From left, Mary Johnson, Mayor Brian Blad, Amy Rhoads, Mike Ennis, Brandon Lance, Mayor Kevin England, Todd Blackinton, Lon Crowell, Shaun Menchaca, John Regetz and Jim Johnston.

The Bannock Development Corporation received an investment from the Portneuf Health Partners today at a ceremony in the Portneuf Medical Center. Portneuf Health Partners were recognized for supporting the economic development organization since constructing the Medical Center in 2011. Bannock Development Corporation assisted with developing the Medical Center from the preceding county hospital.

Brandon Lance, Chair, Bannock Development Corporation, expressed appreciation for several of the roles that Portneuf Health Partners fill in the community. “Bannock Development Corp wants to thank and recognize Portneuf Health Partners for their very strong support, symbolized by today’s event. We also want to recognize them for being the largest private employer in the Pocatello-Chubbuck community, providing about 1,500 jobs for our neighbors. And of course, we all appreciate Portneuf Health Partners for providing quality, comprehensive health care to our community,” said Lance.

Portneuf Health Partners have been a strong proponent of economic development to grow the Bannock County area’s economy. Todd Blackinton, Marketing/Public Relations Director said, “Portneuf is proud to support economic development throughout Bannock County. With our 1,500 employees, Portneuf is truly local through and through. We see neighbors caring for neighbors at the bedside. We also see that our unique ownership structure gives a strong, local voice through the Portneuf Health Trust to guide the delivery of healthcare. The Trust can then funnel wellness resources back into our county.”

Blackinton and Shaun Menchaca, CEO of Portneuf Health Trust, presented a check for $20,000 to Bannock Development to support their efforts, including expansion of current employers and recruitment of new ones. “Supporting Bannock Development is all about bringing great jobs to our community. Great jobs allow people to live their dreams, support their families and enjoy all of the wonderful opportunities that exist in Bannock County. Great things are ahead for economic development in the area and Bannock Development is crucial for that growth, said Menchaca.” Recent projects assisted have included Great Western Malting’s expansion, Zip Kit Homes location, the FBI expansion and the YourFIT career awareness program.

Photo and article by Idaho State University

The Idaho State University College of Business’s Center for Entrepreneurship and Economic Development (CEED) and U.S. Bank hosted the U.S. Bank Pitch-Off event on Dec. 7 in preparation for the Idaho Entrepreneurship Challenge.

The IEC is a competition hosted in Boise each spring where students from schools throughout the state come together to present their business idea for an innovative product or service.

As part of this initial competition, students were given the opportunity to present their product and service ideas for the IEC to a panel of judges to help prepare for the competition. Students competed for a chance to win cash prizes donated by U.S. Bank.

“The first annual Pitch-Off was a smashing success,” said Jeff Street, director of CEED. “The consensus of the judges was that the students were an amazing and inspiring group of young people.”

The winning student teams were as follows (Thanks to the generosity of U.S. Bank, the judges were able to award multiple winners because of the closeness of final scores):

• 1st Place $2,250: Total Rehab; student: Britt Dickman; campus unit: College of Education
• 1st Place $2,250: Guardian Light; student: Jason Davis; campus unit: College of Technology
• 2nd Place $1,000: Toast Dance; students: Jonny Henderson and Dez Ruiz; campus units: College of Business and College of Science and Engineering
• 2nd Place $1,000: Grace N Play; students: Ashlie Wolf and Alicia McKerigan; campus unit: College of Business
• 3rd Place $500: Buzz Band; students: Monica Seedall, Lisa Cecil, Katie Jane Robinson; campus unit: College of Business
• 3rd Place $500: Bike Kiosk; students: Todd Gordon, Blake Kleffner, Sterling Duggan; campus units: College of Science and Engineering and College of Business
• 3rd Place $500: OneApp Living; students: Brett McPhail, Antony Ricks, Matthew LaChappelle; campus unit: College of Business

“The students’ success was an encouragement to all of us about the future of business and entrepreneurship in Idaho,” Street said. “Thanks to all of those who helped with judging, mentoring students and supporting CEED in the effort to put this event on.”

As the next step in the Idaho Entrepreneurship Challenge, student groups will submit their business plans, formal applications and a 60-second video elevator pitch to the contest’s judges in Boise. Those selected based off of these materials will be asked to compete this spring.

From ISU’s Weekly News and Notes:

December, 14, 2017

The L.E. and Thelma E. Stephens Performing Arts Center (SPAC) at Idaho State University was recently ranked fourth on tripping.com’s list “The Best College Performing Arts Centers: Top 10 to Experience in the U.S.”

ISU’s Stephens Performing Arts Center once again ranked fourth on list of ‘Amazing College and University Performing Arts Centers in the U.S.’

The L.E. and Thelma E. Stephens Performing Arts Center (SPAC) at Idaho State University was recently ranked fourth on tripping.com’s list “The Best College Performing Arts Centers: Top 10 to Experience in the U.S.” This is the second time the SPAC has made the list, the first being in 2015.

            “We are proud of the world-class facility in our community and the artistic, cultural and educational opportunities it provides,” said George Casper, director of events at ISU. “We are excited to see it once again recognized as a premier venue.”

 The list was produced as a part of tripping.com’s blog which suggests “the best in off-the-beaten-track activities and events” for users who enjoy discovering new things to do near where they live or vacation. Tripping.com is a national search engine for vacation rentals.

            “Whether you’re a student following your passion or an audience member appreciating the arts, these performing arts centers are nothing short of breathtaking,” the article states.

The Stephens Performing Arts Center is a $34 million state-of-the-art complex, built primarily through the support of the Stephens family and hundreds of other private donors. The SPAC hosts multiple student and professional concerts, theatre performances and events every year. The center also includes a costume design studio, set design shop, classrooms and meeting spaces.

Courtesy of the Idaho State Journal
By Journal Staff Sep 20, 2017
Click here for ISJ’s article

The data center under construction at the FBI site in Pocatello will ultimately require adding about 350 employees when it’s finished, said Michael Malinowski, section chief of the IT Infrastructure Division in Pocatello.

That’s an increase in employees from the current number of around 200 and will include new hires and transfers he said during a press event on Wednesday. Construction on the data center started in August. It should be done in early 2019, he said.

Malinowski said the pay range for employees in the data center will be competitive.

“We are extremely competitive for most positions,” he said.

Meanwhile, in addition to the increase in employees, the project will bolster contractors.

“There are a lot of local contractors that are going to be involved in this building,” he said.

The project overall will have an impact of tens of millions of dollars on the local economy, according to John Regetz, executive director of the Bannock County Development Corporation. In April 2016 it was initially thought the project might bring in about 300 workers.

“That’s good news that they’re increasing their level of commitment,” Regetz said. “It just means more good jobs in our community. These are going to be good-paying jobs.”

He said having those extra jobs and added income here will help the retail sector and businesses in and around the Pine Ridge Mall. It would also likely bolster the housing market.

“If our developers and contractors don’t respond quickly enough there will be a tight supply,” he said.

Regetz also said it might also create an opportunity for training partnerships with Idaho State University.

“It could really expand our high-tech talent base,” he said.

Pocatello Mayor Brian Blad says he happy to see the project advance.

“We’ve always talked to them about 300 to 400 jobs for this data center so it’s great news,” he said.

He said the jobs will offer living wages and those are the kinds of jobs the city has been hoping to help bring to the community.

“It’s going to be a great economic boost for our community and we are very excited to have them expand their operation here,” Blad said.