Metro Connection | January-February 2024 | Vol. 76 No. 1

THE

METRO CONNECTION Keeping up with Boise

Top Ten Of 2023 BUSINESS STORIES OF THE YEAR

CEO Speaker Series BOBBI-JO CHATS WITH JESS FLYNN

A Year of Gratitude THANK YOU TO OUR ‘23 SPONSORS

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January/February 2024

ADVOCACY UPDATE

2024 EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Dan Price, Mountain West Bank, Chair Garrett Lofto, J.R. Simplot Company, Chair-Elect Odette Bolano, Trinity Health, Past Chair Tom Van Hemelryck, WaFd Bank, Treasurer Matt Walters, Elam & Burke, Of Counsel Emily Baker, Portman Square Group, At-Large Rebecca Hupp, Boise Airport, At-Large Gerald Hunter, Idaho Housing & Finance, At-Large Bobbi-Jo Meuleman, Boise Metro Chamber, President & CEO

2024 BOARD OF DIRECTORS Adam Richins, Idaho Power Company April Arnzen, Micron Technology, Inc. Chris Roth, St. Luke’s Health System Cord Christensen, PetIQ Erin Anderson, Idaho Botanical Gardens Fran Malecha, Amalgamated Sugar Company Hart Gilchrist, Intermountain Gas Jeff Newgard, Bank of Idaho Jennifer Swindell, Idaho Ed News Jesse Mix, Boise VA Medical Center/OR ANG, Leadership Boise President Jessica Hagan, KTVB Jim Shipman, Colliers International Jodi Whittaker, KDP Certified Public Accountants, LLP John Colgrove, Albertsons Companies Kelly Olson, Western States Equipment Laura Kendall, Velma V. Morrison Center for the Performing Arts Michael Ballantyne, TOK Commercial Real Estate Mike Smith, Lamb Weston Nate Brazier, Stinker Stores Neil Nelson, E.S.I. Paul Zurlo, Blue Cross of Idaho Rachel Flachbart Sladek, Idaho Association for the Education of Young Children, BYP Chair (Ex-Officio) Todd Gill, United Heritage Tom Mortell, Hawley Troxell

COVER PHOTO: CHAD CASE VISUALS 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. Copyright © Boise Metro Chamber, 2024.

All Rights Reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited. Periodical postage paid at Boise, Idaho, 83707.

Stay up-to-date on your city and state's government affairs Written by: Tori Thomas - Community and Government Affairs Manager Dear Readers, As we approach the upcoming Legislative session, the Chamber is looking forward to working with our lawmakers and partners to advocate for the needs and priorities of business.

With over 2,000 members, our collective mission is to promote a thriving business environment and contribute to the economic well-being of our state. To achieve this, our legislative priorities span a range of industries crucial to Idaho’s growth and prosperity, including transportation, healthcare, economic development, education, workforce and tourism. As members of the Boise Chamber, your engagement is crucial to the success of these advocacy efforts. We encourage you to stay informed, participate in our advocacy events, and communicate with your elected representatives to emphasize the importance of these legislative priorities.

Our annual Legislative Forum will be hosted on January 10th 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, “Idaho’s Economic Landscape.”

Attendees will hear from Co-Chairs of the Joint Finance Appropriations Committee and members of the Boise Metro Chamber on what they are seeing for the economic landscape in Idaho and the Treasure Valley, as well as what the year has in store. Visit www.boisechamber. org to learn more and register!

It is important for us to know the challenges you are facing. Please do not hesitate to contact us so we can address those needs and help work towards solutions.

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

BECOME A 2024 CHAMBER

AMBASSADOR!

TO LEARN MORE, CONTACT teresa kirkmire TKIRKMIRE@BOISECHAMBER.ORG

Sign up here:

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: Bobbi-Jo Meuleman, President & CEO

SPONSORED BY:

Amber Hawton-Hill Boise Metro Chamber Senior Marketing & Communications Manager ahawtonhill@boisechamber.org

METRO CONNECTION - JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2024

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DECEMBER 12 CEO SPEAKER SERIES FEATURING:

BOBBI-JO MEULEMAN

On Tuesday, December 12th, guests who attended the Boise Metro Chamber’s CEO Speaker Series heard from the Chamber’s new President and CEO, Bobbi-Jo Meuleman. The event featured a fireside chat hosted by Jess Flynn, Founder and CEO of Red Sky and it was presented by Bank of America.

During the interview, Flynn asked Meuleman to describe leadership.

She replied that she believes being a leader means, “guiding the ship...It takes someone to make the decisions, elevate others around them, and give them tools to succeed.”

Meuleman elaborated that her vision for leading the Boise Metro Chamber is to continue facilitating its great work with the same enthusiasm as her predecessor. She plans on retaining and growing a strong membership base by deep-diving into what members find most valuable through listening and implementing surveys.

Her goal is for the Chamber to become a beneficial partner through community engagement, advocacy, and support. She plans on working closely with all Chambers here in the Treasure Valley as well as fellow community groups.

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NEW PRESIDENT & CEO, BOISE METRO CHAMBER

“

Many businesses across Idaho are facing the same issues such as workforce, housing, and transportation.

By narrowing in on what we can handle locally, through partnerships across the valley, we the community can take care of it.

”

PRESENTED BY:

Read the Full Blog & View Photos

BOBBI-JO MEULEMAN

METRO CONNECTION - JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2024

METRO CONNECTION - JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2024

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METRO CONNECTION - JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2024

PHOTO CORNER OCTOBER - NOVEMBER 2023

View Event Photos and Blogs

10/26 Hilton Garden Inn Boise Downtown hosted a Business After Hours trade show.

11/9 - Bank of Idaho welcomed guests to network over food and drinks & to see their renovated branch during Business After Hours.

11/30 - Mayors, the Governor, school board members, commissioners, state officials and more attended our Holiday Reception for Elected Officials.

10/25 - Corey Smith, of Tribute Media, explains The Buyer’s Journey during a Business Education Series about SEO.

11/21 - United States Senator Jim Risch Spoke to Boise Chamber Members during the Congressional Forum.

11/21 - Members of our staff had an exclusive opportunity to be among the first to experience a hard hat tour of Hotel Renegade.

11/11 - Our small but mighty crew pitched in to help during Rake Up Boise™ Day.

10/19 - Our team paused to enjoy a delicious lunch at The Warehouse Food Hall in Downtown Boise during a long day of prepping for our Annual Gala.

METRO CONNECTION - JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2024

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thank you to our

2023 PRESENTING SPONSORS

The Boise Metro Chamber would like to thank our wonderful Chamber member sponsors, whose generosity made our 2023 lineup of events possible. We hope you are looking forward to 2024's events as much as we are!

To sponsor a Boise Metro Chamber event, email: Teresa Kirkmire: tkirkmire@boisechamber.org

Annual Legislative Forum

President's Reception for New Members

Start-Ups & Suds

Annual Leadership Conference

Boise Mayor's State of the City Address

Dr. Tromp’s Address to the Business Community

Leadership Boise Alumni Reunion & Graduation

Small Business of the Year & Chamber Excellence Awards

Operation Thank You

Annual Golf Classic

CEO Speaker Series

Governor's Address to the Boise Metro Chamber

Congressional Forums

BYP Celebration & YP Awards

140th Annual Gala Featuring Ashley Campbell

Holiday Reception with Elected Officials

Chamber Day at Bogus Basin

YP Development Summit

Visit Boise Rose Awards

BVEP Economic Summit

®

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METRO CONNECTION - JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2024

WELCOME OCTOBER & Acero Boards & Bottles (208) 801-6896 | 801 W. Main St., Ste. 107 Boise, ID 83702 aceroidaho.com

Idaho Mining Association (208) 859-1961 P.O. Box 1660, Boise, ID 83701 mineidaho.com

Athletes Elite (208) 631-8816 | 305 S. Federal Way, Ste. A Boise, ID 83705

The Idaho Shirt Company (208) 634-5850 600 N. Steelhead Way Boise, ID 83704 | idahoshirts.com

Boise Young Entrepreneurs (208) 440-3259 | 1524 S. Riverstone Ln. Ste. 201, Boise, ID 83706 Exyte (986) 230-1699 | 1120 S. Rackham Way Meridian, ID 83642 | exyte.net The Farm (208) 995-5703 5137 N. Glenwood St. Garden City, ID 83714 hefarmboise.com Friends of the Boise Public Library (208) 972-8247 715 S. Capitol Blvd., Boise, ID 83702 friendsoftheboisepubliclibrary.org

Idaho Thinking Partners (208) 830-8697 | 161 E. Mallard Dr. Ste. 100 Boise, ID 83706 idahothinkingpartners.com Interfaith Sanctuary Housing Services, Inc. (208) 345-5815 1620 W. River St. Boise, ID 83702 Jackson Jet Center (Phoenix) (602) 273-3770 2710 | East Old Tower Rd Phoenix, AR 85034 jacksonjetcenter.com

Keller Williams Realty - Cathy Stewart Garibaldis Mexican Restaurant (208) 813-0651 | 1065 S. Allante Pl. (208) 370-5241 | 5697 N. Glenwood St. Boise, ID 83709 | cathystewart.kw.com Garden City, ID 83714 garibaldisgardencity.com Keller Williams Realty - Sherri Mulhaney Gem Website Designs (208) 703-5073 | Boise, ID (208) 398-9080 3154 Shellrock St. Kendall Auto Group* Emmett, ID 83617 3449 E. Copper Point Dr. gemwebsitedesigns.com Meridian, ID 83642

METRO CONNECTION - JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2024

Kendall Bronco Club 178 E. Overland Rd. Meridian, ID 83642 Kendall Commercial Service Center Boise, ID 83701 Lobby Idaho, LLC (208) 342-0777 | 800 W. Main St. Ste. 670, Boise, ID 83702 lobbyidaho.com

phRMA (612) 313-2620 333 S. Seventh St., Ste. 2250 Minneapolis, MN 55402 | phrma.org Primary Health Medical Group* primaryhealth.com

Meridian Crossroads (208) 895-86703 | 280 E. Lanark Dr. Meridian, ID 83642

Broadway (208) 345-1222 | 1907 S. Broadway Ave. Boise, ID 83706

Nampa (208) 466-6567 | 700 Caldwell Blvd.

Nampa, ID 83686

Caldwell City of Meridian (208) 455-3545 | 4815 Cleveland Blvd.

(208) 888-4433 | Caldwell, ID 83605 33 E. Broadway Ave., Meridian, ID 83642 meridiancity.org Chinden & Linder (208) 809-2860 | 1900 W. Chinden Blvd.

Meuleman Law Group Meridian, ID 83646 (208) 472-0066 950 W. Bannock St., Ste. 490 Cole & Fairview Boise, ID 83702 | meulemanlaw.com (208) 809-2880 | 1475 N. Cole Rd. Boise, ID 83704 Michener Investments LLP (208) 336-3202 | 106 N. 6th St. Downtown Ste. 206, Boise, ID 83702 (208) 472-9082 | 300 W. Myrtle St. michenerinvestments.com Boise, ID 83702 Mollerup Creative Strategies (208) 447-1358 P.O. Box 8241, Boise, ID 83707 mollerupcreativestrategies.com Montessori Academy - Barber Station (208) 510-6003 | 3110 E. Barber Valley Dr. Boise, ID 83716 montessoriacademyidaho.com

Meridian (208) 888-9393 | 1648 NW 1st St. Meridian, ID 83642

Eagle (208) 939-8200 | 1895 E. McGrath Rd. Eagle, ID 83616 Garden City (208) 809-2865 | 5601 W. Chinden Blvd.

Garden City, ID 83714 Kuna (208) 809-2885 | 1474 N. Meridian Rd. Kuna, ID 83634

Nampa Garrity (208) 809-2869 | 1375 N. Happy Valley Rd., Nampa, ID 83687 North Caldwell (208) 809-2875 | 512 N. 21st Avenue Caldwell, ID 83605 Orchard (208) 472-5050 4971 W. Overland Rd. Boise, ID 83705 Overland & Maple Grove (208) 378-4288 | 8971 W. Overland Rd. Boise, ID 83709 Pediatrics & Pediatric Urgent Care (208) 377-4400 3280 E. Lanark Dr. Meridian, ID 83642 South Meridian (208) 489-1450 | 1623 S. Wells Ave. Meridian, ID 83642

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NOVEMBER MEMBERS! South Nampa (208) 498-1080 | 1115 12th Avenue Rd. Nampa, ID 83686 State Street (208) 344-7799 | 6052 W. State St. Boise, ID 83703 Ten Mile (208) 809-2872 | 260 S. Ten Mile Rd.Meridian, ID 83642 Victory & Cole (208) 809-2888 7350 W. Victory Rd., Boise, ID 83709 West Boise (208) 378-8011 11197 W. Fairview Ave., Boise, ID 83713 Region IV Development (208) 403-2403 5465 E. Tera Linda Way Nampa, ID 83687 | rivda.org Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory Meridian (208) 869-0793 | 6097 N. Ten Mile Rd., Ste. 140 Meridian, ID 83646 Serengeti Care (208) 770-0566 5257 Fairview Ave., Ste. 220 Boise, ID 83706 | serengeticare.com Sol Authority (702) 271-4216 | Eagle, ID solauthority.net

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The Speedy Foundation (208) 471-8904 | 800 W. Main St., Ste. 1460 Boise, ID 83702 mentallycovered.org Strike Advisory LLC (208) 252-5444 121 N. 9th St., Ste. 101 Boise, ID 83702 | striketax.com Sullivan & Reberger (208) 344-9514 802 W. Bannock St. Ste. 1001 Boise, ID 83702 | idaho-politics.com Talentpair.com (208) 388-3534 | 755 W. Front St. Ste. 200, Boise, ID 83702 talentpair.com Tavolàta (208) 445-9550 524 W. Grove St., Boise, ID 83702 ethanstowellrestaurants.com/ restaurants/tavolata-boise The Personnel Perspective (707) 576-7653 131A Stony Circle Ste. 505 Santa Rosa, CA 95401 personnelperspective.com Umpqua Bank (208) 926-6310 | 190 N. 8th St. Boise, ID 83702 | umpquabank.com ABC Stamp Company (208) 375-4470 | 407 N. Orchard St. Boise, ID 83706 | abcstamp.com

Airbnb (855) 424-7262 | 888 Brannon St. San Francisco, CA 94103 | airbnb.com

Gamed Up LLC (208) 850-6284 | Boise, ID gamed-up.com

Amazon Fulfillment Center BOI2* 5295 E. Franklin Rd., Nampa, ID 83687 amazon.com

The Hoff Building (208) 344-7777 802 W. Bannock St., Ste. 1400 Boise, ID 83702

Ball Ventures (208) 523-3794 2194 Snake River Parkway, Ste. 300 Idaho Falls, ID 83402 ballventures.com

Idaho Automobile Dealers Association (208) 853-4668 223 N. 6th St., Ste. 100 Boise, ID 83702 | idahoada.org

Boise River Outdoor Opportunities, LLC (208) 519-2070 412 E. 51st St. Garden City, ID 83714 boiseriveroutdoor.com

Idaho Energy Innovations (208) 918-1190 3313 W. Cherry Ln., Ste. 436 Meridian, ID 83642 idahoenergyinnovations.com

CVC Capital Partners (208) 890-9992 101 S. Capitol Blvd. Ste. 1203 Boise, ID 83702 | cvc.com

Idaho Potato Drop (208) 890-0030 3131 W. State St., Ste. 150 Boise, ID 83703 idahopotatodrop.com

DaBella Boise (541) 701-1088 10095 W. Emerald St., Ste. 100 Boise, ID 83704 | dabella.com El-Ada, Inc. (208) 377-0700 | 701 E. 44th St. Garden City, ID 83714 el-adacap.org Fast Lane Indoor Kart Racing (208) 321-1166 10243 W. Fairview Ave. Boise, ID 83704 | fastlaneboise.com

Les Schwab Tire Centers (208) 258-3767 10784 W. Lake Hazel Rd. Boise, ID 83709 | lesschwab.com Meridian Development Group DBA Fresh Coat Painting (423) 316-5355 13967 W. Wainwright Dr. Ste. 104, Boise, ID 83713 freshcoatpainters.com/location/boise

Mother Earth Brew Co., LLC (208) 866-5464 406 S. 3rd St., Boise, ID 83702 motherearthbrewco.com Mountain Pacific Commercial Mortgage (208) 489-1521 | 225 N. 9th St. Ste. 530, Boise, ID 83702 mpcmllc.com Premio Services Inc. (208) 995-1966 P.O. Box 5604, Boise, ID 83709 premioservices.com Proletariat Wine Company (208) 866-3399 106 E. 36th St., Boise, ID 83714 proletariatwines.com Rocky Mountain Packaging (208) 342-0016 3214 E. Amity Rd., Boise, ID 83716 rockymtnpackaging.com Swift Transformation Inc. (208) 369-2955 784 S. Clearwater Loop, Ste. R Post Falls, ID 83854 moveswiftly.ai Thrive Chiropractic (208) 345-2222 2404 S. Orchard St., Ste. 800 Boise, ID 83705 thrivechiropracticboise.com *= Board of Advisor Level

METRO CONNECTION - JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2024

OCTOBER - NOVEMBER

RIBBON CUTTINGS SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR RIBBON CUTTING SPONSOR:

10/2 Zions Bank

10/18 Dollar Loan Center

10/18 North End Storage

10/18 Stina Face Beauty Labs

10/18 The Farm

10/25 Montessori Academy

10/25 My Place Hotel

10/26 Giraffe Laugh Ground Breaking

10/27 Frontier Credit Union

11/9 Interior Environments

11/9 Tavolata

11/16 El-Ada Community Action Partnership

11/17 Serengeti Care

11/28 Idaho Community Foundation

INTERESTED IN HOSTING A RIBBON CUTTING EVENT FOR YOUR BUSINESS? CONTACT TERESA KIRKMIRE: TKIRKMIRE@BOISECHAMBER.ORG METRO CONNECTION - JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2024

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BOARD OF ADVISORS

"THE MOST INFLUENTIAL BOARD OF BUSINESS LEADERS IN IDAHO"

SCAN TO LEARN ABOUT THE BENEFITS OF BEING A BOISE METRO CHAMBER BOARD OF ADVISOR AND TO DISCOVER IF YOUR BUSINESS IS ELIGIBLE:

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METRO CONNECTION - JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2024

JAN. 10

Periodical POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID 83707 USPS 227-520

Upcoming Events LEGISLATIVE FORUM 11:45 AM @ BOISE CENTRE EAST The 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.

2024 ROSE AWARDS 6-9 PM @ TREEFORT MUSIC HALL The ROSE Awards (Recognition of Service Excellence) are presented by Visit Boise to honor employees in the tourism and hospitality industry who positively enhance a visitor’s experience during their stay in the Boise area.

Newsletter Printing Partner:

SCAN FOR OUR FULL LIST OF UPCOMING EVENTS!

10 AM-4:30 PM @ BOGUS BASIN Join us for our annual Chamber Day, and show Bogus Basin that you believe in their mission of providing affordable, accessible, and fun year-round recreation & education for our community!

BOISE METRO CONNECTION P.O. BOX 2368 BOISE, ID 83701

APR. 29

FEB. 8

CHAMBER DAY AT BOGUS