Business Plus, Inc.                         March 2017

Dear Partners:

The Southern Idaho Economic Development Organization  (SIEDO) held  its quarterly meeting and introduced new Executive Director Connie Stopher . Thank you to  Brad W ills for serving as SIEDO's Interim Director since October 2016. Brad has been a long-time supporter and Director of Business Plus and we appreciate him helping further SIEDO's mission.

Highlights from SIEDO's meeting include reporting on 2016 year-end publicity and PR results with nearly 203 million impressions from "PR Web" releases, equivalent to an estimated $1,176,000 in advertising costs. Other publicity earned media placements include 61 million impressions, at an estimated ad cost of $718,000.

SIEDO frequently runs articles and ads in Expansion Solutions Magazine, a bi-monthly publication with 20,000 subscribers including consultants, manufacturers, executives, corporate real estate professionals, and site/industry consultants. In the November/December 2016 digital issue featuring the article "Feeding the World From Southern Idaho," the average time viewers spent on the article was 39.58 seconds and an average of 37.84 seconds spent viewing SIEDO's regional advertisement - considered a "Great to Very Good" response.



SIEDO is partnering with  Gem State Prospector  to sponsor a training event for real estate agents on April 26, 2017 in Twin Falls. If you are interested and would like more information, please email Lisa Buddecke .




SIEDO released a new info-graphic  "12 COOL THINGS...To Do & See in Rural Idaho." Please share this on your social media, Facebook, Twitter, etc. to brand our region as a cool place to live. 


Get Social with SIEDO!   In an effort to help with social media outreach, please Follow, Link and Like SIEDO on FacebookInstagramLinkedInTwitter, and YouTube.
 
             

Congratulations to Twin Falls, Idaho for being one of four recipients of the U.S. Economic Development Administration's Smart Growth America Grant for Technical Assistance!

"Buoyed by a strong agriculture and food processing industry, Twin Falls seeks to find uses for its underutilized warehousing district in unison with other downtown redevelopment initiatives. The City, the smallest and most remote of the four to be selected, now wants to diversify its economic base, with a focus on outdoor recreation products given their location and beautiful surroundings. Twin Falls is also a refugee resettlement community, and would like to provide skill-based training programs to this disadvantaged population."
     


***

We invite you to join our investor group! Please give me a call.

Rebecca Wildman
Executive Director
BusinessPlusInc@msn.com
208-539-6470

Mission Statement
Business Plus, Inc. is a regional non-profit organization made up of forward-thinking private businesses with the goal of growing our economy through job creation in the Magic Valley. 



Business Plus is 
"Funding for the Future"
Investor Spotlight


Travelers' Oasis began in 1979 when Dan Willie and a partner purchased a two-bay service station in Eden, Idaho. It was expanded to include a store and breakfast/burger counter, and later a full-service restaurant and larger store were added. In 1999, the store was doubled and included a food court, truckers' lounge, and a Garden of Eden complete with waterfall, live plants, and rock formations. Today, the Truck Plaza includes an AMBEST Travel Center, laundromat, truck shop, and 24-hour restaurants.

Along with the growth of the Travelers' Oasis and the Garden of Eden, Willie grew the Oasis Stop 'No Go to Southern Idaho's largest convenience retailer with 24 locations, with a multitude of gas stations and food options, business centers, car washes, and creation of the Kickback Rewards System with customers in all 50 sates & Canada.

In 2008, Willie built the Canyon Crest Dining and Event Center on the Snake River Canyon Rim, overlooking two golf courses and the Perrine Bridge. With 21,000 square feet and event space that can hold up to 450 guests, Canyon Crest is the largest facility of its kind in Twin Falls, Idaho. Canyon Crest is listed on the Best of Idaho's website under "The 15 Best Restaurants in Idaho."

At the end of 2016, Daniel L. Willie Enterprises employed 581 people. Willie is a generous supporter of the Magic Valley, including Business Plus. We would like to recognize Dan Willie and his team for their vision and investment in our community!  Visit  Traveler's Oasis Oasis Stop 'N Go , and  Canyon Crest Dining & Event Center .

Travelers' Oasis and the Oasis Stop 'N Go have been investors in Business Plus for more than 13 years.
 


Idaho Friends of FFA Banquet - April 6, 2017

Idaho's Future Farmers of America Foundation is growing our future  leaders and workforce. In conjunction with the FFA's 86th annual Idaho  State Leadership Conference, the public is invited to special evening of celebration honoring Idaho FFA's rich heritage and planning for future success and growth. The date is  Thursday, April 6, 2017 at the Canyon Crest Event Center with social hour and a silent auction from 4:30 - 5:30 p.m. and dinner, a program and live auction from 5:30 - 7:00 p.m.
 
From the Idaho Office of Emergency Management

Businesses Encouraged to Report Impacts of Winter Flooding

BOISE  - The State of Idaho is seeking information from small, non-agricultural businesses in Bingham, Cassia, Elmore, Franklin, Gooding, Jefferson, Jerome, Lincoln, Minidoka, Twin Falls, and Washington Counties whose operations and ability to conduct business were disrupted by the extraordinary flooding beginning February 5,  2017 through March 3, 2 017. This information will determine whether impacted businesses would be eligible for disaster assistance in the form of low interest loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). 
 
The unprecedented flooding that occurred caused widespread destruction including severe damage to local and state infrastructure creating treacherous travel conditions and disruption to ordinary business functions throughout the area. The flood event led to a State Disaster Declaration signed by Idaho Governor C.L. "Butch" Otter February 10, 2017. 
 

The State of Idaho is requesting small businesses located in the eleven counties to complete the SBA Economic Injury Worksheet. Businesses impacted by the flooding who may not elect to receive the low interest loans are still encouraged to submit works he ets so the full impact of the disaster to the area can be determined. 
 
The worksheet may be found on the Idaho Commerce website at http://commerce.idaho.gov  (Scroll to Popular Downloads). Forms can be downloaded and sent by fax to 208.422.3044,  by email to  jdick@imd.idaho.gov  or mailed directly to:
 
Jarod Dick
Idaho Office of Emergency Management
4040 W. Guard St.; Bldg 600
Boise, ID 83705
 
If approved, the assistance will be in the form of direct low interest loans from the SBA. Businesses located in contiguous counties, or counties within the region that provide goods and services to businesses in the eleven counties may have experienced significant economic impact and are also encouraged to submit worksheets as soon as possible.

Recent Media

Expansion Solutions, April 2017

KMVT, March 24, 2017

Fast Company, March 20, 2017

LinkedIn Food & Beverages, March 16, 2017


Capital Press, March 13, 2017

Capital Press, March 12, 2017

Times-News, March 10, 2017

Lieutenant Governor Brad Little, March 8, 2017

Newsradio1310, March 8, 2017

North Bay Business Journal, March 2, 2017

Trade & Industry Development, February 27, 2017

Site Selection Magazine


Campaign Investors

   PLATINUM ($10,000-$25,000)          

   First Federal*
    D.L. Evans Bank
   Idaho Central Credit Union
  

   GOLD ($5,000-$9,999)                      

   Columbia Bank
   Cooper Norman, CPAs
    Idaho Dairymen's Association
   Idaho Power*
   Project Mutual Telephone (PMT)*
   St. Luke's Magic Valley*
   Washington Federal
   Woodbury Corporation
       (Magic Valley Mall, Target, Best Buy
       &  Dick's Shopping Centers)
  

   SILVER ($2,500-$4,999)                    

   American Real Estate & Appraisal*
   Dot Foods
   EHM Engineers, Inc.
   Elevation 486
   Farmers National Bank
   Givens Pursley, LLP
   Idaho National Lab (INL)*
   Intermountain Gas Company*
   Lytle Signs
   Mountain West Realty
   Mr. Gas*
   NOVOLEX/Hilex Poly
   Oasis Stop 'N Go & Travelers' Oasis*
   PCA Packing Corporation of America
        (formerly Boise, Inc.)*
   Times-News
   United Electric Co-op, Inc.
   U.S. Bank
   Watkins Distributing*
   Wells Fargo Bank
   WillTran, Inc.
   WOW Logistics


   BRONZE ($1,000-$2,499)                 

   Alliance Title & Escrow*
   Banner Bank
   BBSI
   Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices 
        Idaho Homes & Properties
   Best Western Burley Inn
   Blue Lakes Inn / Snake River Pool 
        & Spa
   Cassia Regional Hospital - 
        Intermountain Healthcare*
   Chobani
   Clear Springs Foods*
    Collins Connection
        Kent & Cindy Collins
        Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices*
   Con Paulos Chevrolet
   Eastern Idaho Railroad (EIRR)
   Elwood Staffing
   Farm Bureau Insurance



*indicates 10+ years of support since 2003
   BRONZE Cont.                            

   First American Title Company
   Fisher Construction
   Giltner, Inc.
   Goode Motor Auto Group
   J-U-B Engineers
   K&T Steel Corp*
   KMVT
    McAlvain Group of Companies
   Middlekauff Auto Group
   Minidoka Memorial Hospital
   Nelson & Co.
   Nu-Vu Glass
   Power Engineers
    Starr Corporation*
   Stephan, Kvanvig, Stone & Trainor
   TEC-Distributing of Idaho (formerly
        Magic Valley Distributing)*
   Titlefact, Inc.*
   TitleOne *
   Westfall & Westfall CPAs / Impact
        Athletic Club*
   Wills, Inc.*
   Wills Toyota*
   Zions Bank


   COMMUNITY ($100-$999)         

   Boccard Life Sciences
   Cable One
   Doug Shelk CPA with Deagle 
         Ames & Co.
    Gem State Welders Supply*
   i.t. Integrated Technologies
   Moss Greenhouses
   Neil Christensen Insurance
   New Leaf Properties
   Oregon Trail RV Park
   St. Luke's Jerome*
   Stevens Pierce & Associates CPAs*
   Stratus Communications, LLC


   IN-KIND SUPPORT                     

   3-Day Kitchen & Bath
   Cable One
   Century 21 Riverside Realty
   CH2M
   Con Paulos Chevrolet
   D.L. Evans Bank
   Dot Foods
   Elevation 486
   Fabri-Kal
   Farm Bureau Insurance
   First Federal
   Goode Motor Auto Group
   Intermountain Gas Company
   KMVT
   Minidoka Memorial Hospital
   Mr. Gas / Mr. Wash
   NOVOLEX/Hilex Poly
   Packaging Specialties of Idaho (PSI)
   Project Mutual Telephone (PMT)
   Starr Corporation
   Times-News
   United Electric Co-op, Inc.
   US Bank
   Watkins Distributing
   Wells Fargo Bank
   WOW Logistics
 

www.business-plus.org
PO Box 929, Twin Falls, ID  83303-0929
BusinessPlusInc@msn.com