May 2026 Newsletter

Celebrating 25 Years of SIEDO!

SIEDO was founded on June 1, 2001, as a public-private partnership created by leaders from Business Plus, the College of Southern Idaho, and communities across the region. Their vision was to build a regional economic development team dedicated to bringing long-term prosperity to the Magic Valley.

Today, twenty-five years later, we celebrate one of our region’s greatest success stories — the creation and impact of SIEDO. Join us as we reflect on the economic challenges our region faced in the 1980s and 1990s, and recognize how Team Southern Idaho worked together to build the strong, resilient, and diversified economy we enjoy today.

Additionally, this event honors the leadership and legacy of SIEDO Director Jan Rogers, and introduces SIEDO’s next Director, who will take the baton and lead our outstanding team into the future.

Economic Development Conference Highlights

At the Idaho Economic Development Association’s Spring Conference, Jan Rogers and Jason Barnes presented to economic development leaders from across the state on strategies for international business development. Their presentation explored the distinctions between trade, international business expansion, and Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), while promoting ongoing efforts to build collaborative relationships and partnership opportunities that strengthen Idaho’s global connections.

Jan Rogers and Jason Barnes present at the IEDA Spring Conference 2026

Barnes shared updates from Idaho Commerce's trade team, while Rogers highlighted Redox's valuable connections in Europe, and growing relationships that may lead to future innovation and expanded access to international markets. The presentation emphasized why international business development is significant to Idaho, including its role in attracting investment, creating high-quality jobs, and strengthening both urban and rural economies.

Presentation Slides

Tours are always one of my favorite parts of the Idaho Economic Development Association conferences, and this year’s experiences did not disappoint. Our group enjoyed a guided tour of Idaho’s historic Capitol Building, followed by a exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of Boise State University’s North End football stadium expansion project, made possible by Anderson Construction.

The impressive new Boise State facility was thoughtfully designed with both student-athletes and their fans in mind, and the opportunity to experience the space before its completion made the tour especially memorable.

Expanding International Connections

A picture is worth a thousand words. Photos shared from SIEDO's trip last month to France and the Netherlands allow us an insight into the value of building international relationships for Southern Idaho.

European Consultant Daniel Dozier arranged for a series of productive meetings and site visits focused on expanding foreign direct investment opportunities. Jan Rogers and Idaho State Senator Kelly Anthon, began the trip in Paris meeting with Laurent J. Journo from the U.S. Embassy, who is working to feature some of Idaho’s exceptional food products at select special events.

L-R: Jan Rogers. Daniel Dozier, Senator Anthon, and Laurent J. Journo

In Djon, Sam Straight of Redox Bio-Nutrients joined the group to visit fields that are testing their developing technology. Their team is optimistic that successful trial results will help open additional European market opportunities for this innovative Southern Idaho company.

From there, the delegation met with Nicolas Genier, Anne-Gaelle Arbez, and Lydie Pfander-Meny of AER, the regional economic development agency for Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, for lunch before attending an evening event hosted by Molly Mayfield Barbee, the U.S. Consul General of Lyon.

Sam Straight, U.S. Consul General Barbee, SIEDO, Alliance BFC, Interval and AgrOnov

U.S. Consul General Barbee, AER (Burgundy's Regional Economic Agency), and Dijon's Céréales Cooperative

The delegation then traveled to Amsterdam to meet with Farah Kuppens, the new Managing Director of FIT Group, who is considering a future visit to Idaho to connect with leaders in the state’s dairy industry. The team traveled by train to Venlo, Netherlands, to meet with Rik Hendriks, Managing Advisor for LIOF, the economic development agency for the Limburg region.

Highlights of the visit included a tour of the Brightlands Campus Greenport Venlo and meeting with René Kurvers, their Research & Development Program Manager, followed by a visit to Marcelissen, the company that manufactures food processing equipment used by Idaho companies including Lamb Weston, Simplot, and ConAgra Foods.

L-R: Farah Kuppens, Senator Anthon, Jan Rogers and Daniel Dozier

Exploring Venlo with LIOF and a tour of the Brightlands Campus Greenport

Enjoying a fresh cone of fries at Marcelissen

SIEDO representatives will return to France this October to attend SIAL Paris, the world's largest biannual event dedicated to innovation in the global food industry.

Team Idaho at SelectUSA 2026

SIEDO led Team Idaho this year at the SelectUSA Investment Summit, one of the nation's premier events for attracting foreign direct investment. Jan Rogers spoke at the session, "Cultivating Capital: Rural EDO's Competitive Edge," illustrating the unique advantages rural communities bring to the global marketplace.

L-R: Brett Boyer, Beth Inek, Jan Rogers, Jason Barnes, Hope Morrow, Camille Barigar, Nathan Murray, Betsy Hiddleston, Brett Madron, Gina Schroder, Shawn Barrigar, Leslie Garner, Daniel Dozier and Senator Kelly Anthon

L-R: Camille Barigar and Nathan Murray meet Mexican Ambassador Barragán, and relaxing with Team Idaho

Media Coverage for Idaho

One strategy for extending marketing reach at major conferences is generating media coverage that promotes a region’s opportunities and competitive advantages. During the SelectUSA Investment Summit, Marketplace — a public media program heard by more than 10 million listeners each week on more than 800 public radio stations nationwide — featured the event in Nancy Marshall-Genzer’s story on May 8th that included an interview with Jan Rogers discussing Southern Idaho’s ongoing work to attract foreign investment and the continued confidence international companies have in expanding operations in the United States and Idaho.

Idaho's Spin-off Event

New this year, Idaho hosted the spin-off event SelectIdaho: From Potato Chips to Microchips, designed to welcome international companies and investors interested in exploring opportunities across the state. The inaugural event showcased Idaho’s growing leadership in agriculture, technology, innovation, nuclear energy, and advanced manufacturing.

During the event, the Taiwan Eastbound Alliance Landing America signed Memorandums of Understanding with the Idaho Department of Commerce, the Idaho Technology Council, and the Idaho Manufacturing Alliance, establishing a long-term commitment to deepen collaboration in the semiconductor and agricultural technology industries.

Read more: TeaLa and Idaho sign a MOU of support for Taiwan

Boise State University and Minghsin University of Science and Technology formalized a new partnership focused on expanding global leadership in semiconductor education and workforce development. The agreement builds upon more than 40 years of economic and educational ties between Idaho and Taiwan.

Read more: Boise State, Minghsin University forge new partnerships through historic signing

Japanese Honor Idaho Senator Kelly Anthon

On May 21, 2026, Japan Consul General Ken Todoriki of Oregon and Idaho presented Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs 2025 award recognizing Idaho Senator Pro Tem Kelly Anthon for his leadership in strengthening the cultural and economic relationship between Idaho and Japan.

L-R: Jan Rogers, Senator Kelly Anthon, Japanese Consul General Ken Todoriki

Economic and Industry Reports

Other News we are Following

Idaho Business Review, May 22, 2026: Janicki Industries considers Twin Falls and Jerome for $800 M expansion

gov.idaho.gov, May 21, 2026: Idaho strengthens ties with Japan during strategic trade mission

KTVB, May 21, 2026: Inside Ag: What Idaho's 'leaky economy' means for agricultural producers

Idaho Capital Sun, May 15, 2026: Idaho farmers can band together to buy cheaper health insurance through Farm Bureau deal

570KVI, May 5, 2026: Major aerospace and defense supplier to expand outside Washington, citing regulations and business climate concerns

KMVT, April 26, 2026: Engineering company interested in opening factory in Magic Valley

Janicki, April 17, 2026: Janicki Considers Great Falls, Montana, or Twin Falls, Idaho, for New Manufacturing Facilities

Thank you New and Renewing Investors!

June 1st Event Sponsors!

And a special thanks to our Legacy Leaders

for their generous grant and support!

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

Idaho Central Credit Union

Idaho Power

KeyBank

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

+includes additional promotional investment