2022 EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Emily Baker, Portman Square Group, Chair Odette Bolano, Saint Alphonsus, Chair Elect Tom Mortell, Hawley Troxell, Past-Chair Dan Price, Mountain West Bank, Treasurer Matt Walters, Elam & Burke Of Counsel Joel Poppen, Micron Technologies Inc., At-Large Gerald Hunter, Idaho Housing & Finance, At-Large Rebecca Hupp, Boise Airport, At-Large Bill Connors, Boise Metro Chamber, President & CEO
2022 BOARD OF DIRECTORS Bill Avey, HP Inc. Laura Cobb, Citi Katie Gaston, Givelify, BYP Chair (Ex-Officio) Todd Gill, United Heritage Kate Eldridge, HDR Jessica Hagan, KTVB Garrett Lofto, J.R. Simplot Company Scott Madison, Intermountain Gas Company Charlene Maher, Blue Cross of Idaho John McCreedy, Amalgamated Sugar Susan Morris, Albertsons Companies LeAnn Naillon, Telos Coaching & Consulting, LB President (Ex-Officio) Jeff Newgard, Bank of Idaho Kelly Olson, Western States Equipment Kent Oram, Idaho Central Credit Union Grant L. Petersen Jr., Bronco Motors Joel Poppen, Micron Technology, Inc. Adam Richins, Idaho Power Company Jim Shipman, Colliers International Jeff Taylor, St. Luke’s Health System Kim Tower, Pacific Source Tom Van Hemelryck, WaFd Bank Tom Werner, Lamb Weston Jodi Whittaker, KDP, LLP Brad Wilson, Bogus Basin
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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 Taylor McAdams Boise Metro Chamber Communications Manager
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M E E TKathleen O U Godfrey R A |MACHDB Commuteride ASSADORS What is your favorite film? Out of Africa What is the best book you’ve read recently? Vardis Fishers Boise Who is the most interesting historical figure? Nellie Bly What is your favorite place in Boise to take a visitor? The Capital What is the number one reason to do business with your company or organization? We care about our community, value all opinions and we are extremely knowledgeable in transportation infrastructure and Traffic Demand Management. Plus we are lead by the BEST in the industry! What is the best advise you have received? Listen then speak.
T h a n k Yo u t o O u r
APPLICATIONS FOR 2022 AMBASSADORS ARE NOW BEING ACCEPTED! If you are interested in becoming an ambassador and would like more information, please contact Teresa Kirkmire at tkirkmire@boisechamber.org
COLLEGE OF BUSINESS
Program Sponsor!
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METRO CONNECTION
HOLIDAY RECEPTION WITH ELECTED OFFICIALS
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HANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS
he Boise Metro Chamber hosted elected officials from around the state during its annual Holiday Reception with Elected Officials Dec. 1 at Boise Centre East. More than 100 elected officials and guests, from Idaho Gov. Brad Little and state legislators to local mayors and city council members, attended the event. According to Boise Metro Chamber President & CEO Bill Connors, the reception provides an opportunity for the business community to personally express their gratitude for the work public servants do. ur holiday reception is intended to show appreciation to all of Idaho’s elected officials,” said Connors. “They have been charged with making some very tough decisions this past year, but we want them to know the business community appreciates their efforts and their service to our state and our communities.”
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ADVOCACY UPDATE Stay up to date on your city and state’s government affairs!
Dear Members, Many waited with bated breath when the legislature reconvened in mid November. There were some concerns about the “rock” of the federal vaccine mandate, coming with a “hard place” from the state legislature, restricting state employees from assisting entrepreneurs with mandate compliance. Fortunately, neither the rock nor the hard place materialized. Currently injunctions have been passed against the federal mandate because of lawsuits like those supported by Governor Little and like minded states. Idaho’s state senators anticipated these results and did not advance the “hard place” legislation sent from the house. We continue to monitor the situation. In other news, the Chamber is excited to announce two new ways that members can keep up with policy and business affairs. Government Affairs will host the Idaho Cutthroat Business Podcast, as well as a bill tracking program called Advocacy in Action. Both will be a weekly offering. Advocacy in Action will break down bills that the chamber is
following during the legislative session on behalf of our membership. The Idaho Cutthroat Business Podcast will focus on conversations with both business and policy experts throughout the State of Idaho. We hope both will give you a better sense of the Chamber’s efforts to advocate for you.
- Jeremy Field
Senior Director of Government & Community Affairs
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METRO CONNECTION
WELCOME NEW
Join Us In Welcoming Our Octobe
AZEK Company 1001 E. Gowen Rd. Boise, ID 83716 www.azekco.com Avimor Development, LLC 18454 N. McLeod Wy. Boise, ID 83714 (208) 917-8455 www.avimor.com Bob Cleaners LLC (509) 993-1880 www.bobcleaners.com Chabad Jewish Center 1803 S. Maple Grove Rd. Boise, ID 83709 (208) 853-9200 www.jewishidaho.com
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College HUNKS Hauling Junk & Moving 2163 S. Centurion Pl. Boise, ID 83709 (208) 870-0953 www.collegehunkshaulingjunk. com/boise
Evolve Electric Bikes LLC 108 N. Latah St. Boise, ID 83706 (208) 563-0000 www.evbikesboise.com
Idaho Business For Education 877 W. Main St., Ste. 706 Boise, ID 83702 Coyne’s Restaurant & Bar (208) 287-0177 676 E. Riverside Dr. www.idahobe.org Eagle, ID 83616 (208) 609-5550 Idaho CPR Plus www.coynesrestaurant.com 3669 W. Wright St. Boise, ID 83705 Debbie McCormick (208) 614-2258 LinkedIn Consulting www.idahocprplus.com 2972 E. Parkcenter Blvd., Ste. 201 Boise, ID 83716 Lima One Capital (949) 416-3425 775 S. Rivershore Ln Ste.200 https://linkedinbosslady.com Eagle, ID 83616 (707) 772-7224 Dogwood Solutions www.limaone.com (208) 602-9079 www.dogwood.solutions
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EW MEMBERS!
tober-November New Members Mitchell Palmer 1150 W. State St., Ste. 200 Boise, ID 83702 (208) 576-3700 www.mitchellpalmer.com
Simply LEDs 111 W. 34th St. Boise, ID 83714 (208) 344-7533 www.simplyleds.com
Western Collective 111 W. 33rd St. Garden City, ID 83714 (208) 999-0101 www.westerncollective.beer
Milan Institute 9050 W. Overland Rd Ste 200 Boise, ID 83709 (208) 965-8140 www.milaninstitute.com
Strike Advisory LLC 121 N. 9th St., Ste. 101 Boise, ID 83702 (208) 252-5444 www.striketax.com
Western Proper 610 W. Idaho St. Boise, ID 83702 (208) 995-6489 www.westernproper.com
Ohlins for Less-Mitchell Berger 4812 W. Hillside Ave. Boise, ID 83703 (310) 947-2297
Tesla 2592 S. Beverly St., Bldg. B, Ste. 126 Boise, ID 83709 (208) 202-3150 www.tesla.com
Wolverton Chiropractic 1416 W. Washington St. Boise, ID 83702 (208) 781-9395 www.wolvertonchiropractic.com
PlexTrac, Inc. 816 W. Bannock St., Ste. 400 Boise, ID 83702 (208) 274-5322 https://www.plextrac.com PuzzleHR 1319 N. 6th St. Boise, ID 83702 (208) 992-4830 www.puzzlehr.com
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TruHit Fitness 7546 W. State St. Boise, ID 83714 (208) 510-0528 www.truhitfitness.com/northboise
WSP USA Inc. 1444 S. Entertainment Ave. Boise, ID 83709 (206) 382-5200 www.wsp.com
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LEADERSHIP CONFERE
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CO-SPONSORS
“When our chapter is written as leaders, don’t we want the narrative to end with creating a community our children want to move back to and live, work, and play in?” - Steve Scruggs
reasure Valley business leaders, elected officials from around the state, and experts from across the nation converged in Sun Valley Nov. 7-9 for Boise Metro Chamber’s Leadership Conference. The annual conference returned to the Sun Valley Inn after a 2-year hiatus. The Chamber’s last leadership conference was held in April 2019. The 2021 conference was postponed due to conditions surrounding COVID-19 in Idaho and the Chamber’s focus on ensuring the safety of its members and employees. The theme of this year’s conference was “All Things real Estate: Commercial, Industrial, and Residential.” e are very thankful that we were able to meet in “ person this fall,” said BMC’s Vice President, Member Services Sandy Anderson. “There were just so many great speakers and valuable conversations that we were able to take part in. That face-to-face interaction is invaluable when you’re discussing shared challenges and possible solutions with a group from such diverse professional and political backgrounds.”
SPONSORS
ALL THINGS REAL ESTATE
ERENCE
PRESENTING SPONSOR
Steve Scruggs from Lakeland, FL., Delivered the Keynote Address Scruggs is the executive director of the Lakeland Economic Development Council, a private non-profit organization operating in a city similar to Boise in size and experiencing many of the same challenges when it comes to its rapid growth, including a dwindling housing inventory and land availability.
Another shared challenge is businesses’ ability to recruit talent. Economic development professionals who continue to focus solely on recruiting new industry and helping existing businesses expand are doomed to fail in an era where unemployment levels are low and talented workers are hard to come by, said Scruggs. But attracting talent isn’t as easy as putting an ad in the classifieds any more. Instead, he said, government and private sector leaders need to collaborate to create or enhance other amenities job seekers are looking for. Housing availability, mass transit options, public education ratings, outdoor recreation opportunities, and cultural diversity are all factors that talented professionals consider when contemplating their next move.
SPONSORS
In the end, said Scruggs, it comes down to asking oneself what lists your city or region should be the top of. In addition, Scruggs touted creating partnerships with commercial realtors and giving breaks on impact fees for developers who create many jobs as catalysts for meeting the needs of both employers and potential employees as his city’s growth continues.
CO-SPONSORS
Scrugg’s message set the stage for the conversations that followed during the remainder of the conference. Mayors, developers, CEOs and business leaders addressed opportunities and challenges facing our communities, while in-depth breakout discussions laid the foundation for continued analysis and action to resume when the conference returns to its traditional springtime schedule in 2022. Stay tuned for details!
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METRO CONNECTION
NOVEMBER
RIBBON
CUTTINGS
Luminaire Smart Homes
Treasure Valley smart home and home theater specialists, also offering security, lighting design, and commercial audio solutions.
Plex Trac Supercharging the efforts of cybersecurity teams in the battle against attackers.
Montessori Academy
Following the teaching philosophy of Maria Montessori through a wellprepared environment that meets the needs and challenges of all children. SPONSORED BY METRO CONNECTION
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COMMITTEES AND COUNCILS
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he Boise Metro Chamber is a business and community advocate. You may get more involved in current trends and issues by joining a board, committee, or council where you’ll have the opportunity to learn from others and share your experiences. Joining a committee or council is a great way to build relationships and get more out of your membership. Meetings are open to committee or council members only and are free to all Chamber members.
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mall Business Advisory Council provides strategic direction and collaboration with our Chamber small business members. The committee provides valuable educational content and relevant discussions for small businesses. The committee’s members also advise and support the Chamber in improving the economic vitality of the Valley. Meets 4th Tuesday of every month.
If you are interested in joining a committee, council or industry board and would like more information, please contact Tori Thomas at tthomas@boisechamber.org
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ducation/ Workforce committee identifies best practices by connecting the education and the business communities; promoting relevance in education by forming partnerships; and advocating for educational policies that result in an efficient and effective transfer of skills from the classroom to the workplace. Meets 3rd Tuesday of every month.
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onprofit Council convenes nonprofit Chamber members to share best practices, network with each other, and provide input on Chamber programs and services geared to nonprofit members. We also pick nonprofit members to tour their facilities and learn more about how we can better support them. Meets every other month on the 3rd Wednesday.
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ransportation Committee ensures the Boise Metro area has an efficient transportation system to facilitate economic development by prioritizing projects needed to improve our area’s infrastructure. They participate in the planning process of local, state, and federal agencies, and have working relationships with the Boise Airport, Valley Regional Transit, the Ada County Highway District and the Idaho Transportation Department. Meets 3rd Thursday of every month.
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Periodical POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID 83707 USPS 227-520
Legislative Forum BOISE CENTRE 850 W. FRONT ST. BOISE, ID 83702 This in-person luncheon will feature experts from the four major parts of the infrastructure bill: roads/bridges, water/ wastewater, broadband, and public transit. Join us January 13th at 11:45AM to 1:15PM. For more information scan QR code on left!
Business After Hours
HENDRICKS COMMERCIAL PROPERTIES 1109 W. MAIN ST. (PENTHOUSE) BOISE, ID 83702
Chamber Day at Bogus Basin 2600 BOGUS BASIN RD. BOISE, ID 83702
Bogus Basin will continue the tradition of hosting the Boise Metro Chamber Members with a day of skiing or snowboarding at the local nonprofit recreation area. For more information scan QR code on left!
Newsletter Printing Partner:
Kick off the new year with Hendricks Commercial Properties. Join us at 5PM for great city view, networking, and delicious catered hors d’oeuvres. For more information scan QR code on left!
BOISE METRO CONNECTION P.O. BOX 2368 BOISE, ID 83701
FEB. 10 JAN. 27 JAN. 13
Upcoming Events
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