Business Plus held its Annual Meeting with speakers Travis Rothweiler, Mike Williams, Mark Mitton, Tony Morley, and Senator Kelly Anthon explaining Urban Renewal Areas (URAs), how they are used, and how they are critical for economic development.

Rothweiler shared that every Twin Falls company recruitment has utilized URA and its tax increment financing. Williams conveyed nearly all growth could be tied back to the URA tool and explained how Jerome closed out a district seven years early because it was so successful on its ROI and number of jobs created. Mitton shared his passion for creating good jobs for our kids, and how it is possible to bring companies and jobs using URAs. Morley explained how challenging it is for rural communities to pay for infrastructure and how URAs help Heyburn with growth. Anthon gave examples of how the URA is used, and encouraged Business Plus leaders to let state legislators know that URA is a tool that is essential to communities and for economic development.

All five city leaders emphasized the importance of URAs as a tool for supporting community growth. They shared how URAs bring in new companies and jobs, facilitate infrastructure, increase the tax base for communities, diversify our economy, and add to State revenue. Speakers identified more than 20 Southern Idaho companies that utilized the financing tools allowed under URAs.

Recent news and articles in the Magic Valley on Urban Renewal:

• KTVB's Urban renewal agencies and their impact on a 'Growing Idaho',
• KMVT's Twin Falls Urban Renewal Agency outlines new designated area,
• KLIX News Radio's Jerome residents to get brand new park next spring,
• URBAN RENEWAL AGENCY, TWIN FALLS: Truth is, there's no blackeye for taxpayers,
• Times-News' JEROME CITY: Good governance is at work in the Magic Valley, and here's proof.

Twin Falls Economic Development Director and URA Executive Director Shawn Barigar summarizes URA in his column BARIGAR: The next phase of generational investment in Twin Falls:

"Idaho Urban Renewal Law and the Local Economic Development Act are critical tools to address deteriorating areas and economic under-development. Property taxes generated from the increased value of properties within the area have been used for public infrastructure improvements: sewer line extensions; water system improvements; curb, gutter, sidewalk, and street construction; electrical transformers; public parking. These developments have spurred the private sector to make substantial investments in the community."

Barigar shared Twin Falls' new 20-year URA vision and Master Plan for downtown, an exciting inspiration for a future Twin Falls.

The Idaho Legislature sets the rules for URA and how it is used under Title 50 Chapter 20. The Idaho State Tax Commission documents county URAS in its Urban Renewal Registry. Cities create their URA agencies with local leadership, agendas and public meetings. Here are links to the websites for government and/or Urban Renewal Agencies for Twin Falls, Jerome, Burley, Heyburn and Rupert.

Because URA is such an important tool for economic development, let your state legislators know you support URA and request their newsletters. Here are links to websites for our local leaders who have been interested in Business Plus and have attended meetings: Senator Kelly Anthon, Senator Linda Hartgen, Representative Lance Clow, Representative Greg Lanting, Representative Jack Nelsen, and Representative Chenele Dixon. Visit Idaho's Who's my Legislator? for additional contact information.

PLATINUM

First Federal*

Blue Cross of Idaho

D.L. Evans Bank*

Idaho Central Credit Union*

Idaho Power*

Intermountain Gas Company*

KMVT*+

PMT*

Times-News/Amplified Digital Agency*+

GOLD

Clif Bar

Cooper Norman, CPAs*

Dairy West

Idaho Dairymen's Association

St. Luke's*

Woodbury Corporation - Magic Valley Mall, 

  Target, Best Buy & Dick's Shopping Centers

SILVER

American Real Estate and Appraisal*

Atlas Technical Consultants

Crossroads Point

Dot Foods

EHM Engineers, Inc.*

Farmers Bank*

Idaho Milk Products

Les Schwab Tire Center

Mr. Gas*

NOVOLEX / Hilex Poly

Oasis Stop 'N Go / Travelers' Oasis / Canyon

  Crest Event Center / Redhawk*

PBC Petersen Brothers Construction

PCA Packaging Corporation of America*

Select Health

Starr Corporation*

TitleOne*

United Electric Co-op, Inc.*

WATCO*

Watkins Distributing*

WillTran, Inc.

BRONZE

Balanced Rock Insurance

BBSI

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Idaho 

  Homes & Properties*

Best Western Burley Inn

Cassia Regional Hospital - Intermountain Healthcare*

Collins Connection - Kent & Cindy Collins 

  Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices*

Con Paulos Chevrolet*

Desert Creative Group

Float Magic

Flying S Title & Escrow*

Goode Motor / Lease End*

K&T Steel Corp*

Lytle Signs*

MAGIC Electric, Plumbing, Heating + Air

McKinlay Klundt Appraisal Co.

MEG & Co.

Minidoka Memorial Hospital

North Canyon Medical Center

Nu-Vu Glass

Safari Hospitality - Hampton Inn, Holiday Inn

   Express & Suites, Quality Inn and Suites

Snake River Pool & Spa*

Titlefact, Inc.*

TOK Commercial

True West Beef

TruLeap (formerly SimplicIT)

Ward & Campbell Orthodontics

Westfall & Westfall CPAs / Impact Athletic 

  Club*

Wills Toyota*

Zions Bank*