METRO CONNECTION Your monthly Chamber update.
JUNE 2018
A publication of the Boise Metro Chamber | Vol. 70 No. 6
IN THIS ISSUE OF THE BOISE METRO CHAMBER’S METRO CONNECTION
TOPICS OF 'GROWTH' AT THIS YEAR'S LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE
SMALL BUSINESS & CHAMBER EXCELLENCE AWARD WINNERS
HIGHLIGHTS FROM OUR CHAMBER'S VIP GRAND OPENING
WHERE ARE WE GOING, WHERE HAVE WE BEEN?
Discussions on 'growth' at this year's Leadership Conference
“Dull, inert cities, it is true, do contain the seeds of their own destruction and little else. But lively, diverse, intense cities contain the seeds of their own regeneration, with energy enough to carry over for problems and needs outside themselves.” –Jane Jacobs, The Death and Life of Great American Cities
M
uch like the fated wonderment in Joyce Carol Oates’ 1966 novel title, the above line taken from Jane Jacob’s narrative on
assessing the vitality of a city echoes an overwhelming understanding — the Boise Valley is growing at an unprecedented rate. Make no mistake about it. It’s not some prophetic exaggeration; it’s happening right before our eyes. This year’s Leadership Conference, hosted and presented by the Boise Metro Chamber, focused on this very concept. It’s not just a Boise thing, or a Meridian thing, or a Nampa
thing. It’s a Treasure Valley thing. Although Boise gets a lot of the spotlight because of its role as the state’s capital, the thought of “growth” seeping into our cities and quietly erecting new buildings, paving new roads, and planting new parks is anything but covert. It’s been a decade-long, valley-wide hot bed of activity that many cities in the Boise metro area are now facing head on.
Continued on Page 2...
Continued from cover...
2018 EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Scott Madison Intermountain Gas Company Chair
Emily Baker Portman Square Group At Large
John Cunningham Block 22 Chair-Elect
Rodney Reider Saint Alphonsus Health System At Large
Ann Nelson KPMG, LLP Past-Chair
Rebecca Hupp Boise Airport At-Large
Tom Mortell Hawley Troxell Of Counsel
Todd Cooper Wells Fargo Bank BVEP Chairman
Scot Phillips Eide Bailly LLP Treasurer
Bill Connors Boise Metro Chamber President & CEO
2018 BOARD OF DIRECTORS Bill Avey HP
Susan Morris Albertsons
Joel Barker J.R. Simplot Company
Neil Nelson ESI Construction
Laura Cobb Citi
Grant L. Petersen Jr. Bronco Motors
Chase Erkins, BYP Executive Chair Lee & Associates
Joel Poppen Micron Technology, Inc.
Dave Fisher Republic Services
Vern Porter Idaho Power Company
Mike Garcia Corporate Office Installations
Justin Smith U.S. Bank
Steven Goddard WinCo Foods, LLC
Jeff Taylor St. Luke’s Health System
John Howard MotivePower, Inc.
Dave Terrell, BCVB Chair Idaho Washington Trust
Gerald Hunter Idaho Housing & Finance
Mary Pat Thompson MWI Animal Health
Growth Is Not a Dirty Word This was the official title of this year’s conference, held in Sun Valley, Idaho, during its 25th anniversary. However, it was the conference’s precursory line — “25 Years of Progress as We Look to the Future” — that became the battle cry of those in attendance. Boise Mayor Dave Bieter summed it up best: “The future belongs to problem solvers.” Indeed, the only established fact we have here relating to our future is that we are growing — rapidly. But to Mayor Bieter’s point, it’s about how we respond to that fact. What trends have we noticed from our past? What do we do moving forward? In his remarks, the president of College of Western Idaho, Bert Glandon, mentioned while on his way to the conference he passed an empty, dilapidated structure on the side of the road, the words “Store” and “Saloon” on the structure’s façade. “There was nothing there … They didn’t plan.” While buildings along Main and Front Streets will certainly not be boarding up their saloon windows anytime soon, Glandon’s observation resonated with those in the room. Planning for this inevitable upswing in the valley’s population is not a task to be reckoned with on a whim. It all starts with three key ideas that Mayor Bieter so eloquently laid out.
Lindsay Andrysiak Balsalm Brands Charlene Maher Blue Cross of Idaho Jeremy Malone Oppenheimer Companies, Inc.
The Boise Metro Chamber is Idaho's largest business-first organization, advocating for the advancement of business and community. We are a nonprofit, membership-based organization that collaborates with the Boise Valley Economic Partnership and Boise Convention & Visitors Bureau to ensure economic growth, development, and prosperity. Editorial Office: 1101 W. Front St., Suite 100, Boise, Idaho, 83702 (208) 472-5205 Boise Metro Connection (USPS 227-520) is published monthly by the Boise Metro Chamber of Commerce.® Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited. Periodical postage paid at Boise, Idaho, 83707. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: Boise Metro Connection P.O. Box 2368, Boise, ID 83701 Chamber membership dues include $12/year subscription. Publisher & Executive Editor: Bill Connors, President & CEO
Why Cities Exist “There’re three reasons why a city exists,” Mayor Bieter began. “To keep its residents safe, to prosper, and to enhance what’s so sacred to its inhabitants.” The former two need no explanation and may not even get a surprise out of most. But the latter is a concept that every city here in the valley is fighting for. Individuality is something not learned or copied from other cities; it is a reflection of its people and the years and decades they’ve spent cultivating it. And now the question becomes, as more and more seeds ride the wind and take root here in the valley, what kind of garden are we going to see in five, 10, 25 years? Along these lines was an idea that Council Member Elaine Clegg touched upon. It is “quality of life” and “livability” that drive a city’s growth. One can simply stand in the heart of downtown and walk a quarter mile in any direction and immediately stumble across a new brewery, dog park, or local coffee shop. Although just three examples of what make Boise “livable,” it’s clear the ears of the city are well attuned on its residents. And if having the most dog parks per capita of any city in the nation makes Boiseans happy, then other trends in growth best take note. ‘Breaking Down the Walls’ But as mentioned earlier, this trend is not exclusive to the city of Boise alone. Much of the call to arms at this year’s conference was in support of unity. During his inspired presentation, Mayor of Caldwell Garret Nancolas posed the question as if sitting down
at a seve Meri in M Colle to Bo those the f calle Valle were and emo
Maki Mem Glan kind mea new mea (nece beca And entiti the in
Hallu Argu In on issue man sales urba mea of inc incre
percentage of Ada and Canyon County residents were in favor of this local tax incentive. And up steps Mayor Nancolas with perhaps the most profound observation of the weekend.
3
“A vision without a plan is only a dream. But a vision without a funding mechanism is a hallucination!” As the audience applauded, a collective nod of approval mirrored the statistics found in Dr. Cook’s survey. Currently, Idaho legislature allows just 13 instances of localized option sales tax, reserved for those cities that ride the economic wave that is the tourism industry. But as the numbers demonstrate the incentive’s popularity, the next question becomes how?
at a local coffee shop with the Treasure Valley and catching up after several years, “What’s Boise doing these days? How’s Kuna? What about Meridian?” The tides are impacting everyone. Homes are sprouting out in Meridian; students are flocking to the campuses of CWI, NNU, and College of Idaho out in Nampa and Caldwell; jobs are attracting thousands to Boise. And above all else is a livability factor that continues to charm those seeking outdoor recreation and creative entrepreneurship. Beyond the figment of “walls” that speakers Skip Oppenheimer and Elaine Clegg called to deconstruct between these eight cities that make up the Treasure Valley, the weekend’s gentle murmur became a voice of unity. Individuals were suddenly eager to get back to their respected locations in the valley and start laying the groundwork in preparation of this growth while the emotions were still high, none more so than Elaine Clegg.
A vision without a plan is only a dream. But a vision without a funding mechanism is a hallucination! Making one of the strongest cases in favor of improved transit, Council Member Clegg, among many other speakers, notably Jeff Sayer, Bert Glandon, and Cece Gassner, argued that in order to accommodate this kind of growth the valley would need to combine forces and establish better means of transit for both suburbanites and commuters. Conceptualizing new and improved bus routes connecting Nampa to Boise, more strategic measures to handle perpetual rush hour traffic, and even the possibility (necessity) for a light-rail system linking workforce with workplace quickly became the foremost topics of discussion during the three-day gathering. And in a rather poetic cessation was this idea of transit uniting separate entities as one cohesive system, rolling out the red carpet, so to speak, for the inevitable topic on everyone’s minds. Hallucinations Arguing in favor of this topic was the Mayor of Caldwell, Garret Nancolas. In one of the most moving addresses, Nancolas confronted the same issue that speakers Sayer, Clegg, Dr. Corey Cook of Boise State, and many others had mentioned during their presentations — local option sales tax. When talk of improved transit and increased spending on urban renewal was laid out on the table, the question of ‘how do we fund measures like this moving forward?’ quickly cast a light on the possibility of increased local tax funding for projects such as these. Yes, we said tax increase. But according to Dr. Cook’s public policy study, an overwhelming
As we heard in closing at the conference, the only way an effort like this comes to fruition is if a coalition of businesses, public entities, and the great citizens of Idaho band together. When local option sales tax makes its way on a bill at the legislature, it will be up to that collective voice to be ready to stand up and support the measure. The Seeds of Regeneration Nearly everywhere we look, urban vitality has taken root and begun to mimic the growth patterns of its inhabitants. Budding businesses, residential properties, and sprawling parklands mark the topography of the Treasure Valley. And while there are and always will be those that detest the flourishing “seeds of regeneration” that Jacobs mentions in her book, no one can deny the overwhelming promise and possibility that the Boise Valley is experiencing. Those who call the valley home should not look about in amazement with their arms flapping around because so many others are flocking here by the thousands; they should look forward, hopeful and proud, with arms out wide. There’s one final note I wish to add. During her presentation, Council Member Clegg spoke on the idea of “smart growth.” Merely growing as a valley in terms of its populace is one thing; but growing, while maintaining culture, heritage, triumphs and failures, and “enhancing what’s sacred” is entirely another. Boise will never be another Portland or Seattle or Salt Lake City — and that’s quite alright with us. But we better get acclimated to the term “growth” here in the Boise Valley. We’ve seen how it’s transformed this beautiful place over the past 25 years, and we will be ready for whatever it throws our way during the next 25. CONNOR JAY LIESS BOISE METRO CHAMBER
4
2018 SMALL BUSINESS OF THE YEAR & CHAMBER EXCELLENCE AWARDS RECOGNIZING OUTSTANDING CHAMBER MEMBERS Small Business of the Year (Medium) Pingman Tools SERVPRO of Boise Foothills Physical Therapy
Small Business of the Year (Small) pes-wies Doctor’s Hospice of Idaho Capitol Cellars LLC
Financial Services Industry
Nonprofit Excellence
Food & Agriculture Industry
Idaho Housing and Finance Association Idaho Central Credit Union Washington Federal
Idaho Community Foundation NeighborWorks of Boise Idaho Youth Ranch
Bardenay Idaho Wine Commission The Idaho Foodbank
Travel Industry
Health Care Industry
Government Advocate of the Year
Bogus Basin Mountain Recreation Association Meeting Systems, Inc. Vacasa of Boise
Regence BlueShield of Idaho Genesis Community Health, Inc.
Hall of Fame Award Recipient David Terrell, Regional President, Washington Trust Bank With over 30 years in the banking industry, David is the only individual to be chairman of the board for all three Chamber organizations.
Dave Terrell, this year's Hall of Fame Award recipient, hugs longtime friend and mayor of Boise, Dave Bieter.
Thank You to Our Sponsors!
Sylvia Hampel, Clearview Cleaning
BOISE METRO CHAMBER VIP GRAND OPENING
5
See more photos from our Grand Opening on our website and in next month's newsletter
WELCOME NEW MEMBERS
Join us in welcoming our newest members from April 1–30, 2018
ABIDE JIU JITSU BOISE 1726 W. Main St., Boise, ID 83702 (208) 867-9262 | www.abidejiujitsu.com Martial Arts – Self Defense
ESCAPE ROOM BOISE 8249 W. Overland Rd., Ste. 140, Boise, ID 83709 (208) 810-4554 | www.escaperoomboise.com Amusement/Event Centers
SAGEPOINT FINANCIAL 720 N. Main St., Meridian, ID 83642 (208) 888-0936 | www.sagepointidaho.com Financial Advisors & Services
AFLAC - JACQUE VAN SCYOC 5700 E. Franklin Dr., Ste. 210, Nampa, ID 83687 (208) 789-0373 | www.aflac.com Insurance – Employee Benefits
FIRST FEDERAL 701 S. Allen St., Ste. 105, Meridian, ID 83642 (208) 985-2555 | www.mortgagefirstfed.com Banks
SMHEURISTICS P.O. Box 8660, Boise, ID 83707 (208) 806-1751 | www.smheuristics.com Consultants – Marketing
AXIOM PLLC 121 N. 9th St., Ste. 401, Boise, ID 83702 (208) 639-4520 | www.axiompllc.com Engineers – Structural
FRED MEYER, INC. (EAST BENCH) 3527 S. Federal Way, Boise, ID 83705 (208) 427-7500 | www.fredmeyer.com Supermarket & Super Stores
SPRINT 1459 N. Milwaukee St., Boise, ID 83704 (208) 297-8909 | www.sprint.com Cellular – Equipment & Services
BETTER IDEA GROUP 2659 N. Whitebird Pl., Meridian, ID 83646 (208) 906-0618 | www.betterideagroup.com Accounting Software & Services
FRED MEYER, INC. (FRANKLIN) 5230 W. Franklin Rd., Boise, ID 83705 (208) 429-6400 | www.fredmeyer.com Supermarket & Super Stores
STAY ALFRED 123 E. Sprague Ave., Spokane, WA 99202 (844) 837-5544 | www.stayalfred.com Vacation Rentals
BOISE HIVE 3907 E. Custer Dr., Boise, ID 83705 (208) 344-4994 | www.boisehive.org Associations – Nonprofit
GREGORY KASLO ARCHITECT 1301 S. Vista Ave., Boise, ID 83705 (208) 345-3505 Architects
TAVERN AT BOWN CROSSING 3111 S. Bown Wy., Boise, ID 83706 (208) 345-2277 | www.tavernatbown.com Restaurants
CASCADIA OF BOISE 6000 W. Denton St., Boise, ID 83706 (208) 230-8525 | www.cascadiahc.com Nursing Homes – Skilled Care/Rehabilitation
HARRIS CPAS 805 W. Idaho St., Ste. 400, Boise, ID 83702 (208) 333-8965 | www.harriscpas.com Accountants – Certified Public
THE BLEDSOE GROUP 2783 Orchard Ave., Nampa, ID 83651 (208) 433-0033 | www.thebledsoegroup.com Construction – Cabinets
CBC ADVISORS 1444 S. Entertainment Way, Boise, ID 83709 (208) 631-5428 | cbcadvisors.com/professionals/matt-eells Real Estate – Commercial & Investment
IDAHO CENTRAL CREDIT UNION (KUNA) 1375 N. Meridian Rd., Kuna, ID 83634 (208) 559-6483 | www.iccu.com Credit Unions
WALLA WALLA CLOTHING CO. 814 W. Idaho St., Boise, ID 83702 (208) 343-2059 | www.wallawallaclothing.com Retail Stores
COACHING CROSSROADS LLC 16433 N. Midland Blvd., Ste. 26, Nampa, ID 83687 (208) 899-1797 | www.coachingcrossroads.com Professional Development
KETCHUM EVENT CENTER 631 E. 2nd St., Ste. C101, Ketchum, ID 83340 (208) 721-8574 | www.ketchumeventcenter.com Event Centers
DUFT WATTERSON LLC 176 S. Capitol Blvd., Ste. 200, Boise, ID 83702 (208) 989-6667 | www.duftwatterson.com Advertising Agencies
OWYHEE TAVERN STEAK & SEA 1109 Main St., Boise, ID 83702 (208) 639-0440 | www.owyheetavern.com Restaurants – Catering
WESTERN STATES EQUIPMENT COMPANY - CAT RENTAL STORE 500 E. Overland Rd., Meridian, ID 83642 (208) 884-2300 | www.westernstatescat.com Construction – Equipment
EAGLE RIVER MEDICAL AESTHETICS 13967 W. Wainwright Dr., Ste. 103, Boise, ID 83713 (208) 514-1632 | www.eaglerivermedical.com Spas – Med
PACIFIC RESIDENTIAL MORTGAGE, LLC 2450 E Gala St. Ste. 110, Meridian, ID 83642 (208) 884-4652 Mortgage Companies
WESTSIDE BODY WORKS, INC. 1537 E. State St., Eagle, ID 83616 (208) 810-7878 | www.westsidebodyworks.com Auto Body Repair & Paint WOOD FINANCIAL GROUP 1101 W. River St., Ste. 170, Boise, ID 83702 (208) 343-2001 | www.woodfinancialgrp.com Financial Advisors & Services
MEMBER NEWS RESTAURANT OF THE MONTH
CONNECTOR OF THE MONTH Ray Stark
Chamber team member Ray Stark, senior vice president and government & community relations, was May's Chamber Connector of the Month. Ray brought in $798 in new membership and received a gift card to The Flicks and Bardenay.
MOON'S KITCHEN CAFE
712 W. Idaho St., Boise, ID 83702 www.newmoonskitchen.com
Chamber Connect is our referral program to grow membership together. Share a qualified referral on our website and you will be eligible for a monetary thankyou. Visit boisechamber.org for more information.
RIBBON CUTTINGS Gateway Mortgage
Cultural Care Au Pair
F a h
Gateway Mortgage 3597 E. Monarch Sky Lane, F-240, Office #257, Meridian gatewayloan.com
B's Ace Hardware
B's Ace Hardware 10499 W. Fairview Ave., Boise www.acehardware.com
B w
Cultural Care Au Pair 1109 E. Jefferson St.,Boise culturalcare.com
7
Banking for what’s next From deposits to loans, we offer an array of banking services to help you bank for what’s next.
Investment Management* Relationship - Based Pricing Nationwide ATM Network Mobile Deposit & Bill Pay Equipment Loans Competitive Credit Rates
Boise | Coeur d’ Alene I www.idahotrust.com *Not FDIC Insured. Not Bank Guaranteed. May Lose Value. Not Insured by Any Federal Government Agency. Not a Deposit.
BOISE METRO CONNECTION P.O. Box 2368 Boise, ID 83701
Periodical POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID 83707 USPS 227-520
Newsletter Printing Partner:
UPCOMING EVENTS DR. KUSTRA'S ADDRESS ON "CHALLENGES IN HIGHER EDUCATION TODAY" June 11 | Noon–1:30 p.m. Stueckle Sky Center JUNE BUSINESS AFTER HOURS June 28 | 5–7 p.m. Snake River Pool & Spa of Idaho LLC 1340 S. Orchard St., Boise FREE for members! OPERATION THANK YOU July 26, 2018 | Save the date! Boise Metro Chamber 1101 W. Front St., Ste. 100, Boise Volunteers needed! JULY BUSINESS AFTER HOURS July 26, 2018 | 5–7 p.m. PacificSource Health Plans 408 E. Parkcenter Blvd., Ste. 100, Boise FREE for members!
Find more events at web.boisechamber.org/events
Spring Is Here
Photo By Boise Metro Chamber