October 2020
Newsletter

Private Investors Growing Southern Idaho's Economy



Dear Business Plus Partners,

The Magic Valley is pressing forward with economic development initiatives. Three incredible projects that will have an impact on Southern Idaho for years to come were announced this month: 



CITY OF BLISS AWARDED $840,000 BROADBAND GRANT






What is this?
The CARES Act allotted $1.25B to Idaho with IDOC spending $50M of it on rural broadband - 102 projects will give more than 40,000 Idahoans access to high-speed internet. 

Why is it important?
Rural Idahoans benefit from these projects. Broadband is important to infrastructure in paving the way for companies to grow, not to mention benefits to education, healthcare, and safety.




MAGIC VALLEY FOOD INNOVATION FEASIBILITY STUDY







What is this?
Chobani, Business Plus, SIED, Dairy West and Region IV Development are funding a feasibility study on the viability of a food innovation center and business incubator in South-Central Idaho. 

Why is it important?
If viable, a center would support entrepreneurs and existing food companies from concept to commercialization. If our region is "All Things Food" a center like this will help companies build and grow their business and benefit the Magic Valley for decades to come.

Stay tuned for more news about Business Plus investing in this opportunity!





OPERATION FACELIFT PROGRAM







What is this?
A community-wide project to revitalize downtown areas, build community pride, and encourage new business development.

Why is it important?
New this year is direct sponsorship allowing businesses to partner with communities and really see the change their donations create. Funding is significantly greater this year under this new model and businesses have been generous. Projects include new signage, landscaping, painting and clean-ups.

BEST OF awards for projects will be announced in November - stay tuned!



Because of your investment in economic development and support for regional partnerships, Business Plus moves the needle on economic development and our thriving economy.

If you are not an investor and are searching for a way to increase business opportunities, we invite you to join Business Plus. We are a unique network of local business leaders that are solely committed to growing business in the Magic Valley.  

Wishing you the best,


Rebecca Wildman - Director

A Word from Rudy Ashenbrener, Business Plus Board Member


"
I am always focused on what is best for my business and our employees. An important part of my companies' well-being is a strong and vibrant local economy. New jobs, emerging companies and a strong focus on talent attraction all benefit our local economy, which in turn benefits me and my business. The Magic Valley has seen great growth in the last 20 years, and I applaud our business leaders for their foresight in promoting and investing in our great Valley."

Rudy Ashenbrener, TitleFact, Inc. 
 



Congratulations to Connie Stopher and 
Southern Idaho Economic Development!

STOPHER IS A CERTIFED ECONOMIC DEVELOPER (CEcD)

Click to read

SIED receives Special Event Award for Virtual Fam Tours



Click to watch KMVT story



12 COOL THINGS 
Staycations




State and Local Resources foCOVID-19

Governor Brad Little and Idaho Rebounds
Idaho Department of Commerce COVID-19 Page
Idaho Department of Labor Idaho@Work Blog and Unemployment Dashboard
Idaho Economic Development Association (IEDA) COVID-19 Resources
Southern Idaho Economic Development COVID-19 Links
Region IV Development Website with Links to Loan Assistance
South Central Public Health District Information on Coronavirus
United Way of South Central Idaho Website



Thank you to our New and Renewing Investors!

             

   

        
 

                          
        

Become an Investor!
 

Give me a call! 
208-539-6470

Rebecca Wildman
BUSINESS PLUS, INC.


Campaign Investors

PLATINUM
First Federal*
D.L. Evans Bank*
Idaho Central Credit Union
KMVT*+
Magic Valley Media*+
McCain Foods
Project Mutual Telephone (PMT)*
  
GOLD
Clif Bar
Cooper Norman, CPAs*
Dairy West
Idaho Dairymen's Association
Idaho National Lab (INL)*
Idaho Power*
St. Luke's*
Woodbury Corporation - Magic Valley Mall, 
   Target, Best Buy & Dick's Shopping Centers
  
SILVER
American Real Estate and Appraisal*
Dot Foods
EHM Engineers, Inc.
Farmers Bank
Intermountain Gas Company*
Mountain West Realty
Mr. Gas*
Northwest Bank
NOVOLEX / Hilex Poly
Oasis Stop 'N Go / Travelers' Oasis*
PBC Petersen Brothers Construction
PCA Packaging Corporation of America*
Starr Corporation*
TitleOne*
United Electric Co-op, Inc.
Watkins Distributing*
Wells Fargo Bank
WillTran, Inc.
 
BRONZE
Banner Bank
BBSI
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Idaho 
   Homes & Properties
Best Western Burley Inn
Blue Cross of Idaho
Blue Lakes Inn / Snake River Pool & Spa
Cassia Regional Hospital - Intermountain Healthcare*
Chobani
Collins Connection - Kent & Cindy Collins 
   Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices*
Con Paulos Chevrolet
Farm Bureau Insurance
First American Title Company*
Goode Motor Auto Group
HC Company, Inc.
J-U-B Engineers
K&T Steel Corp*
Lytle Signs*
Materials Testing & Inspection
McKinlay Klundt Appraisal Co.
Minidoka Memorial Hospital

BRONZE (Cont.)
Nelson & Co.
Nu-Vu Glass
Safari Hospitality - Hampton Inn, Holiday Inn
    Express & Suites, Quality Inn and Suites
SimplicIT
Thornton Oliver Keller
Titlefact, Inc.*
U.S. Bank
Ward Orthodontics
Westfall & Westfall CPAs / Impact Athletic 
   Club*
Wills Toyota*
Zions Bank*
 
COMMUNITY
Devil's Corral
Family Health Services
Gem State Welders Supply*
Moss Greenhouses
New Leaf Properties
North Canyon Medical Center
Oregon Trail RV Park
Sparklight (formerly CableOne)
Stevens Pierce & Associates CPAs*
Stratus Communications, LLC
United Way of South Central Idaho
Watco (Eastern Idaho Railroad)*
Wills, Inc.*
 
LEGACY LEADERS
Rep. Maxine Bell, Retired
Doug Brown
Rep. Lance Clow
Jeff Harris
Rep. Stephen Hartgen, Retired
Alan Horner
Ruth Pierce
Jan Rogers
Lee Wagner
 
IN-KIND SUPPORT
(past 3 years)
BBSI
Best Western Burley Inn
Darigold
Elevation 486
Idaho Central Credit Union
KeyBank
Mr. Gas
Nu-Vu Glass
Packaging Specialties of Idaho
PCA Packaging Corporation of America
PerforMix Nutrition Systems
Minidoka Memorial Hospital
Mountain West Realty
Oregon Trail RV
Soran Restaurants, Inc.
Starr Corporation
Stone House & Co.
Stratus Communications
Thornton Oliver Keller
Watkins Distributing
Willamette Dental Group
WillTran, Inc.
 
*Indicates 10+ years of support since 2003
+includes additional promotional investment

Private Investors Growing Southern Idaho's Economy

Rebecca Wildman - Director
BUSINESS PLUS, INC.
208-539-6470