. Department of State and attended high-level receptions hosted by South Korea and Indonesia.

This year, we expect to deepen existing relationships while pursuing new international partnerships aligned with our Southern Idaho industries.

2. Partnering with Daniel Dozier

Connections made at the 2023 Select USA event led to Southern Idaho hosting Business France and ten French companies. This engagement opened the door to partnering with Daniel Dozier, an FDI Consultant with expertise in European markets.

In May 2024, Dozier arranged for Senator Kelly Anthon and Pierre Lorieau of Lactalis Group USA to present at France's Doing Business in the U.S. event. The audience included over 100 French companies, sending a clear message: Idaho is open for investment opportunities.

Following this, Jan Rogers and Senator Anthon toured Burgundy and Dijon, meeting with several French food manufacturing companies and connecting with Ferrandi, France's 100-year-old culinary and hospitality school.

In 2025 Dozier visited Idaho twice—in January and December—to gain a deeper understanding of our industries, assets, and priorities. During his visits, he met with business leaders as well as state and local officials. These meetings are helping us ensure that Southern Idaho's international outreach efforts are closely aligned with the region's strengths and positioned to deliver long-term value for local businesses and communities.

Partnering with Dozer has already yielded results. Southern Idaho companies—including Redox Bio-Nutrients, Voda IQ, and Riverence—have made valuable international connections. Redox owner Darin Moon shared:

"Attending SPACE was an incredible opportunity for our company. The connections we made in France have the potential to open new doors for growth in European markets, and we're excited about the possibilities ahead." 

3. Operating an Office in France

On September 15, 2025, Idaho officially opened an office at the World Trade Center in Rennes, France, followed by a reception hosted by the City of Rennes. The move was highlighted by Ouest-France, a leading daily newspaper headquartered in Rennes, which reported:



"Idaho, a western U.S. state renowned for its potato, milk, and semiconductor production, is opening its first European office in Rennes. Goals are to facilitate exchanges, attract companies, and reduce the impact of tariffs by strengthening local presence."

Reception for Idaho, hosted by the City of Rennes

4. Joining CASE

Idaho is now the 18th state to join CASE (Council of American States in Europe), a nonprofit organization of U.S. states that maintain economic development offices in Europe to attract foreign direct investment. The membership is part of a broader expansion with aims to highlight Idaho's key industries for European partners including: Energy, Aerospace, Advanced Manufacturing, Agriculture and Agri-food.

This initiative represents a strategic effort to foster transatlantic investment opportunities and is supported by SIEDO and the Idaho Department of Commerce.

Interested in Learning More about International Trade and FDI?

Consider attending these events:

• Idaho Department of Labor's Webinar: Idaho and International Export Partnerships with Economist Ryan Whitesides, February 10, 2026, 11am-12pm — Register here.

• Idaho Business Review's Breakfast Series: Fueling Idaho's Future, Statewide Economic Development with Jan Rogers presenting on FDI, February 12, 2026, 8-10am — Register here.

• Idaho Economic Development Association's 2026 Annual Conference, April 1-2, 2026 with Jan Rogers, SIEDO, and Jason Barnes, Idaho Department of Commerce, presenting FDI strategies on April 1, 2026 — Register here.

SIEDO is Hiring!

SIEDO is Hiring an Executive Director! If you or someone you know is interested in this unique position driving economic opportunities and promoting Southern Idaho as a destination for investment and growth, please apply here!

Welcome New Director for SVED

Sun Valley Economic Development (SVED) has named Mel Jackson as their new Executive Director succeeding Harry Griffith.

Mel brings a wealth of professional experience with a strong background in communication, stakeholder engagement, project management, and financial planning and analysis.

"It is with great excitement and humility that I join the SVED organization," says Jackson. "I am looking forward to carrying on the amazing work started by our founder Harry, while also expanding and deepening economic ties within Blaine County."

Join us in warmly welcoming Mel Jackson to Sun Valley Economic Development and to Southern Idaho!

Mel Jackson

Mel@sunvalleyeconomy.org

2026 Annual Conference

The Idaho Economic Development Association (IEDA) was founded in 2002 with a mission to advance education, networking and advocacy for economic development leaders across the state. Driven by a shared passion for collaboration, best practices, and policies that create economic opportunities, IEDA has become a key voice in shaping Idaho's future.

Join IEDA for their 2026 Annual Conference, happening April 1-2, 2026, with an optional tour on March 31, 2026—an opportunity to connect, learn, and engage with Idaho's economic development community.

State and Regional Annual Publications

Select Health 2026 Applications

Select Health is now accepting applications for their 2026 Awards, with a deadline of February 28, 2026. In 2025 three Magic Valley organizations were awarded $5,000 grants: Idaho Pediatric Cancer Coalition, The Wellness Tree Community Clinic, and the West End Senior Citizens of Buhl.

Other News we are Following

KIVI-TV Idaho News 6, January 26, 2026: Work continues on the new CSI Leroy Craig Jerome Center, adding Meat Packing to an ever-growing program list.

Capital Press, January 23, 2026: Idaho Power plans more generation via natural gas

KIVI-TV Idaho News 6, January 19, 2026: Idaho's cutting-edge research dairy nears completion near Rupert

KIVI-TV Idaho News 6, January 16, 2026: CSI opens new transportation technology center to meet growing demand for diesel mechanics.

KMVT11, January 9, 2026: New Shoshone Falls overlook project begins with road blasting and funding from Chobani and Times-News, January 10, 2026: Chobani donates $250,000 toward Jerome Co. Shoshone Falls overlook project

Simplot Completes Acquisition of Clarebout Group: "Clarebout brings complementary capabilities and a strong European presence that will help us better serve our customers."

Thank you New and Renewing Investors!

COMMUNITY

Family Health Services

Hudson & Co.

New Leaf Properties*

Oregon Trail RV Park*

Sparklight*

Stevens Pierce & Associates CPAs*

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

IN-KIND SUPPORT

Atlas Technical Services

Bank of Commerce

BBSI

Best Western Burley Inn

Columbia Bank

Con Paulos Chevrolet

D.L. Evans Bank

Frontier Community Resoures

Idaho Central Credit Union

KeyBank

Minidoka Memorial Hospital

Nu-Vu Glass

Packaging Specialties of Idaho

Pizza Factory

PMT

Sparklight

Stratus Marketing

TOK Commercial

United Electric Co-op, Inc.

Watkins Distributing

Willamette Dental Group

WillTran, Inc.

*Indicates 10+ years of support since 2003

+includes additional promotional investment