Welcome to the Business Plus Newsletter!

April 2025

2nd Quarter Meeting

May 8th 3-5pm

El Sombrero, 143 W Main Street, Jerome

Infrastructure for Economic Development: Energy

Idaho Power

Paris Dickerson, Economic & Community Development Manager

Intermountain Gas

David Doman, District Manager

Kathy Wold, Manager, Energy Efficiency

Thank you to our sponsor!

Stratus Marketing

We invite you to attend—please RSVP!

Idaho Delegation Pursues Opportunities in France

"As you get outside of Paris, it looks a lot like Idaho."

Idaho Lieutenant Governor Scott Bedke

I am thrilled to share highlights from Idaho's recent trip to France—an exciting step forward in building international connections for Southern Idaho!

Our Idaho delegation included SIEDO Director Jan Rogers, Lieutenant Governor Scott Bedke, and Marc Skinner, CEO of the University of Idaho-Idaho Falls Center. They visited Paris, Dijon and Rennes, meeting with business and education leaders to explore new opportunities and foster cross-regional collaboration. Sam Straight, COO for Burley-based ReDox Bio-Nutrients joined the tour in Dijon to pursue efforts to enter European markets.

The visit was thoughtfully organized by French business consultant Daniel Dozier, who began working with SIEDO two years ago, when Business France selected Twin Falls as one of three U.S. cities to host a French business delegation. That relationship has continued to grow—last year Jan Rogers and Idaho Senator Kelly Anthon traveled to France to present Idaho as a prime business location to more than 100 French companies. This January, SIEDO hosted Dozier in Southern Idaho, giving him a first-hand look at our region’s industries and business needs.

FORTHEM Alliance of Universities, Dijon

Business connections began right away with an introduction between ReDox Bio-Nutrients and Dijon-based INOCULUMplus. Both companies specialize in cutting-edge biological technologies that enhance plant growth and protection. Because entering the EU market involves regulatory hurdles and requires strong local partnerships, this connection could be a pivotal opportunity for ReDox.

The timing was ideal for Idaho to attend Vita'Connect, an annual one-day event in Dijon, France. Hosted by Vitagora—an agri-food innovation cluster that brings together multinationals, startups, and research centers focused on food innovation and competitiveness—the event provided a valuable opportunity to build relationships, gain strategic insights, and connect with innovative solutions shaping the future of the agri-food sector.

INOCULUMplus, Dijon

Vita'Connect Conference 2025, Dijon

Daniel Dozier facilitated meetings between Marc Skinner of the University of Idaho and representatives from L'Institut Agro and Université Bourgogne Europe, including a tour of their agricultural programs and discussions about collaboration and expanding educational opportunities between our regions.

L'Institut Agro, Dijon

Université Bourgogne Europe

Tecma Aries—a leader in industrial automation, robotics and advanced manufacturing—gave Idaho a warm welcome, proudly noting that Chobani as their largest U.S. customer. Vincent Altazin, Tecma's Business Development Manager, already has strong ties to Southern Idaho, having engaged with several of our food processors to explore potential synergies in food manufacturing and ag-tech.

Tecma Aries HQ, Coulommiers, Seine-et-Marne

Sharing presentions with Tecma Aries

Southern Idaho may have found a strong match with FIT—experts in the dairy ingredients market. Specializing in the trade and distribution of products like butter, powdered milk, whey, lactose, milk protein, whey protein and cheeses, FIT serves agri-food processors, the food service industry, nutraceutical sector, and animal nutrition companies. Idaho's delegation also met with Bretagne Commerce International to learn how they support global business expansion and foster a business-friendly ecosystem.

FIT, experts in dairy ingredients

Lunch with Bretagne Commerce International

During a tour of plastics manufacturer La Françoise des Plastiques (LFP), Idaho's ties to the region quickly became apparent when Lieutenant Governor Scott Bedke spotted a familiar product—a plastic cattle ear tag commonly used by Idaho ranchers. The delegation also visited MSD Animal Health, a global leader in animal health technology, where they explored innovations in livestock care and electronic devices used to monitor and track salmon.

While in Rennes, the team learned about SPACE 2025, a major international animal farming expo held each September, sparking interest in sending an Idaho delegation to attend. The day concluded with a reception hosted by U.S. Consul for Western France Emily Cintora and Economic and Commercial Specialist Julien Billiotte.

Tour of La Françoise des Plastiques (LFP)

Dinner with U.S. Consulates Cintora and Billiotte

The World Trade Center Rennes Bretagne operates as a business club led by and for international business leaders. As part of the World Trade Centers Association's global network, it connects 750,000 members across more than 90 countries. Our Idaho team was welcomed by business consultant Nicholas Beaty, a colleague of Daniel Dozer, who later reflected on the exchange in a LinkedIn post:



"Business is above all a story of meetings and exchanges. The kind that opens doors, moves lines, and weaves lasting links between cultures, ideas and talents."

Welcoming Idaho at the World Trade Center Rennes, Bretagne

Another highlight of the trip was a visit to Ferrandi's Rennes campus, where the delegation observed dynamic hands-on interactions between students and professional chefs. Ferrandi is a prestigious hospitality and culinary school that attracts students from around the world through its strong international network. Opportunities for student exchanges with the College of Southern Idaho's culinary program are now being explored—yet another unique way to expand international ties and open new doors for Southern Idaho.

Ferrandi's Rennes campus

The final stop of the trip was a visit to Lactalis, including a tour of its impressive three-story dairy museum and meetings with company leadership. As the largest dairy products group in the world—and the second largest food products group in France—Lactalis is renowned for its cheeses, milk, and yogurt. The company's Nampa, Idaho facility is its largest plant in the United States, producing a variety of cheeses including mascarpone, mozzarella, shredded, string and cream cheese.

Meeting Lactalis leadership at their headquarters in Laval

“Every part of this tour just made sense for connecting Idaho to global opportunities,” said SIEDO Director Jan Rogers—and the results speak for themselves:

• ReDox is actively pursuing entry into European markets.

• Idaho milk processors are set to engage with French dairy producers at the 2025 American Dairy Products Institute (ADPI) Conference in Chicago.

• Idaho representatives are considering attending the 2025 SPACE Animal Farming Expo in Rennes this September.

• Broad MOUs are underway between French universities and the University of Idaho’s agriculture and engineering programs.

• Student exchange discussions are progressing with Ferrandi’s prestigious culinary school.

• New relationships are forming across a range of sectors—from Tecma Aries’ packaging solutions, to plastics, animal electronics, dairy ingredient sourcing, and international trade networks.

Two slides from Idaho's presentation

With momentum building, SIEDO is leading Idaho at the 2025 SelectUSA Investment Summit next month, continuing to grow international partnerships—particularly with France and Japan. The future is bright for Southern Idaho’s global economic growth, and we’re just getting started!

Watch this news story about Idaho's trip to France

Sam Straight, COO for ReDox Bio-Nutritients states:

"Being able to go with the Southern Idaho Economic Development delegation allowed us to have access to people and opportunities that would be very difficult to do on your own."

#TeamSouthernIdaho!

L-R: Deputy Director Brad Wiersma, SIEDO Director Jan Rogers, Executive Assistant Gina Schroeder

We are excited to welcome Brad Wiersma as our new Deputy Director for SIEDO! A native of Mountain Home and a proud Boise State University graduate, Brad brings a wealth of experience to the role, most recently serving as Marketing Director at Montrose Regional Health in Colorado. We’re thrilled to welcome Brad—and his family—back home to Southern Idaho!

Other News we are Following

Forbes, April 22, 2025: Why Chobani's Billionaire Founder is Investing $1.2 Billion in a State-of-the-Art New York Dairy

New York Times, April 22, 2025: Chobani, Seeing Rising Demand, Plans Giant Factory in New York

Dairy Herd Management, March 21, 2025: Chobani's Bold Expansion: A $500 Million Commitment to Twin Falls, Idaho

Thank You Popplewell Law!

L-R: Joseph Popplewell and Rebecca Wildman

Magic Valley Metropolitan Planning Organization (MVMPO)

The Magic Valley MPO hosted three community events to gather input on travelers' experiences in the region. If you missed these events, you can still provide feedback by completing the MVMPO's survey before April 30, 2025. If you need more information contact Nathan Jerke, MVMPO Director.

Labor and Market Reports

Thank you New and Renewing Investors!

COMMUNITY

Collins Connection - Kent & Cindy Collins 

  Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices*

Family Health Services

Ireland Bank

Moss Greenhouses

New Leaf Properties*

Oregon Trail RV Park*

Sparklight*

Stevens Pierce & Associates CPAs*

Strategic Financial Group

Stratus Marketing

Twin Falls Handy Wash NEW!

Umpqua

Window Welder

LEGACY LEADERS

Leonard Anderson

Rep. Maxine Bell (retired)

Cindy Collins

Rep. Lance Clow

Chenele Dixon NEW!

Jeff Harris

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

Amy Stahl

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

Frontier Community Partners

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

Umpqua Bank

Watkins Distributing

WATCO

Willamette Dental Group

WillTran, Inc.

*Indicates 10+ years of support since 2003

+includes additional promotional investment