March 2020
Newsletter


Private Investors Growing Southern Idaho's Economy



Dear Business Plus Partners,

I began writing this newsletter the day after our February 27th Meeting. Directors Kealey and Stopher shared such great information about Idaho's focus on business attraction and expansion, and I was excited to share their slides with you. As this month has progressed, my excitement has tapered, as we are now entering unchartered waters.

Business Plus was founded in 1987 amidst high unemployment and economic uncertainty. Back then our local leaders created Business Plus as a way for businesses to pool their resources and change our economic trajectory. Our region was again challenged in 2008 with the housing and financial crisis and a spike in unemployment. At that time our regional partnerships were established and we had a commitment to stay the course, knowing our economy would eventually swing back, and we wanted to be ready. Sure enough, by  2012 Southern Idaho boasted the recruitment of Chobani and Clif Bar, and major expansions for McCain Foods and Glanbia, and many new services including St. Luke's Magic Valley, a state-of-the-art medical facility.

As we reflect on past challenges, we should not forget our resilience, aided by strong partnerships between business and communities. SIED Director Connie Stopher shares:

"I think a lot of us have seen how incredible people have been during this time. People are really coming together to get creative about how to solve problems, help each other, and be positive in the face of mounting challenges. If you, your community, your business, or family find yourselves facing a challenge, please reach out. The same goes about efforts to help others, we want to spread awareness about those efforts. Have a need? Let us know and we'll do all we can to help. If you have a resource or bright spot to help others? Let us know so we can spread the word."

If you have suggestions, please  email Connie here .

We will get through this, we are in it  together, and we will be stronger for what we have endured.

Wishing you the best,


Rebecca Wildman, Executive Director

Business Plus First Quarter Meeting

Business Plus held its First Quarter Meeting on February 27th at Morey's Steakhouse in Burley with the theme "Idaho Recruitment Strategies" with 75 people attending. 

Thank you sponsors: Eastern Idaho Railroad (Watco), Goode Motor Group, KeyBank, and
Packaging Specialties of Idaho.

  
Tom Kealey, Director for the Idaho Department of Commerce

Connie Stopher, Executive Director Southern Idaho Economic Development

Rebecca Wildman, Executive Director for Business Plus, Inc.
 

Thank you to our speakers for sharing their slides. Click on the links below for pdf copies.

Director Stopher's Slides

Director Kealey's Slides



A Word from Dan Olmstead, Business Plus Board Member

" As a long-time Business Plus investor, the problem/pain point that my Company faces can be summed up in two words: Value Proposition.  We are constantly evaluating our investment, and have found that year after year, the contribution and success of Business Plus has far exceeded our expectations. I would be happy to answer any questions you may have on how these two words: Value Proposition can apply to your business. "

Dan Olmstead, Idaho Power, Business and Community Development Advisor
 

State and Local Resources for  COVID-19

Idaho Department of Commerce  COVID-19 Page

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

St. Luke's  COVID-19 Information

United Way of South Central Idaho Website



Idaho Business Review names Barigar 
2020 CEO of Influence

Read Idaho Business Review Interview HERE


Idaho Dairymen's Association 
Idaho Dairy Focus: First Quarter 2020


Recent News

Business Plus -  Working Together

We invite you to watch this video about Business Plus.  Thank you to KMVT and Tom Frank for producing.

Click to Watch



Check Presentation

Idaho Central Credit Union

L-R: Neil Christensen, Rebecca Wildman, Jeff May, Luis Valadez, Angela Hickmon, and Carlos Cervantes


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 Magic Valley*
Woodbury Corporation - Magic Valley Mall, 
   Target, Best Buy & Dick's Shopping Centers
Zions Bank*
  
SILVER
American Real Estate and Appraisal*
Dot Foods
EHM Engineers, Inc.
Farmers Bank
Givens Pursley, LLP
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.
Washington Federal
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
Minidoka Memorial Hospital

BRONZE (Cont.)
Nelson & Co.
Nu-Vu Glass
Safari Hospitality - Hampton Inn, Holiday Inn
    Express & Suites, Quality Inn and Suites
NEW!  SimplicIT
St. Luke's Jerome
Thornton Oliver Keller
Titlefact, Inc.*
U.S. Bank
Ward Orthodontics
Westfall & Westfall CPAs / Impact Athletic 
   Club*
Wills Toyota*
 
COMMUNITY
Boccard Life Sciences
CTR-Cleanup & Total Restoration
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
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, Executive Director
BUSINESS PLUS, INC.
208-539-6470