Idaho Business Review, Boise articles from February 2008

Idaho Business Review, Boise archives from February 2008

U.S. job total drops, Idaho numbers delayed for benchmarking.
February 1, 2008... Byline: Brad Carlson Declines in construction and manufacturing jobs contributed to the U.S. economy losing 17,000 jobs in January, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported. Job growth continued in health care. Economists had...

Idaho Independent Bank earnings dip for quarter, rise for year.(Financial report)
February 1, 2008... Byline: Brad Carlson Idaho Independent Bank recently reported 2007 net income of $11.1 million, compared to $11 million in 2006. Fourth-quarter net income totaled $2.7 million, down from $2.8 million a year earlier. Chairman and...

Meridian-based MWI Veterinary boosts earnings.(Financial report)
February 1, 2008... Byline: Brad Carlson MWI Veterinary Supply Inc. in its fiscal first quarter, ended Dec. 31, increased earnings by 2 percent to $4.7 million and boosted revenues by 26 percent to $203.4 million. The Meridian-based company said in a...

House Committee recommends repeal of 95% rule for Idaho public works contractors.
February 4, 2008... Byline: Lora Volkert The House State Affairs Committee voted in favor of temporarily repealing a law that requires public works contractors in Idaho to employ 95 percent Idaho residents. The bill would suspend the law for the Idaho Capitol...

HDR buys Boise engineering firm.
February 4, 2008... Byline: Brad Carlson Architecture, engineering and consulting firm HDR has acquired Boise engineering firm Doherty & Associates, which now will conduct business as HDR | Doherty & Associates. Financial terms weren't disclosed. ...

Earnings down for Spokane-based Potlatch in fourth quarter.
February 4, 2008... Byline: Brad Carlson Wood and paper products company Potlatch Corp. said earnings from continuing operations in the fourth quarter totaled $11.2 million, or 28 cents per share, after taxes, compared to $47.4 million, or $1.22 per share a...

Idaho commerce director taking leave of absence.
February 4, 2008... Byline: Eddie Kovsky Gov. C.L. Butch Otter has granted a request from Jim Ellick, director of the Department of Commerce, to take a leave of absence for personal reasons. Ellick's leave is effective immediately, according to a...

Idaho House passes Internet sales tax bill.
February 4, 2008... Byline: Lora Volkert The Idaho House of Representatives passed a bill that would require retailers to collect sales tax on Internet and catalog sales to Idahoans if they have a physical presence in Idaho. The bill closes a tax loophole...

Charterhouse's architects think Boise Hole should be sold.
February 4, 2008... Byline: Lora Volkert ISG Architects, Charterhouse Boise Downtown Property's architect for its planned tower Boise Place, have filed in support of an agreement giving the developer more time to come up with a plan to reorganize and pay off...

Rethinking timber stock state-owned land in Idaho.
February 4, 2008... Byline: IBR Staff Timber harvest on state-owned lands in Idaho will likely increase due to concerns that insect infestations, diseases and forest fires are on the rise because of a warming climate, state officials say. The Idaho...

State of Idaho avoids big bump in home loan deliquency.
February 4, 2008... Byline: Brad Carlson The new Idaho Department of Finance Annual Report for 2007 sheds light on mortgage industry growth, and home loan delinquencies, in the state. The department issued 652 mortgage broker/lender licenses in Fiscal...

Online retailer concerned by Internet sales tax proposal in Idaho.
February 4, 2008... Byline: Eddie Kovsky Opponents of legislation that would require retailers with a physical presence in Idaho to collect sales tax on Internet sales say the bill is unfair to ecommerce companies. As an Internet retailer we would have to...

Legislature may revise small-business incentive formula in Idaho.
February 4, 2008... Byline: Brad Carlson The House Revenue and Taxation Committee on Jan. 29 voted to print, for further discussion, a proposal to make the state's Small Employer Incentive Act accessible to more businesses. No companies have used the law,...

Air quality council in Treasure Valley rallies support for emission tests.
February 4, 2008... Byline: Eddie Kovsky The Treasure Valley Air Quality Council submitted its final air quality improvement plan to the state Legislature during the 2007 session. Even though the recommendations have been delivered to lawmakers, the...

University of Idaho regional agricultural economist outlines higher receipts.
February 4, 2008... Byline: Brad Carlson Increased price volatility and reduced diversification pose challenges to Idaho agriculture now, following last year's record-high farm cash receipts, a University of Idaho regional agricultural economist said. ...

Committee recommends energy-efficient state building requirements in Idaho.
February 4, 2008... Byline: Lora Volkert The House Environment, Energy and Technology Committee voted to recommend passage of a bill that would require most state buildings to be 30 percent more energy efficient than buildings constructed to code. The...

Water group in Idaho formulates legislative plan.
February 4, 2008... Byline: Brad Carlson Improving the ability of people who live in irrigation districts to access irrigation water is part of the proposed legislation the Idaho Water Users Association is seeking, Executive Director and General Counsel Norm...

Buyer beware when hiring contractor.
February 4, 2008... Byline: Lora Volkert When Steven Dexter and his partner, Betsy Stephens, needed a new roof for their salon business last May, they hired Outstanding Roofing. The work was done well. The salon paid the bill. Everything was great, Dexter...

IBR names '08 Idaho Women of the Year.
February 4, 2008... Byline: Steve Martin The Idaho Business Review has announced its 2008 Idaho Women of the Year honorees. The 50 women will be featured in a glossy magazine publishing in the IBR on March 10, and honored at an awards dinner, beginning with a...

Ahlquist breaks ground on Meridian development.
February 4, 2008... Byline: Lora Volkert Developer Gardner Ahlquist is finalizing plans for a Nampa business park and is about to break ground on Portico at Meridian, a retail, hotel and medical office complex. Ventana Business Park, near the Treasure...

Home buyers sue Tamarack.
February 4, 2008... Byline: Eddie Kovsky A California couple is suing Tamarack Resort and Amerititle, alleging the companies engaged in breach of contract and fraud. In a case filed in the United States District Court for the District of Idaho, Deane and...

Skip Hall opens Principal's Boise Business Center.
February 4, 2008... Byline: Brad Carlson The Principal Financial Group on Jan. 1 opened a Boise Business Center on the 11th floor of the Banner Bank Building, 950 W. Bannock St. Associate Managing Director Skip Hall - former Boise State University head...

Psychology practice among proposed tenants for building planned at Eagle, Ustick roads.
February 4, 2008... Byline: Brad Carlson Boise-area developer Don Olson plans a 9,000-square-foot office building for multiple tenants on the west side of Eagle Road north of Ustick Road, Meridian. The nearly 2-acre site lies immediately north of the...

Building Permits.
February 4, 2008... BUILDING PERMITS CITY OF BOISE PERMIT/TYPE    OWNER    BUILDER    LOCATION    VALUE 02493-alteration    Boise Warehouse Manager LLC    Steed...

Boise Real Estate Briefs: February 4, 2008.
February 4, 2008... Byline: IBR Staff Tracker Radio Systems Corp., which markets radio tracking and telemetry devices, leased 3,971 square feet at 150 S. Adkins Way, suites A and B, Meridian. Move-in was Jan. 1. Janet Benoit of Nahas Benoit Cos. brokered the...

Bid Briefs.
February 4, 2008... A U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs regional office building is planned at 500 W. Fort St., Boise. Details of the 25,000-square-foot project are available from the department’s Office of Construction / Facilities Management, Frank...

Contracts Awarded.
February 4, 2008... Lemley & 3D, Boise, is the contractor and Jacobsen/Hunt, Salt Lake City, and McAlvain Construction, Boise, are construction managers for the Idaho State Capitol Building garden-level wing expansion in Boise. Cost estimate: $29 million. ...

A friendship that gets stronger.
February 4, 2008... Byline: Rick Carpenter Three members of Gold's Gym at the Grove Hotel have developed such a camaraderie that they don't dare miss a workout, lest the others notice. One was a competitive runner, another ran to escape panic attacks and...

Castledine aligns physician, hospital goals - Focus.
February 4, 2008... Byline: Gaye Bunderson Ed Castledine's business career focuses on the field of health care. For four years, he was administrator of Treasure Valley Hospital and currently serves as director of business development at St. Luke's Regional...

Supervalu to expand its data center in Boise.
February 4, 2008... Byline: IBR Staff Supervalu Inc., which owns Albertsons food and drug stores in Idaho, on Jan. 29 announced plans to expand its existing data center at 700 N. Ancestor Place in west Boise. Eden Prairie, Minn.-based Supervalu officials...

Idaho Public Utilities Commission denies United Water fee increase.
February 4, 2008... Byline: Eddie Kovsky The Idaho Public Utilities Commission has rejected a request by United Water Idaho, Inc. to convert from bi-monthly to monthly billing and charge residential customers about $1.15 per month to do so. Even though...

Ottawa-based Mosaid Technologies Inc. strikes patent-licensing deals with two Taiwanese chipmakers.
February 5, 2008... Byline: Idaho Business Review Staff Report Mosaid Technologies Inc. has struck patent-licensing deals with two Taiwanese chipmakers to settle lawsuits. The Ottawa-based technology firm said that ProMos Technologies Inc. and Mosel Vitelic...

Infrastructure a barrier to attracting new business to Idaho.
February 5, 2008... Byline: Eddie Kovsky Idaho must continue to diversify the economy by recruiting and expanding in many sectors, Don Dietrich, administrator of the Department of Commerce Division of Economic and Community Development, told the Joint Finance...

Multi-family development approved in old Boise ice cream plant.
February 5, 2008... Byline: Lora Volkert The Boise Planning and Zoning Commission last night approved a 12-unit residential development by developer David Hale in a 50-year-old former Albertsons ice cream production plant. Hale, who bought the property...

Law Library bill could help University of Idaho law school boost Boise presence.
February 5, 2008... Byline: Brad Carlson The Idaho Senate last week passed Senate Bill 1271, which would eliminate the requirement that the State Law Library be kept in the state Capitol or the Supreme Court and Law Library Building. The bill could impact the...

CEO of Essex Investment Management says U.S. Geothermal is No. 1 supplier of geothermal energy to North American utilities.
February 5, 2008... Byline: Idaho Business Review Staff Report In an interview with Joseph McNay, chairman, Essex Investment Management, he points out that U.S. Geothermal is the No. 1 supplier of geothermal energy to North American utilities, and most...

Idaho utilities commission says wind developer must pay deposits.
February 6, 2008... Byline: Brad Carlson A wind developer must pay deposits to Idaho Power Co. if it wants its five Magic Valley area wind projects to remain in line to interconnect with Idaho Power's transmission grid, the Idaho Public Utilities Commission...

Boise's MotivePower gets order for 10 locomotives for UTA.
February 6, 2008... Byline: Robb Hicken Boise's MotivePower, a subsidiary of Wabtec Corp., has received orders for 10 new locomotives from the Utah Transit Authority to operate on the new commuter rail service to operate between Ogden and Salt Lake City. ...

Metropolitan owner puts Boise projects on back burner.
February 6, 2008... Byline: Lora Volkert The Metropolitan, a planned five-story retail and condominium building at 15th and Idaho, probably won't start construction until the second half of this year, if it starts this year at all, project owner Rudy Kadlub...

New Jersey Mining Co., Idaho's Newmont Mining enter gold exploration joint venture.
February 7, 2008... Byline: Robb Hicken A joint venture between New Jersey Mining Co. and Newmont Mining Corp. near Murray, Idaho, is the beginning of a major gold exploration. New Jersey Vice President Grant Brackebusch said the joint agreement will put the...

Meridian mayor: Work still needed despite successes.
February 7, 2008... Byline: Brad Carlson Second-term Mayor Tammy de Weerd listed many of Meridian's business accomplishments during her annual State of the City address Feb. 6. She also said more work needs to be done. Economic prosperity comes with no...

Boise's TOK to reduce energy use 30 percent in portfolio.
February 7, 2008... Byline: Lora Volkert Thornton Oliver Keller Commercial Real Estate has committed to reducing energy consumption by 30 percent throughout its 4.3 million-square foot portfolio of property by 2012, Partner Mike Ballantyne told members of the...

Idaho House passes energy-efficient state building bill.
February 7, 2008... Byline: Lora Volkert The Idaho House passed a bill that would require new state buildings or major remodels of existing state buildings to be designed and built 30 percent more energy efficient than required by the International Building...

Idaho Senate to consider two real estate price disclosure bills.
February 7, 2008... Byline: Lora Volkert The Senate Local Government and Taxation Committee sent two proposed bills to print that would require the disclosure of real estate sales prices to county assessors. One proposal brought by Sen. Shawn Keough and...

City of Burley receives nearly $1 million in grants for milk plant.
February 8, 2008... Byline: Robb Hicken The City of Burley will receive a $350,000 rural community block grant to assist with water, sewer, and roadway improvements, which will allow High Desert Milk, Inc. to build a state of the art dry milk plant in Burley....

Idaho State Tax Commission wants to expand document imaging.
February 8, 2008... Byline: Brad Carlson The Idaho State Tax Commission's budget request for fiscal 2009 includes $108,000 for a second machine to turn paper documents into electronic images. The Legislature's Joint Finance and Appropriations Committee heard...

Foreclosure rescue scams targeted by Idaho Senate bill.
February 8, 2008... Byline: Brad Carlson The Idaho Senate Commerce and Human Resources Committee today printed a bill that aims to increase protections for citizens going through foreclosure. Sen. Elliot Werk, D-Boise, and Reps. Bill Killen and Phylis...

Merck & Co. settles Idaho Medicaid claim.
February 8, 2008... Byline: Brad Carlson Drug maker Merck & Co. Inc. will pay Idaho $663,334 over alleged violations of the Medicaid Rebate Statute, Idaho Attorney General Lawrence Wasden said in a release. Idaho has recovered the money as a result of two...

A possible exception in Idaho.
February 11, 2008... Byline: Lora Volkert The Idaho First Act was created to make sure Idaho contractors got jobs. But the law could cost the state $6 million for the Idaho Capitol restoration and force the Idaho Legislature to spend an extra session in...

Gateway Business Park slated in Northeast Nampa.
February 11, 2008... Byline: IBR Staff Users of office-warehouse flex space will be a key market for Gateway Business Park in northeast Nampa, said Mike McCabe of Lightyear Development. Plans call for seven buildings, from 4,000 to 27,000 square feet, on...

Commerce budget in Idaho emphasizes recruitment.
February 11, 2008... Byline: Eddie Kovsky Idaho must continue to diversify the economy by recruiting and expanding in many sectors, Don Dietrich, administrator of the Department of Commerce Division of Economic and Community Development, told the Joint Finance...

Wells Fargo's leader in Idaho combines big-city, rural perspectives.
February 11, 2008... Byline: Brad Carlson It's not the easiest economic environment in which to take over one of the state's biggest banking jobs, but Suzanne Ramos likes what she sees so far. She is Wells Fargo's new regional banking president for Idaho....

Multi-family development OK'd in ice cream plant in Boise.
February 11, 2008... Byline: Lora Volkert The Boise Planning and Zoning Commission approved a 12-unit residential development by developer David Hale in a 50-year-old former Albertsons ice cream production plant. Hale, who bought the property through a...

Meridian mayor notes ongoing needs, economic successes.
February 11, 2008... Byline: Brad Carlson Business and economic development, and ongoing infrastructure needs, figured prominently in second-term Meridian Mayor Tammy de Weerd's annual State of the City address. Our region is collaboratively working to...

Nampa-based Home Federal's Williams says he's ready to take reins.
February 11, 2008... Byline: Brad Carlson Len Williams, Home Federal Bank president since September 2006, just added CEO to his title. Dan Stevens was president and chief executive officer of savings and loan holding company Home Federal Bancorp Inc. and...

Ninth Circuit re-opens case to clarify timber, harvest use impacts.
February 11, 2008... Byline: Brad Carlson Environmental impact statements - required as a precursor to many development and infrastructure projects - might get easier to deal with depending on how the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals rules in The Lands Council...

N.J. Mining Co. , Newmont enter joint gold exploration venture near Murray.
February 11, 2008... Byline: Robb Hicken A joint venture between New Jersey Mining Co. and Newmont Mining Corp. near Murray, Idaho, is the beginning of a major gold exploration. New Jersey vice president Grant Brackebusch said the joint agreement will put...

Professor to group of Id. legislators in Boise: Beware of unintended consequences.
February 11, 2008... Byline: Brad Carlson Expiration-date sunset clauses on laws could provide some protection against the Law of Unintended Consequences, political science Prof. Mathew Manweller told a group of Idaho legislators in Boise. Manweller,...

Commentary: In Idaho, 'Mo' is on Democrats' side.
February 11, 2008... Byline: Steve Ahrens This is, of course, the presidential primary season - a national campaign, featuring national candidates, arguing national issues, with national media coverage. But surprise, surprise... the most interesting...

Commentary: If only recession were my hairline.
February 11, 2008... Byline: Robb Hicken I got the butter, brown and white sugar, flour and other ingredients out on the counter. It was time for me and my granddaughter to make chocolate chip cookies. This was a first for me. No, baking cookies was always...

Industry experts tell BOMA to prepare for slowdown in Idaho.
February 11, 2008... Byline: Lora Volkert The Building Owners and Managers Association held its Commercial Real Estate Symposium last week. Here are some highlights: * Regarding Federal Reserve rate cuts: Isn't that like giving a drunk another swig at the...

Is downtown Nampa ready for ...?
February 11, 2008... Byline: Lora Volkert That whole '(is) Nampa ready' thing needs to just stop, Laurel MacKinnon, the developer of the Belle District on 13th Street in downtown Nampa and owner of Market Limone, said to Elise Vaughn, the owner of The Brass...

Boise Real Estate Briefs: February 11, 2008.
February 11, 2008... Byline: IBR Staff Transamerican Auto Parts Inc. dba 4Wheel Parts leased 14,040 square feet in Stonehenge Plaza, 1375 E. Fairview Ave., Meridian. Move-in is expected April 1. Brook Blakeslee, Lew Goldman and Mike Christensen of Colliers...

Bid Briefs.
February 11, 2008... Taylor’s Crossing Public Charter School is planned on North Wood River Drive in Idaho Falls. Details of the 36,000-square-foot project are available from Olson & Associates Architects, Stan Olson, 5680 E. Franklin Road, Suite 200, Nampa,...

Building Permits.
February 11, 2008... BUILDING PERMITS CITY OF BOISE PERMIT/TYPE    OWNER    BUILDER    LOCATION    VALUE 03106-lateration    Mary Lou Martin    not listed  ...

Contracts Awarded.
February 11, 2008... Intermountain Construction, Idaho Falls, was awarded a contract for a golf and Nordic clubhouse at Sun Valley Resort on Trail Creek Road in Sun Valley (negotiated). Cost estimate: $15 million. Intermountain Construction, Idaho Falls, was...

SCORE chairman for Treasure Valley: On target with expert business advice.
February 11, 2008... Byline: Gaye Bunderson Starting a new business is a risky venture, and the prudent entrepreneur seeks expert advice. A longtime organization called SCORE helps hundreds of would-be business owners every year. According to Norm Beckett,...

SCORE volunteers in Idaho eager to share know-how.
February 11, 2008... Byline: Gaye Bunderson Advice is only as good as the people who give it, and that's why SCORE tries to round up first-rate advisors for the would-be business man or woman. Currently, SCORE counts 35 members and even though the acronym...

Technology trims miles from small town printer in Idaho to area customers.
February 11, 2008... Byline: Gaye Bunderson The city of Homedale is a quiet neighbor to other small Idaho communities, such as Wilder, Marsing, and Greenleaf. The town is approximately 45 miles east of Boise and, as of the lastest census (2000), only 2,528...

Andrew Coose - the man behind Idaho airport security.
February 11, 2008... Byline: Gaye Bunderson A conversation with Andrew Coose, the 39-year-old federal security director at the Boise Air Terminal, turns inevitably to talk of terrorism and, surprisingly, old-fashioned movies. Watch a movie with Katharine...

Treasure Valley demographics seen as plus by Wheat Montana Farms.
February 11, 2008... Byline: Gaye Bunderson A personal visit and a study presenting the Boise area in a positive light motivated Wheat Montana Farms Bakery & Deli to open two stores here, with a third planned for later this year. The first store opened in...

Idaho businesses impacted by snow storms may qualify for disaster loans.
February 11, 2008... Byline: Eddie Kovsky The Idaho Department of Commerce is seeking assistance from the U.S. Small Business Administration for businesses affected by severe snow storm conditions in nine counties of the state, the department said in a press...

Christensen firms file bankruptcy on one downtown Boise project, in default on another.
February 11, 2008... Byline: Lora Volkert Two Gary Christensen projects in downtown Boise are in default, and Christensen's development firm for the Gem & Noble Building has declared bankruptcy. Christensen Realty Investment II declared Chapter 11...

Skyline seeks water permit for planned community in east Boise.
February 12, 2008... Byline: Brad Carlson A wastewater treatment and reuse system for the proposed Skycliff Planned Development in east Boise is under consideration by the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality. The department seeks public comment on a...

Public Employee Retirement System of Idaho's January dip could have been worse.
February 12, 2008... Byline: Brad Carlson The Public Employee Retirement System of Idaho's fund at one point in January was down 5 percent for the month, before gaining ground and finishing down 3.6 percent, Chief Investment Officer Bob Maynard said in an...

Micron makes multi-million dollar donation to University of Utah.
February 12, 2008... Byline: Eddie Kovsky The Micron Technology Foundation has pledged to donate $1.25 million to support the development of a nanofabrication teaching and research laboratory in the new Utah Science, Technology and Research building at the...

Wells Fargo economist likes housing in Boise area.
February 12, 2008... Byline: Robb Hicken Wells Fargo's senior economist looks at the Northwest as one of the stronger regions for the housing market. The economy remains strong in Boise and housing affordability is high, thanks in part to a median home...

Shareholders will vote on AMIS acquisition next month.
February 12, 2008... Byline: Eddie Kovsky The Securities and Exchange Commission has declared effective the registration statement relating to the proposed merger between AMIS Holdings and ON Semiconductor, AMIS said in a statement. AMI Semiconductor...

Idaho-based Hecla Mining makes second acquisition in two days.
February 13, 2008... Byline: Eddie Kovsky Hecla Mining Company announced today it will acquire the assets of the Independence Lead Mines Company, located in northern Idaho's Silver Valley, in an all stock transaction. Shareholders of Independence Lead...

Developer Ron Bath likely won't build Colonnade in Eagle.
February 13, 2008... Byline: Lora Volkert Developer Ron Bath says it's unlikely that he will continue with his plans to build the Colonnade, a planned three-story building that would have been one of downtown Eagle's tallest. Bath said he is running out of...

Personal property tax bill forthcoming in the Idaho Legislature.
February 13, 2008... Byline: Brad Carlson No proposal to do away with personal property tax on businesses has surfaced yet in the Idaho Legislature - officially - even though business groups and Gov. C.L. Butch Otter identified it as a priority this session....

Developer David Hale plans to sell Boise residential projects.
February 13, 2008... Byline: Lora Volkert Developer David Hale has put the Perennial Townhomes project on the former Hillside Nursery site up for sale, as well as his Winston Townhome infill project off Allumbaugh and Fairview. Hale said he is meeting this...

North American Foods closes Glenns Ferry plant.
February 14, 2008... Byline: Brad Carlson North American Foods on Feb. 12 said it plans to close its potato processing plant in Glenns Ferry. The closure impacts 110 current and recently laid off workers. The Idaho Department of Labor said in a release...

Unisys launches Boise center for Medicaid work.
February 14, 2008... Byline: Brad Carlson Unisys Corp. last month opened a technical service center at 9415 W. Golden Trout Way, Boise, to execute new contracts involving Idaho Medicaid operations. The Boise facility employs about 100, Unisys spokesman Jack...