Idaho Business Review, Boise articles from November 2007

Idaho Business Review, Boise archives from November 2007

Boise-based Micron Technology reportedly outsourcing IT services.
November 1, 2007... Byline: Robb Hicken Within the next year, Micron Technology is expected to begin outsourcing its information technology department with some of the work moved to India. According to the Statesman, the company hasn't disclosed its plans...

Idaho state Rep. McGee headed to national transportation hearing.
November 1, 2007... Byline: Robb Hicken State Sen. John McGee, R-Caldwell, is slated to attend a meeting on national transportation issues at the White House Thursday. National leaders on transportation from across the country are expected to be present in...

National Association of Home Builders predicts housing trough to hit in mid-'08.
November 1, 2007... Byline: Lora Volkert The housing market will continue to fall in early 2008, but could hit bottom as early as the first or second quarter, said David Seiders, chief economist National Association of Home Builders in an October webcast....

Projected home price declines vary throughout Idaho.
November 1, 2007... Byline: Lora Volkert Home prices are going to continue to fall in parts of Idaho, but some areas in Southeast Idaho won't see declines at all, according to Moody's Chief Economist Mark Zandi. Zandi projects no cuts in housing costs in...

Opinion Research buys Boise's Northwest Research Group.
November 2, 2007... Byline: Robb Hicken Opinion Research, a subsidiary of infoUSA, has acquired Northwest Research Group, a full-service, custom market research and consulting firm, based in Boise with undisclosed terms. Northwest Research, with offices in...

Idaho unemployment rate increases to 2.5 %.
November 2, 2007... Byline: Brad Carlson Idaho's seasonally adjusted unemployment rose to 2.5 in October, up from 2.3 percent in September, a record. The state Department of Labor stated in a release that the end of harvest, the traditional fall slowdown in...

Tomlinson Real Estate buys Coldwell Banker Aspen Realty.
November 2, 2007... Byline: Lora Volkert Tomlinson Real Estate Group has merged with Coldwell Banker Aspen Realty, making the combined firm the largest real estate brokerage in Idaho. The merger was finalized Nov.1. The combined company, Coldwell...

Idaho rounds up $8M in funding for Special Olympics programs.
November 2, 2007... Byline: Robb Hicken Idaho's congressional delegation knows how to get the pork barrel as together they have come up with $8 million in funding for the upcoming Special Olympics programs that are going to be taking place in Idaho. Rep Steve...

Boise-based Micron pledges $1M to build university research center in Utah.
November 2, 2007... Byline: Robb Hicken Memory chip maker Micron Technology's non-profit arm, the Micron Technology Foundation, has pledged a million dollars over the next four years to create the Micron Research Center at the Utah State University (USU)...

Idaho foreclosures rise again.
November 5, 2007... Byline: Idaho Business Review Staff Report Idaho properties in default or foreclosure totaled 1,612 in the third quarter, up by 12.8 percent from the previous quarter and a 138.8 percent jump from the third quarter of 2006, RealtyTrac...

Construction-based economy at stake.
November 5, 2007... Byline: Lora Volkert The national housing market is bleak, but some areas are worse off than others. Idaho isn't doing badly, according to data from Moody's Chief Economist Mark Zandi. * Single-family home prices have not dropped in...

Title company staffs in Idaho shrink to pre-boom levels.
November 5, 2007... Byline: Brad Carlson A still-strong commercial real estate market benefits Idaho title and escrow companies, but not enough to offset a residential market slowdown that led companies to this year reduce staff to around 2004 levels. ...

Live-work concept catches on with developers in the Boise area.
November 5, 2007... Byline: Lora Volkert You could do the rush-hour, 45-minute commute with thousands of other workers who hit I-84 at the end of the work day. Or you could walk upstairs. The live-work concept is starting to catch on with developers...

Commentary: Business leadership needed on infrastructure issues.
November 5, 2007... Byline: Steve Ahrens Infrastructure - the basic facilities, services and installations needed for the functioning of a community or society, especially transportation and communication systems, water-power-sewer lines, and public...

Idaho printing firm asks clients to design its holiday card.
November 5, 2007... Byline: Eddie Kovsky This time of year, some businesses send out company Christmas cards. Other companies throw holiday parties for their employees. Treasure Valley Litho shows how much they appreciate their customers by inviting them...

Boise Real Estate Briefs: November 5, 2007.
November 5, 2007... Byline: Idaho Business Review Staff Report Interfaith Sanctuary, a homeless shelter sponsored by The Interfaith Alliance, opened Nov. 1 in 10,200-square feet at 1620 W. River St., Boise. Ray Frechette of NAI Kowallis & Mackey worked with...

Bid Briefs.
November 5, 2007... Northview Office Building 6 is planned at 8080 Northview St., Boise. Details of the 2,500-square-foot project are available from Wright Bros. The Building Co., Joe Rausch, P.O. Box 637, Eagle, Idaho 83616-0637. A bid opening for subcontractors...

Contracts Awarded.
November 5, 2007... Contractors Northwest, Coeur d’Alene, was awarded a contract for a transfer station at the southeast corner of Pleasant View Road and Prairie Avenue in Post Falls. Cost estimate: $10,422,074. Innovative Construction & Design, Post...

Building Permits.
November 5, 2007... BUILDING PERMITS CITY OF BOISE PERMIT/TYPE    OWNER    BUILDER    LOCATION    VALUE 02774-alteration    not listed    Golden West...

Zions Bank top SBA lender in southern, eastern Idaho.
November 5, 2007... Byline: Idaho Business Review Staff Report For the fiscal year ended Sept. 30, Zions First National Bank, a subsidiary of Zions Bancorporation, approved 386 U.S Small Business Administration 7(a) loans in Idaho's Boise District, ranking...

Nampa-based Home Federal Bancorp Inc. earnings down.
November 5, 2007... Byline: Brad Carlson Nampa-based Home Federal Bancorp Inc., parent of Home Federal Bank, on Nov. 2 reported third-quarter net income of $1.2 million, or 8 cents per diluted share. That's down from $1.7 million, or 11 cents a share, in the...

Northwest Nazarene University given $7 million from former student.
November 5, 2007... Byline: Idaho Business Review Staff Report Northwest Nazarene University recently received a gift of $7 million from native Idahoan Leah Peterson. Mrs. Peterson left the state nearly 70 years ago after earning a teaching certificate from...

Building Components of Idaho, Idaho Truss to consolidate.
November 5, 2007... Byline: Idaho Business Review Staff Report Idaho Truss & Component Co. Inc. will consolidate its Boise and Meridian manufacturing facilities into the Building Components of Idaho plant in Nampa as part of a merger, the companies announced....

National Association of Home Builders predicts housing trough to hit in mid-'08.
November 5, 2007... Byline: Lora Volkert The housing market will continue to fall in early 2008, but could hit bottom as early as the first or second quarter, said David Seiders, chief economist National Association of Home Builders in an October webcast. ...

Elan Collection to combine 60-unit residence club features at Tamarack Resort.
November 5, 2007... Byline: Idaho Business Review Staff Report At its 60-unit, private-residence project slated to break ground in mid-2008 at Tamarack Resort, we are combining the advantages of individual, fractional real estate ownership with a network, The...

Ohio cheese maker readies former Rupert Kraft plant.
November 5, 2007... Byline: Brad Carlson Brewster Dairy Inc. President Brad Nelson says the company plans to run equipment and system trials by mid-November at the former Kraft Foods plant in Rupert. When a $25 million renovation concludes and the first...

Idaho construction contractor Shawn Spencer wins SBA honor.
November 5, 2007... Byline: Brad Carlson The Boise District office of the U.S. Small Business Administration last week named Lapwai-area construction contractor Shawn Spencer its 2007 Minority Small Business Person of the Year for Idaho. SBA and state...

Boise-based Electronic Controls Co. management team stays following acquisition.
November 5, 2007... Byline: Idaho Business Review Staff Report Berwind Corp. recently acquired Electronic Controls Co. of Boise. CEO Ed Zimmer and the senior management team will continue to lead ECCO, according to a statement from international investment...

Wild Rose Foundation stops work on University of Idaho Sandpoint.
November 5, 2007... Byline: Idaho Business Review Staff Report The Wild Rose Foundation announced last week the development of the proposed University of Idaho Sandpoint campus has been placed on hold. Foundation director Dennis Pence stated that the...

Idacorp reports 3Q net income drop.(Financial report)
November 5, 2007... Byline: Idaho Business Review Staff Report Idaho Power parent Idacorp Inc. reported third-quarter net income of $28.9 million, or 65 cents per share, down from $44 million, or $1.03 per share, a year earlier. Revenue totaled $261.5...

Boise developer hopes 'non-stick' product sticks.
November 5, 2007... Byline: Eddie Kovsky A Boise startup may have found its niche producing non-stick surfaces for the semiconductor industry. COR*Guard manufactures exhaust ducts coated with a modified fluoropolymer - a substance similar to Teflon. ...

URS Corp. sweetens bid for Boise-based Washington Group.
November 5, 2007... Byline: Brad Carlson URS Corp. raised its offer for Boise engineering and construction company Washington Group International Inc. The companies rescheduled shareholder votes to Nov. 15, from Nov. 9. Stockholders of record Sept. 21 are...

West Coast-based Pacific Ethanol to announce FY 2007 3Q results.(Financial report)
November 5, 2007... Byline: Eddie Kovsky Pacific Ethanol, Inc. will release its fiscal year 2007 third quarter results on Friday, Nov. 9, the company said in a press release. The company will host a live conference call and webcast at 10 a.m. eastern time....

National Association of Women Business Owners, Boise Chapter, seeks award entries.
November 5, 2007... Byline: Idaho Business Review Staff Report The National Association of Women Business Owners, Boise Area and Southern Idaho Chapter, is seeking nominations for its Business Woman of the Year awards. Each year, NAWBO honors women...

Idaho's power giants unite to construct new tranmission project.
November 6, 2007... Byline: Robb Hicken Idaho Power Co. and Rocky Mountain Power officials have unveiled a 650-mile power line construction called the Gateway West transmission project. This would be Idaho's largest power construction plan in more than 30...

Hammons, Oppenheimer submit convention center designs to city of Boise.
November 7, 2007... Byline: Lora Volkert Hammons-Oppenheimer Associates, the joint development team for a combination convention center and hotel in downtown Boise, have completed their building designs and applied for Design Review approval. The...

Moscow officials appeal water decision in Washington state.
November 8, 2007... Byline: Robb Hicken Moscow officials are saying they are trying to protect the city's water supply and are filing an appeal to stop a large-scale shopping development just across the border in Washington state. At issue is water from...

Environmentalists threaten to sue EPA on mine cleanup issues.
November 8, 2007... Byline: Robb Hicken Environmental groups are threatening to sue the EPA and have filed a 60-day notice claiming the government isn't regulating mining companies' handling of hazardous substances. The groups in this legal action -...

U.S. Senate overrides Bush veto.
November 8, 2007... Byline: Robb Hicken The Senate voted overwhelmingly today for a popular $23 billion water projects measure affecting locales across the nation and the Northwest. The vote hands President Bush his first defeat in a veto showdown with...

Meridian-based RxElite board approves name and trading symbol change.
November 9, 2007... Byline: Robb Hicken RxElite Holdings Inc., a wholly- owned operating subsidiary of Southridge Technology Group, Inc. and a developer, manufacturer, and marketer of specialty generic prescription drug products, has approved a change to its...

Idaho-based MWI Veterinary Supply Q3 profit rises 32%.(Financial report)
November 9, 2007... Byline: Robb Hicken MWI Veterinary Supply Inc., a supplier of animal health products, showed improved earnings for the fourth quarter, benefiting from acquisition and strong sales. Net income rose 32% to $4.32 million or $0.35 per share...

Ada County Highway District, Ada, cities to share planning powers.
November 9, 2007... Byline: Lora Volkert Local government leaders from Ada County, the Ada County Highway District, and six cities agreed this morning to move forward on a joint powers agreement that would require them to share land-use and transportation...

Former SBA administrator likes Idaho's position.
November 9, 2007... Byline: Brad Carlson Regions like the Boise-Nampa metro area are positioned for continued growth in the small-business sector, former U.S. Small Business Administration Administrator and just-published author Hector Barreto said. These...

Building material providers consolidate in Nampa.
November 11, 2007... Byline: Robb Hicken Building Components of Idaho in Nampa and the InteFrame Network of Boise and Meridian merged Nov. 1 and are in the process of consolidating some operations at the Building Components of Idaho plant. Idaho Truss and...

Idaho-based T.J.T. reports decreased sales.(Financial report)
November 11, 2007... Byline: Robb Hicken T.J.T. Inc., of Emmett, is reporting a decreased in sales and lower income for fiscal year 2007. The company's net income was $515,000 or $.11 per fully diluted share for the year ending Sept. 30, compared to...

Contracts Awarded.
November 12, 2007... Garco Construction, Spokane, was awarded a contract for a courthouse at 6450 N. Mineral Drive, Coeur d’Alene (negotiated). Cost estimate: $18,125,000. C M Co., Boise, is the construction manager for Sienna Elementary School on Rome...

The doctors are in: Boise area to get new health care facilities.
November 12, 2007... Byline: Eddie Kovsky Health care facilities have grown rapidly in the Treasure Valley in the last year. Saint Alphonsus completed a $161 million Center for Advanced Healing, and a group of local investors recently broke ground on a new...

Convention center developers submit designs to city of Boise.
November 12, 2007... Byline: Lora Volkert Last Wednesday Jack Coonce was engaging in the developer's equivalent of dumping Gatorade over the coach's head at the end of a game. He was sitting at his desk which was piled high with four nearly foot-high...

KeyCorp CEO likes what he sees in Idaho, plans investments.
November 12, 2007... Byline: Brad Carlson KeyCorp Chairman and CEO Henry L. Meyer III opened November by visiting southern Idaho - where he plans to open the bank's checkbook. We're investing in Idaho, he said in an interview. We're doing a number of...

Boise Valley Economic Partnership proposes spec building tax incentive.
November 12, 2007... Byline: Lora Volkert Boise Valley Economic Partnership is proposing a tax incentive for speculative industrial buildings in a hope that more available space will make it easier to attract new businesses to Idaho. But the measure...

URS Corp. sweetens deal in Boise-based WGI takeover bid.
November 12, 2007... Byline: Brad Carlson URS Corp. last week raised its offer for Boise engineering and construction company Washington Group International Inc. And Dennis Washington, chairman of the Washington Group board, plans to make stock-option...

Idaho Innovation Alliance announces first statewide meeting.
November 12, 2007... Byline: Eddie Kovsky The Idaho Innovation Alliance has finalized membership of its advisory group. The group's 31 members -- nearly all of whom represent small businesses from around the state -- will hold their first meeting Nov. 30...

Idaho Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter 's water projects could impact businesses.
November 12, 2007... Byline: Brad Carlson Idaho Gov. C.L. Butch Otter recently unveiled plans for water conservation projects that include a pipeline near Emmett and several Magic Valley efforts involving springs. Plans for the pipeline call for replacing...

Micron Technology CEO Steve Appleton fails to meet goals, loses $1.4M bonus.
November 12, 2007... Byline: Eddie Kovsky Micron Technology CEO Steve Appleton turned down a $1.4 million bonus in 2007, though he would have been ineligible to receive most of it. In September 2006, Micron's compensation committee met to set goals and...

Dennis Washington's option plans for Washington Group common stock approved.
November 12, 2007... Byline: Brad Carlson Washington Group International Inc. officials said Dennis Washington, the company's non-executive chairman, received early termination of the waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of...

Idaho Association of Commerce and Industry's Mark Dunham to head Idaho AGC.
November 12, 2007... Byline: Lora Volkert Mark Dunham, vice president of the Idaho Association of Commerce and Industry, is to replace Michael Gifford as executive director of the Idaho Associated General Contractors. Gifford is leaving the Idaho AGC Dec. 7...

IBR's Monday Morning News Roundup: November 12, 2007.
November 12, 2007... Byline: Robb Hicken Gov. Otter's 10-day trade mission to China is credited directly to Dubois' hay provider Larsen Farms Hay Terminal with a contract to deliver 500 tons of compressed alfalfa hay a month, adding up to more than $1.5...

Boise-based Washington Group International lands work on ethanol plants.
November 12, 2007... Byline: Brad Carlson Washington Group International recently received cost-reimbursable contracts by E85 Inc. to build E85's first three ethanol production plants in the Midwest. The contracts are valued at approximately $150 million...

Business backgrounds strong in mayoral elections in Idaho's smaller towns.
November 12, 2007... Byline: Idaho Business Review Staff Report Many mayors elected in smaller towns in Canyon, Owyhee and west Ada counties have business backgrounds, according to city officials who provided Nov. 6 election results. Kuna Kuna voters...

Few surprises in Boise, larger city elections.
November 12, 2007... Byline: Idaho Business Review Staff Report Boise and Nampa elections yielded no surprises this year, but a slate of candidates advocating slow, responsible growth were elected to Eagle City Council. Boise In Boise, City Hall remains...

Ada County jury awards damages for construction violation.
November 12, 2007... Byline: Idaho Business Review Staff Report An Ada County jury on Nov. 6 found a home building team guilty of consumer law violations and awarded a home buyer more than $226,000 in damages. Boise attorney Bill Smith of Bill Smith &...

Idaho Associated General Contractors to push state lawmakers for transportation funding.
November 12, 2007... Byline: Lora Volkert Transportation is the Idaho Associated General Contractors' top legislative priority this year, according to Executive Director Michael Gifford. The AGC will be requesting another $134 million to $264 million in...

Nampa, Canyon outlook hopeful.
November 12, 2007... Byline: Robb Hicken A national investment adviser told businessmen and community leaders in Nampa to expect a revival of sales and construction in the housing market come spring. As the banking industry tries to balance the subprime...

Boise Cascade reports higher earnings in third quarter.(Financial report)
November 12, 2007... Byline: Idaho Business Review Staff Report Boise Cascade Holdings LLC on Nov. 7 reported third-quarter net income of $49.2 million, up from $28.9 million in the previous quarter and $36.4 million in the third quarter of 2006. Income...

Bid Briefs.
November 12, 2007... Data Projections, involved in audio and video system design and integration for residential and commercial use, leased 4,998 square feet at 10433 W. Emerald St., Boise. Move-in is expected in March. Guy Levingston of Intermountain Commercial...

Idaho investment adviser: Buy gold to broaden portfolios.
November 12, 2007... Byline: Brad Carlson Bob Coleman, for years an investment adviser and student of trends, now focuses on gold and silver. The Profits Plus Capital Management LLC principal is helping clients invest in gold and silver. He's also...

Building Permits.
November 12, 2007... BUILDING PERMITS CITY OF BOISE PERMIT/TYPE    OWNER    BUILDER    LOCATION    VALUE 02475-alteration    Shoemaker Properties LLC    Material...

Boise Real Estate Briefs: November 12, 2007.
November 12, 2007... Byline: Idaho Business Review Staff Report Data Projections, involved in audio and video system design and integration for residential and commercial use, leased 4,998 square feet at 10433 W. Emerald St., Boise. Move-in is expected in...

Building material providers consolidate in Nampa.
November 12, 2007... Byline: Robb Hicken Building Components of Idaho in Nampa and the InteFrame Network of Boise and Meridian merged Nov. 1 and are in the process of consolidating some operations at the Building Components of Idaho plant. Idaho Truss and...

T.J.T. Inc. of Emmett reports decreased sales.(Financial report)
November 12, 2007... Byline: Robb Hicken T.J.T. Inc., of Emmett, is reporting a decreased in sales and lower income for fiscal year 2007. The company's net income was $515,000 or $.11 per fully diluted share for the year ending Sept. 30, compared to $1,396,000...

Jerome lands Idaho Milk Products factory.
November 13, 2007... Byline: Lora Volkert Idaho Milk Products, a maker of powdered milk and whey products, has begun construction of a manufacturing facility in Jerome, according to Jerome Building Official Dave Richey. Idaho Milk Products applied for a...

Urban-rural issues among tax topics at Associated Taxpayers of Idaho conference.(Conference news)
November 13, 2007... Byline: Brad Carlson State tax policy impact beyond Idaho borders, urban-to-rural transition challenges, and priorities for the 2008 Idaho Legislature session are among topics to be discussed at the Associated Taxpayers of Idaho's 61st...

Deadline extended for Boise Library Blocks project.
November 13, 2007... Byline: Lora Volkert The Capital City Development Corp. Board voted today to extend the negotiation period for Mark Rivers' River8 project until December 2008. River8 is the building Rivers plans on CCDC-owned land at Eighth and...

Boise businessman Walt Minnick plans to run for Idaho's First Congressional District seat.
November 13, 2007... Byline: Brad Carlson Boise businessman Walt Minnick on Wednesday plans to announce that he will run for Idaho's First Congressional District seat against incumbent Bill Sali (R-Idaho). Minnick will kick off the campaign at stops at 9...

Washington lab, MountainStar to provide new services.
November 14, 2007... Byline: Robb Hicken Spokane, Wash.-based provider of medical laboratory services has formed a joint venture with the owner of two Utah hospitals to offer doctors' testing services. Pathology Associates Medical Laboratories, of Spokane,...

University of Idaho receives National Medal of Arts.
November 14, 2007... Byline: Eddie Kovsky The University of Idaho Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival is one of the nine recipients of the 2007 National Medal of Arts. President George W. Bush will award the medals in a special ceremony on Thursday. The...

Boise-based M2E Power Inc. garners $8 investment.
November 16, 2007... Byline: Robb Hicken An infusion of $8 million should charge M2E Power Inc. testing activity with the U.S. military on the development of a microgenerator that could replace conventional power storage devices like batteries. If...

Apartment vacancy stays low in Ada County.
November 16, 2007... Byline: Lora Volkert Ada County rental properties maintained their low vacancy rate in the most recent quarter. Out of 13,413 units, just 574, or 4.3 percent, were vacant in an October survey of apartment complexes with at least 16 units...

Idaho Falls pushes development along Snake River.
November 16, 2007... Byline: Robb Hicken The Snake River Urban Renewal District, which now extends into downtown Idaho Falls, has been a success, according to city council members. City officials and departments have been working with developers. Over 20...

McAlvain Construction sues Christensen over downtown Boise condo project.
November 19, 2007... Byline: Lora Volkert McAlvain Construction has sued developer Gary Christensen for breach of contract and to foreclose on a lien on the Gem and Noble Building renovation project at 10th and Main. McAlvain asked for $1.4 million, plus...

Manufacturing jobs have Idaho county on solid ground.
November 19, 2007... Byline: Robb Hicken Bonner County's manufacturing jobs have put the area on solid footing for the future, said Kathryn Tacke, Idaho Department of Labor regional economist. Since 2000, the county has experienced a 27-percent increase in...

Economist: Boise positioned well in slower-growth U.S.
November 19, 2007... Byline: Brad Carlson Next year's economic conditions should be better in southwest Idaho than in the U.S. overall, a Northwest economist said. Bill Conerly of Conerly Consulting LLC, Lake Oswego, Ore., keynoted the Boise Metro Chamber of...

Building Permits.
November 19, 2007... CITY OF BOISE PERMIT/TYPE OWNER BUILDER LOCATION VALUE 02913-alteration Millinnium Properties LLC Ada County Roofing 8150 W Emerald St 28,552 02285-alteration Roper Investment Company Larry...

Twin Falls contractors fined for EPA storm water violations.
November 19, 2007... Byline: Lora Volkert The Environmental Protection Agency began cracking down on violations of storm water regulations at Twin Falls construction sites earlier this year. The EPA inspected residential and commercial construction sites in...