Wyoming Tax Benefits for Investors

By Meagan Hill

Happy New Year! We know that many of you are spending the time between Christmas and New Year trying to reconcile your records and finalize $ before the end of the Tax Year. As you wrestle with these challenges, take a minute to consider the Tax Benefits of Investing or Residing in Wyoming;

No State Income Tax;

If you’re unfortunate enough to still be working, no state income tax

= more disposable income

No State Company Tax;

If you’re an entrepreneur, no state company tax
= more profit

No State Excise Tax;
If you buy groceries or gas, no state excise tax
= more disposable income

No Tax on the Sale of Real Estate;
If you sell Real Estate in Wyoming, no tax on the sale of real estate
= more capital gain for You

No State Gift Tax;
If you are a generous soul, no state gift tax means you can gift real estate to your heirs without paying gift tax
= more inheritance for your heirs

No State Inheritance Tax;
Wyoming’s estate tax is tied to the federal tax credit and applies only to those with substantial estates.
= more inheritance for your heirs

No Tax on Out of State Retirement Income;
= more disposable income

Set up a Dynasty Trust
protect your assets from federal estate taxes for up to 1,000 years;
= more inheritance for your heirs

No Tax on Mineral Ownership;
a ‘hidden’ property tax that does not exist in Wyoming
= more disposable income

No Intangible Taxes;
no taxes on stocks and bonds
= more disposable income

Low Property Taxes.
2009 mill levy is 57.32 for teton county, WY
= more disposable income

When you’re done counting your $ and realizing the opportunity that Wyoming presents, take a minute to remind yourself of the ‘work-life’ balance benefits;
• Grand Teton + Yellowstone National Parks;
• Fly Fishing + Big Game Hunting;
• Skiing, Hiking, Mountain Biking; Rafting; Golf.

Still questioning my logic? Is the devil inside arguing with you? Look at the numbers.

Commercial Office + Retail suites or entire buildings are down 20-25%.

Start small - use your IRA to Invest in a Commercial Office or Retail suite for $500,000-700,000; or

Go for it - Leverage the opportunity presented by the economy with the rare offering of several landmark buildings in Jackson Hole.

To maximize all the tax benefits you will need to become a resident of our fine county. Lucky You! Right now, the Median Home Price is down 25% from 12 months ago.

Still unsure, give us a call.

Meagan Hill is a Commercial Real Estate Investments Specialist and Principal of NAI Jackson Hole servicing the Jackson Hole WY and Teton Valley ID markets.


For further information, contact Meagan at (307) 734-8700 or meagan@naijacksonhole.com

Routine Building Maintenance...and...The SWAT Team

By NAI Jackson Hole broker Meagan Hill


Now that you have your Building Audit complete and you’ve separated your Routine Maintenance from your Long Term Replacement schedule, do not file these papers in the drawer. It’s time to do a little short term planning and preparation.

Routine Building Maintenance provides an exceptional income stream for many Contractors in our area. With a little forward planning, you can find the best Contractor for the best price AND why not secure this service for the future?

Each year we all need to give our Property some lovin’ – clean windows, clean carpets, sweep chimney, clean outside light fittings, replace light bulbs, snow removal, lawn mowing, painting, handyman repair work, the list goes on. Each of these items are essential to maintaining our Asset Value and maintaining our Tenants.

Instead of making the hurried call in the spring, consider listing out all of these Routine Building Maintenance items and inviting bids from local Contractors to complete this work for you over the next 3 years. Imagine being able to forecast your Maintenance Budget out 3 years with some degree of certainty. Imagine being able to schedule your Maintenance Work in advance with confidence that you will have the right Contractor at the right time for your Property and your Tenants business.

All the planning in the world cannot completely protect you from the inevitable emergency in the middle of the night. This is where your own Property SWAT team comes into play. While many of you probably hold a list of folks you can call at a moment’s notice, few have any idea what it will cost and all of you are terrified of what it will cost in the end. Don’t be. Use the Routine Maintenance Bid process to get a schedule of values from each Contractor so you know what their Call Out Fee and Hourly Rate will be in the middle of the night. Use this information as part of your selection process and then put a Budget forecast aside for Emergencies.

All done? Congratulations, you’ve reached Property Owner Nirvana. Daunted by the thought of the task? Contact our office for further information.

Meagan Hill is a Commercial Real Estate Investments Specialist and Principal of NAI Jackson Hole servicing the Jackson Hole, Wyoming and Teton Valley, Idaho markets.  Check out her commercial real estate blog on ActiveRain by clicking here.

For further information, contact Meagan at (307) 734-8700 or meagan@naijacksonhole.com

Land Available Near Wal*Mart Supercenter in Ammon

4.51 Acres of Development Land

￭ Prime Multi-Family or Assisted Living
￭ Northeast of Wal-Mart and EITC, and North of Grand Teton Mall
￭ High Residential Growth Area
￭ Possible Seller Financing and/or equity participation
￭ Potential Uses Include General Commercial, Office, Retail, Multi-Family
￭ Subject Property is East of Curlew and South of Johns Adams


For more information on this property, including adjacent parcels, please contact Steven Frei, Brent Butikofer, or Steven Keim at (208) 525-8088.  Click here to download the property flyer.

Idaho's Tax Burden Among the Lowest in the Nation

The Idaho Business Review reported today that Idaho has the sixth lowest overall per capita tax burden in the country and the lowest tax burden among western states, according to the latest tax burden study published by the Idaho Tax Commission. Click Here to read the entire article.

Downtown Idaho Falls Ribbon Cutting

Event video featuring the 12/10 Ribbon Cutting with Thomas Development, The Greater Idaho Falls Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors, & Idaho Falls Mayor Jared Fuhriman at the newly renovated Earl Building in downtown Idaho Falls:



YouTube URL: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T5Gcxp6no9o

Historic Earl Building Ribbon Cutting & Open House, December 10th

NAI Commerce One invites you to join the Greater Idaho Falls Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors for a Ribbon Cutting and Open House on Thursday, December 10th from 5-7 p.m. at the Historic Earl Building in Downtown Idaho Falls at 525 Park Avenue. Come meet the building lessees and see the beautiful renovations that have been completed by Thomas Development.

Eastern Idaho Home Builders Association in conjunction with the Greater Idaho Falls Chamber of Commerce is pleased to provide a "facts & figures" perspective on growth in our community at a luncheon on Thursday, December 10th from 12-1:30 at the Red Lion in Idaho Falls.  Dr. Elliot Eisenberg, Ph.D., will present amazing facts and answer questions about the economic benefits of home building in the Greater Idaho Falls Area. 

• What is the economic impact of single family home construction?
• What is the total impact and ongoing impact?
• What are the costs vs. benefits?
• How long does it take before new construction pays for itself?
• How many jobs does new construction create?
• What revenues does home building create?

Dr. Elliot Eisenberg is the Senior Economist of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) in Washington, D.C. He holds a Bachelors of Arts degree in economics with First Class Honors from McGill University as well as a Master of Public Administration degree and Ph.D. in Public Administration from Syracuse University.

He is the creator of the multifamily stock index and is the author of more than 50 homebuilding industry articles. Dr. Eisenberg is frequently seen on televsion and heard on radio, and his research and opinions have been featured in Business Week, Forbes, Fortune, most national and local newspapers, and in many other publications.

NAI Commerce One Brokers Attend Regional ICSC Meetings

NAI Commerce One brokers Brent Butikofer and Brent Wilson attended the ICSC Pacific Northwest/Intermountain Regional Program in Boise, Idaho on Thursday, which featured Retailers, Developers and Consultants looking to develop in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Nevada, Utah, Montana and Wyoming. The program included updates from Brokers located throughout the Northwest and Intermountain Regions, as well as discussions from lenders and retailers on their respective markets, expectations, and corporate deal requirements. 

The keynote speaker was Jim Angresano, PHD in Economics from the College of Idaho, Caldwell, ID.  In addition to the educational aspects of the meeting, Wilson and Butikofer also had the opportunity to network with retail brokers, retailers, and developers from across the region and showcase NAI Commerce One / Jackson Hole's listed retail properties.

Snake River Landing to Host 3rd Annual Trick-or-Treat Street

The 3rd Annual Trick-or-Treat Street is coming to Snake River Landing in Idaho Falls!  The event will take place on October 30th from 3pm to 6 pm.  Think last year’s event was big? This year’s will be HUGE!  Over 50 ghoulishly fun RVs stocked with candy for your trick-or-treaters!

(For more information on Snake River Landing, including leasing information, please visit http://www.snakeriverlanding.com/ )

The Equestrian Dream: Teton Saddleback Vistas [NAI Global PowerSale Property]

Check out the only first-class equine-specific development in the Teton Valley area:



For more information on Teton Saddleback Vistas, please contact NAI Commerce One / Jackson Hole broker Meagan Hill at (307) 734-8700.

NAI Commerce One Brokers Hastings Relocation

Steven Keim of NAI Commerce One represented the landlord and secured the new Hastings lease in the center located on the Southeast corner of Holmes and 17th Street in Idaho Falls. Consummating the lease involved negotiations with current tenants which resulted in the relocation of both Ace Hardware and the UPS Store. Once the space was secured, delivery of the space entailed major renovations to the existing building. The building upgrades resulted a completely remodeled building that will serve the Landlord, the Tenant and the community for many years. In addition, Brent Butikofer and Steven Frei brokered the relocation of Ace Hardware which created yet another major building deal.


Related Story From KIDK--Hastings Employees Move to New Location

IDAHO FALLS - Most customers know the employees behind the counter at Hastings and those employees are taking on a new agenda for the week- moving.

"I've come in everyday, and everybody is just like, let's get it done let's go and everybody has just been working together, teamwork has just been exceptional and everybody has just been very upbeat ad excited to get into the new store,"

4-weeks into his new job at Hastings, Justin Christansen isn't behind a register, he's behind a dolly.

"I have learned a lot of new skills, I did not know how to use a pallet-jack and move things onto trucks, and take trucks over, but I'm learning a lot of new skills that I think are going to be very helpful in the future sometime. We're using all of our local employees, we're using temporary help, we're using some people from other stores that are coming out to help out and train,"

Hasting's shut its doors last Saturday and the new Hastings is just a few blocks down the road. it went from 13,000 square feet to 22, 000...Read the full article from KIDK here.

NAI Commerce One broker Brent Wilson represents the owner of the former Hastings space.  To learn more, download the flyer.

Idaho Falls Chamber of Commerce "Roadway Ribbon Cutting"

Opening of Hitt Road

Wednesday, October 7, 2009 at 1 pm
Corner of First Street & Hitt Road
Idaho Falls, ID

Idaho Falls Mayor Jared Fuhriman and members of the Idaho Falls City Council will officially open Hitt Road with a ribbon cutting ceremony on Wednesday, October 7, 2009, at 1:00 p.m. The location of this event will be at the intersection of 1st Street and Hitt Road (on the Ammon - Idaho Falls border).  After introductory remarks by the assembled guests, the Mayor and Council will board a van to tour the newly constructed roadway.

Local business owner Dave Bell, who owns the Arctic Circle restaurant on the northeast corner of the intersection, is thrilled to have the work finally completed. The decrease in traffic during construction has resulted in lower sales for his restaurant, but he is hopeful that the improvements will benefit business in the long term.

View Larger Map

View Larger Map

Energy corridor location key to economic development

Realtors sell by using an old adage – location, location, location.

Idaho National Laboratory's Steven Aumeier emphasized the same principle at the Bannock Development Corporation's recent Eighteenth Annual Economic Symposium.

"Bannock County, Idaho, is nestled within one of the richest energy corridors in the world and near the nation's premier nuclear energy research laboratory," he told the group, which gathered Aug. 17 at Idaho State University.

Idaho's U.S. Sen. Jim Risch, state Department of Commerce Director Don Dietrich and several others also delivered updates on the region's economic development and its many partners. INL, along with Bannock County and the city of Pocatello, is a legacy investor in BDC and joined several others in sponsoring the annual event.

Aumeier, INL's director of Energy Systems and Technologies, showed a map of the energy-rich Western corridor, which stretches from the Canadian provinces of Alberta and Saskatchewan down through Montana, Wyoming, Idaho, Utah and Colorado.

"Fortunately, Bannock and Idaho are situated within an area with a strong entrepreneurial culture and among key energy transmission lines for electricity and gas," he said. "This is a great opportunity and challenge."

He also outlined the need for pursuing the "Smart Energy Approach" and solving the "grand challenge of our generation" in responsibly producing and using energy.

Read the full article by by Keith Arterburn, INL Communications & Public Affairs by clicking here.

The Idaho National Lab...on YouTube!

JDRF Walk To Cure Diabetes at Snake River Landing in Idaho Falls

Another great event at Snake River Landing...

NAI Commerce One Has Moved!

NAI Commerce One is pleased to announce its new location at the historic Earl Building in downtown Idaho Falls.

The address is:

525 Park Avenue, Suite 2E

Idaho Falls, ID 83402

Click on the image to the left to view a Google map.

Women's Business Groups Host Health Care Forum in Boise

Business owners curious how health care reform may impact their operations are invited to attend a forum Sept. 15 sponsored by the Southern Idaho Chapter of the National Association of Women Business Owners and Women Impacting Public Policy.

The forum, titled “Understanding the Current Health Care Bill”, will take place from 9:30 a.m. till 12 p.m. at the Cascade Room of the Holiday Inn Vista in Boise.

Read the full article from the Idaho Business Reviewhttp://www.nawbo.org/ here.

Cutting edge mobile security technology tested at BYU-Idaho

The Idaho Business Review reports that a new technology that makes mobile business transactions more secure is being tested at Brigham Young University-Idaho.

The “open-encryption platform”, developed at the Idaho National Laboratory and licensed to Idaho Falls-based RFinity, uses a secure microSD card with a contactless interface designed by international security technology firm Giesecke & Devriet.

Integrating RFinity’s platform with G&D’s chip will make the world’s most reliable and secure identification and transaction system for use with mobile phones, according to a news release.

The open-encryption platform was honored this year by R&D Magazine in its R&D 100 list of “technologically significant products.”

Read the complete article from the Idaho Business Review here.

September Meeting of the Eastern Idaho Apartment Association

The Eastern Idaho Apartment Association's September meeting will feature Donna Oe, President and CEO of the Idaho Falls Better Business Bureau. Donna will discuss how landlords and businesses can protect themselves and their investments from identity theft, fraud, and schemes.

The meeting will be held on Wednesday, September 9th at 1075 Utah Avenue in the 1st floor conference room of the James Madison Taylor building in Idaho Falls. Networking starts at 6 p.m. with the program at 7.

The EIAA meets every 2nd Wednesday of the month. For membership information, please contact NAI Commerce One multi-family specialist Doug Powell at (208) 521-6971.

Trellis Square Video Featuring the Home Emporium

This video features a quick visit to the Trellis Square business The Home Emporium. Trellis Square is a 10 Acre Flex Retail development near Hitt and Lincoln roads in the Idaho Falls area. Contact Randy Waters or Steven Frei at 208.525.8088 for Trellis Square leasing information.

Serious Price Reduction: Restaurant with Liquor License

Retire to the Tetons! Well located, popular Bar & Grill for sale in the center of downtown Victor, ID, just 30 minutes from Jackson Hole, WY. Superbly located at the base of the Teton Range with views of the Big Hole Mountains to the west. Powder skiing within 30 minutes drive or try one of seven championship golf courses, the nearest just 3 minutes drive.

Property features 5,800 square foot stick framed building complete with bar, dining room, billiard room, events/function room, outside patio seating and kitchen on 0.44 acres. Dining room, kitchen and equipment renovated in 2000 ($240,000 invested). Balance sheet, P+L available. $800,000 price also includes liquor license & business. Previously listed at $1,300,000, excluding liquor license.

Take advantage of the 40% price reduction in this great property / business TODAY.

Contact

Meagan Hill, NAI Jackson Hole

Steven Keim, NAI Commerce One

Tel (307) 734-8700

Cell (307) 413-2982

Fax (208) 525-8188

Email Meagan Hill

Email Steven Keim

Property Video: 40,000 SF Warehouse in Idaho Falls

YouTube Property Video shot and edited by NAI broker Randy Waters.

"Commercial Agent Man" by The Bill Gladstone Group

Need a chuckle? Our NAI colleague Bill Gladstone and his group perform their version of 'Secret Agent Man'.



"Commercial, industrial, office, or land-- he's always got the perfect plan!"

Heart of Idaho Century Ride

Eastern Idaho cycling enthusiasts are looking forward to the inaugural "Heart of Idaho Century Ride" on August 22nd. The event is being hosted by The Art Museum of Eastern Idaho to celebrate the exhibit "Cycles of Sam".

There are 25, 50, 62 mile options in addition to the century. The event will also feature a bike festival from 11 to 4 pm at Snake River Landing with food, a bike rodeo, a bike parade, and art projects for adults, families & kids as they cheer for the returning Century riders.

NAI broker Brent Butikofer, his wife, and six children plan to do the 25 miler, and marketing director Kaly Shippen is planning to do the 50 mile option.

NAI's multi-family specialist Doug Powell is the chair of the fundraising committee for this event, and he and his wife Kathleen are also sponsors. An art and history enthusiast, Doug was also recently elected to serve on the Museum of Eastern Idaho's Board of Directors.

For more information on the event or to register, please visit the Heart of Idaho Century Ride Web Site.

The Great Race for Education at SRL

Congrats to members of "Team Snake River Landing" who just took 3rd place in the Great Race for Education, Benefiting the Students of Eastern Idaho Technical College! (Steven Frei of NAI Commerce One was one of the "team owners".)

This event, sponsored and Hosted by Snake River Landing, is a large-scale scavenger hunt where teams of four are challenged to compete for the best finish time. Teams representing businesses and individuals from all over Eastern Idaho participated. The race kicked off this morning at Snake River Landing with a 21 gun salute with City of Idaho Falls Mayor Jared Fuhriman.

Participants will enjoy live music, food and beverages at the Mountain View Hospital Awards Ceremony and After Party from 5–8:30 p.m. and dance to the live music of “Scratch.”

Not Just Another Mountain Town

Why Teton Valley Idaho is a hidden jewel in the Gem State

Positioned on the western side at the foot of the Teton Range, Teton Valley Idaho represents not one, but four superb mountain towns nestled in the midst of a steadfast rural, agricultural and ranching community.

At the northern end of the Valley lies the City of Tetonia, ID population 247 (2000 census). At the center of the Valley lies the City of Driggs, ID population 1,100 (2000 census). At the eastern edge of the Valley lies the Town of Alta, WY population 400 (2000 census). At the southern end of the Valley lies the City of Victor, ID population 840 (2000 census).

Each location offers a its own diverse flavor of mountain town living, centered around the principal theme – “…go outside and play…”

As you commute to your job during the week, or commute to your favorite park to play on the weekend, consider these Teton Valley facts;

1-2 minutes drive to: World Class Fly Fishing; Cross Country Skiing;
15-30 minutes drive to: Grand Targhee Resort; championship Golf; Hiking, Mountain Biking
15-45 minutes drive to: Upland Game + Bird Hunting;
30-45 minutes drive to: Jackson Hole WY; Grand Teton National Park;
90-120 minutes drive to: Yellowstone National Park

Ever considered shifting gears during your commute? National Geographic has. In April 2009, National Geographic announced that Driggs, ID would be the home of the first Geotourism Center in the US. Teton Valley lies within the Greater Yellowstone Region, and its selection as a center for sustainable tourism reinforces the beauty and significance of this region.

Confused? Here’s a simple explanation of Geotourism provided by National Geographic.

“Geotourism is the kind of travel that sustains or enhances the geographical character of a place — its environment, culture, aesthetics, heritage, and the well-being of its residents.”

Teton Valley Idaho is evolving from a once predominantly rural/ag./ranch community into one that includes recreation based tourism. This transition has brought both public and private development projects.

Private development tends to garner ample media coverage, and Teton Valley’s growth has generated its fair share of News through large scale projects including the Grand Targhee Expansion; Huntsman Springs; Teton Springs; Teton Reserve; Teton Saddleback Vistas, among many others. Each of these projects reflect different phases of the development cycle, some are complete pending construction of homes on previously sold lots; some are being completed in phases; others are yet to break ground.

Public development has gained momentum over recent months and threatens to rival the pace of the private folks. Idaho Transportation Department’s investment in Scenic Byways during 2009 will work in parallel with National Geographic through the construction of the new Geotourism Center; Urban Renewal funds will see streetscape improvements constructed in Driggs; Teton Basin Ice + Recreation will soon commence construction on the new Ice Arena in Victor as soon as Steel is delivered, whilst the new Transit Facility will be constructed alongside the Ice Arena this summer.

Forward planning continues in Victor with the work of Envision Victor, an organization created following the receipt of a $100,000 grant from the Orton Family Foundation to guide the Community through a detailed planning process

“Envision Victor seeks to implement a new kind of planning in our City, a process that is focused on engaging our citizens, bridging our divisions, and honoring our shared values, in order to realize a vibrant and enduring Victor for years to come. The first phase of the project will last two years, but we hope it will continue well beyond.

The Goals and Objectives of Envision Victor are summarized as;
• Engage and connect all segments of the Victor community
• Describe and articulate the City’s Heart and Soul
• Enhance a sense of belonging
• Enact a new model of planning and decision making
• Develop a land use plan that incorporates visions and values of its citizens
• Strengthen the ability of the Citizens to integrate the ideas of the Citizens into tangible products such as transportation, capital improvements and main street plans

Construction will commence in mid July 2009 on a Bike Park in Victor. An initiative of non-profit Victor Velo, City of Victor has approved development of a bike park within the boundaries of Pioneer Park. An in‐town bike park is designed to pack as much fun as possible into a small space while teaching the youth of Victor Idaho about the lifetime sport of cycling. Victor Velo will begin the construction of a pump track & set of dirt jumps as the next step towards a multi‐discipline cycling facility unique to Southeast Idaho. A pump track is a cycling feature that looks similar to a skate board park, but made of dirt, and is designed to accommodate cyclists of all ages and skill levels.”

With so much activity on the horizon in an otherwise dark economic environment, it is imperative that growth Teton Valley is managed with the degree of stewardship deserving of the Greater Yellowstone Geotourism region.

With its many wildlife corridors and unspoiled vast wilderness areas, this delicate ecosystem, combined with unparalleled recreation has been seeking a way to harmonize with one another. Recent changes in City and County Planning Ordinances has cast a might tighter net across growth and will result in more intensive scrutiny of development proposed in designated wildlife corridors and wetland areas, potentially making development in those areas difficult and costly.

To learn more about Development + Business opportunities in the Teton Valley and Jackson Hole region, contact Meagan Hill, NAI Jackson Hole (307) 734-8700, meagan@naijacksonhole.com

To receive a copy of a power-point presentation detailing Teton Valley’s growth and supply, including economic changes, contact Julie Bryan, Broker/Owner of Windermere Real Estate/Teton Valley/Jackson Hole. You can email jbryan@windermere.com or call 307-699-0205.

Order or Download a copy of National Geographic’s Greater Yellowstone Geotourism Map

Download a copy of the Commonsense Guidelines to Living in Teton Valley

Written by Meagan Hill with contributions from Julie Bryan

Writer's Bio.

Meagan Hill is a Commercial Real Estate Investments Specialist with NAI Jackson Hole. Born in Sydney, Australia, Meagan's career began in Construction + Property Development including both private development and government agency work, reaching from Australia to Seattle, San Francisco, Chicago, Dallas and onwards as far as India and Italy. During her career, Meagan's roles have varied immensely, covering a broad spectrum of the real estate, property development and construction industries. Meagan is a Green Star Accredited Professional (Australian equivalent of LEED) and brings a commercially viable, sustainable perspective to her work. Meagan has received several industry awards including winner of the National Association of Women in Construction Award (2000) and Young Achiever of the Year (2006) from the Property Council of Australia (ACT) Australia.

Eastern Idaho Apartment Association July Meeting

The Wednesday, July 8th meeting of the Eastern Idaho Apartment Association will feature Dave McNamee, account executive from Interstate Collections, an ACS company. Dave has been in the collection industry since 1973 and will discuss collection issues relevant to the rental property business. The meeting will be held in the James Madison Taylor building 1st floor conference room at 1075 Utah Avenue in Idaho Falls. Networking begins at 6 p.m. with the program at 7. If you have questions, please contact NAI broker Doug Powell at 208.521.6971. Doug serves as Treasurer for the Association.

Cloud Kisser

On July 4th, NAI Marketing Director Kaly Shippen and her son Raleigh enjoyed their first hot air balloon flight with pilot Pat Newlin from Riverton, Wyoming in the Riverton balloon "Cloud Kisser" as part of the Teton Valley Summer Festival.

Full of Hot Air!

In partnership with Windermere Real Estate, NAI Commerce One / Jackson Hole is sponsoring a hot air balloon in the Teton Valley Summer Festival that runs July 3rd-July 5th. The festival brings people from miles around to enjoy the Independence Day holiday. The famous hot air ballooning is only part of the excitement. There is also a pancake breakfast, live music, old time fiddlers, a parade, and fireworks.

Other great activities are happening all over Eastern Idaho on the 4th of July, not the least of which is the acclaimed Melaleuca Freedom Celebration that brings tens of thousands of people to watch the fireworks on the Snake River greenbelt in Idaho Falls. Another fun destination is Menan where people from Jefferson County flock to enjoy kids races, a parade, 3-on-3 basketball, a softball tournament, and even fireworks.

Video Tour: Investment Property at 1600 John Adams Parkway

Relay For Life Fundraiser Event

Got a dirty car? Come get it washed, enjoy a delicious sandwich from
Gandolfo's Deli, and help "Team Awesome" raise money for the American Cancer
Society on Saturday, June 27th from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. at 900 Pancheri Drive
in Idaho Falls (near Wal-Mart).

Investment Property For Sale: Fully Leased Office Building at 9% Cap

To download the property flyer, please click here.

View this property on YouTube by clicking here.

Video Tour: 17th Street Retail Property

Join Brent Wilson on his first self-produced commercial real estate VIDEO tour with a Flip camcorder!

Property For Sale: Timberline Bar & Grill in Victor, ID

Retire to the Tetons! Well located, popular Bar & Grill for sale in the center of downtown Victor, ID, just 30 minutes from Jackson Hole, WY. Superbly located at the base of the Teton Range with views of the Big Hole Mountains to the west. Powder skiing within 30 minutes drive or try one of seven championship golf courses, the nearest just 3 minutes drive.

Property features 5,800 square foot stick framed building complete with bar, dining room, billiard room, events/function room, outside patio seating and kitchen. Dining room, kitchen and equipment renovated in 2000 ($240,000 invested). Balance sheet, P+L available.

Liquor license for sale by negotiation.

Price: $1,300,000 + liquor license. Adjacent undeveloped parcel of land 0.5 acres also available for $625,000.

For more information on this property, please contact NAI Commerce One / Jackson Hole brokers Meagan Hill or Steven Keim by email, or call them at (208) 525-8088.

Download the property flyer here.

June 30th Economic Web Conference by Dr. Peter Linneman

Click here to register for the June 30th, 2009 discussion on the economy by NAI Global chief economist Dr. Peter Linneman.

McNeil Retail Center Property Video

High definition version of this video coming soon!

Idaho Falls and Pocatello Ranked in the Top 5 of Outdoor Life's Top 200 Towns

Idaho towns were well represented in Outdoor Life's 2nd Annual Top 200 Towns for Sportsmen.

Lewiston was the top ranked town, followed by Idaho Falls at third and Pocatello at fifth for the most affordable, thriving, and "perfectly wild" towns in America. Outdoor Life considered factors such as cost of living, amenities, fishable and huntable species, trophy potential, and proximity to public access.

"According to Outdoor Life, "Idaho Falls straddles the Upper Snake River and is located in one of the most game-rich areas of the country....Legendary blue ribbon trout streams—including the Henry’s Fork, the South Fork of the Snake, the Beaverhead, the Madison, Silver Creek and the Big Hole—abound in the area, providing anglers with a different river to float or wade nearly every day of the week."

The magazine calls Pocatello, home to Idaho State University, "the rare college town with a true outdoors vibe." They say that "Pocatello’s location at the intersection of Interstates 15 and 86 gives residents easy access to the natural wonder of Yellowstone and Grand Teton national parks, and the big-city offerings of Salt Lake City and Boise."

Other Idaho towns to make the list include Hailey, Couer d'Alene, Payette, Orofino, and Rexburg. Check out the article here.

Podcast: McNeil Retail Center in Idaho Falls

Check out this podcast featuring an interview with Sam Cook of McNeil Development and Brent Butikofer of NAI Commerce One about the McNeil Retail Center off Sunnyside Road in Idaho Falls!

Click here to download the podcast in .mp3 format

(Check back--A YouTube video of this interview with property pictures and video is coming soon.)

Intermountain Bobcat's New Location in Idaho Falls

Scott Machinery, one of the leading construction equipment dealers in Utah, Idaho and Wyoming, announced May 12th the sale of assets related to its John Deere and Hitachi business to Honnen Equipment Company, effective May 1, 2009. With a new focus as the area’s exclusive Bobcat dealer, the company will continue to operate as Intermountain Bobcat.

The change reflects the industry trend of consolidation of dealerships nationwide. Brothers David and Jeff Scott decided to sell the assets of their John Deere business to Honnen Equipment of Colorado so that they could focus on their Bobcat business. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Intermountain Bobcat will retain its Utah locations in Salt Lake City (4100 S. 500 West), Orem (1167 Industrial Road), and Cedar City (642 N. 1070 West) and has opened a new location in Idaho Falls, Idaho (3788 N 500 E). Randy Waters and Steve Frei with NAI Commerce One helped facilitate the new Idaho Falls location at the former Bodily RV along Highway 20 across from Bish's RV.

“We’re excited to give our full attention to the Bobcat line,” says David, president and CEO, regarding the ongoing Intermountain Bobcat business. “With 40 years of industry experience in the Intermountain area, we’re well-positioned to become the compact equipment leader by providing excellent service, supporting industry-leading projects and continuing our tradition of total customer satisfaction.”

For over 40 years, Scott Machinery was the exclusive John Deere construction and forestry equipment dealer in Utah, Eastern Idaho, and Western Wyoming. Founded in 1968 by Brent Scott, the business started in an old converted service station in Salt Lake City and established a reputation for quality service and customer satisfaction. Through the years the company expanded its product lines to include Bobcat equipment in its Intermountain Bobcat business, and has opened new locations while maintaining its focus on reliable service and long-term relationships as a locally-owned and operated business. This tradition will continue in the company’s ongoing operation of Intermountain Bobcat.

The Modern Face of Sacajawea

Former NAI transaction manager Randy'L Teton is the only living person and the only Native American woman featured on U.S. currency, the Sacagawea golden dollar coin. Randy'L now has an official web site, http://www.faceofgold.com

Sacagawea is the Shoshone Indian guide who appeared on the scene of history in 1804 to assist Lewis and Clark on their momentous expedition west, however that was not her last appearance. In 2000 she was making history again, becoming immortalized on the Golden Dollar coin. Glenna Goodacre, the artist, used Shoshone college student, Randy'L He-dow Teton, as her model.

Randy’L grew up on the Ft. Hall Reservation in the Lincoln Creek District of the Shoshone-Bannock Tribe in Southeastern Idaho. She attended the Institute of American Indian Arts in Santa Fe, New Mexico, where she earned an Associate of fine arts degree in museum studies. She also studied at Fort Lewis College in Durango, Colorado, and The University of New Mexico in Albuquerque, where she graduated in the Spring of 2000 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in art history with a minor in Native American studies.

According to her web site, Randy’L has worked with Museum of Idaho’s exhibit and Lecture Series on “Discovering Idaho—through the Lewis & Clark Expedition,“ in which she visited local school districts as the voice of Sacagawea. She continues today in this role, as she is able to promote the higher education and betterment of all Native peoples’ well-being. She was also selected as Curator for the “Poha Ba, Land of Healing Waters” exhibition in Lava Hot Springs, Idaho, which recognized the Shoshone-Bannock Tribe’s culture and history.

While employed at NAI Commerce One, Ms. Teton played an integral role in company operations and we are proud of her achievements!

NAI Global Exec Receives SIOR Instructor of the Year Award

David Blanchard, NAI Global’s Executive Vice President, received the Instructor of the Year Award from SIOR, the Society of Industrial and Office Realtors. Blanchard provides leadership throughout the NAI organization while primarily interacting with and training more than 5,000 agents and principals.

The SIOR Instructor of the Year Award is given to one instructor annually, determined by evaluations completed by course participants during the calendar year. Blanchard completed his SIOR instructor training in 2007, and became a regular instructor in 2008. During the year he taught several seminars and courses on Advanced Sales Skills and Consolidating a Business Strategy, winning this prestigious award in his first year of instructing.

SIOR is a leading professional commercial and industrial real estate association comprised of knowledgeable, experienced and successful commercial real estate brokerage specialists. The award was presented to Mr. Blanchard by SIOR President, Craig S. Meyer during the SIOR Spring World Conference in San Diego, California.

Blanchard joined NAI Global in 1985 and has been instrumental in developing and integrating NAI’s U.S. member network. In addition, he played a founding role in the creation of NAI Global’s specialty council program, which facilitates sharing of knowledge and best practices among NAI members worldwide.

Source: NAI Global Network News, May 19th, 2009

Prime Retail For Lease Next to Wal-Mart Supercenter in Idaho Falls

Constructed in 2009, the Shops at Utah and Houston is a retail strip center at the entrance to a new Wal-Mart Supercenter in Idaho Falls, near I-15 and Highway 20 interchanges. Other tenants include Jimmy Johns and Great Clips. There are two suites available, 724 SF and 1326 SF.

Idaho Falls serves as a regional retail hub for a primary trade area population of approximately 198,000 residents. The city has become a shopping destination for a service area that encompasses 14 counties and serves over 350,000 people. Within the trade area there are four major universities and two major campuses, housing over 20,000 students who choose Idaho Falls as their primary shopping destination. The area enjoys one of the lowest unemployment rates in the nation and has experienced steady population growth in recent years.

To learn more about this listing, download the flyer or email Brent Wilson or Randy Waters.

May 2009 Eastern Idaho Apartment Association Meeting

Michael Pryor from Cooper Norman will present “Tax Strategies for Investments and Rentals” at the May meeting for the Eastern Idaho Apartment Association.  The meeting will be held on May 13^th at the James Madison Taylor building 1^st floor conference room, located at 1075 Utah Avenue in Idaho Falls.  Networking begins at 6 p.m. with the program at 7 p.m.  Sponsors include Progressive Property Management, Emery Federal, and NAI Commerce One’s Multi-Family Specialist Doug Powell.  Questions?  Contact dougpowell@nai-idaho.com.

Idaho Falls AREVA Project Named Top Corporate Facility Deal of 2008

The cover story for May's "Site Selection" magazine features the Idaho Falls AREVA project at the top of its list of North American corporate facility deals of 2008. (Yes, the list is alphabetical, but who cares!) Several groups were praised for their involvement in the deal, including Grow Idaho Falls, Inc., the Idaho Department of Commerce, the Idaho National Lab, the Eastern Idaho Economic Development Partnership, and the Regional Development Alliance.

According to the article, the "Top Deals are determined by level of capital investment, degree of high-value jobs, creativity in negotiations and incentives, regional economic impact, competition for the project and speed to market."

Way to go, IDAHO and AREVA!

Jackson Hole Community Provides $475k in Scholarships

NAI was honored to be part of the Jackson Hole High School Scholarship night on Thursday April 23rd, 2009. As reported in the Jackson Hole News & Guide, "Businesses, nonprofits step up in tough economic climate."

NAI was one of 6 new scholarship presenters including Windermere Real Estate. The winner of NAI Jackson Hole's inaugural scholarship is Luis Quiroz. Congratulations Luis!

Boom Town, U.S.A.-- Pinedale Wyoming -- ABC World News Report

Where is the best place for job-seekers in the U.S.A.?

According to ABC's World News, Pinedale, Wyoming has the lowest unemployment rate in the country. Charles Gibson reports: http://www.abcnews.go.com/Video/playerIndex?id=7465049

My sister Kirby lives in Pinedale and forwarded me the link to this story. She works at the Pinedale Aquatic Center, a $20 million public facility that is featured in the clip. My brother-in-law works for a gas company in Pinedale. They enjoy living in Wyoming, and my family loves visiting because the Aquatic Center is such a blast. Pinedale is about 75 miles southeast of Jackson Hole.

If you have questions about Pinedale commercial real estate, don't hesitate to give us a call at (307) 734-8700 or email our Wyoming brokers Steven Keim or Meagan Hill.

Interested in Pinedale, Wyoming jobs? Check out the job board at Pinedale Online.

INL Announces Plans for $48 Million Leed Certified Energy & Research Building in Idaho Falls

IDAHO FALLS – The Idaho National Laboratory has announced plans for a new flagship facility at its Idaho Falls campus. INL selected the Boyer Company of Salt Lake City to build a roughly 131,000-square-foot, $48-million building between the lab's two main Idaho Falls facilities. INL will occupy the building through a long-term lease agreement with the Boyer Company.

The new Research and Education Laboratory will act as the "front door" to neighboring campus facilities and become the interface between the public and the INL staff. It is conceived as a state-of-the-art laboratory that creates a collaborative environment between INL employees, partners and visitors. School field trips, conference attendees and visiting scientists will be able to use the space to collaborate on research and learn about INL and contemporary research activities.

The new facility will be Gold certified for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) by the U.S. Green Building Council. Green buildings — also called "sustainable buildings," "resource-efficient buildings" or "high-performance buildings" — minimize the impact on the environment by using less energy and water, reducing solid waste and pollutants, and limiting the depletion of natural resources.

Read the full press release from the INL by clicking here.

Portneuf Greenway Foundation to present at Pocatello Chamber Luncheon

Greater Pocatello Chamber of Commerce members will meet on Friday, May 1, 2009 for the monthly General Membership Meeting. Trade Tables open at 11:30 a.m. Lunch and the meeting begin at Noon at the Red Lion Hotel - Pocatello. R.S.V.P. to the Chamber office at 233-1525 or amiles@pocatelloidaho.com.

The program will feature the Portneuf Greenway Foundation. Since the inception of the Portneuf Greenway in 1992, the board has strived to complete a trail that will benefit the health and economic well being of the people living in Pocatello and Bannock County. Through additional funding we hope to connect the small pieces of trail into one continuous system from the Simplot Don Plant to the Portneuf Gap. This trail will be available to walkers, riders, and runners.

Many people wishing to change locations look at locations with outdoor recreational opportunities. We already have great mountain bike trails, skiing locations, fishing places and beautiful natural scenic areas. With the completion of the Portneuf Greenway, Pocatello will continue to attract the type of people who enjoy these amenities.

The luncheon is sponsored by Bangs Office Products.

Test Drive the Young Professionals Network on April 30th in Idaho Falls!

Are you a young professional over the age of 21? Join "Buddy" and the Greater Idaho Falls Chamber of Commerce Young Professionals Network on Thursday, April 30th at 5:30 p.m. at the all new Teton Toyota at Snake River Landing on Sunnyside Road. Come test drive this exclusive organization for young professionals and help to fast track your social networking and professional development. Refuel after hours with appetizers and drinks, courtesy of the all new Teton Toyota!

American Land Institute To Offer Valuation Class in Idaho Falls

The American Land Institute will be hosting a Land valuation course April 22-23, 2009 in Idaho Falls, sponsored by First American Title. Students will participate in actual development strategies, site analysis, land valuation and general development law. The course material provides a hands on approach in the design, cost, expense and logistics of development. Other topics covered are Smart and Green growth, types of development, entitlement, financing, market data and demand.

Upon completion of the course students will be familiar with: methods of establishing market value from a developer’s perspective, analyzing the feasibility of a site for development, legal descriptions, the process of development, identifying highest and best use and implications of easements. A calculator is recommended, however, only entry level math will be used. Tuition for the course is $195. 16 hours of CE is approved for this course by the IREC for license renewal in Idaho.

The class will be taught by Doug Ferguson, ALC and CLC and President of the Idaho chapter of the American Land Institute.

Hard Hat Steakhouse Ribbon Cutting on Monday at Snake River Landing

Hard Hat Steakhouse and Grill
Monday, April 20, 2009
10 am, 1175 Pier View Dr
Snake River Landing

For more information, please call (208) 523-3675.

Check out Jeremy Taylor from Z103 at Hard Hat Steakhouse during its construction:

Wind Farm News: Ridgeline Energy enters into power purchase agreement for Idaho project

The Idaho Business Review reported Thursday that Ridgeline Energy, a Seattle-based firm with wind developments in eastern Idaho, has entered into a 20-year power purchase agreement with Southern California Edison to deliver between 90 MW and 130 MW of power from its Goshen Phase II project east of Idaho Falls.

The project, a joint development between Ridgeline and BP Wind Energy, has been through the permitting process and is ready to be built.

Click here to read the full article.

Jackson Hole Ranked in list of Top Ten Adventure Towns

Tourism Review.com recently ranked Jackson Hole third in its list of the Top Ten Adventure Towns of the World, touting it as a place that "lives from adrenaline tourism". Jackson Hole gets 459" of average snowfall! Check out the article here. If you want to talk to a Jackson Hole expert (in adrenaline tourism AND commercial real estate), contact Meagan Hill at the NAI Jackson Hole office!

Need Some Inspiration?

Okay, this isn't a post on commercial real estate or local / regional / national news. But I just watched the most surprising video from a taping of Britain's Got Talent, and it's worth watching...more than once.

Embedding has been disabled on this video so you'll have to follow the link to YouTube, but it's already got 2 million hits and it's just the beginning. Be prepared to meet an amazing lady named Susan Boyle, who I daresay will soon be a household name.

Here you go: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lp0IWv8QZY

Enjoy! --Kaly

Idaho Falls Students Tour AREVA Facility in France

Check out the story in River City Weekly on twenty members of the Idaho Falls Mayor's Youth Advisory Council who recently toured AREVA's Georges Besse II Uranium Enrichment Facility as part of a weeklong trip to France, sponsored by AREVA. Their proposed Eagle Rock Enrichment Facility is currently going through the licensing process required under the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 that can take up to 30 months to complete.

National Geographic Brings Worldwide Attention to the Teton Valley, Greater Yellowstone Region

National Geographic has released its newest geotoursim map guide, which features the Greater Yellowstone Region. On that map lies a yet-to-be-built Greater Yellowstone Geotoursim Center in Driggs. This gives Driggs a tourism endorsement from National Geographic that’s “worth its weight in gold,” said Chamber of Commerce President Reid Rogers, who is spearheading the initiative.

Read the full article here in the Teton Valley News.

Jackson Hole News & Guide Article on May 1st PowerSale

Check out the article by by Kevin Huelsmann of the Jackson Hole News & Guide on the upcoming PowerSale!
2 big Victor parcels head to Web auction: 1 is 60 acres; the other is 25 acres.
Jackson Hole, Wyoming, April 8, 2009:
http://www.jhguide.com/article.php?art_id=4456