Mining has historically been a top industry in Idaho. With one of the best mineral endowments in the country for rare earth elements, it is no wonder that publicly traded and community-minded Idaho Strategic Resources has called Idaho home for decades. The company is led by John Swallow, who joined the company eight years ago…
Posted in Commerce, Success Story
When it comes to providing night vision solutions in the aviation industry, few companies compare to Aviation Specialties Unlimited (ASU). A leader in a niche market, ASU provides night vision imaging systems for first responders, training for pilots and crews to operate the goggles safely and modifications for aircraft to make them compatible with the…
Posted in Commerce, Company Spotlight, International, Success Story
The Singapore Air Trade Show is one of the largest aerospace and defense trade shows in the world. Nearly 13,000 people attended the show from more than 64 countries. Idaho companies that attended were able to meet with industry, government and military delegations from around the world. Four Idaho companies participated in the show: Aerocet,…
Posted in Commerce, Communities, International, Success Story
During the pandemic, many children in Lincoln County had to sit on the steps in front of the Richfield Library to complete homework. In fact, a survey conducted by the county found that nearly 50% of students did not have internet access in their homes. Rebecca Wood, commissioner for Lincoln County, saw this struggle in…
Posted in Broadband, Commerce, Communities, Success Story
Housing for workforce is a problem affecting nearly every city in the United States. St. Maries, located in Benewah County, with a population of a little more than 3,000 residents, is no different. Beginning nearly five years ago, Alex Barta, a Rural ED Pro and executive director of the Greater St. Joe Development Foundation (Timber…
Posted in Commerce, Communities, Success Story
Idaho Commerce is accepting applications for the Idaho Gem Grant now. Eligible applicants are limited to city and county governments. The project must be in a city with a population of no more than 10,000 or an unincorporated community. Some of the projects eligible for this program include infrastructure and utility enhancements, public facility improvements and…
Posted in Commerce, Communities
Following a $50,000 Gem Grant, the City of Heyburn was able to upgrade the sewer line at their industrial park, allowing the city to retain Worldwide Dehydrated Foods, a subsidiary of the Mart Group, one of the most sophisticated fresh packed potato suppliers in the United States. Mart Group is an Idaho company owned and…
Posted in Commerce, Communities, Success Story
Support Local Gems this holiday season! and the Idaho Department of Commerce today announced the third annual Support Local Gems: All Season Long initiative. Support Local Gems: All Season Long is a holiday revival of the statewide Support Local Gems public awareness campaign that encourages Idahoans to support the small businesses that make Idaho special. Throughout the month of December,…
Posted in Commerce, Communities
Last week, the Idaho Department of Commerce, Idaho Commission for Libraries and the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), along with other state partners, held the Internet for All: Idaho Local Coordination Workshop. This day-and-a-half-long workshop was a success with nearly 200 stakeholders from the federal, state and local governments, tribal communities, industry and other…
Idaho Commerce is happy to announce the hiring of the state’s new Broadband Program Manager, Ramón S. Hobdey-Sánchez, who started last month. “We are excited to welcome Ramón to the Idaho Commerce team,” Idaho Department of Commerce Director Tom Kealey said. “Ramón brings a range of experience and expertise that make him an excellent fit…
