1Q 2010 Featured Agent: Don Zebe

Don Zebe
(208) 525-8088
don@nai-idaho.com

Scope of Service Experience
Donald Zebe joined NAI Commerce One's team of dedicated real estate professionals in 2010. Zebe, formerly with Premier Properties, in Pocatello, Idaho, brings a wealth of experience in retail leasing, land acquisition, development, entitlements and site selection services to the team. Donald's career began in 2004 with the acquisition and development of Pocatello Square as principle owner and developer.

Background & Experience
Donaldhas provided site selection and disposition services to many retail and restaurant clients - including Pita Pit, HFC, Hollywood Video, Jack in the Box, Batteries Plus, AT&T/Edge Wireless, Ruby Tuesday, Del Taco, Craigos Pizza, Walgreen's, and DL Evans Bank.

Donald's landlord representation clients have included Trevision Development LLC.

Educational Background
Zebe earned a BBA in Business Management from Idaho State University, Pocatello, Idaho. He hold a Black Belt in Six Sigma from GE. While at GE Zebe led a national and international sales organization as a senior executive at GE.

Professional Affiliations & Designations
Donald is a member of the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC).

Significant Transactions
Buyer Representation - 20-acre regional shopping center site - $3.0 million
Owner Developer. 67 acre Regional Power Center
Landlord Representation - regional power center
Landlord Representation - New regional lifestyle center
Tenant/Buyer Representation - Del-Taco multi-market site selection/acquisition
Tenant Representation - AT&T Wireless

Nordic Windpower Announces Financing Deal

Berkeley, CA, January 5, 2010 – Nordic Windpower announced today that it has raised $38 million in a new financing round led by Khosla Ventures, a premier investor in clean technology companies. Joining Khosla Ventures in the Series C equity financing are New Enterprise Associates (NEA), one of the largest venture firms worldwide, Novus Energy Partners, a US/Europe-based investor in clean technology, and existing investor Impax Asset Management, a London-based fund. Other participants include I2BF Management, an international cleantech focused investment management group, and Pulsar Energy Capital.

“This investment represents a significant achievement for Nordic Windpower,” said Patricia Bellinger, Chairman of the Board of Nordic Windpower. “We are committed to greatly expanding access to our high quality, innovative two-bladed wind turbines to communities across America and beyond. The support of this world class group of investors led by Khosla Ventures will enable us to build and grow Nordic Windpower substantially, while contributing to global efforts to reduce dependence on fossil fuels and President Obama’s goal of energy independence.”

Click here to view the full Press Release from Nordic Windpower

About Nordic Windpower

Nordic Windpower designs, manufactures and sells innovative, two-bladed utility-scale wind turbines for community wind and utility markets worldwide. The company’s N1000 turbine has the lowest installed cost and highest reliability of any turbine in its class. Nordic Windpower’s patented, flexible teeter hub significantly extends mechanical life and lowers maintenance. With headquarters in Berkeley, CA, and a technology office in Bristol, UK, Nordic Windpower operates an assembly plant in Pocatello, Idaho. Visit www.nordicwindpower.com, or contact 322-2080 or (510) 665-9463 in Berkeley, CA.

Hoku Secures Financing to Complete Pocatello Plant

Chinese solar energy firm Tianwei New Energy Holdings Co., Ltd., is now – officially – the majority owner of Hoku Scientific, a Hawaii-based clean tech company building a polysilicon plant in Pocatello.

Dustin Shindo, chairman and CEO of Hoku, said the stock sale and subsequent financing agreements close a crucial funding gap for the Pocatello project, which had been slowed over the past year by shortfall of between $106 million and $121 million.

Full scale construction at the Pocatello plant is set to resume, and equipment that had been placed on hold pending Hoku’s receipt of financing is on its way, the company reported.

Read the full article from the Idaho Business Review by clicking here.

Other Regional Business News

Pacific Ethanol resumes production in Burley

Pacific Ethanol, Inc. on Jan. 6 said it resumed production at its Magic Valley facility in Burley, Idaho. The plant is designed to produce 60 million gallons of ethanol per year.   Click to read more

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.

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.

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.

Community News: Simplot Games Track & Field Event in Pocatello, Idaho

Pocatello is welcoming over 1800 athletes, coaches, parents and fans to the Annual Simplot Games this weekend! Simplot Games is the nation's premier indoor track and field event for high school athletes. Located in Holt Arena on the campus of Idaho State University , the Games' unique 200 meter banked-board track is one of the fastest in the nation. Records are broken each year at this one-of-a-kind indoor facility.

Join the Pocatello Chamber the following events:

Thursday
"Let the Games Begin” Ribbon Cutting at Holt Arena
4:45 pm on Main Track with cake and refreshments from Costco

Friday
Breakfast with Fosbury and Friends, hosted by Olympian Dick Fosbury
Special Guest: Olympian Triple-jump legend Willie Banks, “Success is just a hop, skip, and jump away"
Red Lion Hotel at 7:30 am, Tickets are $20, Call 235-5604

Saturday
Simplot Games Ceremonies at 11:20 am at Holt Arena
Visit www.simplotgames.com for updated schedules and information!

Former Pocatello Blockbuster Available For Lease

The 2465 SF former Pocatello Blockbuster building is available for lease at 705 Yellowstone Avenue. Contact listing broker Brent Wilson for details. Download the listing flyer by clicking 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.

Pocatello Costco Set to Open

It's official! The much anticipated opening of the new Pocatello Costco is this week. Doors open to the public on Thursday, October 23rd at 8 a.m. at 305 West Quinn Road.

Although I am not a Pocatello resident, I was thrilled to receive a Costco mailer with coupons and membership information a few days ago. I have been a Costco member since 1998 and I enjoyed frequenting Costco locations in Twin Falls, Idaho, Orem, Utah, San Diego, California, and Anchorage, Alaska during my college days. Since moving to Idaho Falls in 2002, I have appreciated the convenience of the local Sam's Club, but there are a few items that I can only find at Costco--like Kirkland brand chewable Vitamin C and the most adorable little girls dresses. You know, the essentials! I don't know if I'll be able to make it to the Grand Opening this week, but I will be stopping frequently on my trips to visit my parents in the Burley area.

It's been fascinating to witness the tremendous retail growth that has taken place in Pocatello in the past few years. NAI Commerce One is currently leasing space at the beautiful new Gold's Gym Retail plaza that is less than a half mile away from Costco on Flandro. For more information on the space available at Gold's, please view the listing on Loopnet by clicking here, or email marketing@nai-idaho.com with your questions.

--Kaly Shippen

About Costco

Costco Wholesale Corporation operates an international chain of membership warehouses, mainly under the "Costco Wholesale" name, that carry quality, brand name merchandise at substantially lower prices than are typically found at conventional wholesale or retail sources. The warehouses are designed to help small-to-medium-sized businesses reduce costs in purchasing for resale and for everyday business use. Individuals may also purchase for their personal needs.

For the complete company profile, please click here.

Gold's Gym Grand Opening in Pocatello a Success

The Pocatello Gold's Gym Grand Opening on Saturday, June 21st was an exciting event for the entire community. Owners Bob and Jen Roberts and Garald Price were on hand, along with the general contractor Mark Brown. With free fitness classes on the half hour, give-aways that included a Las Vegas vacation, a live radio remote, and Texas Roadhouse catering for members, the event was a huge success. NAI Commerce One brokers Kaly Shippen and Guy Arnell participated in the event with a leasing information booth on the retail spaces available next to Gold's. For more information on this vibrant new development in Pocatello, please email marketing@nai-idaho.com

Pocatello Ranked #5 by Outdoor Life Magazine

Outdoor Life Magazine recently ranked Pocatello, Idaho #5 in the Top 200 Towns for Outdoorsman. The bottom line according to Outdoor Life: "This is the ultimate grown-up trout town. You can raise a family and hold a job without reducing your days on the water."

Read more at: http://www.outdoorlife.com/article_gallery.jsp?ID=1000019027&page=7

Rexburg was ranked #43 in the magazine's list.

Pocatello, Idaho Falls Rank High on Forbes List

Pocatello Ranks #22 on Forbes List of Best Places to Set Up a Small Business, Idaho Falls Ranks #28

 

By Michelle Costa

 

Pocatello, Idaho may seem like a small town. But, this little gem has been ranked by Forbes among the best small places in the country  to set up a small  business. It's ranked 22nd. 

 

"We have a lot of things to offer to the business community. And then when you look at family life and the safety of our community, it's a town that businesses are looking at and realizing it's a very desirable place to be," said Mayor Roger Chase.  This ranking comes from high ratings in categories like: cost of living, cost of doing business and income growth.

 

Idaho Falls also ranked high in the report, coming in at #28.

 

Read the complete story at http://www.localnews8.com/Global/story.asp?S=8069084