Idaho Business Review, Boise articles from January 2007

Idaho Business Review, Boise archives from January 2007

Capital City Development Corp. requires foundation to pay property taxes on Idaho Water Center.
January 1, 2007... Byline: Eddie Kovsky Capital City Development Corp. required the University of Idaho Foundation, a nonprofit, to pay the equivalent of a property tax on the Idaho Water Center. The terms of the agreement were included in a lawsuit the...

CCDC required Water Center fees.
January 1, 2007... Byline: Eddie Kovsky Capital City Development Corp. required the University of Idaho Foundation, a nonprofit, to pay the equivalent of a property tax on the Idaho Water Center. The terms of the agreement were included in a lawsuit the...

CCDC required Water Center fees.
January 1, 2007... Byline: Eddie Kovsky Capital City Development Corp. required the University of Idaho Foundation, a nonprofit, to pay the equivalent of a property tax on the Idaho Water Center. The terms of the agreement were included in a lawsuit the...

Idaho Water Center originally planned as part of satellite campus for UI, ISU.
January 1, 2007... Byline: Eddie Kovsky The Idaho Water Center was part of University Place - also referred to as Idaho Place - located along Front Street. It was originally planned as a satellite campus of the University of Idaho and Idaho State University....

Idaho budget requests make up for lean years.
January 1, 2007... Byline: Brad Carlson Idaho sales and income tax collections have been running a bit above projections since the fiscal year started in July. That trend slowed in November, but the state still has a budget surplus, Idaho Division of...

Idaho Gov.-elect C.L. "Butch" Otter to outline budget priorities Jan. 8.
January 1, 2007... Byline: Idaho Business Review Staff Report Idaho Gov.-elect C.L. "Butch" Otter hasn't yet detailed his budget priorities for the 2007 Idaho Legislature. He is scheduled to deliver his State of the State and Budget Address to the...

Interview with Lance Reiber, Treasure Valley Litho owner.
January 1, 2007... Byline: Eddie Kovsky Lance Reiber is the owner of Treasure Valley Litho, a Boise printing company he started in 1986. He launched the business with five employees, and has grown it gradually to 16 today. How did you get started in this...

Idaho Business Review names Women of Year.
January 1, 2007... Byline: Idaho Business Review Staff Report Representatives of the Idaho Business Review have announced the 25 winners of the 2007 Women of the Year Award. Winners will be honored during an event at the Boise Centre on the Grove on Feb. 22....

Public-transit funding, air quality top Boise Metro Chamber's legislative agenda.
January 1, 2007... Byline: Brad Carlson Public-transit funding, Treasure Valley air quality and community college development are among Boise Metro Chamber of Commerce priorities for the 2007 Idaho Legislature. The Chamber's agenda, released Dec. 14,...

Idaho Assn. of Commerce & Industry: Legislature should revisit personal property tax.
January 1, 2007... Byline: Brad Carlson Phasing out the tax that counties charge on personal property will be a priority in the 2007 legislative session for the Idaho Association of Commerce & Industry. "Some states, as an economic-development tool, have...

Old Carnegie Public Library building in downtown Boise up for lease.
January 1, 2007... Byline: Idaho Business Review Staff Report St. Michael's Episcopal Cathedral is looking for tenants for the old Carnegie Public Library building in downtown Boise. The library was built in 1905 and commissioned by steel baron Andrew...

Boise Real Estate Briefs: January 1, 2007.
January 1, 2007... Byline: Idaho Business Review Staff Report Sprinkler Supply of Idaho leased 1,486 square feet at 2515 Sundance Drive, Nampa. Move-in is anticipated Jan. 1. Chris Pearson of Thornton Oliver Keller Commercial Real Estate represented the...

Boise-area construction bid briefs: January 1, 2007.
January 1, 2007... Power supplies and electronics components are sought for a Boise State University building at 1453 University Drive. Plans are available from Carl Fritz, Idaho Division of Purchasing, 5569 Kendall St., Boise, Idaho 83706. A bid opening is...

CONTRACTS AWARDED.
January 1, 2007... Intermountain Property Development, Boise, was awarded a contract for the North 36th Street Garden Plaza retail and office building at 3823 N. 36th St., Boise. Cost not listed. Benchmark Construction, Nampa, was awarded a contract for...

Boise schools touted for historical preservation.
January 1, 2007... Byline: Lora Volkert Franklin and Cole elementary schools have historic significance and should be protected, according to the president of a historic site preservation organization. But, he said, that doesn't rule out commercial...

Boise school population down, but taxes still sky high.
January 1, 2007... Byline: Lora Volkert The Boise School District's population has been shrinking, but the district's property tax levy rate remains one of the highest in the state. Since 1997, enrollment in the Boise School District has fallen by 2,000,...

Boise school population down, but taxes still sky high.
January 1, 2007... Byline: Lora Volkert The Boise School District's population has been shrinking, but the district's property tax levy rate remains one of the highest in the state. Since 1997, enrollment in the Boise School District has fallen by 2,000,...

Building Permits.
January 1, 2007... BUILDING PERMITS CITY OF BOISE PERMIT/TYPEOWNERBUILDERLOCATIONVALUE 03412-comm. alterationHormaechea LPRussell Corp.1555 W. Shoreline Dr.50,000 03512-alteration, Ella's RoomL3 Partners LPHomserve Inc.413 S. Eighth St.8,000...

Business Calendar.(Calendar)
January 1, 2007... MONDAY, JANUARY 1 Boise Young Professionals meeting, 8 a.m., Boise Metro Chamber of Commerce, 250 S. Fifth St. Membership: $50 a year. Information: 472-5223 or www.boisechamber.org. WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 3 Boise Metro Chamber of Commerce...

Idaho National Laboratory receives $2 million loan from state.
January 2, 2007... Byline: Eddie Kovsky The Idaho National Laboratory will receive a $2 million loan from the state of Idaho for research and the construction of isotope production facilities. The investment will have several benefits for the state,...

Hosac Co. reveals new plan for CCDC property in Boise.
January 3, 2007... Byline: Lora Volkert The Hosac Co. plans to construct two buildings if the company is chosen to develop property owned by Capital City Development Corp. near the Boise Public Library. CCDC is weighing two proposals -- one by The Hosac...

Idaho State Tax Commission moves to online W-2 filing.
January 3, 2007... Byline: Brad Carlson A new Idaho State Tax Commission service enables employers to file W-2 tax forms online. Employers can file W-2s for free at www.tax.idaho.gov, a Tax Commission news release said. To submit W-2 withholding...

Idaho billionaire in intensive care.
January 3, 2007... Byline: John M. Foster Idaho billionaire J.R. Simplot is in the hospital after falling and hitting his head after the Fiesta Bowl on New Year's Day. He's in intensive care at a Phoenix hospital, according to JR Simplot Company spokesman...

Treasure Valley Air Quality Council seeks comments on final recommendations.
January 4, 2007... Byline: Eddie Kovsky The Treasure Valley Air Quality Council is seeking public comments on its final draft plan. The 107-page document includes data, research and statistics regarding air quality standards, forecast for future air...

Two wind projects proposed in Elmore County.
January 5, 2007... Byline: Brad Carlson Idaho Power Co. seeks regulatory approval of sales agreements for two windfarm projects proposed near Mountain Home. According to a press release, the Idaho Public Utilities Commission plans to take comments...

Fourth District Court awards developer $543K in lawsuit.
January 8, 2007... Byline: Lora Volkert Developer Mark Rivers was awarded more than half a million dollars in a lawsuit against Re/Max Mountain West, a would-be tenant in Rivers' BoDo development. On Dec. 15, 2006, Fourth District Judge Michael...

Idaho technology firms cope with shortage of software engineers.
January 8, 2007... Byline: Eddie Kovsky Forty-eight computer science students will graduate from Boise State University in 2007. It will be the smallest class in years. John Gifford, chair of the school's computer science department, said enrollment in...

Idahoans monitor health of state's most famous son.
January 8, 2007... Byline: Brad Carlson J.R. Simplot remained in the intensive-care unit of St. Joseph's Hospital in Phoenix last week, recovering from a head injury and the subsequent surgery, J.R. Simplot Co. spokesman Fred Zerza said. Simplot, whose...

Allstate grants $3,500 to Idaho nonprofits.
January 8, 2007... Byline: Idaho Business Review Staff Report Seven Allstate representatives in Idaho recently delivered grants of $500 each to nonprofit organizations. Boise-area recipients were Ada County 4-H, Neighborhood Housing Services and Hope House,...

CBS 2 television station works to fill Idaho Foodbank shelves.
January 8, 2007... Byline: Idaho Business Review Staff Report To help combat hunger in Idaho, the CBS 2 Food Drive has created a consortium of concerned Boise businesses to attack the problem head-on in January. From Jan. 15-31, local TV station CBS 2 will...

Idahoans give almost $2 million to proposed 'Y' camp.
January 8, 2007... Byline: Idaho Business Review Staff Report The Treasure Valley Family YMCA's board of directors has announced the recipients of nearly $2 million in gifts from Idahoans who have been inspired by the vision for the YMCA's planned...

Idaho-based Learning Lab receives two grants for a total of $29,000.
January 8, 2007... Byline: Idaho Business Review Staff Report Learning Lab has received a $25,000 grant from the John F. Nagel Foundation to provide scholarship support for students enrolled in its adult and family literacy programs. The grant will help pay...

Boise Real Estate Briefs: January 8, 2007.
January 8, 2007... Orchard Pointe, a retail development at 345 Caldwell Blvd., Nampa, opened recently. Officials with the City of Nampa and the Nampa Chamber of Commerce are scheduled to join the developer and listing broker for a ribbon cutting and open-house...

Boise-area construction bid briefs: January 8, 2007.
January 8, 2007... Byline: Idaho Business Review Staff Report An Arctic Circle quick-service restaurant is planned at 905 Main St., Kimberly. Plans are available from Richard Daems and Moe Myers, Daems & Myers Architectural Alliance Inc., 301 W. 400 S., Suite...

CONTRACTS AWARDED.
January 8, 2007... Masco, Boise, was awarded a contract for Overland Road improvements between Linder and Meridian roads in Boise. Cost estimate: $6,576,765. Falash & Ross Construction, Meridian, was awarded a contract for Bridgetower restaurant, retail and...

Hosac Co. reveals new plan for CCDC site near Boise Public Library.
January 8, 2007... Byline: Lora Volkert The Hosac Co. plans to construct two buildings if it is chosen to develop property owned by Capital City Development Corp. near the Boise Public Library. CCDC is weighing two proposals -- one by Boise-based The...

Firm new to Boise gathers information about existing and planned subdivisions.
January 8, 2007... Byline: Brad Carlson Jeff Sudmeier drew on his experience as statistics preparer, Internet entrepreneur and real estate agent to open a Boise office for NewHome Trends. The company (www.newhometrends.com) gathers information about all...

Qwest Foundation donation helps Idaho State University.
January 8, 2007... Byline: Idaho Business Review Staff Report The Qwest Foundation has donated $10,000 to Idaho State University. The gift will benefit the speech and language clinics in the Communication Sciences and Disorders, and Education of the Deaf...

Bank of America Foundation gives grants to 20 nonprofits.
January 8, 2007... Byline: Idaho Business Review Staff Report The Bank of America Foundation has granted $78,500 to 20 Idaho nonprofits, the foundation said in a press release. The nonprofits include: * Burgers for Bikes-Bikes for Kids -- $2,500 * Coeur...

3 Idaho groups benefit from Citigroup Foundation gifts.
January 8, 2007... Byline: Idaho Business Review Staff Report The Citigroup Foundation has awarded $20,000 to three Idaho nonprofits, Citigroup said in a press release. * Boise Valley Habitat for Humanity received $10,000 to support the Meridian School...

Diversified clientele keeps Boise-based CRI Advantage hopping.(Company overview)
January 8, 2007... Byline: Eddie Kovsky Platt Thompson is executive vice president of CRI Advantage, an information technology (IT) service company in Boise. CRI Advantage was founded in 1988. Thompson has been with the company for the last eight years. ...

Report finds engineering graduate figures exaggerated in China, India.
January 8, 2007... Byline: Idaho Business Review Staff Report Enrollment in engineering programs is declining, while the United States continues to lose high-tech jobs to countries like India and China. At least, that's the popular perception. ...

SEC makes executive compensation reporting more consistent, honest.
January 8, 2007... Byline: Brad Carlson The U.S. Securities & Exchange Commission recently amended compensation-disclosure rules that apply to executives and directors of publicly traded companies. Under an amendment that the SEC announced Dec. 22,...

Building Permits.
January 8, 2007... BUILDING PERMITS CITY OF BOISE PERMIT/TYPEOWNERBUILDERLOCATIONVALUE 01788-commercialnot listedPetra, Inc.2762 Featherly Way40,000 03181-commercialHap Taylor & SonsPrimary Const.5450 W. Gowen Rd350,000 03615-signnot listedSigns by...

Business Calendar.(Calendar)
January 8, 2007... TUESDAY, JANUARY 9 META's 10-hour Core Four business plan training, 3:30-6 p.m., 1607 W. Jefferson in the Mountain States Group building. Topics include success planning, market planning, cash flow planning and operations planning. Cost: $149....

Proposals don't meet CCDC goals for workforce housing in Boise.
January 10, 2007... Byline: Lora Volkert Developer Mark Rivers' final proposal to develop property owned by Capital City Development Corp. contains a smaller percentage of workforce housing units than the agency asked for. The agenda bill attached to...

Boise-based Micron Technology settles class-action suit.
January 10, 2007... Byline: Eddie Kovsky Micron Technology has reached a settlement agreement in a class-action lawsuit brought by purchasers of its DRAM memory. As a result of the settlement, Micron expects to adjust its first-quarter fiscal 2007...

The Karcher Interchange sparks development in west Nampa.
January 15, 2007... Byline: Brad Carlson The Karcher Road freeway interchange in west Nampa opened last month. Cliff Long, Nampa economic development director, said Karcher Interchange sparked development in the area. "I think a lot of the land...

Micron Technology settles price-fix suit.
January 15, 2007... Byline: Eddie Kovsky Micron Technology has reached a settlement agreement in a class-action lawsuit brought by direct purchasers of its DRAM memory. As a result of the settlement, Micron expects to adjust its first-quarter fiscal 2007...

Idaho legislators eye personal property tax reform.
January 15, 2007... Byline: Brad Carlson Taxable personal property are items used commercially - ranging from equipment and tools to furnishings and racks, according to the Idaho State Tax Commission. "Once again, I commend you for providing permanent...

Idaho governor recommends lowering supermajority requirement to fund community colleges.
January 15, 2007... Byline: Eddie Kovsky At least one Idaho legislator is optimistic the House will approve Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter's recommendation to lower the supermajority requirement to fund community college districts. Rep. John Rusche, D-Lewiston,...

Albertsons boosts Minn.-based Supervalu's earnings.
January 15, 2007... Byline: Brad Carlson Supervalu Inc. said its recently purchased Albertsons stores played a big role in boosting quarterly earnings. Minnesota-based Supervalu reported earnings of $113 million for its fiscal third quarter ended Dec. 2....

University of Idaho celebrates College of Engineering's centennial.
January 15, 2007... Byline: Idaho Business Review Staff Report The University of Idaho is celebrating the 100th anniversary of the school's College of Engineering with a month long celebration. Free events - featuring alumni speakers, special guests and...

Correction.
January 15, 2007... Phyllis Martinsen and Lacy Ludwig were incorrectly identified as City Light employees in a photo caption on page 2A in the Jan. 8 edition of the Idaho Business Review. Martinsen, of Erstad and Co., is the president of the Treasure Valley...

Nampa property manager 4-U closes, may owe funds.
January 15, 2007... Byline: Brad Carlson 4-U Property Management closed recently, and some former clients say the company owes them money. The manager of rental homes was in business at 312 3rd St. S. in downtown Nampa. Randy Stepleton and his wife, Linda...

Idaho governor uses address to hone in on key business issues.
January 15, 2007... Byline: Eddie Kovsky Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter chose customer service as the theme of his inaugural State of the State address. "Our job is to create a political and economic climate that enables people to succeed," the governor told a...

Idaho governor's budget calls for Commerce and Labor Department split.
January 15, 2007... Byline: Lora Volkert Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter wants to split the Department of Commerce and Labor, and he's putting the state's money where his mouth is. The governor's budget calls for separate departments beginning July 1, 2007,...

Capital City Development Corp. agreements require tax-equivalent payments.
January 15, 2007... Byline: Eddie Kovsky The Capital City Development Corp. lease with the University of Idaho Foundation, which required the Foundation to pay funds equivalent to property taxes it would have paid had it been for-profit, was an unusual deal...

BoDo developer says Re/Max Mountain West still owes him money.
January 15, 2007... Byline: Lora Volkert A judge has awarded BoDo developer Mark Rivers more than $543,000 in his lawsuit against Re/Max Mountain West, but Rivers said Jan. 4 that he still had not received payment. BoDo Partners sued Mountain West Realtors,...

Developer Mark Rivers' CCDC project calls for less workforce housing.
January 15, 2007... Byline: Lora Volkert Developer Mark Rivers' final proposal to develop property owned by Capital City Development Corp. contains a smaller percentage of workforce housing units than the agency asked for. The agenda bill attached to CCDC's...

Food processor Rite Stuff sees growth spurt.
January 15, 2007... Byline: Brad Carlson Rite Stuff Foods is in growth mode. The food processor that in 1999 moved from Commerce City, Calif., to Idaho is adding equipment and shifts at its plant at 2155 S. Lincoln Ave. in Jerome. It's also settling into a...

Downtown Boise housing good for employees, employers.
January 15, 2007... Byline: Lora Volkert The Capital City Development Corp. adopted a workforce housing policy Jan. 8 that commits the agency to provide resources to support workforce housing programs and projects. CCDC defines workforce housing as housing...

Boise Real Estate Briefs: January 15, 2007.
January 15, 2007... Byline: Idaho Business Review Staff Report Metalwest LLC, involved in metal storage and distribution, leased the 52,560 square-foot former Longview Fibre building, 10296 U.S. 20-26, Caldwell. Move-in was Jan. 1. Steve Gray of Gray...

Contracts.
January 15, 2007... Byline: Staff Wright Brothers The Building Company, Eagle, was awarded a contract for a pad building at Victory Plaza at Victory and Cole Roads, Boise (negotiated). Cost not listed. Hospitality Builders Inc., Aberdeen, S.D., was...

Bids.
January 15, 2007... Byline: Staff Seasons at Sandpoint Condominiums, buildings five and six, are planned on North First Avenue in Sandpoint. Project details are available from Rimar Construction Inc., Ivan Rimar, 1707 Culver Drive, Sandpoint, Idaho...

Henningsen Cold Storage in Twin Falls honored by OSHA.
January 15, 2007... Byline: IBR Staff Report Henningsen Cold Storage recently earned federal recognition for safety. The company's two facilities in Twin Falls received recognition from the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health...

Energy Conference set for Jan. 17 in downtown Boise.
January 15, 2007... Byline: Idaho Business Review Staff Report Stoel Rives LLP will host the monthly American Council on Renewable Energy teleconference Jan. 17, in its downtown office. The panel will discuss distributed generation, defined as having many...

Idaho agency launches new airline Web site.
January 15, 2007... Byline: Idaho Business Review Staff Report National marketing agency Wirestone has launched a new custom Web site for its client, Sun Country Airlines. The account will be coordinated from Wirestone's San Diego and Boise offices, the...

Murray, Utah-based Layton Construction Co. loves challenging projects.
January 15, 2007... Byline: Brad Carlson Layton Construction Co. remains bullish on the Boise area, where it has a number of projects recently completed, under way and planned. Murray, Utah-based Layton is one of the largest commercial builders in the Salt...

Not verifying citizenship of workers may be costly to Idaho businesses.
January 15, 2007... Byline: Lora Volkert Gene O'Dell had no idea one of his subcontractors was owned by an illegal immigrant. When he first started doing business with the company, he asked to see the employer's W-9 form. But he said he didn't know how to...

Demand increases for hardwood floors in Treasure Valley.
January 15, 2007... Byline: Ken Levy Today's flooring trends seem to indicate that customers are putting their foot down on some pretty hard surfaces, according to Treasure Valley area flooring companies. Rob Nelson, CEO of Rob's R and R Hardwood Floors in...

Nampa breaks another record in construction spending.
January 15, 2007... Byline: Lora Volkert Construction spending in Nampa broke another record in 2006 despite a drop in the housing market. According to Building Official Dennis Davis, Nampa building permits for the year were valued at more than $334 million...

Boise State Univ.'s Bronco Stadium expansion tops list of Layton projects in Boise area.
January 15, 2007... Byline: Idaho Business Review Staff Report The Layton Construction Co. staff is busy in the Boise area. The Sandy, Utah-based company is preparing to expand Bronco Stadium at Boise State University, a project designed by FFKR Architects of...

Boise State engineering program hosts anniversary events.
January 18, 2007... Byline: John M. Foster The College of Engineering at Boise State University turned 10 this year. To celebrate the occasion, the school is hosting Discover Engineering Days February 2-3. Because good engineers are efficient, the event is...

Economic development leader won't rely on incentives.
January 18, 2007... Byline: John M. Foster Don't expect the Boise area to become a big player in the business-incentives game. Attracting new businesses and jobs instead will center on aggressively marketing the Boise area and enhancing what's already here,...

New bank proposed for Post Falls.
January 18, 2007... Byline: John M. Foster A new bank is proposed in Post Falls, the first startup bank in the north Idaho city in more than a century. Community 1st Bank applied for a commercial bank charter with the Idaho Department of Finance, the...

Idaho company helping with Owens Valley restoration in California.
January 22, 2007... Byline: Eddie Kovsky In 1913, when water from the Owens Valley of California began flowing into an aqueduct built to satisfy the city of Los Angeles' thirst, William Mulholland, then director of the city's Department of Water and Power, is...

Nampa urban renewal plan migrates north.
January 22, 2007... Byline: Brad Carlson The urban renewal plan that the Nampa City Council approved Dec. 18 envisions projects in the city's downtown, west and north sections. The northern part of the urban renewal area includes the new Treasure Valley...

Idaho developers hear tips for business success in 2007.
January 22, 2007... Byline: Lora Volkert Are you a contractor operating in Idaho? If so, here are five things you need to do to ensure your success over the next several years: 1. Suck up to developers of planned communities. Builders should cultivate...

Idaho Business League job fair slated Jan. 24-25 at Centre on the Grove.
January 22, 2007... Byline: Idaho Business Review Staff The Idaho Business League plans to host a job fair in conjunction with its annual Idaho Business and Technology Expo from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Jan. 24 and 25 at the Boise Centre on the Grove. Representatives...

Buy Idaho attendees weigh in on tactics.
January 22, 2007... Byline: Brad Carlson The annual Buy Idaho Capitol Show drew almost 2,000 participants to the state Capitol in Boise Jan. 17, including people staffing 102 booths. That was the best-ever turnout at the event, Buy Idaho Executive Director...

BID BRIEFS.
January 22, 2007... Washington County Magistrate Court remodeling is planned in Weiser. Plans are available from Stillman Anderson, Insight Architects, 2238 Broadway Ave., Boise, Idaho 83706. A bid opening is scheduled at 11:30 a.m. Jan. 22. Cost estimate:...

Idaho Construction Briefs: January 22, 2007.
January 22, 2007... Byline: Idaho Business Review Staff Layton Construction, Boise, was awarded a contract for a parking structure and commercial space at Boise State University. Cost estimate: $10.4 million. Datum Construction Management, Boise, was...

Gov. Otter's recommendations disappoint tech council.
January 22, 2007... Byline: Eddie Kovsky The Jan. 17 meeting of the Governor's Science and Technology Advisory Council was a somber affair. Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter chose not to include in his budget all but one of the recommendations made by the 17-member...