Idaho Falls awarded grant to develop plans for innovation district
IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) - A big push toward innovation in Idaho Falls is set to get underway.
The city has been awarded an economic development grant from Battelle Energy Alliance in partnership with Regional Economic Development for Eastern Idaho.
They plan to begin developing what they call The Idaho Falls Innovation District.
The nearly $56,000 grant is designed to support start-up companies, providing services such as management training or office space and other assistance.
The organizer s first step is to focus on the area around MK Simpson Boulevard near the INL.
Published online: Mar 01, 2021 Articles, East Idaho Business
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IDAHO FALLS The City of Idaho Falls, in partnership with Regional Economic Development for Eastern Idaho (REDI), has been awarded an economic development grant from Battelle Energy Alliance, operator of Idaho National Laboratory (INL), to begin conceptual development of an innovative new project called the Idaho Falls Innovation District.
“There are less than a handful of innovation districts in this country that converge on science and cutting edge research,” said Idaho Falls Mayor Rebecca Casper. “I expect some very big things will happen here in the future and it’s thrilling to know that the city will have played a significant role in helping to launch this kind of creative space right here in Idaho Falls.”
Published online: Mar 01, 2021 Articles, East Idaho Business
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IDAHO FALLS Battelle Energy Alliance (BEA) has awarded $105,700 in grant funding for statewide nonprofits through Idaho National Laboratory’s 2021 economic development grant program.
Idaho Women
’s Business Center
The Idaho Women s Business Center (https://idahowomen.org/) of Idaho Falls received a $20,000 grant for the “44 in 22” project launching this year. The program strives to support business-minded women in all 44 Idaho counties by 2022.
The IWBC provides a variety of services, including support for small business loan applications, business counseling, mentoring and peer-to-peer learning.
By engaging with local professionals and educators, the “44 in 22” program will train people to mentor and teach the IWBC curriculum. All resources will be translated into Spanish thanks to a partnership with the Idaho
INL awards economic development grants
IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) - Regional Economic Development for Eastern Idaho and the city of Idaho Falls have received a $55,700 economic development grant from Battelle Energy Alliance.
It was one of $105,700 in grants awarded for statewide non-profits through the lab’s 2021 economic development grant program.
The REDI grant will help INL, REDI, and the city of Idaho Falls explore the feasibility of supporting an innovation district. It would also help draft a master development plan. It will connect startups, act as a business incubator and offer housing, retail, office and research space.
The Idaho Women’s Business Center received a $20,000 grant for its “44 in 22” project. The program, launching this year, will support business-minded women in all 44 counties by 2022. The first grant for the IWBC helped establish the Idaho Falls branch.
Jim Johnston
In contrast to what Teresa McKnight, the CEO of Regional Economic Development for Eastern Idaho, or REDI, told the Pocatello City Council during a quarterly update in November, itâs not high property taxes but rather prospective sellers massively inflating the value of their properties thatâs served as a larger impediment to growth in the Gate City, Jim Johnston, the interim CEO of Bannock Development Corp., recently told the Pocatello City Council during a meeting at City Hall.
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âOn July 24 we had a site visit from a company who looked at some wonderful locations,â Johnston told the City Council. âThe site (this company) liked the best was not a property that was listed but one we were introduced to. (The sellers) initially wanted $2,000 per acre for that property, but when this company expressed an interest in it, they shot that price up to $40,000 an acre. Now, it is not our tax structure that keeps people fro