Welcome to the Business Plus Newsletter!

May 2024

What is BR&E?

When a new company is recruited, it typically makes headline news, but in reality it is the existing businesses that are the most significant creators of job growth. Existing businesses are essentially the backbone of a community.

BR&E stands for Business Retention and Expansion, and it is vital to the growth and prosperity of a region. If existing companies know their local, regional and state economic development professionals, and are aware of the tools and incentives available to them, they have access to this toolbox.

BR&E is also important for surrounding businesses like retail, real estate, banks, contractors, and other service providers, because demand for goods and services increases as companies expand and grow. Additionally, BR&E is vital for municipalities as strong businesses are what make up a stable tax base and economy.

The goal for our 2024 Second Quarter meeting is to inform business leaders about the tools available to them for growth and expansion. Our goal is to help connect businesses with the economic development professionals and other resources, and to facilitate these relationships toward a more prosperous community. We hope you can join us for this meeting.

2024 Second Quarter Meeting

The Toolbox for Business Growth:

Business Retention & Expansion (BR&E)

Speaker Panel:

Jake Reynolds, Idaho Department of Commerce

Megan Beyer, Idaho Department of Labor

Jan Rogers, SIEDO

Mike Williams, City of Jerome

Dan Olmstead, Moderator

Thank you Meeting Sponsors!

KMVT, Pizza Factory and Stratus Marketing



Check Presentations

Thank You Blue Cross of Idaho!

L-R: Jim Evans, Rick Naerebout, Jan Rogers, Elsje Johnson, Rebecca Wildman, Nathan Murray, Matt Sandberg, Rudy Ashenbrener and Todd Wadsworth

Thank You KMVT!

L-R: Rebecca Wildman and Eric Walters

Thank You Flying S Title & Escrow!

L-R: Brian Avram, Rebecca Wildman and Charlotte Moore

Update on REDS - New Director!

Join us in welcoming Cheryl Viola as the new Economic Development Professional for our region's Rural Economic Development Services (REDS)!

REDS supports our rural areas with their needs for community and economic development and runs the Operation Facelift program. REDS is administered by Region IV Development Association (RIVDA) and is funded by the Idaho Department of Commerce, communities, and private business through Business Plus. Cheryl has a strong background in non-profits, marketing, and supporting the communities in our region. Follow REDS on LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram.

Economic Reports

State of Idaho Snapshot - April 2024

Other Items of Interest

Thank you New and Renewing Investors!

Thank you Second Quarter Meeting Sponsors!

COMMUNITY

Collins Connection - Kent & Cindy Collins 

  Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices*

Family Health Services

Gem State Welders Supply*

Ireland Bank

Moss Greenhouses

New Leaf Properties*

Oregon Trail RV Park*

Sparklight*

Stevens Pierce & Associates CPAs*

Strategic Financial Group

Stratus Marketing

Umpqua

Window Welder

LEGACY LEADERS

Leonard Anderson

Rep. Maxine Bell (retired)

Doug Brown

Cindy Collins

Rep. Lance Clow

Jeff Harris

Sen. Linda Hartgen, and in memory of

   Stephen Hartgen

Jeff Harris

Carleen Herring

Alan Horner

Dan Lloyd

Rex Lytle

Dave McAlindin

Mike McBride

Gregg Middlekauff

Gary Nelson

Dan Olmstead

Mayor Ruth Pierce

Cally Grindstaff Roach

Jan Rogers

Rich Stivers

Jody Tremblay

Doug Vollmer

Lee Wagner

Deb Wilson

John Wright

IN-KIND SUPPORT

Atlas Technical Services

BBSI

Best Western Burley Inn

Coldwell Banker Commercial

- Christy Latta

Con Paulos Chevrolet

Idaho Central Credit Union

Idaho National Laboratory (INL)

KeyBank

Minidoka Memorial Hospital

Nu-Vu Glass

Packaging Specialties of Idaho

PerforMix Nutrition Systems

Pizza Factory

PMT

Sparklight

Starr Corporation

Stratus Marketing

TOK Commercial

Watkins Distributing

WATCO

Willamette Dental Group

WillTran, Inc.

*Indicates 10+ years of support since 2003

+includes additional promotional investment