Idaho Business Review, Boise articles from October 2007

Idaho Business Review, Boise archives from October 2007

Commentary: Solution to future energy needs no mystery.
October 1, 2007... Byline: Steve Ahrens Concerned about global warming, but equally worried about reports we'll need almost half again as much electricity in the next couple of decades? Then nuclear energy is your best answer to producing that additional -...

Boise State faculty gauge health effects of bad air days.
October 1, 2007... Byline: Eddie Kovsky As the Treasure Valley grows and air pollution continues to increase, air quality alerts are becoming more frequent. A yellow or orange air quality day is not unusual for the valley. But for someone with a...

David Hale preparing plans for 2nd phase of Boise's Linen District.
October 1, 2007... Byline: Lora Volkert Developer David Hale is preparing plans for a second phase of the Linen District now that the Linen Building, the centerpiece of his reclamation project on Grove Street, is complete. Hale plans to build up to four...

Governor Otter appoints Jack Beebe Jr. Idaho Housing board chairman.
October 1, 2007... Byline: Idaho Business Review Staff Report Idaho Gov. C.L. Butch Otter has appointed John D. Jack Beebe Jr. to chair the Idaho Housing and Finance Association Board of Commissioners. Beebe is a partner in the Beebe, McKernan and Daboll...

Building Permits.
October 1, 2007... BUILDING PERMITS CITY OF BOISE PERMIT/TYPE    OWNER    BUILDER    LOCATION    VALUE 02511-sign    not listed    Aim Sign Company  ...

500,000 - Magical number holds promise for SW Idaho.
October 1, 2007... Byline: Brad Carlson The Boise area gets more looks from sizable industrial companies now that its population totals more than half a million. But whether they actually come here and stay depends on factors including competition from...

Idaho business leaders who could make list of replacements for Larry Craig.
October 1, 2007... Byline: Idaho Business Review Staff Report With a Minneapolis judge putting off the decision on Larry Craig's guilty plea appeal, Idaho Gov. C.L. Butch Otter gets a bit of a reprieve on whom to pick should the senator decide to resign. ...

Older workers fill growing role in Idaho's workforce.
October 1, 2007... Byline: Brad Carlson People 55 and older comprise a valuable and quickly growing portion of Idaho's workforce, state labor officials reported during National Employ Older Workers Week Sept. 23-29. But construction field superintendent...

Boise-based DigiTar message service squashes spam flat.
October 1, 2007... Byline: Eddie Kovsky There's nothing glorious about spam. It's a parasite of the modern workplace, sapping productivity and forcing employees to waste their time cleansing their inbox of junk e-mail. But a small Boise software company,...

Transit, growth planning top Boise Mayor Dave Bieter's goals list.
October 1, 2007... Byline: Lora Volkert The only way Boise can maintain its quality of life is by planning for growth and building transit systems, Boise Mayor Dave Bieter said in his state of the city address last week. The only way to predict the...

Boise's Capital City Development Corp. to sell off parking garage.
October 1, 2007... Byline: Idaho Business Review Staff Report Capital City Development Corp. agreed to sell the Ninth Street parking garage to Oppenheimer Development last week. The subterranean garage, located in the Wells Fargo building, would be sold...

Ten KeyBank of Idaho offices set for renovation.
October 1, 2007... Byline: Idaho Business Review Staff Report KeyCorp plans to renovate a total of 10 KeyBank of Idaho branch offices this year and in 2008. Jared Frothinger, district retail leader for KeyBank of Idaho, said Cleveland-based parent...

Boise legal firms continue fight on costly office overruns.
October 1, 2007... Byline: Brad Carlson At law firms, cost recovery is an old issue with some new wrinkles. Firms can track costs that attorney fees don't necessarily cover, said Boise attorney Merrily Munther of Boise firm Munther Goodrum Sperry. ...

Mortgage market tight following Fed rate cut, say Boise market observers.
October 1, 2007... Byline: Brad Carlson The mortgage market remained tight after the Federal Reserve Board on Sept. 18 cut short-term interest rates by half a percentage point, several market observers in the Boise area said last week. Rising concerns...

Sterling Mining to be listed on Toronto exchange.
October 1, 2007... Byline: Robb Hicken Sterling Mining Company of Wallace is expected to receive approval to begin trading on the Toronto Stock Exchange. Company officials have satisfied all conditions to be listed on the exchange and it is expected to begin...

Colliers International's annual Outlook 2007 conference: Prices must drop.(Conference notes)
October 1, 2007... Byline: Lora Volkert Real estate prices need to start dropping for development to get back to normal, according to panelists at Colliers International's annual Outlook 2007 conference on commercial real estate. Highlights from the...

Boise Councilman Tibbs blames Mayor Bieter for lack of traction on transit.
October 1, 2007... Byline: Lora Volkert Boise mayoral candidate and Councilman Jim Tibbs last week blamed Mayor Dave Bieter for the fact that the Legislature did not pass a local option tax for transit. Dave Bieter has worked on this for four years and...

Eagle Knoll vineyard sold to developer.
October 1, 2007... Byline: Lora Volkert Developer Dave Buich recently bought The Winery at Eagle Knoll and plans a 120- to 150-home subdivision and commercial village around the winery. Buich purchased equipment to ensure quality control at the winery....

Idaho nonprofits keep pace with business.
October 1, 2007... Byline: Eddie Kovsky Nonprofits are beginning to look more like regular businesses. Government and private companies realize they can't make the changes they want without nonprofits, Vicki Hahn, Intermountain Bank community...

Boise library offers resources for managing nonprofits - Focus.
October 1, 2007... Byline: Eddie Kovsky Mary Jones Aucutt, who oversees the Funding Information Center for Nonprofits at the Boise Public Library, sees herself as a bridge between the nonprofit and business communities. The special collection, which...

Boise-based Saint Alphonsus Hospital opens second phase of Eagle Health Plaza.
October 1, 2007... Byline: Eddie Kovsky Saint Alphonsus has opened the second phase of the Eagle Health Plaza. The largest phase includes a 24 hour emergency department and a range of medical and diagnostic services. The emergency department is...

Idaho Sudan Divestment Task Force legislation planned.
October 1, 2007... Byline: Brad Carlson Idaho's public-employee retirement plan would be restricted from investing in companies that do business in Sudan under a law to be proposed next year in the Idaho Legislature. The Idaho Sudan Divestment Task Force...

Shareholder of Boise-based Washington Group International reiterates opposition to merger.
October 1, 2007... Byline: Brad Carlson Washington Group International major shareholder David Einhorn, in a Sept. 28 letter filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, reiterated his opposition to a proposed buyout of Washington Group by URS...

Loans available to businesses impacted by central Idaho fires.
October 1, 2007... Byline: Brad Carlson The U.S. Small Business Administration recently announced that low-interest Economic Injury Disaster Loans are available to small businesses economically impacted by the Central Idaho Wildland Complex Fires in Valley...

Idaho Independent Bank pays 7 percent dividend.
October 2, 2007... Byline: Brad Carlson Idaho Independent Bank directors declared a 7 percent share dividend payable to shareholders of record Nov. 2. The bank said on Sept. 21 the dividend would be paid Dec. 7. Cash is to be paid in lieu of fractional...

Avista Utilities seeks Idaho Public Utilities Commission approval to adjust gas rate downward.
October 2, 2007... Byline: Brad Carlson Avista Utilities seeks Idaho Public Utilities Commission approval to decrease its annual Purchased Gas Cost Adjustment (PGA) by about 4.5 percent. The adjustment would take effect Nov. 1. An average resident using...

Boise-based Micron announces multi-million loss for the quarter and fiscal year.(Financial report)
October 2, 2007... Byline: Eddie Kovsky For the fourth quarter of fiscal 2007, which ended August 30, Micron incurred a net loss of $158 million on net sales of $1.4 billion. The company reported a net loss of $225 million on net sales of $1.3 billion for...

Nampa-based MPC completes acquisition of Gateway Professional business.
October 3, 2007... Byline: Robb Hicken MPC Corporation, in Nampa, has completed the acquisition of Gateway's Professional business. This acquisition helps transform MPC into one of the top PC companies serving the professional market, including...

Idaho Falls-based Solex selected by Utah bank.
October 3, 2007... Byline: Robb Hicken Solex, an online lending solution based in Idaho Falls, has been selected by Draper, Utah-based Merrick Bank to provide online lending solution to streamline the loan process with RV and Marine industry dealers. ...

Co-founder Dennis Pence resigns as CEO of Idaho-based Coldwater Creek.
October 4, 2007... Byline: Robb Hicken Coldwater Creek Co-founder, Chairman of the Board and CEO Dennis Pence will retire on Oct. 30. Pence will retain his role as chairman of the board, accordingt to a release. Following the announcement, company's...

Merger of Boise-based Washington Group Inc. draws another opponent.
October 4, 2007... Byline: Brad Carlson Schultze Asset Management LLC, a hedge fund that owns about 3 percent of Washington Group Inc. shares, filed a lawsuit in Delaware Chancery Court Oct. 1 attempting to stop the engineering and construction company's...

Idaho joining U.S. mortgage license system.
October 5, 2007... Byline: Brad Carlson The Idaho Department of Finance on Jan. 2 will start participating in the Nationwide Mortgage Licensing System being developed by the Conference of State Bank Supervisors and the American Association of Residential...

Boise-based Washington Group International inks New Hampshire clean-air pact.
October 5, 2007... Byline: Brad Carlson Washington Group International received a cost-reimbursable contract involving the Public Service of New Hampshire Merrimack Station project. The clean-air project is scheduled at the Service's 478-megawatt power plant...

Coalition broadening Idaho transit proposal to include road funding.
October 5, 2007... Byline: Brad Carlson Using a local-option sales tax to fund public transit should be done only if the tax also could fund roadways, Coalition for Regional Public Transportation members agreed Oct. 5. That's the thrust of draft...

Pocatello airport to open new parking structure.
October 5, 2007... Byline: Robb Hicken Pocatello Regional Airport officials are planning to open the new short- and long-term parking facility after being upgraded to meet newer Homeland Security standards. The $1.9 million project was funded by an FAA...

Seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in Idaho drops to record low.
October 7, 2007... Byline: Brad Carlson Idaho seasonally adjusted unemployment in September dropped to a record low 2.3 percent, compared to 2.4 percent in August and 3.3 percent in September 2006. The drop indicated that the state could absorb Micron...

KMCL in McCall sells off AM portion of station.
October 7, 2007... Byline: Robb Hicken Boise broadasters Dave Combes has purchased the AM portion of KMCL in McCall for an undisclosed amount from Brundage Mountain Air Inc. The sale is pending FCC approval of license transfer. Combes is part of Mountain...

Idaho Sudan Divestment Task Force legislation planned.
October 8, 2007... Byline: Brad Carlson Idaho's public-employee retirement plan would be restricted from investing in companies that do business in Sudan under a law to be proposed next year in the Idaho Legislature. The Idaho Sudan Divestment Task Force...

Pacific Ethanol opens plant in Boardmen,Oregon.
October 8, 2007... Byline: IBR Staff Pacific Ethanol, the largest West Coast-based marketer and producer of ethanol, has officially opened its first bio-ethanol production facility in Oregon. Pacific Ethanol started operating its $50 million Boardman,...

Boise-based Micron Technology loses millions in third quarter.
October 8, 2007... Byline: Eddie Kovsky After recording a $225 million loss in the previous quarter, Micron Technology announced some major changes: CEO Steve Appleton stepped down as President, and the company began eliminating 10 percent of its workforce....

Idaho's changing population.
October 8, 2007... Byline: Robb Hicken Mireille (pronounced me-Ray) Chahine may seem a bit out of place standing next to a large black-white Holstein on a dairy farm in Gooding. Feeding dairy cows is a very important job, said Chahine, a University of...

Valley County home prices fall; frustrate builders.
October 8, 2007... Byline: Lora Volkert If there's one place where a declining housing market might be good news, it's Valley County. Real estate prices in small towns like Donnelly and Cascade shot up when Tamarack Resort was built and the cities made...

Idaho Gov. Otter: State must lead on climate change.
October 8, 2007... Byline: Eddie Kovsky The state and local government must lead the charge to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, Gov. C.L. Butch Otter told an audience in north Idaho last week. While this is primarily a gathering of scientists and...

Boise-based WGI agrees to New Hamphire clean-air pact.
October 8, 2007... Byline: IBR Staff Washington Group International received a cost-reimbursable contract involving the Public Service of New Hampshire Merrimack Station project. The clean-air project is scheduled at the Service's 478-megawatt power plant in...

Analyst tells Chartered Financial Analysts Society of Id. that higher bond 'spreads' to remain.
October 8, 2007... Byline: Brad Carlson Wider spreads will be a fact of life in the bond market for a while, a fixed-income securities manager told a Chartered Financial Analysts Society of Idaho luncheon meeting Oct. 2 in Boise. Maureen Newman, based in...

Utah firm looks to relocate to Idaho.
October 8, 2007... Byline: IBR Staff Manufacturer Petersen Inc. is eyeing two locations in Idaho for expansion. Company officials have checked in with economic development leaders in Pocatello and Idaho Falls about the possibilities of establishing a plant...

UBS economist says he likes what he sees in global perspective.
October 8, 2007... Byline: Brad Carlson Andreas Hoefert's crystal ball for the U.S. economy shows slower growth, but he remains upbeat. Positive U.S. trends can be found, including a reduced trade deficit and an increased personal savings rate, the UBS...

Bodily RV in Meridian, Idaho Falls bought by national giant.
October 8, 2007... Byline: IBR Staff Bodily RV Center, in Meridian and Idaho Falls, has been sold to FreedomRoads & Camping World, America's largest RV and outdoor retailer. This acquisition gives the Camping World a stronghold on the Idaho market with two...

SBA Boise District Office approves 1,030 loans in fiscal year '07, up 822.
October 8, 2007... Byline: IBR Staff The U.S. Small Business Administration's Boise District Office approved 1,030 loans in the fiscal year that ended Sept. 30, up from 822 a year earlier. The district in fiscal 2007 logged 887 SBA 7(a) loans and 143 SBA 504...

United Water to renovate billing methods, raise rates to Boise-area customers.
October 8, 2007... Byline: Brad Carlson United Water Idaho Inc. wants to read its meters and bill its approximately 215,000 Boise-area customers monthly instead of every two months. The move would enable United Water to gather and use timelier and more...

Idaho Gov.'s Business Opportunity Conference slated for Oct. 31 at Centre on the Grove in Boise.(Conference news)
October 8, 2007... Byline: IBR Staff The Idaho Department of Commerce and the Idaho Business Network plan the 19th Annual Governor's Business Opportunity Conference all day Oct. 31 at Boise Centre on The Grove. Workshop topics include an introduction to...

Commentary: 500,000 - a magical number for Valley.
October 8, 2007... Byline: Robb Hicken I guess you could legitimately say that I'm No. 534,000 and 1. Being a new move-in, I've just added that population blast to the numbers game that's being placed on the Treasure Valley and southwest Idaho. But...

Defaults rise in Ada, Canyon counties.
October 8, 2007... Byline: IBR Staff Mortgage default filings in Ada County totaled 132 in September, up from 85 in January, Idaho Data Providers reported. Canyon County default filings have been more volatile from month to month but increased by 40...

Idaho Falls developer starts construction on Utah planned community.
October 8, 2007... Byline: IBR Staff Elim Valley Planning and Development, a new master planned community located in Hurricane, Utah, has launched construction. Development CEO and owner Rollie Walker, a businessman from Idaho Falls and a veteran in the...

Idaho farmers markets get national support.
October 8, 2007... Byline: IBR Staff Hagerman I.D.E.A. (Improvement, Development, Education and Appreciation) Inc., has been awarded a federal grant to create an agricultural marketing cooperative where producers sell their own products directly to consumers...

Berg Integrated Systems in Idaho awarded U.S. Army contract.
October 8, 2007... Byline: IBR Staff Berg Integrated Systems, an enterprise of the Coeur d'Alene Tribe, has been awarded a five-year contract with the U.S. Army worth up to $400 million for the production of 210,000-gallon fuel tank bladders. First-year...

Interview with Bruce Strom: Associate professor at Boise area campus, George Fox University.
October 8, 2007... Byline: Gaye Bunderson The following is part of an ongoing series on the topics of business leadership, ethics, and longevity. This week, the IBR tapped Bruce Strom for his input on the topic of leadership. Strom, 44, is an associate...

Idaho Falls-based Solex awarded online lending solution contract.
October 8, 2007... Byline: IBR Staff Solex, an online lending solution based in Idaho Falls, has been selected by Draper, Utah-based Merrick Bank to provide online lending solution to streamline the loan process with RV and Marine industry dealers. Merrick...

ISU-Boise hosts Health Professions Experience Night.
October 8, 2007... Byline: IBR Staff Interested in becoming a pharmacist, paramedic or physician assistant? A clinical lab scientist, nurse or mental health counselor? Find out about these programs and at least 20 others at the second annual Health...

Idaho company targets Westover Hills for new development.
October 8, 2007... Byline: IBR Staff One of the city's largest employment hubs has garnered the attention of a Boise-based development firm making its move into San Antonio. DBSI Development has announced plans to create a new mixed-use community on the...

St. Alphonsus opens Eagle Health Plaza in Boise.
October 8, 2007... Byline: IBR Staff Saint Alphonsus has opened the second phase of the Eagle Health Plaza. The largest phase includes a 24 hour emergency department and a range of medical and diagnostic services. The emergency department is staffed by the...

Stanwood, Wash.-based Twin City Foods poised to sell Prosser plant.
October 8, 2007... Byline: IBR Staff Stanwood, Wash.-based Twin City Foods is completing the sale of an Eastern Washington potato processing plant to ConAgra Foods. ConAgra spokeswoman Stephanie Childs said her company has an agreement to purchase the plant...

Business condo space in Boise goes 'niche' in sales to potential clients.
October 8, 2007... Byline: IBR Staff Leroy Custer always loved tinkering with cars, but as a busy executive with BMC West, he had little time. That was until he retired in May. Suddenly he realized that he had time but didn't have the space to tinker with...

Idaho innovators make changes often unnoticed by masses.
October 8, 2007... Byline: Robb Hicken Six innovations and the Idaho companies that created were honored by Stoel Rives Idaho Innovation Awards program. This program is presented by the Idaho Department of Commerce Office of Science & Technology, and...

Innovators make changes often unnoticed by masses.
October 8, 2007... Byline: Robb Hicken Six innovations and the Idaho companies that created were honored by Stoel Rives Idaho Innovation Awards program. This program is presented by the Idaho Department of Commerce Office of Science & Technology, and...

Building Permits.
October 8, 2007... BUILDING PERMITS CITY OF BOISE PERMIT/TYPE OWNER BUILDER LOCATION VALUE 02511-sign not listed Aim Sign Company 1320 S Maple Grove Rd 41,000 CITY OF CALDWELL...

Boise Real Estate Briefs: October 8, 2007.
October 8, 2007... Byline: IBR Staff Gateway East Building owners Art Berry and Stephen Bledsoe recently broke ground on the 27,700-square-foot retail, office and warehouse flex building at 9025 S. Federal Way, Boise, across from Micron Technology Inc....

Bid Brief.
October 8, 2007... The Sun Valley resort plans a golf and Nordic ski clubhouse on Trail Creek Road, Sun Valley. Details of the three-story, 45,000-square-foot project are available from Intermountain Construction, P.O. Box 2319, Idaho Falls, Idaho 83403. A bid...

Contracts Awarded.
October 8, 2007... Idaho Sand & Gravel Co., Nampa, was awarded a contract for Ustick Road improvements between Five Mile and Maple Grove roads in Boise. Cost estimate: $8,118,889. Okland Construction, Salt Lake City, was awarded a contract for Archer/Lyman...

Idaho Power proposes change in PURPA formula.
October 10, 2007... Byline: Eddie Kovsky Idaho Power is asking state regulators to modify a formula used to determine what it must pay small-power developers under provisions of the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act. PURPA requires regulated electric...

$342M widening set for 31-mile section of busy US 95 in Idaho.
October 10, 2007... Byline: IBR Staff The Idaho Transportation Department is preparing to submit its final environmental impact statement for the planned conversion of 31 miles of U.S. 95 to a four-lane divided highway. Once the Federal Highway...

Idaho governor elevates Cassia magistrate to district bench.
October 10, 2007... Byline: IBR Staff Report Gov. C.L. Butch Otter named Cassia County Magistrate Michael R. Crabtree to fill the Fifth District judgeship vacated by the death of Judge Monte B. Carlson, according to a press release from the governor's office....

Innovation trade association gets green light in Idaho.
October 11, 2007... Byline: Eddie Kovsky After a day of discussion, about 30 attendees at the Idaho Tech Alliance have voted to form a trade association to advocate for business issues that affect small, innovation focused businesses in the state. The group...

University of Idaho professor to lecture on biofuels.
October 11, 2007... Byline: Robb Hicken Genomics, the indexing and use of a plant's entire genetic "catalog," may be the best tool currently available to help ethanol producers change the way America uses its energy resources, a visiting scientist will...

Micron Technology CFO sells off shares; CEO Steve Appleton gets more.
October 12, 2007... Byline: Brad Carlson Micron Technology Inc. Chief Financial Officer Wilbur G. (Bill) Stover Jr. this week sold 17,400 shares of Micron common stock. He reported in a Form 4 filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission that...

Idaho to host Korea-US Economic conference.(Conference news)
October 15, 2007... Byline: Brad Carlson More than 150 delegates from the Korea-US-Economic Council are in town today and Tuesday for the group's fifth annual conference. Gen. Colin Powell, former Bush administrator, is scheduled to make an appearance...

Idaho wheat growers see higher prices.
October 15, 2007... Byline: Brad Carlson Record-high wheat prices have Idaho farmers in good moods from Porthill to Pocatello. The high prices put more money in producers' pockets - to spend, save, or even justify sticking with what can be a tough...

Avimor developer SunCor Idaho asks for inclusion in Eagle City Council's Comprehensive Plan.
October 15, 2007... Byline: Lora Volkert Avimor developer SunCor Idaho asked the Eagle City Council to include the development in its Comprehensive Plan last week. The Council plans to take Avimor's request into consideration as it revises its Comprehensive...

ULI forum panelists express optimism over transit funding in Idaho.(Discussion)
October 15, 2007... Byline: Lora Volkert Panelists at an Urban Land Institute forum on transportation infrastructure funding last week are optimistic rural legislators will come around to supporting transit and road funding options such as a local option tax....

Bid Briefs.
October 15, 2007... Cherry Creek Rest Area and caretaker facilities renovations are planned on Interstate 15 in Oneida County. Details are available from the Idaho Transportation Department, Roadway Design, 3311 W. State St., Room 116, Boise, Idaho 83703-5879. A...

Contracts Awarded.
October 15, 2007... Jordan Wilcomb Construction, Boise, was awarded a contract for a retail building at 2041 S. Cobalt Point Way, Meridian (negotiated). Cost estimate: $4,729,115. Kreizenbeck Constructors, Boise, was awarded a contract for the Canyon County...

Building Permits.
October 15, 2007... BUILDING PERMITS CITY OF BOISE PERMIT/TYPE    OWNER    BUILDER    LOCATION    VALUE 02580-alteration    Car Incorporated    Lamar Advertising...

Electrician training program takes off in Garden City.
October 15, 2007... Byline: Brad Carlson The number of journeyman electricians and electrician apprentices grew by about 10 percent in the southwest Idaho region in each of the last two years despite inherent challenges. Marc Bernsen, training director at...

Conference in Boise focuses on energy, green building trends.(Conference news)
October 15, 2007... Byline: Ken Miller In what's being billed as the longest-running conference of its kind in the Northwest, city officials and energy experts will flock to Boise in the coming days for the 21st Association of Idaho Cities' Idaho Energy and...