Idaho Business Review, Boise articles from November 2006

Idaho Business Review, Boise archives from November 2006

Farm Service Agency puts Zions at top of loan list in Idaho.
November 6, 2006... Byline: IBR Staff Report The Farm Service Agency ranked Zions Bank the top provider of FSA loans to family farmers and ranchers in Idaho for the fiscal year ended Sept. 30. Zions approved 44 of the loans in Idaho to earn top rank for the...

Pocatello Chamber decides to oppose Proposition 2.
November 6, 2006... Byline: Brad Carlson The board of directors of the Greater Pocatello Chamber of Commerce has taken an official position opposing Proposition 2, Executive Director Matt Hunter said. "Really the driving factor for us has to be the...

Commentary: Why I'm voting for Jerry Brady.
November 6, 2006... Byline: Rick Carpenter As a relatively new resident to Idaho (Dec. 2005), I've been trying to become more informed on the different candidates and how they think - specifically, the gubernatorial candidates. The bottom line: If U.S. Rep....

Election 2006 -- what's changed?
November 6, 2006... Byline: Gaye Bunderson What about the current election has been different,in your opinion, from past Idaho elections? I think what I notice most about this election is that we have some really close contests, which energizes the...

Commentary: Why you should vote 'yes' on Idaho's Proposition 2.
November 6, 2006... Byline: Heather Cunningham When government passes a regulation that decreases your property value, you currently have no access to court and no right to compensation, unless the regulation destroys 100 percent of your property value. If...

U.S., Idaho foreclosures see rise.
November 6, 2006... Byline: Brad Carlson Idaho foreclosures increased last month compared to September 2005, but at a pace that lagged the nation as a whole. The state's 18.13 percent gain in the number of homes in some stage of foreclosure compared to a 63.5...

Meridian's new city government complex starts with demolishing a landmark building.
November 6, 2006... Byline: Brad Carlson When the 165-foot stack on the old Challenge Butter Creamery comes down, it won't be dynamited like a building or felled like a tree. Demolition specialist David Aparicio plans to chip away at the downtown Meridian...

Success nudges retailer out of downtown Meridian.
November 6, 2006... Byline: Eddie Kovsky When the owners of George's Cycles realized they had outgrown their downtown Meridian location, it was already too late. Though they had only been in Meridian for five years, they hadn't anticipated their own growth....

Mortgage Place moves to new building, adds loan officers.
November 6, 2006... Mortgage Place moves to new building, adds loan officers The Mortgage Place has recently expanded and moved to a new building located at 5583 N. Glenwood in Boise. The firm has added three new employees to its staff. Sheila...

Idaho Business Review agrees to sponsor Wi-Fi at Boise Airport.
November 6, 2006... Byline: IBR Staff Report The Idaho Business Review has agreed to sponsor the free Wi-Fi service at the Boise Airport, according to Publisher Rick Carpenter, thus assuring thousands of business travelers uninterrupted access to the...

Whole Foods Market confirms plans to open Boise store.
November 6, 2006... Byline: IBR Staff Report Whole Foods Market has confirmed that it plans to open a store at the southwest corner of Front Street and Broadway Avenue in Boise. The 54,000-square-foot store would open by spring of 2008, according to...

Boise-based Medical Management expands to Washington State.
November 6, 2006... Byline: Brad Carlson Boise-based Medical Management Inc. last month signed two contracts with physician groups in the state of Washington. Medical Management - also known as MedMan - will run Kennewick General Hospital physician clinics as...

Forum planned Nov. 9 on running, working at family-owned businesses.
November 6, 2006... Byline: Brad Carlson Many problems associated with running and working in family-owned businesses can be lessened or avoided through proper planning. That's the message that Pat Frishkoff, founder of the Austin Family Business Program at...

Micron Technology patent portfolio rated 'most valuable' by professional tech association.
November 6, 2006... Byline: IBR Staff Report Research published by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, a professional technology association, concluded that Micron Technology's patent portfolio is the most influential, and potentially the...

Boise resident employee inducted into Women in Technology International Hall of Fame.
November 6, 2006... Byline: IBR Staff Report Boise resident Nor Rae Spohn was inducted into the Women in Technology International Hall of Fame October 30. Spohn was among five women from around the world recognized by Women in Technology International. She...

D.L. Evans Bank opens new Nampa branch.
November 6, 2006... Byline: IBR Staff Report D.L. Evans Bank has opened a branch in Nampa at 1310 12th Avenue Road. The grand opening was held November 2. It is the bank's 18th branch. D.L. Evans Bank was founded 103 years ago in Albion. It has since...

'Next-generation team' topic of presentation at Intermountain Business Forum.
November 6, 2006... Byline: IBR Staff Report The Intermountain Business Forum is hosting a presentation for family businesses. The presentation is entitled "Crafting the Next-Generation Leadership Team." The presentation will focus on the best ways for...

NNU student helps launch new product line.
November 6, 2006... Byline: IBR STAFF REPORT The Intermountain Business Forum is hosting a presentation for family businesses. The presentation is entitled Crafting the Next-Generation Leadership Team. The presentation will focus on the best ways for...

Qwest Communications financial results show revenue gain.
November 6, 2006... Byline: IBR Staff Report Qwest Communications announced net income of $194 million, or $0.10 per basic share, for the third quarter of 2006. In 2005, the company reported a loss of $144 million, or (0.08) per share, for the same quarter....

Northwest Nazarene University student helps launch new product line.
November 6, 2006... Byline: IBR Staff Report Northwest Nazarene University junior Tarrell Lineman went straight to work during her summer vacation, according to a news release from the school. Lineman, a business administration major, helped launch a new line...

Annual taxpayers conference set for Dec. 6 in Boise.
November 6, 2006... Byline: IBR Staff Report "Tax System Crossroads and Changing Urban/Rural Dynamics" is the theme of the 60th Annual Taxpayers Conference planned at Boise Centre on the Grove Dec. 6. The Associated Taxpayers of Idaho will host the event,...

Idaho Business Review/KTVB News Group Poll.
November 6, 2006... Data collected from Oct. 25 to Nov. 1 by Greg Smith & Associates ********************** Percent of support If the election was held today. Governor Otter (hard support):33 Otter (soft support):3 Otter total:36 Brady (hard support):37 Brady...

Idaho Power can defer only a third of Grid West loans.
November 6, 2006... Byline: Brad Carlson Idaho Power can defer only about one-third of the expenses it incurred in helping to set up Grid West, a planned regional transmission organization that never got off the ground. The Idaho Public Utilities Commission...

Building Permits.
November 6, 2006... BUILDING PERMITS CITY OF BOISE PERMIT/TYPEOWNERBUILDERLOCATIONVALUE 3015-signnot listedIdaho Electric Signs1103 W. Miller501 3091-roofGolden Valley InvestmentsMadison Roofing8665 W. Emerald44,415 3069-signUrban OutfittersIdaho Elec....

National CPA syposium held in Boise this week.
November 6, 2006... Byline: IBR Staff Report Executives from investment firms such as Goldman Sachs, JP Morgan and Franklin-Templeton plan to present this week at a continuing-education conference for accountants. The Boise office of A.G. Edwards & Sons plans...

Baklap Ventures LLC purchased 1.74 acres at the Columbia Marketplace shopping center at Federal Way and Gowen Road, Boise, for development of 10,400 square feet of retail space.
November 6, 2006... Baklap Ventures LLC purchased 1.74 acres at the Columbia Marketplace shopping center at Federal Way and Gowen Road, Boise, for development of 10,400 square feet of retail space. Lynn Perraud of Baklap Ventures represented the buyer and Tim...

Boiler replacement is planned in the state-owned office building at 954 W. Jefferson St., Boise.
November 6, 2006... Boiler replacement is planned in the state-owned office building at 954 W. Jefferson St., Boise. Plans are available from Jeff Fulcher, Tikker Engineering, 9384 W. Overland Road, Boise, Idaho 83709. A bid opening is scheduled for 2 p.m. Nov. 9....

Idaho Sand & Gravel Co., Nampa, was awarded a contract to widen Maple Grove Road between Franklin and Fairview in Boise.
November 6, 2006... Idaho Sand & Gravel Co., Nampa, was awarded a contract to widen Maple Grove Road between Franklin and Fairview in Boise. Cost estimate: $10,946,972. Hansen-Rice, Nampa, is the owner, builder, developer and general contractor for Una Mas...

Strong 3rd quarter for Mountain West Bank.
November 6, 2006... Byline: IBR Staff Report Earnings for Mountain West Bank set a record for the nine months ended Sept. 30, President and CEO Jon Hippler said. After-tax earnings were $9,433,761, up 10 percent from the same period of 2005, he said in a...

Idaho Business Review.
November 6, 2006... MONDAY, NOVEMBER 6 IHFA workforce housing session, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., IHFA's main offices, first floor conference room, 565 W. Myrtle St., Boise. Topics: Workforce Housing and Sustainable Economic Development and Developing Affordable Hoursing in...

Mortgage Place moves to new building, adds loan officers.
November 6, 2006... Byline: IBR Staff Report The Mortgage Place has recently expanded and moved to a new building located at 5583 N. Glenwood in Boise. The firm has added three new employees to its staff. Sheila Brackenbury-Moore joins The Mortgage Place as...

Syringa Bank promotes Lou Ratto, Jim Kinshella.
November 6, 2006... Byline: IBR Staff Report Syringa Bank has promoted Lou Ratto to senior vice president and district credit manager. He is based out of the Orchard Place location at 1299 N. Orchard St. in Boise. As senior vice president and district credit...

Idaho Humane Society elects four new board members.
November 6, 2006... Byline: IBR Staff Report The Idaho Humane Society has elected four new members to its board of directors. They are Susan Holm, April Simplot Gwin, Denise Smith and Ashley Tsakrios. The IHS board also elected officers for 2006-2007,...

Three people team together, form Leighton Transport, LLC in Boise.
November 6, 2006... Byline: IBR Staff Report Randy Leighton, Andy Lott and Michelle Miller have joined forces to form Leighton Transport, LLC, a specialized flatbed and logistics company. Mainly serving the building and steel industries, the company is...

Staff hires, promotions made at Scott Peyron & Associates.
November 6, 2006... Byline: IBR Staff Report Founder Scott Peyron of Scott Peyron & Associates has announced the Boise-based firm has promoted Stephanie Worrell to vice president and practice manager. Also, David Parker, vice president of investor relations...

Cheryl Ady to manage branch office of Farmers & Merchants Bank.
November 6, 2006... Byline: IBR Staff Report Tracy Silver, senior vice president and branch administrator for Farmers & Merchants, has announced that Cheryl Ady has been hired for the position of vice president and branch manager of the bank's El Dorado...

Idaho's governor race is down to the wire.
November 6, 2006... Byline: Idaho Business Review If Idaho's undecided voters go to the polls Nov. 7 and do what they usually do, they will likely hand Congressman C.L. "Butch" Otter a narrow victory in his race for governor. But if the national mood seeps...

Boise-based Franklin Building Supply trims 100 positions.
November 6, 2006... Byline: Lora Volkert Franklin Building Supply has cut its workforce by 100 since September, according to owner and regional manager Rick Lierz. The reduction came through attrition and several rounds of layoffs, including 10 people on Oct....

IBR Executive Profile: Kim Clark: From Harvard Square to Rexburg.
November 6, 2006... Byline: Eddie Kovsky Kim Clark is starting his second year as president of Brigham Young University-Idaho, a national university associated with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Clark is a native of the Intermountain West...

Nampa's Mercy Medical Center wins five top honors.
November 13, 2006... Byline: Idaho Business Review Staff Mercy Medical Center received five separate honors in the last few months. According to the company, Qualis Health gave Mercy Medical the Award for Excellence in Health Care Quality. USA Today rated the...

Susan Semba promoted at Idaho Housing & Finance.
November 13, 2006... Byline: Idaho Business Review Staff Idaho Housing and Finance Association's executive director and president, Gerald Hunter, announced that Susan Semba has been promoted to director, homeownership lending. Semba is responsible for...

Molly Kling joins Home Federal Bank marketing staff.
November 13, 2006... Byline: Idaho Business Review Staff Home Federal Bank has added Molly Kling to its marketing department as a marketing specialist. She will be based out of the company's corporate offices at 500 12th Ave. S. in Nampa. Kling will be...

Megumi Haus a new interior designer at Sprague Solutions.
November 13, 2006... Byline: Idaho Business Review Staff Sprague Solutions, a Boise-based interior design firm specializing in commercial interior design, has added designer Megumi Haus to its professional design team. Her residential-remodel work was featured...

Coldwater Creek adds senior H.R. executive.
November 13, 2006... Byline: Idaho Business Review Staff Coldwater Creek has announced it has named Brett Avner, Ph.D., to the post of senior vice president of human resources. He brings more than 25 years of experience in leading large-scale organizational...

Two Boise area investment professionals earn chartered financial analyst designation.
November 13, 2006... Byline: Idaho Business Review Staff After three years of study, two Boise area investment professionals have earned the chartered financial analyst designation. They include Larry L. Johnson, manager of investments at the Idaho Endowment...

City of Nampa, Deborah Mammone win honors.
November 13, 2006... Byline: Idaho Business Review Staff The City of Nampa has received the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting. The honor was given by the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada...

Boise Hawk's Todd Rahr named league Executive of Year.
November 13, 2006... Byline: Idaho Business Review Staff At the Northwest League meeting in Portland, Ore., held early in October, Boise Hawks President and General Manager Todd Rahr was named the league's Executive of the Year. The Executive of the Year award...

Dr. Joseph Verska of the Spine Institute of Idaho part of special medical team.
November 13, 2006... Byline: Idaho Business Review Staff Dr. Joseph Verska of the Spine Institute of Idaho will be among the team members traveling to Kiev, Ukraine to participate in the Helping Hand to Hand medical initiative Nov. 11-16. Helping Hand to Hand...

Meridian, Eagle property owners see tax decrease due to new law.
November 13, 2006... Byline: Lora Volkert Land speculation in Meridian and Eagle has cooled some effects of new property tax relief, according to Ada County Assessor Bob McQuade. His office last week calculated average property tax bills under the county's new...

The Albertsons Effect: How will layoffs impact Idaho?
November 13, 2006... Byline: Brad Carlson Supervalu's bad news for Boise could have been worse. The grocery chain announced Nov. 3 that it plans to move 400 merchandising and marketing jobs to its Minnesota headquarters from the former Albertsons headquarters...

Idaho's unemployment rate ties record-low.
November 13, 2006... Byline: Idaho Business Review Idaho's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for October dropped to a record-low 3.2 percent, matching the rate in March, according to the state Commerce and Labor Department. The current rate is down...

SourceOne achieves Gold certification with Avaya.
November 13, 2006... Byline: Idaho Business Review Staff SourceOne Inc. announced it has been named a Gold BusinessPartner by Avaya Inc., a leading global provider of communications networks and services for businesses. The Gold certification is the second...

Using the 'Net to track campaign contributions.
November 13, 2006... Byline: Eddie Kovsky Another election is behind us. The winners of state and national races will spend the rest of the year preparing for the duties of their offices. Do you ever wonder who contributed money to help those people win...

Building Permits.
November 13, 2006... BUILDING PERMITS CITY OF BOISE PERMIT/TYPEOWNERBUILDERLOCATIONVALUE 00170-signnot listedIdaho Electric Signs3413 N. Cole Rd8,000 02984-additionAda CountyLayton Const7200 W. Barrister247,000 03178-signnot listedLytle Signs, Inc12594 W....

Ruth Romero joins Holland Realty.
November 13, 2006... Byline: Idaho Business Review Staff Ruth Romero has joined Holland Realty in its Eagle office. Romero joined the company after a 13-year career in real estate in both Southern California and South Carolina. She holds her GRI (Graduate...

Idaho Real Estate Briefs: November 13, 2006.
November 13, 2006... Byline: Idaho Business Review Staff Twenty Fourth Street Partners LLC purchased four parcels including all improvements at 2343 W. Fairview Ave. and 308 S. 24th St., Boise. Lisa Marie Howell of Windermere Richard B. Smith Inc. represented...

Idaho Construction Briefs: November 13, 2006.
November 13, 2006... Byline: Idaho Business Review Staff An office building remodel at 9543 W. Emerald St., Boise, is planned. Plans are available from architect Patrick McKeegan, 4696 Overland Road, Suite 274, Boise, Idaho 83705. A bid opening from invited...

Petra, Boise, was awarded a contract for a sales building for High Desert Harley-Davidson at 2140 W. Overland Road, Meridian (negotiated).
November 13, 2006... Petra, Boise, was awarded a contract for a sales building for High Desert Harley-Davidson at 2140 W. Overland Road, Meridian (negotiated). Cost estimate: $4.5 million. Bodiford Construction, Boise, was awarded a contract for Cloverdale...

Association of Fundraising Professionals: Outstanding Philanthropist: James N. Graham.
November 13, 2006... Byline: Ken Levy James Graham takes the concept of philanthropy to its highest level and keeps it there. The recipient of the 2006 Outstanding Philanthropist Award has worn many hats for the Children's Home Society of Idaho. He is a board...

Association of Fundraising Professionals: Outstanding Corporation: TitleOne.
November 13, 2006... Byline: Ken Levy As president and owner of TitleOne, Mark Tidd believes teamwork benefits not only his business but also the disadvantaged youngsters under the care of the Children's Home Society of Idaho. Because of its determined efforts...

Outstanding Foundation: Idaho Women's Charitable Foundation.
November 13, 2006... Byline: Gaye Bunderson The Idaho Women's Charitable Foundation has been named Outstanding Foundation for 2006 by the Association of Fundraising Professionals Idaho Chapter. IWCF was formed in 2001 with the goal of expanding the number of...

Outstanding Volunteer Fundraiser -- MelloDee Thornton Award: Ren Gardner.
November 13, 2006... Byline: Ken Levy The gift of sight is among the most precious of all. Helping others keep or save that gift is the province of the Lion's Clubs throughout the country and, in the Treasure Valley, is under the watchful eye of Ren Gardner,...

Association of Fundraising Professionals: Outstanding Development Executive: Jennifer Neil.
November 13, 2006... Byline: Gaye Bunderson The Association of Fundraising Professionals Idaho Chapter has named Jennifer Neil, executive director of planned giving and director of board relations for the Boise State University Foundation, Outstanding...

Association of Fundraising Professionals: Outstanding Media: KTVB, NewsChannel 7.
November 13, 2006... Byline: Ken Levy No individuals can be singled out for the Outstanding Media Award given to KTVB by the Association of Fundraising Professionals, and that's exactly how the nominators wanted it. "We wanted to include everyone at KTVB,...

Award for Public Service: Boise Public Library & City of Boise.
November 13, 2006... Byline: Lora Volkert How do those oversized novelty checks make their way from philanthropists to nonprofits? Chances are, the nonprofit used the Funding Information Center to find the foundation and ask for a grant. The Funding...

Southwest Idaho Planned Giving Council's Spirit of Philanthropy Award: Robert L. Aldridge (Philanthropy).
November 13, 2006... Byline: Eddie Kovsky Boise attorney Robert Aldridge's more than 30 years of work for the elderly and disadvantaged had an unlikely origin. It began with antiquing. Aldridge bought an antique couch at an estate sale of an elderly woman....

Commentary: Idaho's economy should continue to fare well.
November 13, 2006... Byline: David D. Legeay Economic Outlook Economic growth is slowing and we believe it will remain subdued through 2006 and into 2007. The 5.6 percent Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth rate in the first quarter of 2006 slowed to 2.6...

Major capital improvements in Treasure Valley could exceed $600M in 2007.
November 13, 2006... Byline: Mark Bowen State and local government investment in major capital improvements in the Treasure Valley alone could exceed $600 million in 2007, an increase of 25 percent from 2006. In addition, the health-care sector is one of the...

Boise Metro Business Index's increase slows modestly.
November 13, 2006... Byline: John Church The Boise Metro Business Index is a monthly index reflecting economic activity within the Boise Metropolitan Statistical Area (the MSA includes Ada and Canyon counties). The index measures three variables in the Boise...

Commentary: Boise Metro Chamber of Commerce Economic Outlook Forum held.
November 13, 2006... Byline: Rich Raimondi Twenty seven years ago, when my wife and I first moved to Boise, the thought that one of the four key sectors of the Treasure Valley we would be discussing at the Boise Metro Chamber of Commerce Economic Outlook Forum...

Commentary: Treasure Valley's housing market to correct itself.
November 13, 2006... Byline: Wayne S. Forrey, AICP Oh yes, we all know that 2005 and 2006 have been record breaking years in the Treasure Valley housing market. Record-setting construction activity and hyper-pumped raw land prices. But 2007 will be the year...

Boise Metro Chamber of Commerce Business Barometer: Real Estate.
November 13, 2006... Byline: Mike Ballantyne Office In downtown Boise, the recently completed Banner Bank Building could promote a trend towards more "green" buildings. The 11-story building may very well be the beginning of a shift in construction practices...

Idaho employers struggling to provide health benefits to employees.
November 13, 2006... Byline: Eddie Kovsky After making a substantial change to his company's business model, NorthCity Mortgage President Jacob Nordby for the first time offered health insurance to all employees. Blackfin managing director Jefferson Jewell...

Emmett firm sued by four property owners.
November 13, 2006... Byline: Brad Carlson An Emmett-based property management company is at the center of four small-claims lawsuits recently filed in Gem County. The plaintiffs are landlords who contracted with the company, Arbor Properties, to manage rental...

Nampa businesses honored for academy student internships.
November 13, 2006... Nampa businesses honored for academy student internships Idaho Business Review Nampa employers were honored Nov. 2 for providing internships to students at the Academy of Business and Finance, according to a press release. The Academy...

Otter defies early polling to trounce Brady in gov.'s race.
November 13, 2006... Byline: Lora Volkert and Brad Carlson Just before midnight on Election Day, C.L. "Butch" Otter stood at a podium before hundreds of Republican Party faithful. "If you've been watching the national networks tonight -- and I'm not suggesting...

Idaho voters kill Proposition 2.
November 13, 2006... Byline: Lora Volkert A property-rights initiative was soundly defeated at the polls last week, due in large part to opposition by businesses and business organizations. Three of four Idaho voters voted no on Proposition 2. The measure...

Challenges lie ahead as Treasure Valley economy grows.
November 13, 2006... Byline: Brad Carlson Keeping the Treasure Valley economy healthy over the long haul will require increased investment in the transportation system and in post-secondary education. That was the conclusion reached Nov. 8 by speakers at the...

KeyCorp exec likes what he sees in Idaho.
November 13, 2006... Byline: Brad Carlson KeyBank financial analyst David Legeay likes what he sees. Legeay, a senior vice president and director of portfolio management for KeyCorp who is based in Cleveland, said Idaho figures to keep outpacing U.S. averages...

Your View.
November 13, 2006... Editor: Regarding the recent award to the Hunt Building Companies for military housing at Mountain Home Air Force Base. I would like to take issue with an article recently published in the IBR (Oct. 16 issue, page 2) that clearly provides...

Hyperspace Communications moves HQ to Idaho.
November 13, 2006... Byline: Eddie Kovsky Hyperspace Communications, the parent company of Nampa manufacturer MPC Computers, has moved its corporate headquarters from Denver to Idaho. The company plans to change its name to MPC Corp. In a Nov. 6 filing with...

Micron may invest in Italy plant.
November 13, 2006... Byline: Idaho Business Review Staff Micron Technology is making more capital investments outside Idaho. According to the Agenzia Giornalistica Italia, Micron is considering investing 3 billion euros (about $3.8 billion U.S.) into its...

Micron plans 4th Singapore plant.
November 13, 2006... Byline: Idaho Business Review Staff Micron Technology and Intel Corp. plan to build a fourth fabrication facility in Singapore. The new facility will produce NAND flash memory for the companies' joint venture, IM Flash Technologies, the...

200 new employees for Micron's Nampa image site.
November 13, 2006... Byline: Eddie Kovsky Micron's newest production facility is up and running in Nampa. The company intends to hire about 200 employees for the site, Vice President of Operations Jay Hawkins said. Micron currently employs about 11,000...