Idaho Business Review, Boise articles from August 2006

Idaho Business Review, Boise archives from August 2006

Micron competitor slapped by Federal Trade Commission.
August 4, 2006... Byline: IBR Staff Report The Federal Trade Commission announced Aug. 2, via press release, that technology developer Rambus unlawfully monopolized the markets for four computer memory technologies. The technologies have been incorporated...

Proposed sales tax increase for Ada and Canyon counties could fund future public transportation.
August 7, 2006... Byline: Eddie Kovsky Federal funds covering operating costs for public transportation in the Treasure Valley will dry up in 2008. Boise, Caldwell, Garden City, Meridian and Nampa have grown too large to remain eligible for grant money...

U.S. Congressman Butch Otter explains his opposition to Boulder-White Cloud wilderness bill.
August 7, 2006... Byline: Lora Volkert U.S. Congressman Butch Otter last week broke his silence and explained his opposition to the Boulder-White Cloud wilderness bill. The bill would create 300,011 acres of protected wilderness in central Idaho, and would...

20 years later, Right to Work impact in Idaho felt by big labor.
August 7, 2006... Byline: Brad Carlson Dave Whaley's in a good mood. Union membership is on the rise thanks to Idaho's construction boom. Plumbers and pipe fitters, sheet metal and ironworkers, and electrical workers are all likely union members. "Three...

Public Transportion - By The Numbers.
August 7, 2006... 1 million Number of passengers on the Valley Regional Transit System last year. 524,906 Population of Ada and Canyon counties in 2005. 664,894 Projected population of two counties in 2015. 0.5 percent Increase in sales tax for Ada...

Right to Work proponents in Idaho passed bill after years of trying.
August 7, 2006... Byline: Brad Carlson Right to Work was not a new issue in Idaho before it finally won approval in 1986. "It had been attempted for a number of years in the Idaho Legislature," Randy Stapilus, Idaho political analyst and author, said. The...

(Right to Work) Idaho Code Title 44, Section 2001.
August 7, 2006... It is hereby declared to be the public policy of the state of Idaho, in order to maximize individual freedom of choice in the pursuit of employment and to encourage an employment climate conducive to economic growth, that the Right to Work...

Missing listings require Dex to send new pages.
August 7, 2006... Byline: IBR Staff Report The Dex telephone directory in late July mailed a four-page section of Idaho state government listings to Treasure Valley households. The addition corrects numerous errors. There were a number of them, and I say...

Idaho Falls airport gets new shuttle service to Denver.
August 7, 2006... Byline: IBR Staff Report United Airlines now offers jet service between Idaho Falls and Denver. United Express, partnered with Skywest Airlines, began offering roundtrip flights June 8. The 50 and 70 seat jets depart Idaho Falls at 7:30...

Micron competitor slapped by Federal Trade Commission.
August 7, 2006... Byline: IBR Staff Report The Federal Trade Commission announced Aug. 2, via press release, that technology developer Rambus unlawfully monopolized the markets for four computer memory technologies. The technologies have been incorporated...

Bank building deals with stink from reclaimed water.
August 7, 2006... Byline: IBR Staff Report Toilets in the Banner Bank Building are a little less smelly than they used to be. Developer Gary Christensen added another filter and a treatment system to the Boise building's water reclamation system, which...

Idaho firm builds keyboard that warns you to clean up.
August 7, 2006... Byline: IBR Staff Report A Coeur d'Alene manufacturer recently started production of a computer keyboard designed to help health care providers cut down on airborne infections. Advanced Input Systems designed the new hardware, called the...

Boise-based Piper Jaffray veteran changes firms.(Company overview)
August 7, 2006... Byline: Brad Carlson Longtime Boise investment pro Mark Daly is leaving Piper Jaffray, a company that acquired his grandfather's firm in 1975. On June 30, Daly joined as a full partner in what is now Rathbone McReynolds & Daly Investment...

More Idaho banks report second quarter earnings.
August 7, 2006... Byline: Brad Carlson Mountain West Bank, Banner Bank, Intermountain Community Bank and the privately-held D.L. Evans Bank, reported gains in earnings, assets and loans for the June 30 period. The comparisons below are from 2005 to the same...

Chatterbox LLC leased 18,500 square feet in the MWI Building, 2201 N. 20th St., Boise.
August 7, 2006... Chatterbox LLC leased 18,500 square feet in the MWI Building, 2201 N. 20th St., Boise. Mark Cleverley of Thornton Oliver Keller Commercial Real Estate represented the tenant. Hickory Farms Idaho has leased 15,840 square feet of space...

Bids are to be opened at 2 p.m. Aug. 9 for construction of a North Idaho College Head Start building in Bonners Ferry.
August 7, 2006... Bids are to be opened at 2 p.m. Aug. 9 for construction of a North Idaho College Head Start building in Bonners Ferry. Plans are available from Miller Stauffer Architects P.A., 701 E. Front Ave., Suite 301, Coeur d'Alene, Idaho 83814-4915. Cost...

Collection of small firms push growth in Idaho patent filings.
August 7, 2006... Byline: Brad Carlson Two-thirds of the patents issued to Idaho companies in 2005 went to Micron Technology Inc., according to the 2005 Idaho Patent Report. It's the other third that has the attorney who wrote the report bullish on the...

WGI project earns Calif. honor.
August 7, 2006... Byline: FROM A PRESS RELEASE A transit line designed by Washington Group International was recently named project of the year by the California Transportation Foundation. The Los Angeles METRO's Orange Bus Rapid Transit Line was honored...

Federal Housing Admin. increases caps for FHA-insured mortgages to compete with private lenders.
August 7, 2006... Byline: Lora Volkert The Federal Housing Administration has increased the caps for FHA-insured mortgages to compete with private lenders catering to those with substandard credit. FHA raised mortgage limits $25,000, to $225,150, in Ada,...

Housing - By The Numbers.
August 7, 2006... $225,150 New FHA mortgage limit for single-family homes or condos. $200,160 Same number in January 2006. $172,632 Same number in January 2005. 20.3 % Year-over-year increase in Idaho home prices last quarter. 27.5 % Same number...

Boise Cascade increases earnings in 2nd quarter.
August 7, 2006... Byline: FROM A PRESS RELEASE Boise Cascade Holdings LLC on Aug. 3 reported second quarter income from operations of $60.1 million, compared to $30.5 million for the first quarter of 2006. In the second quarter of 2005, BCC reported income...

Members address Idaho Association of Commerce & Industry 'split' rumors.
August 7, 2006... Byline: Brad Carlson The Idaho Association of Commerce & Industry isn't struggling, its leaders said. IACI -- which includes the Idaho Business Review among its 300 members -- adopted a new strategic plan and raised dues at its annual...

Boise Chamber needs back-up.
August 7, 2006... Byline: John Foster In a few weeks, Idaho legislators will travel to Boise to take up an issue that affects the quality of life for hundreds of thousands of the state's residents. These residents are paying more than they should, are...

Your view: public transit in Boise, Nampa.
August 7, 2006... Byline: Gaye Bunderson Public transportation is relatively non-existent in this area, so anything would be an improvement. Since most of the growth is to the west of Boise at this point, I would like to see a light rail system from Nampa...

Proposition could require Idaho public to suspend zoning rules, or pay.
August 7, 2006... Byline: Lora Volkert In the mid-1990s, the State of Idaho needed to acquire some land to build the Eagle bypass on Idaho Highway 44. One of the landowners involved happened to be then-lieutenant governor Butch Otter. Rather than sell the...

Boise attorneys form temporary services firm for legal support staff.
August 7, 2006... Byline: Brad Carlson For a small firm, adding a lawyer represents a major commitment that includes hiring additional support staff. A new Boise company is offering what it hopes will be an alternative -- temporary help. Boise attorneys...

Guest Networks reaches 'milestone'.
August 7, 2006... Byline: From a press release Guest Networks, a division of Indigo Networks, reached a milestone in June. The company supports more than 1,000 guest rooms in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana and Nevada with 24-hour network support...

Chris Wood buys Corporate Green.
August 7, 2006... Byline: IBR STAFF REPORT Corporate Green, a four-year-old Boise company that organizes golf tournaments and outings, has a new owner and president. Founder Bruce Avram sold the business to Chris Wood, who has published Intermountain Golf...

Magazine honors Nimbus360 with 'Top 100' award.
August 7, 2006... Byline: From a press release Bernie Kattner, president of Nimbus360, announced the company has been awarded a Top 100 award by CEPro Magazine. The award recognizes only the largest systems integration companies in the U.S. for outstanding...

Jackson Video nominated for Hanley Awards.
August 7, 2006... Byline: FROM A PRESS RELEASE Jackson Video Services was recently nominated for two Hanley Awards at the 6th annual Home Video Studio Getaway in Las Vegas. HVS is the largest network of independently-owned, home-based video companies, with...

DJM Sales & Marketing wins Sloan Award.
August 7, 2006... Byline: FROM A PRESS RELEASE DJM Sales & Marketing Inc., Boise, has been named a winner of the Alfred P. Sloan Awards for Business Excellence in Workplace Flexibility. Tyler Wigton, senior program associate of Families and Work Institute,...

Western Benefits ranked in top 10 in U.S.
August 7, 2006... Byline: From a press release A national insurance industry trade publication has ranked a Boise firm as one of the top 10 largest and most productive employee benefit brokerages in the United States. Business Insurance, in the July 17,...

23 2006 Integrity Counts! finalists selected.
August 7, 2006... Byline: FROM A PRESS RELEASE The Better Business Bureau and KeyBank have announced the finalists for the 2006 Integrity Counts! business honors award. They include: Independent Contractor / Self-Employed / Up to 2 employees - A New Vintage...

Red Feather gets Wine Spectator award.
August 7, 2006... Byline: From a press release Wine Spectator magazine selected The Red Feather Lounge for the Award of Excellence for the Lounge's wine program. It is the first restaurant in Boise to achieve the award, the second level in the magazine's...

WGI helping in effort to recruit workers for Gulf Coast recovery.
August 7, 2006... Byline: From a press release Washington Group International will provide $322,000 in cash and in-kind contributions to help recruit and train up to 20,000 new construction workers in the Gulf Coast region by the end of 2009. The workers...

Albertsons to help fund solar power education program in Boise.
August 7, 2006... Byline: From a press release Albertsons -- and new parent company Supervalu -- will contribute $8,000 to the City of Boise Parks and Recreation Department to complete a solar power education and outreach program. The funding will be used...

Sessions on development issues scheduled throughout state.
August 7, 2006... Byline: From a press release The two private sector boards responsible for advising the governor on economic and workforce development issues are traveling the state in August. The regional sessions will focus on the increasingly close...

Building Permits.
August 7, 2006... BUILDING PERMITS CITY OF BOISE PERMIT/TYPEOWNERBUILDERLOCATIONVALUE 02113-comm. roofMark E. HeathUpson Company176 S. Capitol Blvd.26,810 02134-comm. roofBagley Ltd. Co.Madison Roofing7185 W. Bethel St.128,548 02193-signCheesecake...

Jeff Manick named head of Macy's NW.
August 7, 2006... Byline: FROM PRESS RELEASES Jeff Manick named head of Macy's NW SEATTLE - Macy's Northwest has promoted Jeff Manick to senior vice president / director of stores. Manick began his retail career in 1984 as an executive trainee for...

California economic leader to head up Boise Valley Econ. Partnership.
August 7, 2006... Byline: FROM PRESS RELEASES California economic leader to head up Boise Valley Econ. Partnership Paul Hiller, head of California's third-largest economic development corporation, hasbeen hired to head the fledgling Boise Valley...

Business Review.
August 7, 2006... TUESDAY, AUGUST 8 Boise Metro Chamber of Commerce Lunch-n-Learn, Off the Wall Marketing Tactics, 11:45 a.m. to 1:15 p.m., chamber offices, lower level conference center, 250 S. Fifth St., Boise. Cost: $20 for members, $30 for non-members....

Public wi-fi network planned for downtown Meridian.
August 14, 2006... Byline: Brad Carlson Meridian Development Corporation, Meridian's urban-renewal agency, is getting serious about downtown improvements. The corporation board is asking for bids from lenders willing to provide a $500,000 line of credit that...

Will BoDo expand south?
August 14, 2006... Byline: Lora Volkert Proposals to develop land in downtown Boise include one by developer Mark Rivers that would build a new library and create a corridor from BoDo to the Boise River. Three other developers submitted proposals, including...

Idaho unemployment rate holds steady.
August 14, 2006... Byline: IBR Staff Report Idaho's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased one-tenth of a percentage point to 3.6 percent in July, continuing the historic streak of 15 straight months of unemployment rates below 4 percent. Only twice...

Proposed commuter bus route being considered between Middleton, Star, Eagle and Boise.
August 14, 2006... Byline: IBR Staff Report Valley Regional Transit has proposed a commuter bus route that would provide service on Idaho Highway 44 (State Street) between the cities of Middleton, Star, Eagle and Boise. Valley Regional Transit is the public...

Boise Traffic has an eye in the sky but is dead on the air.
August 14, 2006... Byline: IBR Staff Report A company called Boise Traffic, which provides live traffic reports for area radio stations, has sued Clear Channel Radio. Boise Traffic is accusing Clear Channel of breach of contract for refusing to broadcast...

Melinda Seevers named development director for BSU engineering college.
August 14, 2006... Byline: IBR Staff Report Melinda Seevers has been named the new director of development for the College of Engineering at Boise State University. In her new position, Seevers will work to raise funding for Boise State through private,...

Local area Expetec technicians earn complete special training.
August 14, 2006... Byline: IBR Staff Report Steve and Leslie Eyton from Expetec of Caldwell and Nampa have completed training in Las Vegas to earn the designation of business continuity and protection specialists. Expetec is a full-service information...

Ward named executive director of St. Alphonsus' RMC network development.
August 14, 2006... Byline: IBR Staff Report Michael Ward has been named the executive director of network development at Saint Alphonsus, the medical center announced recently. Prior to joining Saint Alphonsus, Ward served for more than 12 years as a senior...

Lori Martin vice president, branch manager at Zions Bank.
August 14, 2006... Byline: IBR Staff Report Zions Bank transferred Lori Martin, vice president and branch manager, to its Boise Ninth and Main office, located at 890 Main St. She is responsible for the branch's small business loans, sales efforts and...

Colliers International hires Anderson as investments associate.
August 14, 2006... Byline: IBR Staff Report Colliers International, a Treasure Valley commercial real estate brokerage and property management firm, has added Clay Anderson to the company as a new associate in its investments department. Anderson has...

Boise-based Worldwide Express adds two new sales associates.
August 14, 2006... Byline: IBR Staff Report Worldwide Express Mountain West, LLC has added two sales associates to serve the southern Idaho area: Amanda Stolworthy and Tamera O'Connor. Stolworthy has a wide range of sales and marketing experience in Idaho...

George Fox University Boise Center announces retirements, new hirings.
August 14, 2006... Byline: IBR Staff After a 23-year career with George Fox University, Glenn Moran has retired from his post as director of the university's Boise Center. Moran had served in his current position for six years, overseeing the center's three...

Correction.(Correction notice)
August 14, 2006... An Aug. 7 story on page 1A titled Right to Work proponents passed bill after years of trying requires correction. The story incorrectly quoted 1980s Right to Work advocate Gary Glenn as saying Right to Work supporters outspent opponents during...

City of Boise endorses plan.
August 14, 2006... Byline: Lora Volkert The City of Boise has endorsed a plan that would allow developers to propose their own zoning plans for developments of at least two acres, Planning Director Hal Simmons said. The plan could go into effect later this...

Boise-based OX-GEN Corporation is breathing new life.
August 14, 2006... Byline: Eddie Kovsky When the fire alarm goes off in the Boise building that houses the OX-GEN Corporation, no one worries about pressurized oxygen sitting in tanks. The company has developed closely-watched portable oxygen systems that...

Camp Rainbow Gold in Idaho finds gold at rainbow's end.
August 14, 2006... Byline: Idaho Business Review Children with cancer get a chance to lead normal lives at a camp 14 miles north of this hamlet, known more for the abnormal lives of its rich and famous residents. The two business owners who are directors of...

Recognition at Camp Rainbow Gold in Idaho.
August 14, 2006... Byline: IBR Staff Report During a donor reception and talent show on Aug. 9, Ted Challenger announced that Rob Cronin will be on the cover of the November issue of REALTOR Magazine as a 2006 winner of the publication's "Good Neighbor...

Investors could get tech tax break in Idaho.
August 14, 2006... Byline: John M. Foster It's called the Idaho Technology Investment Tax Credit, and it could mean millions for "angels" who invest in fledgling companies pushing the innovation envelope. An advisory council to Gov. Jim Risch that met here...

Proposition 2 likely to face legal challenges in Idaho.
August 14, 2006... Byline: Lora Volkert A voter initiative on the November ballot purports to protect and compensate Idaho property owners from abuses of eminent domain and planning and zoning rules. But some land use attorneys said Proposition 2 will create...

Mayor defends public transit record (Guest Column).
August 14, 2006... Byline: Dave Bieter I've been a little reluctant to respond to IBR Managing Editor John Foster's June 26 Marketplace column, Message to Boise Mayor David Bieter: Make public transportation cool, hip. After all, who could take issue with...

What can Idaho do to attract high-tech business?
August 14, 2006... Byline: Gaye Bunderson Idaho is a great place to do business and HT&A is very happy with our relocation from the Seattle area. We are a small company with only three employees, but here are some thoughts. Relocation from out of state was...

Banks in Idaho cope with merger challenges.
August 14, 2006... Byline: Brad Carlson Cascade Bancorp's acquisition of Boise-based Farmers & Merchants State Bank went about as well as a bank merger could -- and still there were unexpected challenges. Cascade President and CEO Patty Moss said in an...

New Micron venture means new Boise plant.
August 14, 2006... Byline: Eddie Kovsky Micron Technology and Photronics broke ground on a new fabrication plant Aug. 9. Micron and Photronics formed a joint venture earlier this year, called MP Mask Technology Center. MP Mask will produce photomasks for...

Tech whiz, Idaho state director argue Micron.
August 14, 2006... Byline: John M. Foster Is Micron's expansion into Utah and Virginia a sign that Idaho's largest employer is slowly migrating out of state, or a mark of robust growth that speaks well of the economy in the company's home state? That...

What is workforce housing?
August 14, 2006... Byline: IBR Staff Report The gap between rising home prices and stagnant wages could leave middle-class workers out in the cold, said Capital City Development Corp. Executive Director Phil Kushlan. So the group is working to increase the...

State rainy day funds could see some changes in Idaho.
August 14, 2006... Byline: Brad Carlson At the end of the 2005 fiscal year, Idaho's jar of money for a rainy day was empty. The Public School Stabilization Fund, the state Budget Stabilization Fund and the Millennium Fund - consisting of Idaho's share of the...

High water levels float Idaho Power's boat.
August 14, 2006... Byline: IBR Staff Profits more than doubled for Idacorp in the second quarter, according to company statements. High water levels generated lots of power at the same time hot weather and seasonal irrigation boosted demand. Idacorp is the...

Boise-based WGI reports record 2nd-quarter earnings.
August 14, 2006... Byline: IBR Staff Higher sales and reigned-in cost increases propelled Washington Group International to record earnings in the second quarter, according to the company's quarterly statement. Boise-based WGI reported net income of $28.7...

Interface Conference for IT managers held in Boise August 9.
August 14, 2006... Byline: Eddie Kovsky "It's not always just about money," Andrew Plato said. That was the security consultant's advice for business leaders trying to get a grip on the importance of managing security of their information technology. Plato...

Idaho senator takes stance on 'network neutrality'.
August 14, 2006... Byline: Eddie Kovsky One U.S. Senator from Idaho has given his support to telecommunications legislation making its way through Congress. "Senator (Larry) Craig supports the telecommunications reform bill as it is currently written in the...

University of Idaho wins cyber-security research grant.
August 14, 2006... Byline: IBR Staff Cyber criminals and terrorists now face their own vandals thanks to more than $3 million from the National CyberCorps program. The University of Idaho received a continuation of a program known as the National CyberCorps...

Bids are to be opened at 10 a.m. Aug. 14 for construction of a steel-structure fire training facility in Coeur d'Alene.
August 14, 2006... Bids are to be opened at 10 a.m. Aug. 14 for construction of a steel-structure fire training facility in Coeur d'Alene. Plans are available from City Clerk Susan Weathers, 710 E. Mullan Ave., Coeur d'Alene, Idaho 83814-3958. Cost not listed....

The Ewing Co. Inc., Boise, is the construction manager for Lone Star Middle School at Lone Star and Middleton in Nampa.
August 14, 2006... The Ewing Co. Inc., Boise, is the construction manager for Lone Star Middle School at Lone Star and Middleton in Nampa. Cost estimate: $15 million. Performance Systems International, Fruitland, was awarded a contract for passenger loading...

Peak Alarm leased 1,875 square feet at 11770 W. President Drive, Boise. Kevin McGowan of Thornton Oliver Keller Commercial Real Estate represented the tenant, and Mike Merritt of NAI Kowallis & Mackey represented the property owner.
August 14, 2006... Peak Alarm leased 1,875 square feet at 11770 W. President Drive, Boise. Kevin McGowan of Thornton Oliver Keller Commercial Real Estate represented the tenant, and Mike Merritt of NAI Kowallis & Mackey represented the property owner. My...

Boise-based WGI learns how to travel more efficiently.
August 14, 2006... Byline: Brad Carlson Even the well-traveled folks at Washington Group International want to learn how to travel more efficiently. Washington Group sent about 8,000 people on U.S. or international flights last year, said Bob Rock, education...

Packing tips for traveling.
August 14, 2006... Byline: IBR Staff * Heaviest items at the bottom. Shoes can be stuffed with smaller items such as socks or a companion's smaller shoes. * Use plastic bags. Zip-locking bags are great for each pair of underwear, a complete outfit for a...

Boise-area building permits: August 14, 2006.
August 14, 2006... Byline: IBR Staff BUILDING PERMITS CITY OF BOISE PERMIT/TYPEOWNERBUILDERLOCATIONVALUE 02256-comm. alterationMicron Techowner8000 S. Federal Way25,000 02257-comm. alterationMicron Techowner8000 S. Federal Way420,000 01734-medicalSt....

Honoring 'Big Brother'.
August 14, 2006... Byline: Lora Volkert They don't have much to say to each other. They don't even have that much in common any more. But Brennan Buck and his Big Brothers/Big Sisters mentor, Boise loan officer Patrick Wiese, have stuck together for more...

Boise State University football players learn lessons from business speaker, teacher.
August 14, 2006... Byline: Eddie Kovsky The lion woke up knowing it would starve if it did not run faster than the slowest gazelle. The gazelle woke up knowing it would die if it did not run faster than the slowest lion. It doesn't matter which you are --...

Idaho woman to lead Society of Women Engineers.
August 14, 2006... Byline: Eddie Kovsky An Idaho woman will spend 2007 as president of the Society of Women Engineers. Jude Garzolini is the research and development program manager at Hewlett Packard in Boise. As president of the Society of Women Engineers,...

Wells Fargo Bank in Idaho makes staff announcements.
August 14, 2006... Byline: IBR Staff Molly Lenty was recently promoted to a community support representative for Wells Fargo's Idaho Region. She will assist with the region's community endeavors, including community sponsorships and volunteer activities....

Meridian-based University of Phoenix expands enrollment team.
August 14, 2006... Byline: IBR Staff University of Phoenix has announced it has expanded its enrollment counseling team with the addition of Mendi Whiteley and Lucas Nicholes. As enrollment counselors, Whiteley and Nicholes are responsible for helping...

Small business center opening in downtown Meridian.
August 14, 2006... Byline: IBR Staff Boise State University's Small Business Development Center is opening a branch office in downtown Meridian. Meridian Development Corporation, the urban renewal and redevelopment agency for the city, invited SBDC to bring...