Welcome to the Business Plus Newsletter!

August 2024

Idaho Lieutenant Governor Scott Bedke speaks at the Business Plus Third Quarter Meeting, August 23, 2024

Our Third Quarter meeting on Idaho's Water: Issues, Solutions and Alternatives featured speakers Brian Olmstead, with the Idaho Department of Water Resources, and Idaho Lieutenant Governor Scott Bedke. They spoke about the history of Idaho's water including the Priority Doctrine, managing water conjunctively, storage, aquifer recharge, metering water use, and mitigation plans. Business Plus chose to focus on this topic because water is essential to agriculture, which in turn has a profound and wide-reaching effect on our economy.

Idaho is the fastest-growing state, with evolving farming practices, more water-intensive crops, and a declining snowpack compared to historical levels. In 2015, Scott Bedke facilitated an agreement between surface and groundwater users, but the agreement did not fully address everyone's concerns. This spring’s new water call prompted the need for renegotiation. Lieutenant Governor Bedke is optimistic that the revised agreement will address proportionality, recharge, averaging, and water usage measurement.

Brian Olmstead's slides explain Idaho's water history, systems and state programs.

On August 27, Idaho Governor Brad Little announced an additional $10 million for projects to improve the Eastern Shake Plain Aquifer, in addition to $30 million he and the Idaho Legislature set aside already saying, "It is part of an overall strategy to maintain our water destiny here in Idaho. Ultimately farmers, not government mandates, will drive the solutions."

More on Idaho's Water Issues since our Business Plus Meeting

KTVB: Governor Little on water rights, August 29, 2024

The 208 | Liquid Assets: The Fight for Idaho's Water, August 28, 2024

KMVT Idaho Water Rights Deadline Fast Approaching, August 27, 2024

Idaho Capital Sun, August 27, 2024

Idaho Ag Proud, August 23, 2024

Check Presentations

Thank You United Electric Coop!

L-R: Chris Seibold, Michael Darrington, and Rebecca Wildman

Thank You Select Health!

Rebecca Wildman and Amy Stahl

SIEDO Update

If you read the Business Plus July 2024 Newsletter, then you saw all the things SIEDO has been working over the past two years! SIEDO is now ready to start a succession plan and leadership transition, believing the best way to continue its mission is to bring in a deputy director. The deputy will learn under Jan Rogers and the team in order to assist in SIEDO's Mission to build prosperity by driving economic opportunity for our communities and businesses.

SIEDO has asked Business Plus and other partners to fund this transition. Reserve funds are available for a short term, however increased investments are necessary for the long term. To increase funding, we need to invite new investors to join and we need to ask for an increase from our current investors.

Here is what you can do to help:

• Become an Investor: If you are not an investor but have considered it, we encourage you to start now. A multi-year commitment is not necessary, even a one-time investment is beneficial.

• Increase your Investment: If you are in a position to increase your investment, the time is now. Please consider moving up to the next level or increasing by half. Regard this as an investment in our future economy.

• Introduce us to Others: If you are familiar with others who might be interested in joining Business Plus, please introduce us! Forward this newsletter or invite them to a meeting. Let's get more people involved.

Economic Reports

Other News and Events we are Following

Ag Proud Idaho: University of Idaho finishing first construction phase of new research dairy

KTVB: Ice cream factory coming to Jerome Idaho

Idaho Ag Today: New milk plant (Suntado)

Potato News Today: Frozen potato market poised for significant growth as global demand surges, report says

Idaho Farm Bureau Federation: Report shows massive impact of ag on Idaho's economy

Thank you New and Renewing Investors!

Thank you Third 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