NAI Commerce One Now Using Yammer for Interoffice Communications

NAI Commerce One / NAI Jackson Hole associates are now using a microblogging service called Yammer for interoffice communications. Yammer is frequently referred to as "Twitter for Companies". Steven Keim signed up for the initial account. Keim said, "Yammer appears to be a tool that will increase interoffice dialogue, interaction, and collaboration on commercial real estate deals and facilitate our philosophy of teaming."

Many NAI brokers utilize social networking utilities like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter. Unlike these popular services, Yammer is designed specifically for companies and all users must share the same corporate email address.

Interested in learning more about Yammer for your company? Read more on wikipedia or visit yammer.com

Agriculture Remains A Stabilizing Economic Force in Idaho

The University of Idaho "Financial Condition of Idaho Agriculture" report was submitted to the Idaho House Agricultural Affairs Committee this week in Boise. Read the Idaho Business Review article about the report by clicking here.

Former Idaho Falls Blockbuster Building Available for Lease

New Listing in Idaho Falls!

Great retail location for lease in Idaho Falls on Woodruff Avenue.

1500-6000 square feet available

$16-19/SF/YR

Call Brent Wilson for more information at 208.525.8088
or email bwilson@nai-idaho.com

Click here to download .pdf flyer.

Urban Land Institute Idaho Forum

The Urban Land Institute Idaho will be hosting a program called "New Realities-New Opportunities" - How to Survive and Succeed in the New Economy on Friday at the Grove Hotel in Boise on January 29^th.  Panelists include Ron Nahas, President, Rafanelli and Nahas; George Iliff, Managing Principal, Colliers International; Rob Perez, President and CEO, Western Capital Bank, Carl Swenson, City Manager, City of Peoria, Arizona; Susan Grafton, Economic Development Director, City of Westminster, Colorado; and Phil Kushlan, Executive Director, Capital City Development Corporation.

The keynote speaker is ULI Senior Fellow Stephen Blank.  The program will explore the implications of the current and future market and financial conditions for real estate.  For full details, click here.

Urban Land Institute provides leadership in the responsible use of land and in creating and sustaining thriving communities worldwide.

"Know Your Liberty" Seminar in Idaho Falls

The Title of Liberty organization is hosting a free “Know Your Liberty” Seminar on January 30th and 31st in Idaho Falls in the ISU Campus Auditorium located at 1776 Science Center Drive. The seminar will feature Stephen Pratt, a former educator for the National Center for Constitutional Studies.

The seminar will run from 7 – 10 p.m. Friday night, and from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday. Please visit http://www.thetitleofliberty.org/events.html for more details, or click here to register for the event.

About The Title of Liberty Cause
The Title of Liberty organization, established in 2004, organizes and promotes The Title of Liberty Flag Display and Liberty Walk each summer around Independence Day. The Title of Liberty Flag Display is a four-acre display of 1,776 flags in Idaho Falls, and Liberty Walk is a two-mile walk in which hundreds of citizens come together and carry the flags that form the flag display. These events have now become a tradition in the Idaho Falls community. Since 2006, to further the cause of The Title of Liberty, educational seminars have been offered where citizens can come together and learn more about principles of liberty, including why and how the Founders of this country, under God, established a constitution for the protection of "we, the people."

Blog Editor’s Note: “Since I live within walking distance of the beautiful flag display in Idaho Falls, I feel especially grateful for the efforts put forth by The Title of Liberty organization. Last summer my children enjoyed visiting the flags regularly, and my 5 year old was especially intrigued by the biographies that were posted of our Idaho soldiers who have fought and are still fighting for our freedoms. The upcoming seminar promises to be a great event for all who participate!" --Kaly Shippen

Idaho Falls Jackson Hewitt Tax Service Now Open

Jackson Hewitt Tax Service is now open on the corner of Broadway and Yellowstone in Idaho Falls at 244 West Broadway. This convenient location is one of over 6700 Jackson Hewitt offices across the U.S., and boasts a bilingual specialist who is available on Mondays and Saturdays through the tax season. The office is open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday. No appointment is needed, but staff is available to answer questions at 208-524-1866.

NAI Commerce One's Randy Waters negotiated the lease. Randy can be reached at 208-542-7873.

Now Tweeting Commercial Real Estate News on Twitter

Yes, you read that title correctly. NAI Commerce One is now using the social networking utility Twitter to share information on listings, news stories, and local events, and more. What is Twitter? It’s a quick way to access information YOU are interested in. Simply sign up for a Twitter account and then start following individuals, companies, and news outlets you select. Twitters post are called “Tweets” (it’s a bird theme), and posts are limited to no more than 140 characters. The term "tweet" is similar to Google--it can be used as a noun or a verb, thus the title of this blog post,

In a recent Business Week article on the Twitter phenomenon, author Steven Baker states, “The key question today isn't what's dumb on Twitter, but instead how a service with bite-size messages topping out at 140 characters can be smart, useful, maybe even necessary.”

According to David Bigelow, who commented on the Business Week article, “ Twitter basically does what e-mail can't - keep the trash out of e-mail…by allowing target audiences to subscribe to it instead of just receiving it without wanting it.”

Personally I like Twitter because unlike many other social networking venues, it helps me save time rather than waste it. But don’t get me wrong, I’m not getting rid of my Facebook account anytime soon!

Click here to follow NAI Idaho / Wyoming News on Twitter

Red Robin Opens in Idaho Falls

The new Idaho Falls Red Robin officially opens for business on Monday, January 19th at 11 a.m. Red Robin will be sponsoring a "Burgers with a heart" fundraiser, donating 50% from every gourmet burger sold to the Idaho Falls Domestic Violence Shelter for Women and Children.

NAI Commerce One's Steven Keim brokered the transaction that brought Red Robin to its Idaho Falls location on the southeast corner of 17th Street and Hitt Road.

The restaurant was open for training from Wednesday through Saturday. Check out this short YouTube video from our lunch on Friday. The food was mouth-watering and the service was great!

About Red Robin

The Red Robin legacy began in the 1940’s with Sam’s Tavern, a small tavern perched on a Seattle hilltop near the University of Washington campus. The owner, Sam, sang in a barber shop quartet and could frequently be heard singing the song, “When the red robin goes bob’ bob’ bobbin’ along.” In fact, Sam loved the song so much that he eventually changed the name of his tavern to Sam’s Red Robin, and over the years it became known simply, as Red Robin.

Today, Red Robin Gourmet Burgers, Inc., is a publicly-traded casual dining chain headquartered in Greenwood Village, Colorado. They serve their Guests an imaginative selection of more than 22 Gourmet Burgers in a variety of recipes with all-you-can-eat Bottomless Steak Fries™. Their menu also includes salads, soups, appetizers, entrees, desserts, children’s fare and their signature Mad Mixology® specialty beverages.

Red Robin has an unparalleled and extraordinary approach to Guest service known as Unbridled Acts. There are thousands of stories of Red Robin Team Members who celebrate the Unbridled philosophy through random acts of kindness they bestow upon restaurant Guests and other Team Members. Each Unbridled Act, regardless of size, is a true testament to Red Robin’s amazing culture and the care they take for each and every Guest.

Steven Frei Elected to Grow Idaho Falls Board of Directors

Steven Frei of NAI Commerce One was elected as Secretary to the Grow Idaho Falls Board of Directors on Friday. It is a five year commitment, and Steven will be serving as Secretary, then 2nd VP, 1st VP, President, and Past President.

Steven said, "I look forward to the opportunity to serve the community and work with the great people at Grow Idaho Falls for years to come."

The Board of Directors held their annual retreat on Friday, and broke into groups to discuss their target industries: Tourism, Energy, Agriculture, & Medicine (TEAM.)

About Grow Idaho Falls

GROW IDAHO FALLS, INC., is an investor-based organization dedicated to the development and growth of Idaho Falls, Ammon and Bonneville County, playing an important role in the expansion of existing business, job retention and the attraction of new business to the area.

Originally called the Eastern Idaho Economic Development Council, GROW IDAHO FALLS, INC. has been in existence since 2000. Linda Martin, Executive Director of Grow Idaho Falls, has spearheaded recent efforts including a newly designed web site and a new Bonneville County properties database through Location One information systems. Investors in the community are integral to the success of the organization in achieving its main goal: "to create good paying jobs with benefits for the people and families of our community."

About Steven Frei

Frei brings a wealth of experience to the Grow Idaho Falls board as a commercial real estate specialist in industrial and investment properties. A self-described "CPA with a personality", Steven earned his B.A. in accounting from Boise State University and is a principal and an associate broker at NAI Commerce One. He has over 20 years experience in business ownership and management, with 13 years experience managing, purchasing, and selling commercial real estate. He is active in other community organizations including Rotary and is the former President of the Skyline High School Booster Club.

College of Western Idaho Opens

Click below to hear an audio clip of Governor Butch Otter speaking at the ribbon cutting for Idaho's newest junior college, The College of Western Idaho, serving students in the Boise Valley.

http://www.publicbroadcasting.net/idaho/news.newsmain?action=article&ARTICLE_ID=1457608

NAI Global Featured in USA Today Commercial Real Estate Article

Jeff Finn and NAI Global were featured in today’s issue of USA Today. The article, “Commercial Real Estate Suffers,” is an overview of how the CRE market fared in 2008, and what leading experts believe will happen in 2009. The piece includes data from the 2009 Global Market Report and perspective from NAI Global President & CEO Jeff Finn. You can read the full article in today’s paper (front page of the Money section), or click here to read it online.

Look for additional Global Market Report coverage in this week’s FinancialWeek. Tim Catts’ piece, “Banks Gird for Commercial Property Collapse,” also includes data from the 2009 report. You can read that article here.

Pocatello Business After Hours on January 8th at Ashley Furniture Home Store

On March 20th 2008, Eastern Idaho's newest and most modern furniture store opened for business in the Pocatello Towne Square.

Locally owned and operated Ashley Furniture Home Store of Pocatello is inviting the business community to their 27,500 square foot state of the art showroom to experience the most exciting new furniture store in our area. Ashley Furniture is America’s number one selling furniture brand that offers a vast selection in many styles and price ranges to meet every ones taste and needs.

Please join them for Business After Hours, Thursday, January 8, 2009 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at 1950 Hurley Drive. All Pocatello Chamber members and their guests are invited to enjoy complementary refreshments and beverages. Great door prizes to be given away.

Victor, Idaho Receives Orton Family Foundation Grant

The city of Victor, Idaho has received a promising $100,000 "Heart and Soul" community planning grant from the Orton Family Foundation, whose mission is to help build vibrant and enduring communities through thoughtful planning centered around key assets. The Victor City government has made a matching monetary commitment.

According to the Orton Family Foundation, Victor's ultimate goal is to “go beyond land use and design, and toward our social fabric and how [to] create opportunities to grow a more economically, ecologically, and socially diverse community.”

Project goals include:

• Identifying the Heart & Soul elements of Victor and utilizing them throughout the project.
• Engaging as many residents as possible in the Heart & Soul discovery process.
• Effectively engaging the fast growing population of people ages 20-39.
• Using Community Viz or other GIS-based tools for alternative scenario planning and decision making.
• Creating a Main Street Advisory Committee and a subcommittee to track progress and results of the Envision Victor process.
• Producing a Transportation Plan for downtown Victor and a Capital Improvement Plan.
• Adopting design review guidelines and standards for downtown Victor.
• Identifying new public/private partnerships to advance Heart & Soul Community Planning, including new business opportunities that could contribute to downtown growth and resilience.

Victor is located in the Teton Valley between Driggs, Idaho and Jackson Hole, Wyoming at the crossroads of Highway 31, Highway 33, and Highway 22.

NAI Commerce One is currently assisting Teton Land Development in marketing Trail Creek Crossing, a new mixed-use development in the city of Victor located on Highway 31.

For more information on Victor, please contact Meagan Hill.

LINKS

Orton Family Foundation Web Site Information on Victor's Heart and Soul Grant

Teton Valley News Article on the Grant

Business After Hours at the Cellar

Join the business community at The Cellar Restaurant on Thursday, January 15, 2009 from 5 to 7 p.m.  Progressive Drawing is valued at $500.  Every Greater Idaho Falls Chamber of Commerce member is entered…you must be present to win. 

Address: 3520 E 17th St, Idaho Falls

CRAPO, SIMPSON CALL ON NRC TO APPROVE AREVA FACILITY

Washington, DC – Senator Mike Crapo and Congressman Mike Simpson are urging the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to grant swift approval to AREVA for construction of a uranium enrichment facility near Idaho Falls. The company filed an application today with the NRC for construction of the Eagle Rock Enrichment Facility in Bonneville County. If approved, construction could begin in 2011.

Crapo, co-chair of the Senate Renewables and Energy Efficiency Caucus, said construction of the Idaho facility is critical to the nation’s goal of expanding renewable energy sources such as nuclear power. “Now more than ever, it is critical to develop secure, economically-feasible and clean supplies of domestic energy,” Crapo wrote in a letter to NRC Project Manager Breeda Reilly. “The Idaho enrichment plant will supply America’s existing operating fleet of nuclear power reactors and further augment the anticipated growth of new commercial nuclear power generation here in the U.S.,” he noted.

Simpson, a member of the House Energy and Water Appropriations Subcommittee that funds our nation's nuclear infrastructure and loan programs, said the project means more good paying jobs for eastern Idaho. "At a time when our nation is experiencing a severe economic downturn, it is encouraging to see this license application, and the good paying jobs it will create, moving forward," said Simpson. "I have visited AREVA's facilities in France and have seen firsthand their commitment to safety, security, and their workers. I look forward to working with AREVA and my constituents in eastern Idaho over the coming months and years to make sure its potential is realized."

Read the full press release here: http://crapo.senate.gov/media/newsreleases/release_full.cfm?id=306232

AREVA Seeks Federal Approval for $2 Billion Uranium Enrichment Plant

AREVA Inc., a French-owned nuclear services company, has applied to the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission to build a $2 billion uranium enrichment plant near Idaho Falls.

The federal regulator has said approval could take more than two years.

AREVA officials said construction could begin in 2011, with work expected to last seven years.
The company, which in 2008 won tax breaks from the Idaho Legislature before deciding on building in the state, has said the project will be a smaller version of its Georges Besse II centrifuge enrichment facility now under construction in France.

The facility would be capable of producing enough enriched uranium to supply nearly a quarter of existing U.S. commercial nuclear power needs.

AREVA says the project will create 800 construction jobs and 300 full-time workers, once it's running.

Source: Associated Press

More About AREVA

With manufacturing facilities in 41 countries and a sales network in more than 100 countries, AREVA offers customers reliable technological solutions for CO2-free power generation and electricity transmission and distribution. AREVA is the world leader in nuclear power and the only company to cover all industrial activities in this field. The company's 65,000 employees are committed to continuous improvement on a daily basis, making sustainable development the focal point of the group’s industrial strategy. AREVA’s businesses help meet the 21st century’s greatest challenges: making energy available to all, protecting the planet, and acting responsibly towards future generations. http://www.areva.com/

Other news headlines: India chooses AREVA as its first foreign uranium supplier

Greater Idaho Falls Chamber of Commerce Ribbon Cuttings

Monday, January 5, 2009
Lincoln Court & American Cancer Society
1:30 pm
850 Lincoln Drive, Idaho Falls

Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Teton Toyota
11 am
2252 W Sunnyside Rd, Idaho Falls

Quote on Courage

“Courage is not found in what you have overcome, but in the challenges you are now willing to face.”