Metro Connection | January 2023 | Vol. 75 No. 1

2023 EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Odette Bolano, Saint Alphonsus, Chair

Dan Price, Mountain West Bank, Chair-Elect

Emily Baker, Portman Square Group, Past Chair

Tom Van Hemelryck, WaFd Bank, Treasurer

Matt Walters, Elam & Burke, Of Counsel

Gerald Hunter, Idaho Housing & Finance, At-Large

Rebecca Hupp, Boise Airport, At-Large

Bill Connors, Bo ise Metro Chamber, President & CEO

2023 BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Adam Altwies, Inn at 500

Adam Richins, Idaho Power Company

Adan David Callsen Gaston, Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, BYP Chair (Ex-Officio)

April Arnzen, Micron Technology, Inc.

Charlene Maher, Blue Cross of Idaho

Chris Roth, St. Luke’s Health System

Cord Christensen, PetIQ

Dean Sandros, United Heritage

Erin Anderson, Idaho Botanical Gardens

Garrett Lofto, J.R. Simplot Company

Jeff Newgard, Bank of Idaho

Jennifer Swindell, Idaho Ed News

Jessica Hagan, KTVB

Jim Shipman, Colliers International

Jodi Whittaker, Whittaker & Associates, Inc.

John McCreedy, Amalgamated Sugar

Kate Eldridge, HDR Engineering

Kelly Olson, Western States Equipment

Laura Cobb, Citi

Lee Scott, Unleashing Leaders Inc., LB Chair (Ex-Officio)

Michael Ballantyne, TOK Commercial Real Estate

Nate Brazier, Stinker Stores

Susan Morris, Albertsons Companies

Tom Mortell, Hawley Troxell

Todd Gill, United Heritage

Tom Werner, Lamb Weston

Editorial Office:

1101 W. Front St., Suite 100, Boise, Idaho, 83702 (208) 472-5205

Boise Metro Connection (USPS 227-520) is published bi-monthly in January, March, May, July, September, and November by Boise Metro Chamber. 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 Chamber P.O. Box 2368, Boise, ID 83701

Chamber membership dues include $12/year subscription. Publisher & Executive Editor: Bill Connors, President & CEO

Hawton-Hill Boise Metro Chamber Senior Marketing & Communications Manager

FEATURED EVENTS: CEO SPEAKER SERIES

LIZA ROESER | CEO & FOUNDER OF FIFTYFLOWERS NOV.

8, 2022 @ 12:00 NOON

Liza Roeser, Founder and CEO of FiftyFlowers, told us about how she started her business, which is now a multi-million dollar company, based here in Boise. Liza, known as “The Flower CEO,” showed photos of the beautiful arrangements FiftyFlowers has created for weddings, special events, and even the Miss Universe pageant. She mentioned that she now supplies flowers for about 2,000 weddings per week!

Sponsored by:

KELLY OLSON

Liza also talked about how the COVID-19 pandemic brought a lot of fear to the business landscape. But Liza took advice from Brene Brown, and chose courage over comfort. She innovated new ideas during the pandemic, including a campaign to “Save the Growers” and DIY flower arrangement classes.

| PRESIDENT, WESTERN STATES

DEC. 12, 2022 @ 12:00 NOON

Kelly Olson, the first woman President of Western States Equipment Company, addressed the business community at the Boise Metro Chamber of Commerce CEO Speaker Series luncheon on December 12, 2022, at the Riverside Hotel in Garden City.

Olson began her role as President in 2018 and is an experienced leader in the machinery industry. She was recognized as one of Construtech’s 2019 Women in Construction, an award given to dedicated, passionate innovators in the construction industry. She’s especially proud of Western States’ adaptation of technology, both in equipment and in the workplace.

Speakers for the 2023 Boise Metro Chamber CEO Speaker Series will be announced early this year.

EQUIPMENT

Amber

Sponsored by:

ADVOCACY UPDATE

Thomas Community and Government Affairs Manager

Dear Readers, It’s that time of year again! The Chamber is looking forward to another legislative session working with our lawmakers to keep our businesses’ best interests at heart.

We are proud to announce we’ve contracted Sarah Bettwieser, owner of Cygnet Idaho, LLC as our lobbyist to advocate for our members this legislative session. Bettwieser joins us with outstanding experience, having worked with lawmakers in multiple different facets, including the Idaho Governor’s Cup Scholarship Fund. We are excited to work with her as she

leads our government affairs efforts this 2023 session.

Our annual Legislative Forum will be hosted on January 12th at the Boise Centre. This event brings our members and lawmakers together to create relationships and discuss priorities for the upcoming session. Our topic this year will be, “Past, Present and Future of Rail in Idaho.” Join our panelist experts as they discuss the overall state of passenger rail in Idaho, opportunities for re-engagement under IIJA, and how lawmakers can engage revitalizing passenger rail along the Pioneer Line. Visit www.boisechamber.org to learn more and register!

We hope you’ve had a wonderful holiday season and we look forward to serving you through another year as the only five-star accredited Chamber in Idaho!

Sincerely, Tori Thomas

Tori

TOP 10 BUSINESS STORIES OF 2022

1. The Policy Trifecta: Lower tax rates, record investments in education and transportation

The Boise Metro Chamber supported all the following:

• HB 436 provided record income tax relief and rebates to Idahoans and businesses.

• HB 1 established even-lower income tax rates and invested a record $410 million into public education.

• Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, passed by U.S. Congress, included over $2.5 billion for Idaho, over five years, for record investments in Idaho’s transportation infrastructure for projects such as highways, bridges, public transportation options and more.

2. Passage of state and federal legislation led to $15B Micron expansion in Boise

The Boise Metro Chamber lobbied at the state and federal levels to a dvocate for passage of the CHIPS and Science Act and The Idaho Semiconductors for America Act, which paved the way for Micron’s decision to expand in Boise.

Micron announced it would invest close to $15 billion to build a new microchip fab. By 2029, its project will bring to the Boise area more than 2,000 direct Micron jobs and 17,000 other jobs to support the expansion. The Boise Valley Economic Partnership , in partnership with the Boise Metro Chamber, was a critical part of bringing this expansion to fruition.

> Meta (FKA Facebook) – The social media giant is building a 960,000-square-foot data center in Kuna, bringing 100 jobs and a total investment of $800 million.

> The Stow Company – A market leader in organization products brought a new manufacturing facility to Nampa, with a total investment of $143 million and over 230 jobs.

> The AZEK Company – The industry-leading manufacturer of environmentally sustainable outdoor living products broke ground on a new manufacturing facility in Boise, an investment of $140 million.

> Petainer – A manufacturer of lightweight, sustainable PET packaging solutions announced a new manufacturing facility in Caldwell.

4. Boise Metro Chamber Annual Gala raised $14,410 for relief in Ukraine

At this year’s sold-out annual gala, the theme was building support for the people of Ukraine. Five for Fighting front man John Ondrasik sang an original song dedicated to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, entitled, “Can One Man Save the World?” The Boise Metro Chamber and Alaska Airlines each donated $5,000 for relief. Raffle tickets sold brought the total raised to $14,410. In addition, Boise Metro Chamber leadership met with the Ukrainian Consul General Dmytro Kushneruk in the spring.

3. Boise Valley Economic Partnership wins included: Meta, AZEK, Stow and Petainer

5. The Chamber prioritized restoration of Amtrak service

Amtrak’s “Pioneer Line” carried passengers from Portland to Salt Lake City until the late 1990s. In 2022, a letter signed by dozens of Idaho’s leaders was sent to the administrator of the Federal Rail Administration, expressing their interest in restoring service between Boise and Salt Lake City. Boise Metro Chamber CEO Bill Connors met with Amtrak officials in Washington D.C. to advocate for restoration of the old “Pioneer Line.”

6. The Chamber led the nation in discussion on “The Business of NIL and College Athletics”

Wh en the NCAA approved the NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) concept in 2021, doors were opened to leverage the marketability and influence of collegiate student-athletes for mutually beneficial business relationships. The Boise Metro Chamber partnered with Boise State Athletics to host an educational interview with Jeramiah Dickey and Mike Walsh to discuss Boise State University’s NIL program, which has been recognized as the best in the nation.

In November 2022, Lonely Planet, a global travel authority, announced that Boise is one of just three domestic destinations on their list of the top 30 destinations in the world to visit in 2023.

Boise was named a top destination in the Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel 2023 “Connect” category, aptly named for travelers looking to connect with distinctive local scenes.

9. Boise Metro Chamber Gift Shop & Visit Boise Information Center opened for business

The Boise Metro Chamber Gift Shop and Visit Boise Information Center opened its doors to the public in late 2022. The Boise-themed Boise Metro Chamber Gift Shop sells merchandise from its members. Brochures, maps, and tourism information about our region are available at the Visit Boise Information Center.

10. Boise Metro Chamber honored U.S.S. Boise and will install a tribute wall

The U.S.S. Boise (SSN-764) is a Los Angeles Class Fast Attack Submarine. The Boise Metro Chamber hosted a reception for the U.S.S. Boise crew and invited them as guests to a CEO Speaker Series, where they received a standing ovation for their exemplary service. A permanent tribute wall is under construction in the Chamber office lobby, sponsored by Idaho Central Credit Union.

8. Sarah Bettwieser contracted as Chamber’s new lobbyist

The Boise Metro Chamber contracted Sarah Bettwieser, owner of Cygnet, LLC, to advocate for nearly 1,900 business community members in the metro area in her new role with the Boise Metro Chamber.

7. Boise named a “Best in Travel 2023” by Lonely Planet

EVENT WRAP UP

Business After Hours Trade Show

Sponsored by:

Start-Ups & Suds at Western Proper Featuring Cubby Paperless

Staff Holiday Lunch at Capitol Cellars

Business After Hours

2022 Holiday Reception with Elected Officials

Annual Legislative Forum Small Business of the Year & Chamber Excellence Awards

with Dr. Marlene

John Ondrasik

Mayor's State of the City Address

WELCOME NEW

Join Us In Welcoming Our

Accent Home Furniture & Design 3130 E. State St. Ste. 135 Eagle, ID 83616 (208) 938-3280 eaglefurniturestore.com

Batteries Plus Bulbs 2090 S. Cole Rd. Boise, ID 83709 (208) 672-1274 batteriesplus.com

Board and Brush Boise 6742 N. Glenwood St. Boise, ID 83714 (208) 912-8345 boardandbrush.com/boise

Chrysalis Women’s Transitional Living P.O. Box 7494 Boise, ID 83707 (208) 446-0972 chrysaliswomenidaho.org

Honey Badger Creative 609 W. Main St. Boise, ID 83702 (208) 243-8891 wearehoneybadgercreative.com

Spirit Airlines, Inc. 2800 Executive Way Miramar, FL 33025 spirit.com

Jacob Jarvis Orthodontics 6000 S. Quamash Wy. Boise, ID 83716 (208) 383-0100 jarvisortho.com

Matlack’s 1100 W. Front St. Boise, ID 83702 (208) 336-2561 matlacksboise.com

My Trusted HR Meridian, ID (208) 371-1702 mytrustedhr.com

The STIL Boise Bench 13 S. Latah St., Ste. 101 Boise, ID 83705 (208) 992-7046 ilovethestil.com

The STIL Downtown Caldwell Indian Creek Plaza 712 Arthur St. Caldwell, ID 83605 ilovethestil.com

The STIL Southeast Boise Harris Ranch

3724 S. Eckert Rd. Boise, ID 83716 ilovethestil.com

Lumio Solar Boise, ID (208) 914-0872 lumio.com

North End Pizza 1513 N. 13th St. Boise, ID 83702 (208) 345-5669 northendpizzaboise.com

Northwest Building Systems 405 E. Boeing Ln. Boise, ID 83716 (208) 344-3527 nwbsinc.com

Creative Realities, Inc. Meridian, ID (925) 984-9715 cri.com

Prost Boise 274 N. 8th St. Boise, ID 83702 (208) 336-9395 prostboise.com/main

October-November

The Harmony Group

P.O. Box 2657 Eagle, ID 83616 (208) 261-1062 harmonygroup.io

Top Shelf Business Consulting 9892 E. Hwy. 21 Boise, ID 83716 (208) 515-6871 topshelf.coach

Treasure Valley SCORE 380 E. ParkCenter Blvd. Ste. 330, Boise, ID 83706 (208) 509-5301 treasurevalley.score.org

McKendall Communications

624 W. Beeson St. Ste. D-B74 Boise, ID 83706 (310) 991-6737 mckendall.com

CTG Idaho 2210 S. Broadway Ave. Ste. 2210B, Boise, ID 83706 (208) 922-7010

NEW MEMBERS!

October-November New Members

Green’s Market

1100 W. Idaho St. Ste. 110 Boise, ID 83702 (208) 935-0401 greensmarketboise.com

Jersey Mike’s Fairview

7166 W. Fairview Ave. Boise, ID 83704 (951) 973-8716 jerseymikes.com

Lone Sage Enterprises 13070 Ditto Creek Rd. Mountain Home, ID 83647 (208) 964-6490 lonesagellc.com

Peak Chiropractic

483 N. Dresden Pl. Ste. 103 Garden City, ID 83714 (208) 901-0327 boisepeakchiropractic.com

Scott Hedrick

Construction, Inc. 1154 N. Orchard St. Boise, ID 83706 (208) 345-5800 scotthedrick.com

Idaho Towncar

1775 W. State St. Ste. 360 Boise, ID 83702 (208) 871-6900 idahotowncar.com

Topgolf

1050 S. Silverstone Way Meridian, ID 83642 (986) 210-1246 topgolf.com

Western Peaks Logistics

1445 W. Commerce Ave. Ste. 140 Boise, ID 83705 (208) 384-0472 westernpeakslogistics.com

Wittmeyer & Associates, LLC

407 W. Jefferson St. Boise, ID 83702 (208) 871-3885

(Above) Event sponsors and new Boise Metro Chamber members pose for photos at the Arid Club during the President’s Reception for New Members on November 8, 2022.

10/6: Boise Health Haus

Arthur Murray Dance Studio

Wassmuth Center for Human Rights Sign the Beam Celebration

Upcoming

Chamber annually welcomes the State Legislature to Boise with a major event focusing on our legislative priorities and the economy of the Boise metro area.