Butte County Chamber of Commerce

Making the Most of Social Media Marketing Feb 15th: A free webinar for Idaho Farmers and Ranchers

2012-01-31T15:37:00.000-07:00

With over 800 million active users on Facebook alone, it's hard to deny the marketing potential of social media. However, for those new to using social media for marketing and business promotion purposes, it can be a complicated process to navigate. That is why the Idaho State Department of Agriculture is hosting a free Webinar (online meeting) to help small farms involved in direct marketing, farmers markets or agritourism, learn more about using these valuable and free marketing methods.

The webinar will feature speakers from Drake Cooper, a Boise based advertising agency with vast experience running marketing campaigns via social media. The participants who will benefit most from this webinar are those who have already established a Facebook page, have amassed a small audience and are now looking to understand current best practices and insights to get the most return from their efforts. However, those brand new to Facebook will also learn the basics of creating and using a business page. In additional to specific Facebook strategies and tactics, the webinar will also address other online tools and web ideas to consider integrating into a social media strategy.

With the growing popularity of social media and shrinking advertising budgets, it's imperative that those in agriculture learn how to effectively use this marketing tool. It's also a great opportunity to reach the general public with the true story of agriculture.

The Webinar will be hosted on Wednesday, February 15th at 1:00pm (MST) and is FREE to interested Idaho companies. Space is limited, so pre-registration is required.

To Register, contact Lacey Menasco at lacey.menasco@agri.idaho.gov or (208)332-8538. She will email the Webinar link and conference call login information to you.

2012-01-31T14:43:00.000-07:00

Draft Minutes

Butte County Chamber of Commerce

January 11, 2012

Deli Sandwich Shop

Call to Order
Steve @ 8:15 Breakfast served

Approval of the Agenda
Janet moved to approve agenda/ Chad second. Carried.

Attendance
Janet Thornock, Steve Streeper, Lanell Farmer, Rhonda Morris, Chad Cheyney, Richard Dean, Cheri Maynard, Mea Hayes, Amy Collins, Collette Atwood

Treasurers Report
According to Janet, there is $5,288 in the Fun Run Account, $1,700.79 in the Rodeo Account.

Old Business

Liability Insurance
Executive board will handle this Janet will talk with Chris Richards to see what liability insurance covers as far as activities involving alcohol.

Revision of the By-Laws and Articles of Incorporation
The next election of officers will be held May 2013. Rhonda will bring the update of officers and addresses to the next meeting.

New Business

Atomic Days
Atomic Days will be held the third weekend in July. This year the dates are July 20-22. A facebook page for Atomic Days was discussed. We already have a web page (atomicdays.org). The bill needs to be paid. We aren’t sure if the bill is for last year of the coming year.

Melinda is the Atomic Days Chairperson. Discussed whether to bring in a band or have a radio station there to play music, possibly Doug Hymas. We could use a flatbed truck or a trailer as a stage.

A street dance after the rodeo was discussed. It was decided that it would be in competition with the Mello-Dee Club and the idea was dropped.

The high school has, in the past, mapped out the booths for Atomic Days and received the revenue. There have been problems in the past with regard to location of certain booths. Steve would be willing to set the location of booths and collect the money. Someone will need to make callbacks and be available to show vendors where to set up and be available to help vendors with any needs they may have.

Since Atomic Days is a Chamber Sponsored event, we would like local businesses to be involved in the planning of Atomic Days. They will be invited to a planning meeting to see how we can best help them benefit from Atomic Days. Chad will find out if website bill is for last year or coming year.

Rhonda has talked to the city regarding power and will check into it further.
Chad will set up a doodle survey to see when most can attend an Atomic Days planning meeting.

Brain Storm Ideas for Arco Beautification
Richard suggested we talk to business owners about keeping their windows clean. Maybe keep a lit display so we look like we are in business.

Is the city counsel doing anything about commercial properties being kept up, especially on main street? Horizons has a clean up committee. Also ALRED was working on a grant to update the buildings faces on main street. We need to all be working together as proposed to individually.

Michelle to report on ALRED grant

Brain Storm Ideas for Shop at Home Program
A banner across the highway was discussed. There is a minimum height requirement over the state highway. We would also have the cost of installing poles in cement to hold the banner. Any sign would need to be approved by the DOT.

Steve presented an idea of a reader/light board. He had seen something similar at Christmas time in a small town. The board could say something like, “Spend a few minutes in Arco.” We can look into advertising on the school’s reader board. It is in need of repair. The chamber may be able to help with the cost of the repair if businesses can advertise there.

Light pole banners were discussed. The idea was well received. We can start with Atomic Days and possibly expand from there.

The Saturday Market seems to be the only business on Main Street open on a Saturday morning, with the exception of Lost River Drug.

Cheri and Amy reported that their open house for Perfect Shot Photography was not very well attended. It was discussed that advertising is very important and probably should have been in the newspaper for at least 2 weeks prior to the open house.

The idea of business coupons was discussed such as 10% off any item at Lost River Drug when you present a receipt from Crater of the Moon. We should help to promote each other.

Collette reported that when she was on travel for her work, there was a cable station advertising local events. She checked with her company and they can provide the cable channel. It could be a school to work program possibly hand in hand with the light board.

Chad presented the idea of Jr. Achievement to teach 8 1-hour classes. They can be taught in a variety of ways, possibly during the school day and in conjunction with the school to work idea.

Collette also reported that ATC would like to sponsor some kind of event with a hamburger fry. Possibly the Cancer Awarabration?

Chad said he received a call from a management company in Boise who is looking for a licensed contractor to visit a house in Moore that the bank owns and make sure it is being taken car of. No one at the meeting had any ideas of names to pass along.

Lanell to check with school to see if we can advertise on their light board and the cost of repair.

Mea can give us an idea of what the cost would be for the banners.

Family Dollar
Chad believes this is still moving forward.

Meeting Schedule and Location for 2012
We need to calendar the chamber meeting dates and locations for the year. This can be handled at the next meeting.

Adjourn
Chad moved to adjourn at 9:45/ Rhonda second.

2012-01-03T14:53:00.000-07:00

Credible Connections – An Outreach Opportunity for Your Organization!

What are the burning issues in your community? Economic Development? Jobs? Education?

The Idaho Commission for Libraries through its online @ your library grant project -- in collaboration with Idaho Department of Labor and Adult Basic Education/PTE -- will be hosting a 2-hour networking session in a community near you to connect with individuals who have resources to address those burning issues. Join in the conversation with your local library and get connected with the people and resources that will make a difference for your community.

Why? During the past year and a half, the Idaho Commission for Libraries has provided enhanced broadband connectivity and Public Computing Centers to rural communities throughout Idaho as well as provided access to a number of online resources for all Idahoans through their public and school libraries, such as LearningExpress Library and Scout. We are gathering great stories that address the positive impact these resources have had on people’s lives – enhancing educational and workforce development opportunities.

As with any project, connections and education are sustainability factors – and this one is no different. There are many initiatives surrounding education, job skill development, and economics that are available and it is our goal to connect community leaders with local and state resources, so they can take the next step toward achieving their goals.

You won’t want to miss this opportunity. Along with a resource packet filled with information and tools, you will meet individuals from other agencies and community groups who have a wide-range of projects in progress. Connect and identify how you might partner to further the economic development of Idaho communities. We will be holding door prize drawings for iPod Nana (8G) and a Wi-Fi Card.

Go to http://libraries.idaho.gov/credibleconnections for more information on locations, dates and registration. REGISTER TODAY – Space is limited.

Looking forward to meeting you!

Shirley
Shirley Biladeau
Continuing Education Consultant
Idaho Commission for Libraries
325 West State Street
Boise, Idaho 83702

208.639.4149 ~ shirley.biladeau@libraries.idaho.gov

12 Days of Christmas: Day 12 Lost River Fitness

2011-12-19T16:35:00.000-07:00

12 Days of Christmas: Day 11 The Western Store

2011-12-16T16:18:00.000-07:00

Chamber Meeting Wednesday December 21st!

2011-12-16T16:17:00.001-07:00

The Butte County Chamber of Commerce will hold their regular monlthyly buisness meeting on

Wednesday, December 21st, 2011

At 8:00 AM at Pickles Place in Arco

No-Host Breakfast will be available.

The featured business will be Absolute Therapy

owned and operated by Melinda Shodin and

located on Era Street in the back of the Arco Christian Church.

The 12 Days of Christmas: Day 10 Lost River Drug

2011-12-12T12:52:00.002-07:00

Got Broadband? Building Businesses on Rural Broadband Investments Dec 14

2011-12-09T18:18:00.000-07:00

Follow this link and the instructions in the left bar to access the webinar.

https://rurdev.webex.com/rurdev/j.php?ED=166646542&UID=0&PW=NMmViNjNjYzc3&RT=MiMxMQ%3D%3D

12 Days of Chrismas: Day 9 The Irrigation Center

2011-12-09T18:09:00.002-07:00

12 Days of Christmas: Day 8 The Galloping Goose

2011-12-08T13:35:00.000-07:00

12 Days of Christmas: Day 7 - The Spice of Life Bakery

2011-12-07T12:00:00.000-07:00

The 12 Days of Christmas: Day 6 - Perfect Shot Photography

2011-12-06T16:01:00.000-07:00

The 12 Days of Christmas: Day 5-The Wagon Wheel Motel

2011-12-05T09:46:00.000-07:00

12 Days of Christmas: the 4th Day- Absolute Therapy

2011-12-02T08:44:00.000-07:00

3rd Day of Christmas: DejavVu

2011-11-30T21:05:00.002-07:00

Day 2 of our 12 Days of Shopping

2011-11-29T08:57:00.000-07:00

12 Days of Lost River Shopping

2011-11-28T15:36:00.000-07:00

Growing Agrotourism in Idaho December 8th

2011-11-03T15:36:00.000-06:00

If you are involved in any sort of agricultural tourism, you won’t want to miss this one day workshop!

Featuring relevant topics, speakers with real world experience, and plenty of networking opportunities – there is truly something for everyone!

DATE: Thursday, December 8, 2011
LOCATION: Idaho State Dept. of Agriculture, 2270 Old Penitentiary Rd, Boise, ID 83712
TIME: 8:30-4:00
DEADLINE: Register by December 2. SPACE IS LIMITED.

Find complete registration information at the link below.
http://www.agri.idaho.gov/Categories/Marketing/Documents/registrationAGRITOURISM.pdf

AGENDA:
8:30 Registration
9:00 Welcome and group introductions
9:15 Making the Most of Agritourism Opportunities on YOUR Operation
Lacey Menasco, Idaho State Department of Agriculture
9:45 Making the Connection – Adding Agritourism to the Visitor’s Itinerary
Diane Norton, Idaho Department of Commerce Division of Tourism
10:15 Break
10:30 Sharing Agritourism Success
Farm Dinners: Josie Erskine, Peaceful Belly Farms
Entertaining Guests on the Farm: Ron Bitner, Bitner Vineyards
U-picks and Farm Stands: Fred Schreffler, The Berry Ranch
Diversifying the Experience to Increase Profits: Sherrie and Randy Feist, Linder Farms
11:30 Planning and Zoning
Diana Sanders, Ada County Development Services
12:00 Networking Lunch
Jim Toomey with the UI Food Tech Center will be available to discuss value-added food processing
The four “Success Story” speakers will each be hosting round table discussions
1:00 Getting the Right Insurance Coverage and Minimizing Risk
Stewart Hyndman, Hyndman Insurance
2:00 Introduction to Farm Loops
Lacey Menasco, Idaho State Department of Agriculture
2:15 Break
2:30 “Loop” Break-out Discussions by Region
(Sunny Slope, Emmet, Meridian/Kuna, other as needed)
3:30 Wrap Up and Evaluation
4:00 Adjourn

Find complete registration information at the link below.
http://www.agri.idaho.gov/Categories/Marketing/Documents/registrationAGRITOURISM.pdf

Lacey Menasco
Idaho State Department of Agriculture
Trade Specialist
2270 Old Penitentiary Rd.
Boise, ID 83712
(208)332-8538

EPA to Give Asbestos Compliance Workshops in Idaho in February

2011-11-02T10:17:00.001-06:00

Contact Information: Laurie Fay, (206) 553-1541, fay.laurie@epa.gov

Finding an accredited course is easy; please go to EPA’s website, which lists several accredited trainers at: http://epa.gov/lead/pubs/trainingproviders.htm.

If you have questions about the RRP rule or the certification process, you can visit EPA’s web site at www.epa.gov/lead or call the National Lead Information Center (NLIC) at 1-800-424-LEAD [5323].

Everyone is welcome, but to help us assess the number of attendees, please RSVP to reid.wallace@epa.gov

Chamber Variety Show Thursday!

2011-11-01T10:44:00.001-06:00

The Chamber of Commerce Variety Show and Recognition Program is coming up Thrusday at 7:00 PM. The Chamber has two great masters of ceremony and a super collection of entertaining local acts.

See you at the show!

Central Idaho Regional Social Accounting Model Ready for Discussion Monday November 7th

2011-11-01T10:40:00.000-06:00

Dr. Abelardo Rodriguez of the University of Idaho Department of Agricultural Economics and Rural Sociology will be in Arco on Monday, November 7th to present and discuss the results of the participatory process in which community members were involved to create a social accounting model of the regional economy. The program will begin at 7:00 PM in the Arco Business Incubation Center. Your participation is needed to thresh out what the information means and how it might be used to answer questions and guide development in the county and regional economy. Light refreshments will be served. Everyone is welcome.

For more information: http://arcomoore.blogspot.com/2011/11/central-idaho-regional-social.html

Businesses Wanted For Holiday Video Promotion

2011-10-12T16:51:00.004-06:00

by Michelle Holt, Lost River Economic Development

Lost Rivers Economic Development is launching “12 Days of Shopping”, a new promotion for Butte & South Custer businesses to highlight holiday shopping opportunities.

Twelve businesses will have the opportunity to be interviewed and filmed for their own 3 – 5 minute promotional video. The videos will be posted on YouTube and then the links to these videos will be circulated via email, Facebook, local websites, etc.

The video segments will give potential shoppers an opportunity to meet business owners, see gift ideas, learn about special holiday offers and hear straight from the business owner why supporting local business is so important.

This effort is being modeled after a successful program in Maricopa, AZ. To view some of the Maricopa videos visit www.youtube.com and search 12 Days of Shopping, Maricopa.

Any local business is eligible to apply. Worried that you don’t have a storefront? Are you a consultant for a direct sale product? Do you make hand crafted items? If you have a product or service that you would like to promote, then apply! The only requirement is that you have a convenient way for people to contact you to make purchases.

Applications will be mailed or hand delivered to local businesses and will also be available at the BIC in Arco, Arco & Mackay Post Offices or at the LRED offices in Arco & Mackay. If you do not receive an application and are interested in applying, please contact Michelle Holt at 208-527-5900 or email: lred@atcnet.net.

Deadline for application is 5:00 p.m. on Friday, October 21, 2011. The 12 businesses will be selected and notified the following week. Videos will be filmed the first two Fridays in November and the videos will be rolled out one every few days beginning the week of Thanksgiving through the first week of December.

Click here for an application form.

Butte Chamber Seeks Citizen & Business of the Year Nominations

2011-10-11T23:22:00.001-06:00

by Michelle Holt, chamber recognition committee
The Butte County Chamber of Commerce is seeking nominations for Citizen of the Year and Business of the Year.

Nominees for Citizen of the Year should be individuals who are actively volunteering to make a difference in our community. Nominations will be scored in four areas: Community Contribution, Length of Service, Estimation of Community Impact, and Reason for Nomination (Why should this person be selected?).

Nominees for Business of the Year should be businesses/business owners that lead by example through investment in their business and in the community. Nominations will be scored in seven areas: Customer Service, Business Growth, Service to the Community, Bringing New Money into the Community, Support of Community Activities, Use of Technology and Reason for Nomination (Why should this business be selected?).

To make a nomination:

• Pick up, complete and return a nomination form at one of the following locations: Butte County Extension, ATC Communications, East Idaho Credit Union, LRED Office, Lost River Drug, or Arco BIC (Pick Up Only), Arco Post Office (Pick Up Only)

• OR email your nomination to: lred@atcnet.net.

• OR mail your nomination to: Butte County Chamber of Commerce, P.O. Box 719, Arco, ID 83213
Click here for Business Nomination Form
Click here for Citizen Nomination Form

• Note: You do not have to use the nomination form. Please be sure to include the name of yourself, your nominee and contact information for both of you, and a written narrative that describes why they should be selected. Remember to include information about the scoring categories.

** All nominations must be received by 5:00 p.m., Friday, October 21, 2011 **

Awards recipients will be selected by a panel of local judges. These awards will be presented at the Butte County Chamber of Commerce Variety Show, scheduled for Thursday, November 3, 2011 at Butte Schools Auditorium. Watch for more information!

Variety Show Novemenber 3rd --- Performers Wanted!

2011-10-07T11:04:00.000-06:00

Spotlight on Business: Deja Vu Consignments

2011-09-29T15:43:00.001-06:00

By Chad Cheyney, Butte Chamber of Commerce

There is a new business in town for old things! Linda Nulf has opened a second hand and consignment store in the old Western Auto Store between the Bank of Commerce and the Sawtooth Club. The store is currently open Wednesday through Saturday from 10 AM-4 PM. Friday, October 7th, Linda is planning her grand opening, at 10 AM, and after that the store will be open Tuesdays through Saturdays from 10 AM to 4 PM. Linda is in the store from Thursday to Saturday, and her friend Connie Waymire staffs the store for her on Tuesdays. Linda can be reached at 208-541-9696.

The store is a treasure trove of second hand items in great condition! There is some of everything, from baby clothing to power tools; from jewelry to school supplies and children’s books; from purses to even a piano! Linda said, “The community response has been great,” but she still is holding on to her “day job” for a while until the business gets its feet under it.

Linda got into the consignment business because she loves going to consignment and second-hand stores and “trolling” for interesting items. She met the operator of a consignment store in Idaho Falls, who encouraged her in the business and provided many useful tips.

Linda has the inside of the old building nicely cleaned up. She personally refinished the floor and they have cleaned up all the paneling. The antique copper ceiling is very interesting, but will require a lot of work to restore. All the items for sale are attractively displayed. Linda is planning to eventually open the west side of the building as well, but she says, “It will take a lot of work.”

Déjà vu takes consignments and donations. Consignees permit Linda to set the price of the items and when it sells, they split the price 50/50. Nulf uses a contract with the consignees to insure that everyone understands the arrangements. Linda currently has 35 consigners. Asked how she prices things, she replied, “I try to keep thinks affordable for everyone in the community.

Spotlight on Business: Absolute Therapy

2011-09-23T13:52:00.003-06:00

Chad Cheyney, Butte County Chamber of Commerce

Absolute Therapy has moved to a new facility in Arco! They will be celebrating with an open house on Saturday, October 1st from 1:00- 4:00 PM. Absolute Therapy provides certified, and Oregon board licensed massage and manual therapy, providing another option for the community in the area of health and wellness.

Melinda performs many different types of massage techniques including relaxation massage but her two years working for a chiropractor in Portland, Oregon has lead her primarily to have a strong interest and talent in injury recovery and pain management. Her techniques work well in conjunction with chiropractic and modern rehabilitative services like physical therapy, speeding up the body’s natural healing processes. Many of her clients who were unable to be helped by surgery have discovered that their problem was a “tissue issue”.

The new facility is located behind the Bargain Barn in the rear portion of the Arco Christian Church on West Era Street. The entrance is on the east side of the building. Office hours will be Monday thru Friday by appointment. The new facility also has an adjacent conference room which will be used by various members of the community to provide free or minimally cost educational opportunities.

Melinda Shodin, owner and operator of Absolute Therapy, has a diploma in massage therapy from East West College in Portland, Oregon and special training in a wide range of massage practices. Melinda also offers massage therapy in Mackay and Challis. Appointments can be made by calling 208-541-7771.

Last Saturday Market this Weekend - Community Garage Sale

2011-09-20T18:29:00.000-06:00

This Saturday will be the last Saturday Market of the season.

Since it is getting dark earlier, the market will be from 9 AM to 1 PM. The market regularly has baked goods, embroidery and quilting, and produce from the community garden is now becoming available.

The market committee is sponsoring a community garage sale in conjunction with the market. Booth space is free, but must be reserved by calling Pat 527-2202 or Teri 527-3513.

Butte County Fair August 16th to the 20th

2011-08-14T15:12:00.002-06:00

The Butte County Fair will be held August 16th to the 20th on the Butte County Fair and Rodeo Grounds. Follow the link below for a complete listing of events and additional information.

http://arcomoore.blogspot.com/2011/08/butte-county-fair-how-west-was-fun.html

Free Health Care Compliance Seminar Aug 24-25

2011-08-14T13:07:00.000-06:00

U.S. Department of Labor

and

Idaho Department of Insurance

Are Offering a FREE Health Care Law Compliance Seminar

August 24-25, 2011 in Boise

This email is to information you that the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) and the Idaho Department of Insurance will host a free health law compliance assistance seminar on August 24 and 25 at the Boise Hotel and Conference Center, located at 3300 S. Vista Avenue, Boise, ID 83705.

The seminar is part of the Labor Department’s Health Benefits Education Campaign to assist small to mid-size employers, third party administrators, and insurers in complying with the Affordable Care Act, the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA), the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), the fiduciary responsibility provisions in the Employee Retirement Income Security Act, the Family and Medical Leave Act, and other recent health benefits laws.

Seminar attendees will receive a copy of the booklet, “Health Benefits Coverage Under Federal Law,” and other material. The booklet also is available at http://www.dol.gov/ebsa/pdf/CAGTableOfContents.pdf, or by calling the EBSA toll-free at 866-444-3272.

Panelists will include representatives from EBSA, the Idaho Department of Insurance, the Labor Department’s Office of Wage and Hour Division, and the Internal Revenue Service.

Registration is on a first-come, first-served basis, with only limited spaces available, and interest parties should register early. Visit http://www.dol.gov/ebsa/HBEC.html or call Sandra Lynch at 202-693-8671 for a registration form. Then, email the form to educationcampaignseminars@dol.gov or fax it to 202-219-8141.

WHAT: ERISA, Affordable Care Act, COBRA, HIPAA and Other Health Care Laws

Compliance Assistance Seminar

WHEN: August 24-25, 2011

8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

WHERE: Boise Hotel and Conference Center

3300 S. Vista Avenue

Boise, ID 83705

(208) 343-4900

Additionally, the Idaho Department of Insurance was able to secure CE credits for Agents and Brokers that are attending our seminar. To obtain these credits, registrants will need to sign In and Out at our registration table on each day. The ID DOI is also trying to secure CE credits for attorneys through the Bar Association, but at this time has not been able to do so. I want to thank the ID DOI for offering to register our event for these credits. For further information about the CE credits, please contact the ID DOI Licensing Division.

Sincerely,

Sandra Lynch
U.S. Department of Labor
Employee Benefits Security Administration
Health Benefits Education Campaign Coordinator
200 Constitution Avenue, NW, Room N-5623
Washington, D.C. 20210
Tel. (202) 693-8671
Fax (202) 219-8141

Things to Do in Custer County

2011-08-09T15:23:00.000-06:00

The Sawtooth Interpretive Historical Association Forum and Lecture Series in its fourth year has been and continues to be a smashing success. We have presentations at 5 pm and at 8 pm every Friday through the end of August. Attached is the Flyer that we sent to everybody.

Next Friday and Saturday we are hosting a Cowboy Poetry and Western Music Gathering and on August 20th we are Co-hosting with IRU the Salmon Festival with Salmon Spawning Tours, many informational booths, Musicians, Shoshone Bannock Tribal activities and an evening Salmon Feed.

The Redfish Center with its many Educational Programs has been an awesome success this summer averaging well over 100 visitors 7 days a week.

Ride the Bayhorse August 19th, 20th and 21st, 2011

2011-08-09T15:16:00.000-06:00

Ride Idaho Hits Arco Tuesday

2011-08-09T09:18:00.000-06:00

The Ride Idaho program is coming through Arco on Tuesday and Wednesday. The will be arriving from Challis in the early afternoon.

The riders will be spending the night in Arco before the travel on. They will be served dinner by the high school and breakfast by the Chamber of Commerce. The program tried to show their appreciation to the community by providing fund raising activitie to complement their ride, as well as provide a lasting donation. This year the program has provide 5 high quality benches to be placed along West Grand.

Free Rural Business Workshops July 25th and July 27th

2011-07-20T22:06:00.004-06:00

Click to enlarge image.

Rural Business Workshop

The Eastern Idaho Entrepreneurial Center, in cooperation with Lost Rivers Economic Development, Inc. and Custer Economic Development Association will be holding a business development workshops for all local entrepreneurs, business owners, and area leaders on Monday, July 25, 2011 in Challis at the Y-Inn or Wednesday, July 27, 2011 in Arco at the BIC from 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Area businesses are invited to attend this free event to learn more about growth strategies for their rural business, available area resources, business succession planning, funding acquisition, and to receive one-on-one mentoring for their specific business needs and questions from successful entrepreneurs and other business professionals. A complimentary lunch will be provided. Registration is required by Monday, July 25, 2011 for the Arco workshop.

“This is a great opportunity for businesses to analyze their current situations, access valuable tools, and really take their success to the next level,” says the E Center.

For more information about the workshop and to register, contact Michelle Holt at 208.527.5900 or visit www.idahoecenter.org. The workshop is sponsored by a grant from the U.S. Economic Development Association, the Lost Rivers Economic Development Association, and the E Center.

Bargin Barn Holds Grand Opening Today at 11 AM

2011-07-15T11:16:00.000-06:00

The Bargain Barn is open again under the management of Rose and Armando Bernal. They will be holding their grand opening Saturday July 15th during Atomic Days. They will have special deals and free hot dogs to celebrate. The store is in full operation with soda, lottery, liquor, beer, groceries, gasoline, fishing equipment and other needed items.

A ribbon cutting ceremony was sponsored by the Butte County Chamber of Commerce, which welcomes the Bernals to the local business community!

Present at the ribbon cutting ceremony, from left to right: Janet Thornock, treasurer of the Butte County Chamber of Commerce, Chad Cheyney, acting president of the Chamber, Armando Bernal, owner, Rose Bernal, owner, Colette Attwood, secretary of the Butte County Chamber of Commerce

Atomic Days Starts Today July 15th!

2011-07-15T08:07:00.000-06:00

Atomic Days gets underway this evening with a steak fry in the Park beginning at 5:30 pm.

The Brad Remer Memorial Atomic Days Rodeo pre-show begins at 6:30 with Mutton Busting by local kids! The rodeo gets underway at 7:30 pm including a special novice section for non-pro cowboys.

Saturday begins with Breakfast in the Park at 7 AM. Volleyball, horseshoe, softball are all around town and in the park. Ping pong ball drop and parade at 11 AM. The Lions have a trap shot at 1 pm out on Sunset. Other park activities include concessions, vendors and entertainment attractions, including a mechanical bull.

The Chamber is sponsoring a mechanical bull riding contest, as well as a raffle to help support Atomic Days, beginning at 2 pm at the "bull". Tickets for the Ruger 10/22 raffle to help support the rodeo will be available in the park at at the rodeo.

More information is available on the Atomic Days Facebook page. and on the Atomic Days web page.

Many family reunions and class reunions are planned around Atomic Days, so have a great time and renew old acquaintances and friendship

Start Planning for the Atomic Days Parade

2011-07-01T17:15:00.000-06:00

The Atomic Days Parade will begin at 11 AM on Saturday July 16th, just after the pingpong ball drop. There will be at least 6 trophies awarded for:

Best Family Oriented
Best Orginal
Best Kids Entry
Best Horse
Best Volunteer Service Groups

The trophies are donated by Metal Specialties and Hardware and the gift certificates by A&A Market, Bargain Barn, Nathan's Service, Arco Service, Arco Lions and Jack's Travel Plaza.

To enter the parade, call Pat or Tom at 554-4499 or 527-4499

King Mountain Car and Tractor Show This Weekend

2011-06-21T16:49:00.000-06:00

The King Mountain Car and Tractor Show will be in Moore, Idaho THIS weekend! Friday night is cruise night with slow races and poker runs. Saturday is the car and tractor show with a huge variety of interesting vehicles. There will be food and music as well as vendors. Don't miss it as only comes around once a year!

Click here for more information.

Click here to see the televsion add featuring Susan!

Chamber Sponsors Raffle to Support Atomic Days

2011-06-21T11:01:00.000-06:00

The Butte County Chamber of Commerce and Andy’s Gun Shop are sponsoring a raffle to help fund some of the Atomic Days events, advertising and activities. This year’s raffle is for a Ruger 10/22 with a 4X Simmons scope. This rifle is perfect for “plinking” and target shooting. Tickets for the raffle are available at the East Idaho Credit Union and the BIC during business hours, or at the Saturday Market from 4-8. The drawing will be held at the Atomic Days Rodeo on Saturday July 16th. You need not be present to win.

Arco Saturday Market Opens on June 18th

2011-06-17T07:33:00.000-06:00

The Arco Saturday Market, a joint project of the Horizons community development program, the Butte County Chamber of Commerce and the Lost River Economic Development will open for the 2011 season on Saturday June 18th at 4 pm. The Market is located on the corner of Front and West Grand Avenue. Volunteers have recently completed planting the flower beds for 2011, and they are beginning to look pretty good.

Market space is inexpensively priced, and fees help support advertising and provision of facilities, etc. The Market has been rescheduled to the afternoon to reduce competition with the Mackay Market, as well as give sojourners who are staying over in Arco on a Saturday evening something to do.

Vendors are welcome. Booths must be set up by 4 pm, and "walk-ons" are currently welcome, but the committee would prefer a "heads-up" if you can. Rules and information are available at the links below.

Welcome Letter
Market Rules
Market Application - PDF format
Market Application - MS WORD Format

Atomic Days Has it Own Facebook Page

2011-06-16T07:06:00.001-06:00

Melinda started a Facebook page for Atomic Days and it now has enough participation to get its own url! Check it out

http://www.facebook.com/AtomicDays

Building a Flourishing Community: How can a community ‘grow its own’ philanthropy? June 17th

2011-06-16T06:49:00.001-06:00

Join us for a free/interactive webinar hosted by University of Idaho and Montana State University Horizons.

June 17, 2011, 11:30-12:45 pm (Pacific) / 12:30-1:45 (Mountain)

Building a Flourishing Community: How can a community ‘grow its own’ philanthropy?

Community-based giving strategies are a growing trend in community development. Giving Circles bring people together to pool their funds so they have a greater impact on local causes. Community foundations provide local permanently endowed funds. Both strategies can establish granting programs to support local charities and projects, and strengthen a community’s sense of empowerment and self-reliance.

Join us as Jessica Bearman and Linda Reed discuss these strategies for building local philanthropy in rural Idaho and Montana Communities.

Jessica Bearman is an independent consultant focusing on philanthropy advising and organizational development for mission-based organizations.

Linda Reed is President/CEO of the Montana Community Foundation. Her work with donors, charitable organizations, cities and towns plays a critical role in both philanthropic and community development.

To access the webinar:

On your personal computer at least 10 minutes before the start of the webinar,
please go to: http://www.msuextensionconnect.org/rhw

Select "Enter as a Guest," then type your Full Name and click "Enter Room."

You will be prompted to enter your phone number with area code, then click "Call my phone."

The session will automatically call you so you are able to participate in the conversation via your phone.

If you are experiencing technical difficulties, please call Jay VanVoast at 406-994-5638. The webinar will be taped and streamed to the Internet for access at a later date.

IMPORTANT! If you have never attended a Connect Pro webinar before, please test your connection

before the webinar at: http://tinyurl.com/2axlje8

For more information, please contact: Debbie Gray dgray@uidaho.edu or 208-885-4017 or Dan Clark daniel.clark@montana.edu or 406-994-7756

Atomic Days on the Way

2011-06-01T08:59:00.000-06:00

Atomic Days is organized and promoted by the Butte County Chamber of Commerce. It is the the biggest retail event of the year for many hospitality businesses. It is a major time for class and family reunions. So much to do, so few people to do it, and help is appreciated, since the Chamber has no paid staff!

Atomic Days planning is underway, and we hope to have the poster and the website up next week....

Melinda Shodin of the Absolute Therapy has agreed to be the the Atomic Days chairperson this year, and has a number of the event contact people lined up...

Melinda has arranged for A&B productions to be at Atomic Days with a mechanical bull, jousting, a slide, jumphouse, and bungie run. Some of these sound competetive so maybe team competitions are a possiblity....Melinda is working on a ticket/bracelet pre-sale arrangement...

The Valley Insurance will again organize the Fun Run, and Rhonda Morris has agreed to organize the softball tournament. Stan Blattner will head up the horseshoe tournament. John Danz of Pickle's Place will organize the food vendors and Vicki Northrop will organize the non-food booths for the benefit of the Butte High Student Council. The Saturday Market will keep its NEW regular hours of 4 pm to 8pm. A volleyball tournament, parade, motorcycle show, Breakfast in the Park and ping pong ball drop are in the works. We hope to have all the contact information available by next week.....

The Atomic Days Rodeo is planned for Friday and Saturday night, headed up by Brad Remer and Crystal Carpenter. The Chamber will handle the in-arena advertising, and the committee will handle the show and the concession. The Chamber is planning a riffle raffle to help backstop the rodeo in case of inclement weather.

If you can help with Atomic Days please call Melinda (mshodin@hotmail.com) or Chad (ccheyney@uidaho.edu). We are also on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Atomic-Days-2011/208933162472521.

The next regular Chamber meeting is Tuesday June 14th. The featured business is Mia and Kevin Hays' screen printing business. Meetings are at 8 AM at a local restaurant...June's location is pending...

First Draft of Butte and Central Idaho Roll Out on Monday May 23rd

2011-05-21T07:52:00.000-06:00

Dr. Abelardo Rodriguez will in in Arco on Monday May 23rd to preview the first draft of the Butte County and Regional Economic model. There will be a meal and presentation at 12:30 PM and at 5:30 PM in the Arco BIC so that anyone with an interest can attend. Dr. Rodriguez will present the model as it currently is formulated and we will discuss the implications and and possible flaws. This is the second step in a Participator Social Accounting Process which permits community members to participate in construction of the economic model and aids in their understanding and use of the product. Everyone is welcome. Please RSVP to ccheyney@uidaho.edu or 527-8587 (leave a message) by 10 AM Monday, May 23rd.

King Mountain Car and Tractor Show June 24th and 25th

2011-05-18T14:27:00.000-06:00

Spot Light on Business: Lost River Growers

2011-05-15T17:30:00.000-06:00

By Butte County Chamber of Commerce

NaDean, Hamm and Jared Brinton

Lost River Growers, one of the newest businesses in the valley, recently had their grand opening in Moore. Lost River Growers is family owned and operated by Hammond (Hamm) and NaDean Brinton, their children, and grandchildren. Hamm and NaDean are excited to be providing the valley with greenhouse products and eager to share their love and knowledge of gardening with their customers. Hamm hopes local residents will support them and says, “We are local growers hoping to provide our customers with an option that keeps them in the Lost River Valley.” Hamm and NaDean both are very interested in the future and local economy of the Lost River Valleys.

The Brintons have always been interested in gardening and growing. Both Hamm and NaDean were taught gardening from their mothers and have outdoor gardened every growing season of their marriage. This interest was taken even further when they were living in Montpelier, Idaho. Hamm’s mother suggested the Brintons buy a greenhouse and try their hand at greenhouse growing. The family worked hard on the greenhouse and used profits from their efforts for family vacations. Eventually Hamm’s glass and construction business and NaDean’s desire to become a nurse took their time away from the greenhouse, but apparently not for good.

Greenhouses were moved from Arco and set
up during the winter and spring

The Brintons moved to the Lost River Valley in 2007. Several years later they started thinking about the greenhouse business again and in the spring of last year they acquired the nursery of the late Will Beck. They didn’t have much time to move the business and plant news seeds so last year was merely about providing the valley with the bare minimum to get by until the following year. Hamm and sons, Mark and Jared, and neighbor, Leon Powell, have spent much of the winter building a new greenhouse and moving the other three greenhouses from Arco to Moore.

Hamm shows off the head house, were seeds are germinated

The Brinton family has spent much of 2011 in preparation for the upcoming growing season. A tremendous amount of work is involved in planting thousands and thousands of tiny seeds that eventually end up as the hardy plants customers will be buying. The Brintons have set up a seed starting area as part of the large 1800 square foot greenhouse Hamm, Jared, and Mark built this winter. In the seed starting area the temperature is a toasty 75 degrees. Thousands of seeds are planted and begin their life cycle here. After the seed becomes a seedling it is transplanted into an individual spot in a flat and moved into the seedling area. The transplanting is time consuming and NaDean and crew have put in countless hours for this process. Once moved to the seedling area the temperature is cut down to 60 degrees. After some growing in the seedling area the plants are then moved to one of the three 1000 square foot greenhouses. Again the temperature remains at 60 degrees in these greenhouses until it is time to cut off the heat and begin the hardening process. This makes the plants ready for the climate and conditions of the Lost River Valley. The Brintons say one interesting thing most people do not know about greenhouses is that more time is spent cooling than heating them. Even in winter they maintain heat so well that some cooling of the buildings is required. The greenhouses all maintain a consistent temperature through thermostats, heaters, and large fans.

A wide variety of plant materials

Many of the plants have already been moved into the greenhouse where they are on display for purchase. Entering any one of the three greenhouses is impressive as they are filled with thousands of plants ready for planting. Lost River Growers has a large inventory and impressive variety of plants. With a few exceptions everything has been seeded in their seeding area. The inventory includes annual and perennial bedding plants, hanging baskets, herbs, tomatoes, peppers, cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, melons, cucumbers, seed potatoes, onion plants and sets, potting soil, fertilizers, and soil conditioners. Trees and shrubs are expected to arrive in late May or early June. Customers who have ventured out have been surprised and impressed with the variety, condition, pricing, and quantity of plants available. Lost River Growers also has gift certificates available as a great gift idea.

Hamm with some of his flowering plants for sale.

Lost River Growers is open Monday through Saturday 10:00 – 6:00. To find the greenhouses turn west on 3125 N on the south end of Moore and head west for three blocks. The Brintons were unable to post a sign on the highway due to state regulation and apologize for any inconvenience. NaDean also asks for patience as they are a new business and still working out the details of their operation. She states, “We are just excited to help beautify the valley with our plants and love what we do.”

Idaho Export Excellence Program

2011-05-14T07:52:00.000-06:00

The Idaho Department of Agriculture is offering the Idaho Export Excellence Program, a three day workshop with instruction and coaching, September 14, October 12 and November 9, 2011.

Click here to get the full story.

Seniors and Instructor Recognized for Accomplishments by Chamber

2011-05-13T16:17:00.003-06:00

The Butte Chamber of Commerce Academic Awards Luncheon was held Tuesday May 10th in the Butte County High School Library. The Chamber recognized 5 seniors for academic excellence, 2 of academic improvement and dedication. A teacher was selected by the students as "most influential". Each winner will received a plaque, sponsored by a local business or individual.

(back left) Zack Hansen, Nathan Davies, Jason Hnasen, Titus Wilson, Chelsea Pope
(front left) Sadie Andreason, Ben Isham, Madison Potter Aird

Top Seniors Award-Recognized for Academic Excellence

Zach Hansen, sponsored by Valley Insurance , and his plaque presented by Richard Hansen, a partner in Valley Insurance. Zach' parents, Mike and Carla Hansen were present for the presentation.

Madison Potter Aird with Tony and
Annet Potter. Sponsor Lanell Farmer (left)
for the Bank of Commerce

Madison Potter Aird was sponsored by the Bank of Commerce, and presented by Lanell Farmer, Operations Officer. Madision's parents, Tony and Annette Potter were present for the award.

Sadi Andreason with her parents Dave
and Sheri. Sponsor Colette Atwood for ATC
Communications

Sadi Andreason was sponsored by ATC Communications, and presented by Colette Atwood, Arco manager. Sadi's parents, Dave and Sheri Andreason were present for the award.

Nathan Davies with parents Kim and
Cynthia. Chad Cheyney (left) for
sponsor Gene Davies Automotive

Nathan Davies was sponsored by Gene Davies Automotive, and presented by Chad Cheyney for Gene Davies, owner of Gene Davies Automotive. Nathan's parents Kim and Cythia Davies were present for the award.

Chelsie Pope was sponsored by L P Barnes Real Estate, and presented by Larry Barnes. Chelsie's mother, Lucy, and grandmother Carol Pope were present for the award.

Most Dedicated Seniors

Titus Wilson with his father, John. Sponsor
Janet Thornock for East Idaho Credit
Union.

Titus Wilson was sponsored by the Eastern Idaho Credit Union, and presented by Janet Thornock, manager of the East Idaho Credit Union.

Ben Isham was sponsored by Metal Specialties and Hardware, and presented by Chad Cheyney for Tom and Pat Gucker owners of Metal Specialties. Ben's parents, Jeff and Kelly Isham were present for the award.

Most Influential Teacher:
Jason Hansen, sponsored by the University of Idaho Extension, Eastern District, District Director Barbara Petty and presented by Chad Cheyney, University of Idaho Extension Educator for Butte County. Jasons wife, Brecia, and his colleagues Vicki Northrup, high school counselor and Robert Chambers, principle were present for the award.

The recipients provided brief impromptu presentation about their outside interest, near term plan, and "what do you want to do when you grow up?" The luncheon is open to Chamber members, sponsors and parents and family and guests of those to be recognized.

“Open for Business: Building a Small Enterprise in Idaho”

2011-05-09T10:00:00.002-06:00

A Small Business Workshop in Idaho Falls
Saturday, May 21, 2011 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Bennion Student Union Building
1784 Science Center Drive, Idaho Falls, Idaho

Free and open to the public. Lunch provided.

This workshop is for entrepreneurs starting or growing a business. The focus of the workshops offered throughout the day included business planning, marketing and financial management. Participants will choose between several 2-hour workshops in the morning and again in the afternoon – so business owners are encouraged to bring business partners or managers to the event to participate in different sessions.

Morning sessions: (1) Creating a reliable sales forecast, (2) Budgets that put you in the driver's seat (3) The art of defining your business

Afternoon sessions :( 1) Effective marketing: know your customer and tune your product (2) Financial statements that convince your banker (3) Business development: building on strengths and partnerships.

And a unique lesson on presenting your business plan to a lender or investor!

Please contact DaNell Hennis at 208.419.3256 or
danellhennis@gmail.com to register by May 13, 2011

Presenters

This workshop is made possible by a partnership between the Idaho Horizons Program, University of Idaho Extension and the ISU Small Business Development Center

Butte County Chamber Holds Academic Recognition Luncheon

2011-05-03T11:46:00.004-06:00

By Chad Cheyney, Butte County Chamber of Commerce

The Butte County Chamber of Commerce will hold its annual Academic Recognition Luncheon on Tuesday May 10th and Noon time. The luncheon is planned to be held in the large room of the Business Incubation Center, pending removal of the magistrate court to its new home in the remodeled Memorial Building. If this does not happen, the luncheon will be held on the High School Campus.

The Chamber will be honoring the 5 graduating seniors with the highest academic standing, as determined by their grades. In addition, the High School teachers were asked to select a senior(s) who has made the most academic improvement, and two tied. Finally, the top academicians were asked to select the most influential teacher.

Each winner will receive a plaque, sponsored by a local entity. The selections and their sponsors are:

Top Seniors Award-Recognized for Academic Excellence

Zach Hansen, sponsored by Valley Insurance
Parents: Mike & Carla Hansen

Madison Potter, sponsored by the Bank of Commerce
Parents: Tony & Annette Potter

Sadi Andreason, sponsored by ATC Communications
Parents: Dave & Sheri Andreason

Nathan Davies, sponsored by Gene Davies Automotive
Parents: Kim & Cynthia Davies

Chelsie Pope, sponsored by L P Barnes Real Estate
Parents Mark & Lucy Pope

Most Dedicated Senior
Titus Wilson, sponsored by the Eastern Idaho Credit Union
Parents Dan S Wilson & the late Julie Wilson

Ben Isham, sponsored by Metal Specialties and Hardware
Parents: Jeff & Kelly Isham

Most Influential Teacher:
Jason Hansen, sponsored by the University of Idaho Extension, Eastern District.

The awardees will give a brief presentation about their plans. The luncheon is open to Chamber members, sponsors and parents and family and guests of those to be recognized.

Spot Light on Business: Lost River Drug

2011-04-14T13:10:00.004-06:00

Business of the Month Lost River Drug

Lost River Drug is a clean and pleasant business on West Grand in Arco. In addition to the pharmacy, Lost River Drug carries a complete line of over-the-counter medications, gifts and cards, health supplements, herbal preparations, a “dollar department”, TSA packaged travel items and a toy section for kids. They also have espresso (after the machine gets repaired), and Italian sodas.

Propietor Steve Streeper

Steve Streeper first came to the Lost Rivers Valley in the 1980 to help out Marlin Felton who owned Lost River Drug at that time. Later Marlin become ill and Steve and several other pharmacists came regularly to Lost River Drug to keep the pharmacy open. In 2008, Steve had just finished setting up a pharmacy for another firm, and learned that Lost River Drug was for sale. He and his wife Pat scraped enough together to purchase the business. The subsequently purchased some land a little North of Arco and built a home.

The Toy Department

Until 2008 the Streeper’s had been leasing the building. In that year they experienced a severe roof failure. While insurance covered the loss, Steve discovered that the roof of the building was only one layer of tongue and groove lumber with no insulation at all. With help from Ernie Tate of TCS Inspections, Steve upgraded the insulation, installed a new heating system and a heat pump. These improvements reduced his winter utility bills for electricity and propane from about $1000 per month to about $300. In addition to remodeling the business, Steve installed a special phone system to help serve his clients. You can call in anytime with your prescription number and it will be refilled in the morning.

While Lost River Drug cannot compete with the big box pharmacies on every prescription, Steve says that he is pretty sure that he will be less expensive and closer to home if you consider all of your pharmacy needs. Stop by and he will be happy to review your prescription costs with you.

Gifts and Expresso

In addition to Steve and his wife Pat, Kari Jardine, Jordan Jardine, Jason Maynard, Kaleena West and Marva Barnes are anxious to serve you. When you are looking for the special gift, check out Lost River Drug. Shopping at home is better than you think!

Community Preparedness Symposium Saturday April 9th

2011-04-08T20:54:00.000-06:00

Horizons Butte Communities is sponsoring the first annual Community Preparedness Symposium, Saturday April 9th beginning at 9 AM. The program will include a wide variety of presentations, as well as vendors and displays. The program will be held at the Butte Middle School Auditorium and Gymnasium. Admission is $3 per adult.

Pre-sale tickets have been available for a Dutch oven lunch. Additional food concession will be available including a benefit for the 4th grade. A raffle will be held for 2 Dutch ovens. Raffle tickets will be available on site for $1 each or 6 for $5.

For additional information and a program schedule go to: http://arcomoore.communityblogs.us/2011/03/24/how-prepared-are-you-preparedness-symposium-april-9/

Find the schedule here.

April Chamber Meeting Tuesday April 13th

2011-04-08T20:43:00.000-06:00

The regular monthly meeting of the Butte County Chamber of Commerce will be held Tuesday April 13th at Pickle's Place. The meeting will start at 8:00 AM. Breakfast will be available at on a no-host basis.

This month's featured business is Lost River Drug owned by Steve Streeper. Mr. Streeper has expanded his business from just a pharmacy to include a number of enterprises. He has also taken advantage of insulation technology to reduce his operating cost.

The business will also be considering regular business including Atomic Days and updating the events and activity entries on the chamber's blog.

National treasures anchor economic and population growth in Idaho

2011-03-13T08:36:00.000-06:00

Submitted by Rocky Barker on Fri, 03/11/2011 - 10:45am.

It shouldn’t be a surprise that Teton County was the fastest-growing county in Idaho.

It lies on the west slope of the Tetons where a two hour walk can get you into Teton National Park and a two hour drive can get you into Yellowstone National Park. A twenty-minute drive takes you to Grand Targhee’s deep powder for skiing in the winter.

Teton County grew by 69.5 percent in the last decade, according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Even adjacent Fremont County, which lies on Yellowstone’s boundary with only a gravel road entrance grew by 11 percent.

People with the choice move where they can work and play. That’s why 80 percent of the state’s growth since 2000 occurred in the state’s metropolitan areas, much as it has since 1990.

None of the urban areas are far from public lands for hunting, fishing, camping, hiking and boating. I can walk a quarter mile from my house to fly fish on the crystal clear Boise River.

If I head north into the foothills I could cross as few as nine roads between here and Canada 400 miles north. A hundred-mile drive takes me into the Sawtooth National Recreation Area, the Owyhee Canyonlands, the headwaters of the Middle Fork of the Salmon River, Payette Lake, Hells Canyon and yes, the Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness.

I can be on the Payette River floating in a little over an hour. There’s great snowmobiling around Idaho City.

Until 2007 the Treasure Valley had some of the lowest unemployment in the nation. That has changed now that Idaho is lagging behind the nation in job recovery at around 9.7 percent to the nation’s 8.9 percent.

Teton County was down to 7.6 percent in December, reflecting the resilience of its diverse economy tied to agriculture, tourism and commuting to both Rexburg and Jackson, Wyo. But since its economy also is tied to second home development it may come out of the recession faster since high income people, its primary market, are doing better than people in the economy as a whole.

A new study released this month by Headwaters Economics, of Bozeman, Mont., shows how much communities around national parks like Teton County benefit. The local areas around Yellowstone have 5,155 jobs tied to the national park with visitors spending $302 million in 2009, the Headwaters report by economist Ray Rasker shows.

Grand Teton anchors 6,238 jobs and generates another $2.5 million in visitor spending. Idaho gets a piece of both of these but it also benefits from other public lands managed by the National Park Service.

City of Rocks National Preserve south of Burley, a climber and camping mecca managed by Idaho’s Parks and Recreation Department under contract for the National Park Service, creates 86 jobs. It generated $6.4 million in visitor spending to the local area in 2009.

Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve near Arco supports 104 jobs and creates $5.8 million in visitor spending in Idaho. Imagine how much more it could tap with visitor centers accessing its unique ice caves along its southern boundary near Interstate 84.

Nez Perce National Historic Park, which has 38 sites in Idaho, Oregon, Washington and Montana and is headquartered in Lapwai, creates 140 jobs and generates $6 million from visitors.

Rural Idaho as a whole continues to lose population much like the rest of the arid West and plains. But those places next to our national land treasures continue to thrive.

Read more: http://voices.idahostatesman.com/2011/03/11/rockybarker/national_treasures_anchor_economic_and_population_growth_idaho#ixzz1GL0boSoZ

Help Us with the Economic Model

2011-03-08T16:47:00.000-07:00

We will be meeting on Tuesday evening at 7:00 PM (March 8) to continue the review of the over 400 business codes that define the economy of Butte County. Your help in reviewing the numbers and helping decide if the numbers are reasonable is imperative to the model building process. Everyone is welcome.

We will meet Wednesday morning at 9 AM (March 9th) to discuss how to aggregate the economy to make it more understandable. We will be naming the sectors in our economic and decide which codes should be applied to each of our sectors.

The discussions will be facilitate by Dr. Abelardo Rodriguez of the University of Idaho Department of Agricultural Economics and Rural Sociology who is helping use build our county and regional models.

Latest Events - News from Horizons

2011-03-04T12:29:00.000-07:00

The Horizons weekly email post was sent Friday. Follow this link to view it.

News From Horizons

Help Develope and Economic Model for Butte County March 7th

2011-03-03T11:18:00.001-07:00

Horizons participants, as well as local government officials, business owners and all other interested members of the community are invited to participate in developing an economic model of Butte County and Central Idaho using Participatory Social Accounting and Facilitation (PSAF). Dr. Abelardo Rodríguez, Department of Agricultural Economics and Rural Sociology of the University of Idaho, will make three trips to central Idaho to assist community members in developing county and regional models that will permit them to understand the economic linkages in their communities and identify opportunities for economic development. Members of the community will meet with Dr. Rodríguez on Monday, March 7th at 6:00 PM for a no-host supper at the Golden West Café for an introduction to the modeling process and a discussion of how the model can be used by community members. The PSAF approach for economic modeling is different from other approaches to economic development in the sense that it involves the community in the modeling process and provides participants with the tools to understand and use the model in the future. Community input is imperative to obtain a realistic representation of our economy.

After the preliminary meeting on Monday, Dr. Rodríguez will meet with members of the community over the next two days, in a workshop environment, to screen state data on Butte County, to “aggregate” the economy, and to identify the socioeconomic groups to be tracked by the model. On the third day, we should be able to produce a preliminary version of the Butte County model and discuss the preliminary results, as well as how this type of model has been utilized by other communities.

After interacting with the Lost Rivers Valley community, Dr. Rodríguez will travel to Lemhi County for a similar process and spend time in Custer County gleaning information for the regional model that will be presented on his second trip to the area.

On the second visit, the county and regional models will be presented to the communities. The communities will edit the model if necessary to properly reflect the economic realities of our communities and the region. In addition, members of the teams from each of the counties will meet in Challis to go over the regional model and come to a consensus on aggregating industries, since the individual county aggregations may not be identical.

On the third visit, the final versions of the regional and county models will be presented, along with workshops on how to interpret and utilize the model.

The hard product of the process will be a study and document similar to one done for the Teton Region. That model is reported in Bulleting 872, “Uncovering Hidden Linkages in Idaho’s 2006 Teton Regional Economy” Rodríguez, et al. The document can be viewed for the Butte Communities Blog at http://arcomoore.communityblogs.us// or at http://www.cals.uidaho.edu/edcomm/pdf/BUL/BUL0872.pdf. You may also request a copy from the Butte County Extension Office, at 527-8587. If you are interested in participating or would like additional information about the process, please contact the Extension Office at 527-8587.

Free Extension Webinar Friday---Retirees and Local Economies: Just how old are we and so what?

2011-02-24T14:10:00.002-07:00

The average age of Butte County, and many other rural communities is getting higher all the time. Farm owners are getting older and are not being replaced by their children or other young farmers. What does this mean for buisnesses and for our communties in the future—This webinar will examine this trend in the Northeast, which has implications for all of us. Chad

***SPECIAL EVENT***
(A featured preview event for What Works! 2011: The future of entrepreneurship and community development in the Northeast)

Professor Judith Stallmann, University of Missouri-Columbia

Friday, February 25, 2011

11:00 – 12:15(Eastern Time)

http://breeze.cce.cornell.edu/nercrdhighlights2011/

About the webinar:

Hosted by the Northeast Regional Center for Rural Development, this special webinar will present an overview of recent research on retirees and what is known about their impact on, and interaction with, local economies. In this presentation, Professor Judith Stallmann, nationally recognized researcher on the topic of retirees, will examine what the graying of our region means for community and economic development. Join us for this insightful conversation about aging in the Northeast; gender, race and ethnicity of our aging populations; retirement communities and the economic impacts of retirees. We’ll conclude with an interactive discussion of the role, opportunities, challenges and realities of entrepreneurship with respect to retiree populations.

** The NERCRD is particularly pleased to highlight Professor Stallmann’s research on the impacts of retiree’s on local economies now, as a prelude to our What Works II conference on Entrepreneurship in the Northeast, March 30 – April 1, in Philadelphia.

Participation Instructions:

1. At least 15 minutes before the 11:00 am start, check your computer speakers to be sure they are working properly and login in to the webinar at: http://breeze.cce.cornell.edu/nercrdhighlights2011/

2. When the login page appears, click on the "Enter as Guest" button if it is not already selected

3. Type in your full name and click on the "Enter Room" button. You should join the conference shortly.

For more information, contact Heidi Mouillesseaux-Kunzman at hmm1@cornell.edu or 607-255-0417.

Mary Peabody, UVM Extension Specialist
Community Resources & Economic Development &
Director, Women's Agricultural Network
617 Comstock Road, Suite 5
Berlin, VT 05602-9194
Phone: 802-223-2389 extension 13
or tollfree: 866-860-1382 extension 13
Fax: 802-223-6500

E-mail: mary.peabody@uvm.edu

Chamber Minutes from February, 2011

2011-02-17T17:40:00.000-07:00

Butte County Chamber of Commerce

Minutes

February 8, 2011

Present Chad Cheyney, Ernie Tate, Colette Atwood, Melinda Shodin, Sheri Partyka, Tyler Victor (won the early bird gift), Todd Victor, Richard Dean, Vince Bush.

Chad called the meeting to order at 8:05am

Colette read the January minutes. A motion to approve by Ernie and Sheri seconded; approved.

Spotlight Business: Vince Bush from Northwest computer has been building websites since 1995. Worked with a business in Oxnard California and was responsible for a website with over 20,000 pages. He knows technical hosts and email end of programming. He has helped develop the chamber web page and can create a page for each chamber business. When someone is looking to move to a town, their usual contact is from a
web page from the Chamber of Commerce and can usually obtain a moving packet with information on local business’s, school, housing, and area attractions. The Webpage is a good representation of the community. Keeping it positive, most people will return to the webpage. The chamber webpage will continue to spotlight one business a month. All local businesses are welcome to help Vince by getting their business information, including images to him and following up with feedback. The more the better. The more links & connections will bring business higher on the list of search engines. Any business that is a chamber member will be provided a single static webpage and will be linked to the chamber webpage and the businesses that already have a webpage can be linked with the Chamber and double their chances of being noticed.

Often businesses ask what they get with their chamber dues of $ 50.00 a year and want to see something for money paid. Tyler Victor (part owner in the Arco Inn) said they have a web site in conjunction with Lava Hot Springs Chamber and they get a lot of referral business from it. He has tracking on his Arco webpage and he has had 20 to 25 hits on it in January which is a slow time of year, and said that is worth the $50.00 alone. Having a more developed business web page could attract more hits and paying $20.000 to $25.00 more on top of dues could help both business and chamber.

Melinda suggested a possible Gold, Silver or Bronze membership allowing extra to the websites or extra pages doubling the search chances. It was discussed about listing all businesses, including non chamber members but with restrictions. Sheri from the KOA had a prospective customer call from back east, asking about fishing in the area. Noticed nothing mentioned about fishing on the website and could not give him any information. Tyler Victor said Arco Chamber dues are cheap. His dues in Lava Hot Springs are $125.00 a year. In Burley they are $260.00 a year and in Challis they are $60.00 a year. Often businesses ask what they get with their Arco chamber dues of $ 50.00 a year and want to see something for money paid, a Chamber webpage is worth a business investment. It was recommended to keep the home webpage functional and easy to navigate. Do not want to overdo it or cause confusion while going over it.

Sheri discussed the trees on Front Street that need electrical power for Christmas lights. One of the trees already looks dead. Chad assured it will come back id it can get water regularly.

Ernie suggest Membership dues be advertised with small newspaper ads.

Chad suggested a need to come up with a chamber benefit list. This would also help educate businesses about chamber benefits. A questionnaire sheet has been developed to send to all businesses via email or USPS to every chamber member & non-member for opinions and ideas for improvement.

The Economic Development has backed out of helping with the Chamber newsletters (There’s a surprise state by Tyler Victor) Melinda Shodin has volunteered to do the chamber newsletter and presented a example newsletter for viewing.

Financial report read by Chad. Melinda moved to accept and second by Sheri. Motion carried.

Ernie suggested membership dues be advertised with small newspaper ads. Sheri moved to keep chamber dues at $50.00 a year with no proration for joining late in the year. Ernie second. Motion carried.

The Chamber made about $300.00 to $400.00 on two Hypno shows last year. One show will be hosted this year on March 19th with Janet Thornock overseeing it. Tickets will be sold at the door. Need to get advertising it right away.

The Annual Calendar was presented and suggestions were asked for about adding or removing events.

Contact or email Chad with thoughts on April or November Dinner Theater Show and Citizen /Business of the year.

Motion was made by Todd to continue Honoring High School Academics in Excellence and second by Sheri. Motion carried.

The Saturday Market is looking at moving the market to late afternoon and evening .

King Mt. Car Show in Moore will be Friday night and Saturday this year. Ernie moved for chamber to cook the breakfast again this year and second by Sheri. Motion carried.

Atomic Days is biggest event. We are still looking for Chairman.

Talked about possible street post banner flags to be purchased and displayed.

A motion was made to accept Carnival again this year and second by Todd. Motion carried.

Tyler Victor said the Atomic Days are the # 1 best days for business for him followed by carry over from hang gliders or events up the Valley. Softball tournaments are also good business days. He felt that the Craters of the Moon does have an positive impact consistently through the summer.

Chad asked if Chamber wants to continue sponsoring an ad on the Lions club calendar. Issue was tabled for later discussion.

Meeting Adjourned 10:05am

Chamber Brings Back 2Bro Hypno Show March 19th

2011-02-15T13:22:00.001-07:00

The 2 Bros Hypno Show will be returning to Arco on Saturday, March 19th. One family show will be presented at 7:00 PM. Tickets will be available at the door. Kids under 5 are free. Kids 5-7 are $7.00, Middle and High School students are $10.00 and adults are $12.00. All tickets will receive a $2 discount with a donation of 2 cans of food for the community emergency food bank.

The 2Bros Hypno Show is on stage hypnosis that is exciting entertainment for all ages. These Master Hypnotists pride themselves on providing a show which is family appropriate and fun for any occasion. They showcase the “stars on stage”, while actively engaging the audience, providing the highest level of entertainment possible as they entertain the world. Check with anyone who attended last year. They laughed their heads off! We invite you to come to the show Saturday, March 19th for an exciting and highly entertaining hypno-show. Don’t risk losing your opportunity to see these dynamic entertainers.

The program is sponsored by the Butte County Chamber of Commerce. Profit and donations from the show go support the Chamber’s community programs including sponsoring and organizing Atomic Days, honoring excellence in High School Academics, Person / Business of the Year Program, Welcome Wagon, seasonal tree lighting and this year food bank donations.

The Butte County Chamber of Commerce seeks to promote, inform and support to build a strong community. Cost of membership is $50 and is open to all. In addition to community development and recognition programs, the Chamber maintains business friendly activities and promotions including a web page, responding to travel, relocation and business inquires, business recognition with the “Business of the Month” program. General meetings are held the 2nd Tuesday of the month at 8 AM and rotate among the food establishments. Meetings are open to all. For more information see the Chamber web site at http://www.buttecountychamber.com/ and the Chamber “blog” at http://buttecountyidahochamber.blogspot.com/ The Chamber is:”staffed” and operated entirely by volunteers. You may contact the officers, Chad Cheyney (ccheyney@uidaho.edu, 527-8587), vice-president, Janet Thornock (527-3941) , treasurer, and Colette Atwood (527-1111), secretary for more information.

The Economics of Regional Meat: A National Good Food Network Webinar (free) Feb 17

2011-02-11T15:29:00.001-07:00

Beef production is something that we can do in Idaho, and specialty beef production is something that we could do in the central Idaho. This webinar will provide some insight to to barriers to expanding lcoal and regional meat production. Go to http://centralidahoextension.blogspot.com/2011/02/economics-of-regional-meat-national.html to get the whole story on this webinar.

The Economics of Regional Meat: A National Good Food Network Webinar (free) Feb 17 at 12:30 Pacific time.

https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/723913059

Its a Long Way--But "What Works! 2011: Entrepreneurship & Economic Development in the Northeast" Might be Worth the Trip

2011-02-11T09:59:00.001-07:00

If you are passionate about helping our communities thrive, growing new jobs, sustaining working landscapes and local economies, you should make plans today to attend the What Works! 2011 Conference scheduled for March 30 - April 1, 2011 in Philadelphia, PA. Hosted by the Northeast Center for Rural Development, a highlight of the conference will be the opportunity to be an author of an exciting new regional plan of action for entrepreneurship in the Northeast. Registration is now open at http://nercrd.psu.edu/Entrepreneurship/WhatWorksIIWksp.html.

Is the Northeast ready to take full advantage of the economic recovery? Are we positioned to retain and attract young people to live and work in our communities? Do we fully understand the demands of our aging population? For decades, the Northeast has traded on its image of natural beauty, creative people and distinctive cultural heritage. But other regions of the country are rapidly developing their own ‘regional flavor.’ The Northeast must continue to be innovative in order to remain at the leading edge of rural community and economic development. Now is an excellent time to join forces to learn what is currently working, explore where future research and new programs could lead us, chart a path for reaching our goals, and identify how to measure our progress. There is much to be gained from combining our talents, skills and knowledge.

What Works! 2011 will bring together a diverse group of individuals to explore the opportunities and challenges of promoting entrepreneurship as a vehicle for economic development in our region. The conference includes a combination of workshops, research-in-progress presentations, and roundtable discussions. General session speakers will engage participants in dialogues about building vital rural economies. A special track will feature sessions on engaging youth as entrepreneurs. Other topics include a special workshop hosted by the Rural Policy Research Institute (RUPRI) on how to energize entrepreneurial communities, as well as sessions on tourism, downtown business analysis, coop development, and the knowledge economy. What Works is designed to be an interactive event. Participants will be asked to help identify program gaps, research needs, and opportunities for inter-regional collaboration.

Featured keynote speakers include Ross Gittell, the James R. Carter Professor at the University of New Hampshire's Whittemore School of Business and Economics, and Thomas Lyons, Field Family Professor in Entrepreneurship at Baruch College.

The conference brochure and registration materials are available on the Northeast Regional Center for Rural Development's website, http://nercrd.psu.edu/Entrepreneurship/WhatWorksIIWksp.html. Early registration is $150, so don't wait, register today.

Free Webinar: Getting Down to Business with Social Media Marketing February 10, 2011

2011-02-08T13:53:00.000-07:00

ANNOUNCING
eXtension Entrepreneurs and Their Communities - Second in the ON-LINE PRESENCE Series 2011

February 10, 2011
Getting Down to Business with Social Media Marketing
The eXtension Entrepreneurship webinar series airs monthly on the second Thursday at 2:00pm (ET); 1:00pm (CT); 12:00pm (MT); 11:00am (PT). Webinar access at http://connect.extension.iastate.edu/ecop

February 10, 2011
Getting Down to Business with Social Media Marketing

Social media and on-line tools have changed marketing forever. The good news is that you already know the hard parts of succeeding with these tools, it's just that no one told you how. We'll look at the ROI for real small businesses, then we'll go through a four step process to create a living and working plan that brings social media marketing right into the heart of your business.

Becky McCray, is a small town business owner, with a retail store and a cattle ranch in Woods County, Oklahoma. She writes about small town business issues at http://www.smallbizsurvival.com/

No pre-registration is required and there is no fee to participate. About 10 minutes prior to the start time simply go the Adobe Connect Pro meeting room at connect.extension.iastate.edu/ecop. You will be presented with a login screen that has an "Enter as Guest" option. Enter your full name then click "Enter Room" to join the conference. You will be able to hear the audio directly from your computer’s speakers.

Newcomers to on-line learning are welcome!
All webinars are recorded for your convenience and will be posted a day after the live presentation - http://www.extension.org/pages/ETC_Webinar_Archive

Check us out on Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/eXtensionentrepreneurs
________________________________________

Chamber Meeting Tuesday February 8th, 8 AM at the Deli

2011-02-06T16:01:00.001-07:00

To: Butte County Chamber of Commerce and Lost River Businesses

From: Chad Cheyney,

Vice President

RE: Regular February Membership Meeting

The regular membership meeting of the Butte County Chamber of Commerce, held on the 2^nd Tuesday of the month, will take place

Tuesday February 8^th at 8:00 AM at the Deli Sandwich Shop.

Our featured business for this month is Northwest Computer Professionals. We expect Vince Bush will be at the meeting to tell us about his current business and plans for the future. Vince is also the Chamber’s webmaster and did a great job on the new Chamber site at http://www.buttecountychamber.com/. If you have upcoming events or activities, they can be posted to the calendar. Besides computer equipment sales and repairs, Northwest Computer Professionals also offers website construction and hosting. Check out their website: http://www.nwcpros.com/

Featured businesses are asked to make a short presentation at a Chamber meeting about their business, and are featured on the top page of the Chamber website. If you would like to have your business featured or know of an interesting business to feature contact Chad at ccheyney@uidaho.edu or 527-8587. Chamber members who do not have a website, can have a static page built by Vince, and your url will be in the business and membership directors with a hyperlink to your page.

You should also check out the Chambers electronic newsletter or blog at : http://buttecountyidahochamber.blogspot.com/. If you are interested in posting relevant information to the blog, contact me and I can make you an “author”. There have recently been a number of webinars related to using social media to promote your business.

Its not too early to begin working on Atomic Days. The crew of the nuclear submarine floating dry dock ARCO are interested in reestablishing a relationship with the City of Arco, and have been invited to attend Atomic Days. Melisa Shodin has agreed to lead the concession for the rodeo. The Chamber is still looking for an overall chair person to coordinate the efforts and advertising of the various venues, etc. Coaching and backup is available.

The Horizons/Chamber has met with individuals interested in continuing the Saturday Market. This year’s market will be listed in the Idaho Department of Agriculture literature. At the meeting the group decided to look seriously into moving the time from morning to late afternoon and evening. There will be an effort made to have a food vendor at each session and the kinds and source of items permitted to be sold will be significantly eased. The Saturday Market corner has been used for an ice skating rink this winter and has been pretty well used. An “expert” on outdoor ice, let the rink crew know that it was the “best outdoor ice he has skated on in 20 years!”. The Saturday Market vendors will have another meeting to work on their plans the 3^rd Monday in March—anyone interested is invited. Watch the blog for details. The Saturday Market committee is looking for someone interested in “managing and recruiting” for the market. Over 2,000,000 cars pass the Saturday Market corner every year.

The Chamber has lined up the “Hypno Show” for one show in March. This and other fund raisers are used to cover the expenses of the citizen of the year program and the high school recognition program, etc.

It is also time to change Chamber Officers. If you might be interested in serving as an officer, some clerical and office support is available.

Agenda for Tuesday

Call to order

Reading of the Minutes

Treasurers Report

Featured Business Presentation : Northwest Computer Professionals

Annual Calender

Projects

Seasonal electricity distribution for lights along Front Street during the Holidays

“Hypno Show”

Raffle to establish a “backup fund” for the Atomic Days Rodeo

Annual Calendar

Atomic Days

Saturday Market

King Mountain Car Show Breakfast

Dinner Theatre

Citizen / Business of the Year

Honoring High School Academic Excellence

Other

Other Business

Adjourn

Charles Cheyney

Extension Professor / Extension Agent

260 West Grand Avenue

PO Box 832

Arco, ID 83213

Central Idaho Extension Blog http://centralidahoextension.blogspot.com

Horizons Blog http://arcomoore.communityblogs.us/

Butte Extension Web: http://extension.ag.uidaho.edu/butte/

208-527-8587 voice/fax

We have done so much with so little that we can now accomplish almost anything with nothing!

Chamber General Meeting Tuesday February 8th

2011-02-04T17:28:00.001-07:00

The Butte County Chamber of Commerce will hold their monthly regular membership meeting on Tuesday, February 8th at 8:00 AM. This month we will meet at the Deli Sandwich Shop. Our featured business for this month is Northwest Computer. The minutes of last months meeting follow.

Butte County Chamber of Commerce
Minutes
January 11, 2011

Present Janet Thornock, Richard Dean, Ernie Tate, Chad Cheyney, Colette Atwood, Sherry Partyka (won the early bird gift) Melinda Shodin.

Cheyney called the meeting to order at 8:05 AM

Chad read December minutes. Approved by Colette and Richard Dean.

Financial report read by Janet. Reimbursement on grant money is slow coming per Michelle Holt. Bills paid $119.40 to Northwest Computer for web page and $64.00 phone bill Pd.

Colette will check on chamber phone number and why it can’t just ring into Carrie at BIC center?

Have promise for Money from Economic development for Saturday market signs.

Seasonal yard lighting contest Coordinator to advertise and publicize and have create voting

then have the public vote on it this is for next year. Colette suggested & will contact Judy Hamilton who is already doing festival of trees and maybe she could suggest someone

Ernie will handle taking down the Christmas lights from the two trees on Front Street. Valley Insurance has boxes and boxes of Christmas lights to donate for lighting trees on Front Street but need a way to place electrical under each tree so as not to kill trees. Possible solution would be to trench away from each tree and then run a single line into each tree. Ernie under the direction of Neil Lish can do the work. Hopefully get the work done this summer.

Atomic Days Head coordinator needs to be found. Elaine would be willing to assist and consult. Also need someone to oversee the Rodeo with Crystal and Brad. Need to assist with accounting & funds system. (Tory & Angela Anderson?) Melinda Shodin prepared to accept rodeo concessions and follow through with food.

Community Preparedness Symposium sponsored by Horizons Life Long Learning is April 9th. To help getting resources to back up in crisis times like power outages. Bring vendors in like Preparedness Store from IF. Patricia King is heading up event. Cooking, canning classes and Arlene & Lin Pearson and David Henry. Target is for people to gain knowledge on how to survive in hard times.

2nd Annual King Mountain Car & Tractor Show headed up by Bill LaBounty. Chamber breakfast was a break even event. Does the chamber want to continue with breakfast?

Chad Cheyney said Andy’s Gun Shop could assist with a 0.17 rifle with scope for varmints and small game and raffle should bring in around $4000.00 and drawn at the time of the Atomic Days rodeo. Janet motion and Ernie second to support gun raffle to assist a buffer fund for Atomic Days rodeo. Tickets are very successful selling at the INL site.

Fundraisers Hypno Show. Sell tickets at door only instead of pre-sale. It was suggested a donation of a can of food to get $1.00 off ticket price. Last year price was $600.00 for one show and $900.00 for two. Need to pick a date and schedule the school auditorium. Janet will oversee the project. Possibly sometime in March.

Other fund raiser possibilities are Harlem Globetrotter style basketball game.

Todayz Idaho Publishing Magazine contacting is state Chambers.

Idaho Travel Council hosting two day event to help give ideas for local communities for hosting events.

Chamber Dues are to be paid when? Thinking February to February?

Chad received boxes of Idaho Magazines that could be placed at BIC Center.

Officers: President, Past President, Vice President, Treasurer, & Secretary. Five board members makes up Chamber committee. Need suggestions for possible replacements.

Next Meeting set at Deli Sandwich Shop Feb. at 8:00am

Need to somehow involve more businesses to assist with small parts of different functions so that no one individually gets burned out. Need not to be a paid chamber member. Any one or any business associate could be asked. How about decals and/or certificate for store windows for recognition? Janet will look into decals.
Adjourned 9:45am

A Solution for the Social Security?

2011-01-24T13:39:00.000-07:00

The current Social Security System arrangement is part of a growing "structural deficit" in the national budget. There is plenty of hue and cry about what to do about it, not to mention fear. The Chamber leadership received the following email, with links to an organization that purports to have a solution. If you are interested in their proposed solution, follow the links below....Chad
___________________________________________
From: Jim Gries [mailto:jgries1@tampabay.rr.com]
Sent: Wednesday, January 19, 2011 8:26 AM
Subject: Jobs - Jobs - Jobs
Please pass this along to your chamber leadership team.
As you’re well aware, communities all across America are facing significant financial challenges, jobs, foreclosures, infrastructure funding; just to mention a few. It’s small businesses in your community, and across America that produce jobs for average working Americans, those whose backs we all ride to our prosperity; if we destroy them, we destroy America. We’ve developed a comprehensive, community based long term solution that begins pumping millions of dollars into communities like yours. If we can get this legislation passed, millions of average working Americans, their families and the communities they call home will begin to prosper again.

I’m asking you to share these two links with your chamber leadership team and membership so we might raise our collective voices, and get behind a real solution. Additionally, If you desire I’m available to set up a conference call (up to 100) to field any questions, comments, or suggestions you and/or your membership might have. Please advise as to your interest.

The Issues: http://sobreport.com/?p=66

The Plan: http://sobreport.com/?p=70

PS: We are NON-Political

Thanks in advance, & have a great day
Jim Gries

CEO

"Behold the turtle: He makes progress only when he sticks his neck out."--James Bryant Conant

AmeriCareToday-ACT
http://www.socialsecuritysolution.org
"The People Plan" Radio Show
Sign Our Petition:
http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/crossingtheline/

9349 Fox Hollow Lane
Weeki Wachee, Fl. 34613
O-352.293.4496
C-352.346.3576
F-352.293.4526

There's little difference in people
But that little difference makes a big difference
The little difference is attitude
The big difference is
Whether it's positive or negative

Free Webinar on Training Employees and Volunteers February 1

2011-01-21T10:38:00.001-07:00

Greetings colleagues -- Please share the information below with all that might be interested. Anyone who is routinely faced with the need to train others -- volunteers or employees -- and would like to learn how to do so more effectively will benefit from this free training.

Now I Get It! Getting More from Staff Training

On Tuesday, February 1, 2011 join nonprofit consultant Kat Morgan and UVM Extension Specialist Mary Peabody for an interactive webinar on proven strategies to improve your staff training and development efforts. The webinar, part of a monthly series hosted by UVM Extension, will explore how to get the most from your training and development efforts.

Small, mission-centered organizations are facing tough times. Whether you rely on paid staff, volunteers or Board members we are all trying to do more with less and we have to be resource-smart to survive. Typically, staff training and development are not activities we can afford to prioritize but neither are they activities we can afford to ignore. The solution: make every training and development opportunity count!

Most often, on-the-job training is the only type of training we have the time or resources to offer; so we need to manage it successfully. When success matters it is not only the message that is important but also how that message is delivered. So how do we ensure that our on-the-job training is effective?

Experiential learning works! Adults learn best when what we focus on is relevant, practical, useful, and actionable. The model of experiential learning Kat will focus on in this webinar has been validated by research. David Kolb’s model identifies an experiential learning cycle that includes four discrete learning styles. Research documents that if learners are trained using more than one style, their retention of new skills and knowledge improves. If all four styles are used, retention dramatically increases. Given the limited time and money most nonprofits have for training, why not maximize our on-the-job training efficiency and effectiveness and do it well the first time?

With proper training we can lengthen our reach, strengthen our impact, and increase our effectiveness. With well-designed training and development, staff can grow professionally and personally, gain valuable skills, and understand even more clearly how important they are and how much they are valued. Without effective development, turnover rates increase, productivity decreases, and staff struggle with inefficiency, burnout, and performance issues.

This interactive webinar is part of the University of Vermont Extension’s Building Capacity series. The mission of this project is to provide education and technical assistance to build leadership for the nonprofit sector as well as small associations, boards, committees and commissions. The webinar will take place Tuesday, February 1 from 11am – 12:15pm.

No pre-registration is required and there is no fee to participate. About 10 minutes prior to the start time simply go the Elluminate meeting room at http://tinyurl.com/TrainingSmart-020111. You will be presented with a login screen that has an "Enter as Guest" option. Enter your full name and click "Enter Room" to join the conference. You will be able to hear the audio directly from your computer’s speakers.

--

Mary Peabody, UVM Extension Specialist, Community & Economic Development

Associate Director, Northeast Regional Center for Rural Development

617 Comstock Road, Suite 5

Berlin, VT 05602-9194

Phone: 802-223-2389 extension 202

or tollfree: 866-860-1382 extension 202

Fax: 802-223-6500

E-mail: mary.peabody@uvm.edu

Saturday Market Organizational Meeting Monday January 17th

2011-01-08T16:58:00.002-07:00

Your Input is Important to Us

You are invited to help organize the Butte County Saturday Market Committee!

As a vendor of the Saturday Market in Arco this past year or a potential vendor for the upcoming market year, you are cordially invited to attend the an organizational meeting of the Saturday Market Committee. Any participating or potential vendor is automatically considered a member of this committee. The Saturday Market operates under the auspices of the Horizons Steering Committee, and the Butte County Chamber of Commerce. It is the desire of these two organizations to help with, but not to actively manage the Saturday Market. We realize that in order for the market to succeed and grow, those whom are actively participating are the key to its success. Please join us.

Where: Arco Business Incubation Center (BIC building), in the North side large conference room.
When: Monday, January 17th, 2011
Time: 7:00 PM
Agenda: & any other questions or comments you may have
 Discuss what worked, market dates, times and duration of the market.
 Vendor fees, expenses, insurance, sales tax and financial management.
 Desirable market infrastructure improvements
 Determining the need for and identification of an enthusiastic and committed market manager
 Identify potential vendors to contact for involvement in market
 Identify needed diversity in vendors at market
 Ideas needed to locate a dependable food vendor

For further information contact Chad Cheyney at his office at 260 West Grand, west of the Butte County Court House, or by email at ccheyney@uidaho.edu or by phone at 527-8587.

Monthly Webinars for Small Business Owners Start Jan 13th

2011-01-06T12:13:00.000-07:00

eXtension Entrepreneurs and Their Communities - ON-LINE PRESENCE Series 2011

Mark your calendars! The eXtension Entrepreneurship webinar series airs monthly on the second Thursday at 2:00pm (ET); 1:00pm (CT); 12:00pm (MT); 11:00am (PT). Webinar access at http://connect.extension.iastate.edu/ecop

January 13, 2011
Creating Valuable Content That Converts

Just creating a website and filling it with content (usually from our brochures) is simply not enough any more. It's important that you create content that is valuable to your audience and will lead them through a conversion process which will take them from just being a site visitor to someone who has a business relationship with you. We will talk about content creation, frequency and how social media will play a part.

Scott Wild, WildInspire, Bismarck ND has been working in the computer industry for the past 15 years with experience ranging from software programming, corporate training, and internet marketing and consulting. He is passionate about the role that the Internet plays in marketing for profits and non-profits. He is a big believer in networking and generating ideas in a group setting. http://www.wildinspire.com/

February 10, 2011
Getting Down to Business with Social Media Marketing

Social media and on-line tools have changed marketing forever. The good news is that you already know the hard parts of succeeding with these tools, it's just that no one told you how. We'll look at the ROI for real small businesses, then we'll go through a four step process to create a living and working plan that brings social media marketing right into the heart of your business.

Becky McCray, is a small town business owner, with a retail store and a cattle ranch in Woods County, Oklahoma. She writes about small town business issues at http://www.smallbizsurvival.com

March 10, 2011
You Are Here! Maps for Business

You Are Here! Learn how to create and use interactive maps and geo-location tools to bring clientele to your doors. Many people are using their computers and handheld technology to make decisions about their next stop or purchase. Too often the commercial mapping and GPS tools available are woefully inaccurate for getting our business information to potential customers.

Jennifer Nixon and Connie Hancock, UNL Extension Educators are focused on helping communities and businesses improve economic development opportunities thru the utilization and adoption of broadband access.

They have provided educational programming to communities and businesses in the areas of Taking Charge of your On-line Presence, Websites for Growth and utilizing the new tools for marketing.

No pre-registration is required and there is no fee to participate. About 10 minutes prior to the start time simply go the Adobe Connect Pro meeting room at connect.extension.iastate.edu/ecop. You will be presented with a login screen that has an "Enter as Guest" option. Enter your full name then click "Enter Room" to join the conference. You will be able to hear the audio directly from your computer’s speakers.

Newcomers to on-line learning are welcome!
Connie Hancock
University of NE Extension
Extension Educator
920 Jackson St.
Sidney, NE 69162
308-254-4455 - phone
308-254-6055 - fax
chancock1@unl.edu
http://chancock.magntize.com/
If you can dream it, you can do it!
Walt Disney

Saturday Market Meeting Januray 17th: Vendors and Potential Vendors Invited

2011-01-03T11:11:00.000-07:00

By Chad Cheyney, Horizons Community Reported

The Networking and Building the Local Economy Action team will devote its entire meeting on January 17th at 7 PM in the BIC to updating plans for the Saturday Market for the 2011 Season. Last year’s vendors, potential vendors, and interested persons are invited to attend.

The action team in cooperation with the Butte County Chamber of Commerce began the market last year as a community economic development activity. The committee and the chamber have learned a lot about the kinds of items that seem to attract tourists and have some ideas about changing the time of day for the market, as well as activities to attract customers.

The chamber and the committee are interested in working with the vendors to develop some self governance and help in administration and management of the market. Please come and bring your ideas and suggestions for the 2011 Saturday Market Season

Free eXtension Entrepreneur Webinars Starte Jan 13th

2010-12-21T09:36:00.000-07:00

eXtension Entrepreneurs and Their Communities - ON-LINE PRESENCE Series 2011

Mark your calendars! The eXtension Entrepreneurship webinar series airs monthly on the second Thursday at 2:00pm (ET); 1:00pm (CT); 12:00pm (MT); 11:00am (PT). Webinar access at http://connect.extension.iastate.edu/ecop

January 13, 2011
Creating Valuable Content That Converts

Just creating a website and filling it with content (usually from our brochures) is simply not enough any more. It's important that you create content that is valuable to your audience and will lead them through a conversion process which will take them from just being a site visitor to someone who has a business relationship with you. We will talk about content creation, frequency and how social media will play a part.

Scott Wild, WildInspire, Bismarck ND has been working in the computer industry for the past 15 years with experience ranging from software programming, corporate training, and internet marketing and consulting. He is passionate about the role that the Internet plays in marketing for profits and non-profits. He is a big believer in networking and generating ideas in a group setting. http://www.wildinspire.com/

February 10, 2011
Getting Down to Business with Social Media Marketing

Social media and on-line tools have changed marketing forever. The good news is that you already know the hard parts of succeeding with these tools, it's just that no one told you how. We'll look at the ROI for real small businesses, then we'll go through a four step process to create a living and working plan that brings social media marketing right into the heart of your business.

Becky McCray, is a small town business owner, with a retail store and a cattle ranch in Woods County, Oklahoma. She writes about small town business issues at http://www.smallbizsurvival.com/

March 10, 2011
You Are Here! Maps for Business

You Are Here! Learn how to create and use interactive maps and geo-location tools to bring clientele to your doors. Many people are using their computers and handheld technology to make decisions about their next stop or purchase. Too often the commercial mapping and GPS tools available are woefully inaccurate for getting our business information to potential customers.

Jennifer Nixon and Connie Hancock, UNL Extension Educators are focused on helping communities and businesses improve economic development opportunities thru the utilization and adoption of broadband access.

They have provided educational programming to communities and businesses in the areas of Taking Charge of your On-line Presence, Websites for Growth and utilizing the new tools for marketing.

No pre-registration is required and there is no fee to participate. About 10 minutes prior to the start time simply go the Adobe Connect Pro meeting room at connect.extension.iastate.edu/ecop. You will be presented with a login screen that has an "Enter as Guest" option. Enter your full name then click "Enter Room" to join the conference. You will be able to hear the audio directly from your computer’s speakers.

Newcomers to on-line learning are welcome!
Connie Hancock
University of NE Extension
Extension Educator
920 Jackson St.
Sidney, NE 69162
308-254-4455 - phone
308-254-6055 - fax
chancock1@unl.edu

http://chancock.magntize.com

If you can dream it, you can do it!

Walt Disney

Ranch Manager Sought for Research Station in Salmon

2010-12-14T11:49:00.000-07:00

The Univeristy of Idaho, Nancy M Cumming Research, Extension and Education center at Salmon, Idaho is seeking a ranch manager. This is a $40,000+ (DOE) plus housing job with a view of the continental divide. Follow the link below for details, application and contact information.

http://centralidahoextension.blogspot.com/2010/12/ranch-manager-postion-at-research.html

Chamber Montly Meeting, Tuesday December 14th

2010-12-13T11:45:00.001-07:00

The Butte County Chamber of Commerce will hold its regular montly general membership meeting Tuesday December 14th at 8:00 AM at Pickles Place. The meeting is open to the public. There are some door prizes for the first to arrive.....

Butte County Chamber of Commerce

Monthy General Membership Meeting

December 14th, 2010

Agenda

No Host Breakfast

8:00 AM Call to Order
Reading of the Minutes (Colette)
Financial Report (Janet)
Correspondence

Northwest Chamber Leaders Conference Mar 12-14, 2011
Other

Tree Lights along Front Street ( Ernie Tate)
Election of officers / Change in By-laws

Discussion of Possible Winter Business Promo Ideas

Winter Fest - Ice Carving Contest – coordinate with winter fest at the CRMO?
Pretty late for Christmas promotions????

Coordinate with Horizons Education Committee on Spring Community Preparedness Symposium, (This could bring people to town?)
Coordination with Moore Community Association on King Mountain Car Show
Atomic Days Rodeo –

Fund raiser / advertizing to make rodeo more competitive
Atomic Days leadership

Communication

Chamber Email Address
Chamber Phone Number
Newsletter—do we want a printed newsletter
Digital Only?
Authors?
Content?
Responsiblity
Chamber Blog—
How do we promote this
How do we use this for dialogue on issues, etc.
http://buttecountyidahochamber.blogspot.com/
Web Page---
Needs to be reviewed carefully
http://www.buttecountychamber.com/
Possible Use of Social Media for promotion????
Eg Facebook.com

Lists of businesses to feature so that these can be lined up well in advance.

Adjourn

Innovation Engineering: Knowledge, Tools & Inspiration for Young Entrepreneurs Dec 9th

2010-11-26T14:46:00.001-07:00

Mark your calendars! The eXtension Entrepreneurship webinar series airs monthly on the second Thursday at 2:00pm (ET); 1:00pm (CT); 12:00pm (MT); 11:00am (PT).

On Thursday, December 9, 2010 we return to our youth entrepreneurship theme with a presentation on Innovation Engineering: Knowledge, tools and inspiration to become an innovator and entrepreneur. Our presenter will be Renee Kelly, Co-Director of Programs, Operations and Outreach, at the Foster Center for Student Innovation at the University of Maine. Tune in to learn about the work that is incubating our next generation of entrepreneurs.

In order to be future leaders, students need to know how to innovate. They need to know how create unique ideas, communicate them effectively and implement them, whether they want to start their own business or work in an established organization. The Foster Center for Student Innovation at the University of Maine has developed an academic minor for students from all majors to learn a variety of tools and methods for a systematic approach to innovation. The Foster Center has begun outreach to adapt this program to younger students including a summer camp for youths from grades 3-8, workshops for high school students, after school programs and partnerships with K-12 schools to integrate concepts into their curriculum.

No pre-registration is required and there is no fee to participate. About 10 minutes prior to the start time simply go the Adobe Connect Pro meeting room at connect.extension.iastate.edu/ecop. You will be presented with a login screen that has an "Enter as Guest" option. Enter your full name then click "Enter Room" to join the conference. You will be able to hear the audio directly from your computer’s speakers.

Newcomers to online learning are welcome!

Contact: Mary Peabody, Email: Mary.Peabody@uvm.edu

Dinner Theater and Recognition Program Tonight

2010-11-19T05:44:00.004-07:00

There are still a few tickets left for the Butte County Chamber of Commerce Dinner Theater and Recognition Program scheduled for 7:00 pm this eventing, Friday November 19 at the Arco Elementary School. Besides a great meal, terrific Vaudeville program, recognition of the citizen and business of the year, there will be six drawings for Wish Upon A Star raffle tickets!

Supper will be roast beef, baked potato with all the fixings, green salad with ranch dressing and cake for desert. Supper will be served by high school drama class member. The Vaudeville show will be presented by Mrs.Nelsons middle school drama class.

Tickets are available at the Eastern Idaho Credit Union, by calling 527-8587. Any remaining tickets will be available at the door.

Free Webinar on Rural Entrepreneurship Nov 18th, Noon MST

2010-11-17T12:39:00.001-07:00

AFRI -Agricultural Economics and Rural Communities Program
Topic: Rural Entrepreneurship.
Date: November 18, 2010 (TOMORROW)
Time:2:00 to 3:30 pm EST

Presenters:
Dr. Charles Tolbert, Baylor University,
Nascent Employer and Their First Employees: Hope for Development in Rural America

Dr.Peter Schaffer, West Virginia University,
Collaborative Research: Evaluation without Bias: New Performance Measures for Business Incubators in Rural America

Dr.Catherine Keske, Colorado State University,
Using Mountain Ecosystem Services to Provide Sustainable Economic Growth and Job Development in Rural Communities

Dr. Frank Farmer, University of Arkansas,
Entrepreneurial Development Targeting Rural Hispanic Immigrants: A Collaborative Research and Extension
Effort

Purpose:
To disseminate research findings of AFRI funded projects and to identify future research needs. This webinar may be of use to researchers and policy makers interested in rural entrepreneurship; students and faculty interested in rural development; and potential applicants to the AFRI Agricultural Economics and Rural Communities program.

Technology:
To take part in this webinar:
• Open your internet browser and go to http://nifa-connect.nifa.usda.gov/aercp/
•Login as you and will be connected to the webinar.
•Login ahead of time to ensure that your computer will work with USDA/NIFA system.
•Capacity is limited to 70 attendees only.

In order to use the Adobe Connect system, your computer will need the following system requirements:
•Microsoft Windows XP Professional or Home Edition with Service Pack 2 or Windows Vista •Internet Explorer 6+, Netscape Navigator 8.1+, Mozilla Firefox 1.5.03+, Mac OS X v10.4+, or Safari 2.0+ •Adobe Flash Player 10 •Broadband connection, and cookies enabled in browser

Additional Information:
• Suresh Sureshwaran, 202-720-7536 or ssureshwaran@nifa.usda.gov
• Katrena Hanks, 202-401-5286 or khanks@nifa.usda.gov

Antonio A. McLaren
Program Specialist
Institute of Food Production and Sustainability
National Institute of Food and Agriculture
United States Department of Agriculture
800 9th Street, SW
Room 4435, Waterfront Center
Washington, DC 20024
Voicemail: (202)-720-5997
Fax: (202)-720-6071
E-mail: amclaren@nifa.usda.gov
Web: http://www.nifa.usda.gov

NIFA's Mission: To advance knowledge for agriculture, the environment, human health and well-being, and
communities.

Citizen and Business of the Year Nominations

2010-11-12T15:40:00.001-07:00

The Butte County Chamber of Commerce would like to thank those who recognized the contributions of businesses and individuals to our life in the Lost Rivers Valleys, and who took the time to nominate them for this awards process.

The selection process will be a combination of public input and the deliberations of a select committee. Each portion of the evaluation will be equally weighted numerically and the final score computed to determine the successful nomination for 2010. If you wish to participate in the public input, please send a signed post card or letter to the Chamber of Commerce at POB 837, Arco, ID 83213. Simply write the name of the nominee you prefer for citizen of the year and for business of the year and sign your name. If you prefer, you may send your vote by email to ccheyney@uidaho.edu. Please put “RECOGNITION” in the subject line of your email. Points will be allocated to the nominees based on the total number of votes cast. All votes must be in the hands of the Chamber by 5 PM on Wednesday, November 17th. All voting is intended to be confidential.

The nominee with the highest number of points from popular support and from the committee evaluation will be the citizen or business of the year. The presentation will be made at the Chamber Dinner Theatre and Recognition Program on Friday, November 19th.

The following individuals and business have been nominated for citizen and are listed in alphabetical order by last name.

Citizen of the Year Nominations

Bill LaBounty
In my short time here in the community, I have seen him extending himself for the betterment of our valley. I appreciate his efforts in the Horizons Committee and the Moore Community Association. I see him as a man with vision and ideas that moves in a forward direction. He is good at personal relationships which allow him to delegate and officiate showing positive results for his efforts.

I am grateful to see that the projects he has invested his time in were beneficial to us all and I wanted to take this opportunity to thank him. I look forward to supporting him in his future endeavors for our valley!

Judy Lish
I would like to nominate Judy Lish for citizen of the year.] An advocate for the education, Judy has enthusiastically served as a trustee for the school district for over 20 years. With integrity and fearsome determination she takes our challenges and out successes to the legislators and to the streets to fight for our communities children. Utilizing the resources of her local business, Judy has undertaken the battle of underage drinking emulating pride in our community with her contribution of “We Are Butte” t-shirts. She also provides positive work experiences for many local youth trough work-release and special needs services! Moreover, Judy saves lives-literally! Characteristically going above and beyond, Judy spends many hours volunteering as an ambulance driver. Judy’s contributions to this community are countless and we … are happy to call her one of Butte County’s finest citizens!

Gayla Parkinson
I would like to nominate Gayla Parkinson for this honor. In the past couple of years she has done a lot to help the citizens of Arco and surrounding areas with food storage needs. She has purchased a canner and set it up in the Drive In, so people can their dry goods and increase the shelf life of those items. She has made numerous trips around the state to pick up grains, beans, powdered milk, and many other items, and made them available to us. I don't think this has been a money maker for her, but she helps us anyway. She is always cheerful, even when she is stressed and trying to make sure every order is filled. She has not limited this service to anyone in particular.

Gayla Parkinson has served us all well!

Cindy Reed
I would like to nominate Cindy Reed for Butte County citizen of the year. Cindy is a lifelong resident of Idaho. Spending her childhood in Sterling and Tendoy, Idaho, then residing in Rockford. Spending the last five (5) years in Butte County where she is currently Lions Club President, instrumental in community activities, like Blizzard Mountain ski hill, the Lions trap shoot and other activities. A member of the Horizon’s Steering Committee, an active 4-H livestock leader and supporter. In addition to holding a full-time job at Tractor Sales in Idaho Falls, and delivering parts to many local farmers and ranchers on her way home at night to her family west of Arco.

Gaylen and Rachel Schuldt

I would like to nominate Gaylen and Rachel Schuldt as Butte County Citizen of the Year. Gaylen and Rachel have been extensively involved the Community Parks and Recreation organization. They have organized and run the youth soccer programs. Gaylen and Rachel love to play softball, and have participated in the city league since they moved here. Gaylen took on the organization of the city adult softball league and tournament for 2010. He also took on running the Atomic Days and men’s tournaments for July and August 2010. They have both been actively involved the Arco Elementary PTA. Rachel was the secretary for the 2009-11 school year, and she organized the Reflections program for 2009 and 2010. Gaylen is the treasurer for the 2010-11 school year. They both help with any activity for PTA puts on. Rachel taught school at the Family Academy for the 2008-09 and 2009-10 school years. She is currently the 6th grade teacher at Butte middle School. They are very active in the community and they are both always willing to help or head up andy project asked of them. I believe they both deserve to be citizen of the year.

Mark Stauffer
I have worked closely with Mark Stauffer both as Chairman of the Lost Rivers Economic Development Board of Directors and as a Butte County Commissioner. Though the many boards and organizations Mark dedicates time are too numerous to mention, they have all benefited from his passion and zeal for the long term success of Butte County. He has been Chairman of the Lost Rivers Economic Development Board for the last 6 years and is retiring from the Butte County Board of Commissioners at the end of the year after 18 years of service. I can’t see a better way to honor those years of service to our community than by nominating Mark for Citizen of the Year.

I have found Mark to be a very collaborative, visionary leader who is always willing to look out for everyone’s best interest, not just those of his own constituents, able to make the tough decision when necessary and knowing he won’t be popular for them. He is always willing to lead by example like the many hours he work right along other volunteers for the County Wood Program.
Elaine Twitchell
I would like to nominate Elaine Twitchell to be Citizen of the Year. Elaine has been active in helping several organizations this past year.
1. Elaine was Atomic Days Chairman again this year for the 3rd year in a row.
2. Elaine is the treasurer for the Parks and Rec. for 5 years and running.
3. Elaine was the Chairperson for the 2nd annual Arco Duck Race and gathered all the prizes that were awarded.
4. She has help put together the Arco Softball Tournament this year and years past including gathering prizes for this event.
5. Currently active in Arco Elementary PTA and has served as past President and past Vice-President.
6. Amongst all her volunteer work she works part-time at East Idaho Credit Union.
7. Elaine continually supports her boys in their academics and athletics.
8. Elaine is actively engaged in Church service and mentoring in the young women’s group at her Church.
9. Elaine continually supports and helps her husband Jory in his various projects.

In talking to her husband while, I was gathering all this information, he stated that even with all her time spent volunteering she is still an excellent homemaker, mother, wife and an excellent cook. If there is a community event being put together you will more than likely see Elaine volunteering her time to help make the event successful.

Tim Williams
I would like to nominate Tim C. Williams of Arco for this year’s Citizen of the Year Award. Tim has served in this community for almost 40 years, the fire department as an Assistant Chief and the EMTs. Tim puts on a wonderful 4th of July fireworks show. He often pays for the fireworks out of pocket when the money from the firecracker cans around town doesn’t cover all the cost. People don’t realize what a gem we have to have a qualified pyrotechnical technician living amongst us who doesn’t charge the town to put on a 4th of July show in which he always has and will remain doing so. ….After talking to a licensed manufacturer he joined the Western Pyrotechnical Association and became licensed to manufacture fireworks and learned how fireworks were made and learned how to fire electronically and remotely at such places like the Rexburg Dance Festival and our very own Butte Pirate football games, when a touchdown is made. He has displayed shows in Idaho, Utah, Nevada, Arizona, and Alaska, participating with pyrotechnical teams including China at the 2001 Salt Lake Winter Games. Williams and his wife Ardith have been there during many sports events not only to cheer the team on but to insure if a player is injured they receive help…He spent 3 years in Germany in the Army as an aircraft mechanic, an important service to our country. … A lot of memorable experiences as a volunteer too many to mention, Tim recalls the one that sticks out the most was performing CPR saving a life, with the combined efforts from a lot of those working as a team. This person is still walking around today.

There are all kinds of Heroes…. and our Community Heroes who do great things are sometimes taken for granted. Those in the military, those who volunteer in our valley to protect our lives and property. These and others as well as the firefighter job is often thankless with the number of hours of training, the cold nights when woken up rudely by the sounds of an alarm. Seeing Tim with the radio on his hip, he’s always ready to go. And that is why he deserves to be this year’s Citizen of the Year 2010.

Business of the Year Nominations

Arco Service

I would like to nominate Arco Service to be the Business of the Year.

Mike and Tisha Kozloff purchased and took over Arco Service earlier this year and have continued to improve their business. They have continued the traditions of the previous owners and improved on some. They have added new food items to the food service of the business to give their customers a wider selection. Their employees are friendly and I have observed several times while I have been in the store their employees showing great customer service. They are friendly and greet their customers as they enter the store and when asked questions from people traveling through giving directions and information on local attractions. This business is a good example of great customer service.

Craters of the Moon KOA
Neil and Sherry Partyka have set a wonderful example over the past two years of how creativity and capital investment can position a business to grow and thrive by creating a unique and enjoyable customer experience. Their hard work really shows as you take a walk around the campground. The grounds and buildings are well kept, they have used the KOA brand consistently to market their business including shirts, signs, color schemes and the like. Additions like the sleeping cabins, swimming pool , recumbent bikes and activities, like outdoor movies, ice cream socials, pancake breakfasts and more have added not only to their visitors’ experience but to our community’s options for recreation as well. According to Neil, the KOA doubled their business this past summer and it is sure easy to see why. I expect we will continue to see growth and expansion from this business in the coming years.

The Galloping Goose
[nomination ] of the Galloping Goose as local business of the year! ……. Utilizing the resources of her local business, Judy has undertaken the battle of underage drinking emulating pride in our community with her contribution of “We Are Butte” t-shirts. She also provides positive work experiences for many local youth trough work-release and special needs services! …

Lost River Drive-In
We would like to nominate Gayla Parkinson for Business Woman of the Year. She has been the owner of the Lost River Drive Inn for many years. She has also brought to our valley the convenience of Food Storage and emergency items. For people all over the valley, from Howe to Challis. She has spent many hours on-line and the telephone to many food distribution companies making deals for large or small amounts of dry goods or fresh supplies for winter throughout the year so we will have plenty of feed on our tables for family and friends. She purchased a canning machine to can dry foods for longer shelf life. Everyone in the valley can use this machine. She charges so little and went many miles using her own gas and volunteers at the Bountiful Basket to bring in low cost fruit and vegetables to the valley. She asks nothing in return for all she does. Gayla is a remarkable woman. She holds her family close and when her husband Scott was injured this summer, she has still helped this valley make it through another winter, while waiting the many hours in hospital or on the road picking up the food at no cost to us. She has proven she is an outstanding person and we think that she the best choice for Business Woman of the Year.

Metal Specialties
I would like to put “Tom & Pat Gucker” with Metal Specialties as business of the year for all they have do to help out this last year for many of the things that went on they were always they to help or donate.

Pickles Place
We below want to nominate our boss, John M. Danz, owner of Pickles Place and inventor of John’s Spice & Seasoning. John has a long history of helping the community. J.C.’s, Chamber of Commerce, Atomic Days, Easter egg hunts. He is the go-to-man for any organization who is putting on a feed. He’s there to order food, give advise, supply equipment, and even cook the food for them to sell. It’s a good thing there is only 24 hours in a day because here are a lot of days John uses just about all of them.

Not only is John a successful business man, he is a good husband and father. No matter how busy he is he always makes time for his family. Camping with friends and going snowmobiling are some of the fun things they do.

John is always there to donate his time, spice and money to the many clubs and others looking for help. Thy just don’t get any better than John: businessman, salesman, community leader, husband, father and boss. We all couldn’t ask for any better. That is why we want to nominate John M. Danz for Business of the Year.

eXtension Webinar: Culinary Tourism November 11

2010-11-08T09:36:00.000-07:00

eXtension, then electronic arm of the Cooperative Extension System, offers free on-line learning activities called webinars. These can be accessed on most internet capable computer equipment. The next one in economic development is the last in a series on culinary tourism. Follow the link below to find out more about the webinar and a link to attend it.

http://arcomoore.communityblogs.us/2010/11/08/extension-entrepreneurship-webinar-culinary-tourism-novemeber-11/

Chamber Meets Tuesday November 9th

2010-11-05T11:26:00.001-06:00

The Butte County Chamber of Commerce will hold their regular monthly general membership membership meeting on Tuesday, November 9th at 8 AM at Pickles Place.

The Featured Business for this month is the Galloping Goose. The Bud Lish, one of the proprietors had be scheduled to make a presentation about the business last month, but was call out to an ambulance call. He will return this month with his presentation. In addition to the Galloping Goose's store front gift shop on Grand Avenue, the business does most of their business as custom embroidery of hats, jackets and bags for customers across Idaho and around the west, that brings money into the county.

In addition, Lori Priest, community relations specialist for the INL, will be making a grant presentation to Bob Burroughs and Tresa Searle, representing Lost Rivers Medical Center.

Vaudeville: A Dazzling Display of Heterogeneous Splendor November 19th

2010-11-05T10:23:00.002-06:00

The Butte County Chamber of Commerce’s dinner theater will be held Friday 19th for fellowship, entertainment and to honor the Citizen of the Year and the Business of the Year. The program will be held at the Arco Elementary School. The evening will showcase students from Mrs. Stephanie Nelson’s junior high drama class with the “Vaudeville Variety Show”. The show is in the tradition of old time Vaudeville entertainment with skits, and other exhibitions of talent designed to “educate, edify, amaze and uplift”! The evening will culminate with the announcement of the Business of the Year and the Citizen of the Year.

Supper will be roast beef, baked potato with sour cream and butter, green salad with ranch dressing and cake for desert. Tickets are $15.00 and will be available at the East Idaho Credit Union or by calling 527-8587.

Persons interested in nominating a citizen or business of the year should send a letter or email of nomination to the Butte County Chamber of Commerce (POB 837, Arco, Idaho 83213) , post marked by close of business on November 8th. The letter should include the contact information for the nominee as well as the nominator. The letter should clearly describe why their nominee should be the Business or Citizen of the Year. Nominees with their entries will be published in the Arco Advertiser, on the Chamber website (http://www.buttecountychamber.com/) or on the chamber blog (http://buttecountyidahochamber.blogspot.com/). A mechanism will be in place for local citizens to vote on the nominations on the internet. Selection will be made based on a combination of public opinion and a review by a select committee. Nominations may also be submitted by email to ccheyney@uidaho.edu.

Chamber Seeks Nominations for Citizen and Business of the Year

2010-11-02T21:56:00.001-06:00

The Butte County Chamber of Commerce is seeking nominations of for Citizen of the Year and for Business of the Year. Nominations and letters of support are due by the close of business on Monday November 8^th. Selection will be made on the basis of a combination of public input and the deliberations of a select committee. The winners will be announced at the Chamber’s Dinner Theatre on Friday November 19^th.

Persons interested in nominating a citizen or business of the year should send a letter or email of nomination to the Butte County Chamber of Commerce (POB 837, Arco, Idaho 83213) , post marked by close of business on November 8^th. The letter should include the contact information for the nominee as well as the nominator. The letter should clearly describe why their nominee should be the Business or Citizen of the Year. Nominees with their entries will be published in the Arco Advertiser, on the Chamber website (http://www.buttecountychamber.com/) or on the chamber blog (http://buttecountyidahochamber.blogspot.com/). A mechanism will be in place for local citizens to vote on the nominations on the internet. Selection will be made based on a combination of public opinion and a review by a select committee. Nominations may also be submitted by email to ccheyney@uidaho.edu.

Idaho Weed Control Association College Scholarships

2010-11-01T14:44:00.000-06:00

The Idaho Weed Control Association offers scholarships every spring for University of Idaho and Treasure Valley Community College students. Preference is given to students majoring in plant or crop sciences, entomology, range resources or other associated fields.

Deadline to apply is December 10, 2010.
Please forward to all who might be interested.
http://www.idahoweedcontrol.org/scholarship.html

Horizons Steering Committee Meets Monday Nov 1st

2010-10-31T19:31:00.000-06:00

The Horizons Steering Committee will meet on Monday, November 1st at 7PM at the BIC. A copy of the by-laws for the Butte Communities Improvement Association should be available for review.

Small business success based on ARS-developed technology highlighted at conference:

2010-10-15T13:03:00.000-06:00

The transformation of ChoiceBatter--an ARS-developed, rice-flour-based batter that absorbs up to 50 percent less oil in deep-frying--from a federal laboratory bench technology to a grocery store product was spotlighted this week by ARS officials and other participants at the 17th annual conference of the National Association of Seed and Venture Funds. (10/15) http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/pr/2010/101015.htm

Arco Elementary PTS Seeks $150 in Help to Finance Pumkin Patch

2010-10-14T15:52:00.002-06:00

The Arco Elementary PTA is sponsoring a “pumpkin patch” for kids in the grammar school. They have arranged an excellent price for pumpkins with Walmart in Blackfoot. The need to raise $150 to fund the activity. The PTA approached Horizons through LRED, and we immediately had several individuals offer to donate toward the project, and consequently felt that perhaps that would be the most appropriate way.

If you are willing to help fund the Pumpkin Patch project, please call or email the Horizons Steering Committee at 527-8587 or ccheyney@uidaho.edu.

Plan to Attend Small Business & Human Resources Community Open House October 19th

2010-10-12T14:42:00.001-06:00

Idaho Department of Energy, Idaho National Laboratory & Lost Rivers Economic Development have joined together to present a Small Business & Human Resources Community Open House on Tuesday, October 19th from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the BIC in Arco.

The purpose of this event is to:
• Provide entrepreneurs and business owners with tips on how to do business with the government.
• Provide prospective job seekers with important information on how to identify and apply for positions with the Idaho National Laboratory & DOE.
• Provide an opportunity for individuals to speak face to face with division representatives to ask questions and network.

Open house booths will be manned representatives from Department of Energy – Idaho and CH2M-WG Idaho, LLC, as well as several divisions from Idaho National Laboratory including Small Business/Procurement, Human Resources, K-12 Educational Outreach and Community Relations.

Workshop presentations will be held each hour.

3:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Doing Business with the Government, presented by DOE, INL & CWI
4:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Working at the INL, presented by INL Human Resources
5:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Working at the DOE, presented by DOE Human Resources

If you are a job seeker, a business owner, a potential entrepreneur, an educator or represent a community organization you are encouraged to attend. This will be an open house format so you are welcome to attend for the entire event, to attend only a specific presentation or to just network during workshop breaks.

For more information, contact Michelle Holt with Lost Rivers Economic Development at (208) 527-3060 x 11 or by e-mail at lred@atcnet.net.

Chamber Meeting Tuesday the 12th Features the Galloping Goose

2010-10-10T08:47:00.001-06:00

It is another month already and time for the next Butte Chamber of Commerce Meeting.

October 12^th at 8:00am at Pickle’s Place. This month we will be spotlighting “The Galloping Goose”.
Check out the Galloping Goose's website at http://www.gallopinggooseent.com/.

Please make an effort to attend and help us to promote your local business.

Sincerely,

Colette Atwood

Butte Chamber Secretary

Arco ID 83213

208-527-3249

colette@atcnet.net

Community Firewood Program Continues Saturday

2010-10-05T12:12:00.000-06:00

The community firewood program, sponsored by the Butte County Commissioners, distributed about 12 cords of wood last Saturday. The program will continue on Saturday at 9 AM to distribute additional firewood to community members who have trouble getting or paying for firewood. Volunteers should meet at 9 AM at Garner's Rough Cuts at the Big Bend, wets of Arco.

Butte Communities Steering Committee Meets Monday October 4th

2010-09-30T17:20:00.000-06:00

The Horizons, Butte Communities Steering Committee will meet on Monday October 6th at 7 pm in the BIC. Items of discussion will included:

1) assistance for assisting development of a social economic model for central Idaho, including development of regional cooperation

2) work on the development of a non-profit community development association to apply for and administer grants,

3) reports from action teams

a. building the economy – Saturday Market

b. building community –community garden/community gatherings

c. community pride

d. life long learning – classes underway and to be offered.

4) Regional coaching

5) Regional community development opportunities

Community Firewood Program Gets Underway Saturady October 2nd: Volunteers Needed!

2010-09-30T17:19:00.000-06:00

The Butte County Community firewood program begins delivery on Saturday October 2nd. Volunteers are needed to load, deliver and stack approximately 80 cords of firewood for persons in our community who need assistance with home heating issues this winter. The program is part of a fuels reduction and community assistance program operated in collaboration with the US Forest Service, Butte County and community volunteers.

Volunteers should gather Saturday October 2nd with pickups, trailers and a strong back at Garner’s Rough Cuts, at the Big Bend, west of Arco at 9 am. Load, deliver and stack firewood for persons in our community who need assistance. Deliveries will continue each Saturday, beginning at 9 am until all the firewood has been delivered.

For questions or additional information, contact the Butte County Commission at 5273021.

An Input-Output Model for Butte County

2010-09-24T10:28:00.001-06:00

Dr. Abelardo Rodriguez from the University of Idaho, Department of Agricultural Economics and Rural Sociology, is interested in building an input-model for the Butte County and or the central Idaho region. This model would also be a "social accounting" model that would also tell us how changes in our economy affect people at different socio-economic levels. These models provide good documentation for grant applications and negotiations with other governmental agencies. Since these models tease out "hidden" connections in the economy, they are helpful in predicting the outcome of good or bad changes in the economy and may help focus community discussions on where short and long-term economic development efforts should be focused.

With the recent deep cuts in personnel and travel budgets at the University, Dr. Rodriguez will need our help to fund the necessary travel to work with the community to be sure that the model reflects our situation, and to come and report to the community on the results.

To see and example of this type of work for the Teton Region, go to http://www.cals.uidaho.edu/edComm/pdf/BUL/BUL0872.pdf

Regional Economic Model Development

2010-09-20T15:49:00.000-06:00

Dr. Abelardo Rodrigues from the Univeristy of Idaho Department of Agricultural Economics and Rural Socialology is planning a study of the economy of central Idaho that will leader to a regional economic model. He is also working on a e-commerce education program. He will be available to discuss the project on Tuesday evening, September 21st at 7:00 pm in the BIC, or by appointment on Wednesday by call the Extension Office at 527-8587.

Lost River Leadership Academy Begins October 15th

2010-09-20T10:40:00.000-06:00

It’s Leadership Academy time again. This year brings some changes. The academy has been cut from 11 sessions to 9 and will run from October – June. This year (finally!) the Academy has been designed to include a year end community project and an hour planning time at the end of each day toward that project. It will also include one session of Leadership Plenty – the leadership training program offered through Horizons.

We have also changed our approach to planning. We officially changed the commitment to a single year, but added the community project. In light of all the consolidation of sessions, and the changes to the calendar, we decided it would be difficult to utilize the committees from last year in the planning….so your off the hook!

Deadline for registration is Friday October 8th and the first session will be Friday, October 15th in Challis. Please spread the word and encourage others from your community to participate. The best endorsement comes from you, Alumni. I hope you will talk to your friends and family and encourage them to register!

For more information follow the links below:
LRLA Brochure
LRLA Registration

Michelle M. Holt, Executive Director
Lost Rivers Economic Development
P.O. Box 46
Arco, ID 83213
(208) 527-3060 Ext. 11
(208) 339-5900 Cell
lred@atcnet.net
http://www.thelostrivervalley.com/

Neil Partyka of Craters of the Moon.Arco KOA Is Featured Speaker at Chamber Meeting Tuesday August 10th

2010-08-06T14:14:00.002-06:00

Neil, Cheri and Ciera Partyka

The Craters of the Moon/Arco KOA owned by Neil and Sheri Partyka is the the Chambers featured business this week. Neil (because someone has to stay home and greet the guests,) will address the Chamber of Commerce meeting on Tuesday, August 10th at 8:00 AM at Pickles.

The Gift Shop

The new cabins and peaceful atmosphere.

Neil and Sheri Partyka purchased the Craters of the Moon/Arco KOA a couple of years ago and with the help of their daughter Ciera, have apparently made a real success of it. They have added cabins, a swimming pool, fun bikes, a gift shop and more. They have special events for their guests and the community, including pancake breakfasts, outdoor movies and ice cream social. There seems to always be someone in the office or the gift shop. Their "formula" seems to be working, since they won the KOA "President's Award" last year.
Check out their web site at http://koa.com/where/id/12141/

Come meet Neil and learn about his and Sheir's business!

Open to the public, no-host breakfast.

Saturday Market Featured Live Entertainment Last Week—Fresh Produce This Week

2010-08-05T15:39:00.004-06:00

Even with a few minutes of suspense from a thunder storm, business was brisk at the Saturday Market last week. Travelers found the new “sandwich signs” a help in getting stopped, and the fresh produce and live music pulled the customers in! Locals, “out-of-state”ers and (even) Idaho travelers with trailers were stopping to see what was available.

The Saturday Market featured live entertainment on July 31. Mark and Nicole Wheeler serenaded the crowd with fiddle and guitar in the early part of the morning. About 10 AM, Rockhead, a group composed of Mike Harris, Gary McCormick and Mary Bush. Vendors included the Lost River Craft Coop, the Katie Brownlee Kids with Cotton Candy, Mountain Man Produce, Tate Firewood and Art and the Lost River Quilt Club. The Chamber of Commerce provided all-you-could drink -free lemonade (cups $0.50) , sold $5.00 Atomic Days T-shirts and gave away coupons for local businesses.

Your Brownlee Entreprenuers and their mother Katie

"Rockhead" with Mike Harris (vocal),
Mary Bush (keyboard), and
Gary McCormick on guitar

Nicole and Mark Wheeler

Saturday, August 7th will feature Mountain Man Produce. The Mountain Man promises to be back each Saturday for the rest of the season. The Lost River Quilt Club is planning to have a variety of items available. The Lost River Craft Coop is going to try to mount a booth at both the Saturday Market and at the Black Daisy Art Festival. The Community Emergency Food Bank is planning to sell used books to help support food bank service. Sissy indicated that she is planning to be on hand to provide food.

Quilt Club, represented by Teri Cheyney

Plans to have an evening party with food and live music have not materialized. The committee is reconsidering having a community party on the closing Saturday.

The Mountain Man, Mel Johnson, with fresh string beans,
cucumbers, tomatoes and CORN!

There is still space for additional vendors. Fees are $10 per week. Charitable fund raising is free. Entrepreneurial children can (probably) cut a deal with the Market Manager. The more vendors and activities available during the market the more travelers we will be able to stop in Arco! Walk-on vendors are welcome, but reservations are preferred at 527-8587 or 527-3060. The market committee and the manager reserves the right to not accept merchandise or service for sale that are inappropriate in their opinion.

The Chamber of Commerce is also distributing coupons to patrons of the Market. Any merchant who would like to have a coupon offer to get visitors to the market in their buisness should call Chad 527-8587 or 527-3060 Michelle

Live Music and Fresh Vegetables Planned for Saturday Market

2010-07-27T15:37:00.001-06:00

The shelter as it arrived on the site.

Improvements continue at the Saturday Market, held each Saturday from 9 AM till at least 1 PM each Saturday at the corner of Front and West Grand Avenue. This week’s Saturday Market will feature fresh Mountain Man Produce. Other vendors expected are Garner’s Lumber with camp firewood, the Lost River Marketing Coop with crafts and Lost River Vermiculture. Live music is anticipated from Mark Wheeler and his daughter Nicole and the Rockhead, from the Arco Baptist Church.

Tom Gucker and Jory Twitchell
put up the rafters.

Dean Bruderer and Ernie Tate install
brace on gable.

Mountain Man Produce will feature the last of the Idaho cherries and apricots, as well as Idaho green beans and potatoes, along with a complete line of fruits and vegetables. The Butte Chamber of Commerce will provide “unlimited” free lemonade (while it lasts) with cups available for $0.50, as well as Atomic Days T-shirts.

Jake Amy and Jerry Twitchell
take a break before helping put
on the roof

Additional vendors are welcome. The fee for a space is $10 each week or $75 for the season. Vendors are responsible for their own permits, licenses, taxes, and insurance, etc. “Walk-ons” are welcome while space is available. Vendors with reservations will receive priority. The committee reserves the right to refuse vendors or merchandize that is deemed inappropriate or duplicates items already being offered. Fees may be waived by the committee for charitable fund raising activities. Call 527-3060 or 527-8587 to make a reservation. Vendors are invited to participate in an advisory committee for the market.

A “grand opening” is planned for Saturday, August 7th, which may include an evening dance.

Shelter is ready to keep the sun off of visitors after the
scaffolding is moved. More trim and sheathing for the posts
to come.

This week a Horizons work crew erected a 18 x 20 foot steel shelter donated by Coast to Coast Car Ports, and arranged for by Tim Traughber of Advanced Autoworks, the local dealer for Coast to Coast. The shelter will provide a place for visitors to the Market to get out of the Sun. The construction crew included Dean Bruderer, Tom Gucker from Metal Specialties, Jerry Twitchell, Jory Twitchell, Jake Amy, Ernie Tate and Chad Cheyney.

The Saturday Market is a partnership of the Horizons Local Economy Action Team, the Butte Chamber of Commerce, LRED, Butte County and the City of Arco. It is intended to get travelers to stop and shop some in the Lost River Valley.

Welcome Wagon Hotline 527-3060 Ext 15!

2010-07-26T10:53:00.002-06:00

By Marty Webster and Cameron Young, Horizon Community Reporters

Do you know a new comer to Butte County? Help the Butte Communities Welcome Wagon welcome new residents with a basket of coupons and helpful information about living in Butte County. Call the “Welcome Wagon Hotline” at 527-3060 Ext 15 and leave contact information about new residents and the Welcome Wagon will call on them with a ;’basket of goodies.

The Welcome Wagon was started by the Building Community Action Team of the Horizons Community Development Project and is now co-sponsored by the Butte County Chamber of Commerce. The program started small with coupons and gifts from just a few businesses, but has now expanded with the co-sponsorship to include everything kind of business and service from the newspaper to city services to convenience stores.
So if you have a new neighbor to the county, give us a call and someone will visit them and present them with gifts, coupons and information about our community!

Welcome Wagon Hotline 527-3060 Ext 15!

If you are a merchant, service provider, community service organization, government entity, religious organization or other entity wishing to contribute to the welcome wagon program with materials or support, please call the Welcome Wagon Hotline and leave a message, and we will get back to you!

Atomic Days July 16-18: "Building a Brighter Future"

2010-07-10T13:43:00.005-06:00

The Butte County "Atomic Days" will be held July 17-18. Activities include softball, rodeo, volleyball, food and craft booths in the park, Saturday Market from 9-1 pm, a carnival, car show, fun run, ping pong ball drop and a parade. Information on events and contact information is available at http://www.atomicdays.org/

Atomic Days is coordinated by the Butte County Chamber of Commerce, but the individual events an activities are prepared, organized, sponsored, and operated by the individuals and group form the community.

Butte Chamber Has New Website

2010-07-10T13:37:00.005-06:00

Vince Bush of Northwest Computer has been working on the Butte County Chamber of Commerce web page. Check it out at http://www.arcochamber.com/

Vince has included features like changing community photos, an active calender, business and chamber listings. If you have suggestions of encounter errors, please contact Chamber President Jory Twitchell.

Chamber Meets Tuesday July 13th at 8:00 AM

2010-07-10T13:31:00.003-06:00

This is a reminder that the monthly Butte County Chamber of Commerce meeting will be Tuesday, July 13th at 8:00am at Pickles Place.

This months featured speaker are the new owners of Reese's. Saturday Market business promotions and final preparations for Atomic Days will also be discussed.

Back row: Katherine Thompson, Linda Tuma, Dale Tuma

Middle row: Charity Mills, Reese Jones, Mary Ann Jones

Front Row: Chase Mills, Jackie Ricks, Odessa Belden, Bryna Mills

Hope to see you all there.

Seeking More Mechandize for Saturday Market

2010-07-02T11:55:00.001-06:00

The Chamber and the Horizons Steering Committee is relaxing the merchandise requirements for the Saturday Market. Previously merchandise needed to be manufactured or created in the Lost Rivers Valley. The committee is would like to expand participation by permitting Lost River Valley businesses to sell items that might not have been manufacture or created in the valley. If you would have an interest in participating in the Saturday Market as a vendor, but didn't think that what you wanted to sell qualified, please send in an application for the committee to review.