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

Eastern Idaho Apartment Association Meeting to Feature Idaho Falls Mayor

The monthly Eastern Idaho Apartment Association meeting will be held tonight at 6:30 p.m. at the James Madison Taylor Building conference room at 1075 utah Avenue in Idaho Falls. The featured speaker will be Mayor Jared Fuhriman who will speak on challenges facing the city of Idaho Falls in the next 18 months. City planning expert Renee Magee will also be presenting.

Last month's meeting featured a roundtable sponsored by NAI Commerce One brokers on investment returns of alternative real estate investments. The panel included Doug Powell, Brent Butikofer, and Steven Frei.

For more information on the association, please contact Doug Powell at (208)525-8088.

Teton Valley Seminar Presented by Windermere Real Estate & Targhee Hill Estates

If you haven't been to one of Julie Bryan's seminars, you are missing out! Take advantage of this great opportunity to learn about the Teton Valley market. --Kaly

TETON VALLEY SEMINAR

Teton Valley, An Emerging Market

April 9^th, 2009 from 2-5p.m. at the Timberline Bar Conference Room

Victor, Idaho

Followed by a 5-6 p.m. Social Hour

Sponsored by Windermere Real Estate & Targhee Hill Estates

Presenting a Market Report, Analysis, and Discussions regarding the Teton County, Idaho supply of real estate and current market conditions. This powerful informative meeting will provide information and valuable discussion for anyone involved with Teton County real estate.

Guest speakers include

• Julie Bryan, Owner/Broker of Windermere Real Estate, and Bill Coleman;

Power Point presentation discussing supply, median price ranges, development projects in the Teton County, Idaho “pipeline”, and, current PUD ordinance impacts

• Reid Rogers; Chamber of Commerce Teton County, Idaho

Report regarding the sponsorship of the Greater Yellowstone Center by National Geographic, Grand Loop and Scenic By-Way corridor, Urban Renewal, Grants attained by the Chamber, updated marketing report.

• Doug Self; Driggs City Planning.

Issues and Plans underway for Driggs City planning

• Bill Knight; Victor City Planning.

What is currently underway with Victor City planning

• Patrick Vaile; Teton County Planning Director,

Impacts of and working with the new PUD Ordinance, Development, Areas of Impact information

• Mike Potter, of PC Development, and Bill Coleman, of Targhee Hill Estates;

Development Issues facing Teton County, Idaho

• Steven Keim and Meagan Hill, introducing the new NAI Global commercial real estate company in Driggs and and Jackson Hole—NAI Commerce One / Jackson Hole
• General Discussions and Q&A
• Social Hour

Attendees will receive a copy of the power point presentation

This is your opportunity to get the broad and accurate picture of data surrounding the Teton County Development

Contact Julie Bryan to register for this free seminar. Space is limited.

Julie F. Bryan

Broker/Owner, Windermere Real Estate/Teton Valley/Jackson Hole

307-699-0205

jbryan@windermere.com

NAI Brokers Attend Grow Idaho Falls, Inc Investor Breakfast

NAI brokers attended the quarterly Grow Idaho Falls, Inc Investor Breakfast at The Red Lion on the Falls this morning. Dennis Miotla, U. S. DOE Deputy Assistant Secretary for Nuclear Power Deployment Interim Manager – Idaho Operations Office, presented on The Idaho National Laboratory Mission in Eastern Idaho. To learn more about Grow Idaho Falls, please visit their web site at http://www.growidahofalls.org/

NAI Global's Jeff Finn Featured in Real Estate Forum

NAI Global President & CEO Jeff Finn was featured in the February/March issue of Real Estate Forum. The article, NAI Global Sees Opportunity Along with Challenges for 2009, summarizes the key discussion points of the Global Economic Outlook hosted by NAI Global in February. Finn, despite the current economic situation, is optimistic, explaining how there are now unique opportunities to make money. Guest speaker at the Global Economic Outlook, Dr. Linneman, NAI Global’s Chief Economist, also offers his insight on the recession. Read the Real Estate Forum article here.

(Photo: Jeff Finn and NAI Jackson Hole's designated broker Steven Keim.)

What's Next for the Economy?

On April 17, NAI Global will hold a live quarterly web conference featuring a global economic briefing by NAI Global's Chief Economist Dr. Peter Linneman. The briefing will include a presentation by Dr. Linneman, followed by Q&A from participants. Join NAI Global Chief Economist Dr. Peter Linneman for an in-depth discussion on the future of our economy, the fading hope for a recovery in 2009, tips on how to survive the recession and the pros/cons of the TALF plan. Dr. Linneman will also be available to answer your questions during the event.

This free web conference is open to NAI members, clients, and invited guests. Email Kaly Shippen, NAI Commerce One / Jackson Hole marketing director, if you would like to participate.

NAI Commerce One / Jackson Hole Offers PowerSale Accelerated Marketing Program

PRINCETON, NJ, March 9, 2009 – NAI Commerce One / Jackson Hole announced it is participating in the Commercial Property PowerSale™, an Accelerated Marketing Program created by NAI Global to help property owners and financial institutions dispose of troubled real estate needs.

NAI Global is the premier managed network of commercial real estate firms and one of the largest real estate services providers worldwide. NAI Commerce One / Jackson Hole is the exclusive NAI member firm in Jackson Hole + Teton Valley markets.

“The global economic slowdown and frozen credit markets have caused a major disruption in the traditional property sales market, and we are working closely with our clients to find the right marketing solution for their properties,” said Steven Keim of NAI Commerce One / Jackson Hole. “NAI’s accelerated marketing program is a boon for clients who need to sell an asset or portfolio, but are having difficulty in today’s economy.”

The Commercial Property PowerSale™ employs a variety of accelerated marketing techniques that have proven effective in previous economic cycles when traditional sales channels are gridlocked. Property owners will have the option of offering their property for sale via a series of live online auctions, sealed bids or a unique combination of the two formats. Properties in the Commercial Property PowerSale™ benefit from an aggressive marketing campaign that includes focused print, broadcast and electronic advertising, and a direct-to-buyer outreach to more than 175,000 active buyers. Sellers are assured a shortened sales process and a date certain sale schedule. The three program options – Auction Marketing, Sealed-Bid and Sealed-Bid Plus™ – set up a competitive bidding environment that creates urgency, forcing buyers to act immediately.

“The Accelerated Marketing Program is designed to meet the demands of our clients – property owners and financial institutions – with troubled assets, as well as sellers with healthy properties that are having trouble finding a buyer in today’s market,” said Finn. “Together with our longtime partner, Higgenbotham Auctioneers International, we have successfully completed more than $2.3 billion in sales through accelerated marketing programs. We are able to leverage our knowledge and relationships with the most active buyers at any given time to help our clients achieve the best possible value for their asset, despite the current economic climate.”

The program is open to both private and institutional owners and will include the sale of both commercial real estate equity and loans. Sellers may submit an individual asset or an entire portfolio, and property types will include everything from office, industrial, retail, hospitality and multifamily properties, to residential subdivisions and land for development. Both performing and non-performing commercial real estate loans may also be offered for sale. The NAI team will evaluate each property and guide the seller through the program process, helping them to choose the sales vehicle that best suits their needs.

The May 1st PowerSale includes over 50 properties totaling $150 million in value. NAI Commerce One is working with Windermere Real Estate and the Grand Teton Team in offering two properties in Teton Valley, Idaho. Click here for more information.

Property owners and financial institutions interested in learning more about the Commercial Property PowerSale™ should visit www.naiglobal.com/powersale or contact Meagan Hill at (307) 734-8700.

Idaho Falls Chamber Business After Hours at the Home Emporium

This looks like a fun event for Idaho Falls Chamber of Commerce members!

Thursday, March 19
5 pm - 7 pm
1568 N 25th E (Hitt Rd)
Trellis Square (South of the Lincoln Round-about)

The Home Emporium is a permanent home and garden showroom with a no-pressure setting and unmanned booths that allow you to browse at your leisure. When you're finished, our staff will put you in touch with the companies you're interested in--and your improvement, design or building project can begin. Catered by: The Cellar (YUM!) Music By: Kevin Young

For information on space available in Trellis Square, contact Randy Waters or Steven Frei at 208.525.8088

YPN Lecture Series Event at Snake River Landing

This is a reminder for this evening’s (March 18, 2009) Young Professional’s Network Lecture series event at 6:30 pm at Snake River Landing. The event will feature Tanya Covert discussing Personal Credibility.

Check out YPN's Facebook Group here.