By John Webster – Secretary – MCEDC Executive Committee

Recently I was in a meeting in which several industries from around the state, mostly non-agricultural, were represented. The majority indicated their business volumes compared with recent years were down, most were significantly down with some being flat. Certainly with news from the state regarding tax collections, it’s pretty evident that current economic times are a bit tenuous for nearly every industry and market segment as evidenced by the deepening cuts being made to tax supported entities. Hopeful seemed to be the optimistic view with cautious and concerned more the view when a little reality was mixed in. Given the realities of the agitating economy when asked – What are you doing? — the almost universal answer was —— “waiting”. Waiting for what? – “March” — why March? “because February will be over and we hope March will be better.” That doesn’t seem like a great business strategy but in many cases it has become the stark reality. Many businesses have reduced sales budgets, travel allowances, labor and other line items out of necessity to try and cope with the shortfalls they are facing. While the Mini-Cassia area is not immune to the current recession there are many areas in the state that have been harder hit by current economic conditions than here in our villages. Some would say that were lucky; others might attribute it to local agrarian economic strength yet I think it is really more.

Consider this –- going into the Great Depression Ford was the number one auto maker in the U.S. and General Motors (GM) was number two. Coming out of the depression General Motors was number one and Ford was number two. During the mid 1920′s Ford was selling 10 vehicles for every one sold by GM (Chevrolet). GM continued to expand its advertising budget and within six years not only caught up with Ford but took the lead in sales. If you think that was unusual, look at another example. CW Post had a decade head start and led the cereal industry for many years. That is…until the Great Depression hit. Post cut its ad budgets while Kellogg was ramping up its ad spending. By the end of the depression, Kellogg was number one. Both anecdotal and empirical evidence support the case that advertising and aggressive sales efforts were the main factor in the growth or downfall of companies during the Great Depression. To put it bluntly, the companies that demonstrated the most growth and that rang up the most sales were those that were aggressive and continued marketing with verve.

As a recent new member to the Mini-Cassia Economic Development Committee I can attest that those in our area who have been charged with economic development are working with G.M. and Kellogg like verve to insure we continue to grow and be a vital area. They have not rested, and are not waiting for March, April or any other month. While our ad budget is modest our effort is aggressive and more than ever we are finding that the seeds we planted months and years ago– infrastructure- marketing- planning etc.– are now bearing fruit despite difficult economics. At times it is a slow process but just drive around the area and think about how many of the larger companies in our area now were not here just 5-7 years ago. There is more growth on the near horizon that will contribute greatly to our area. So, spend just a few moments – look around and appreciate and reward the efforts of your village businesses with your business. After all, we’re all in this together and we will succeed or wither as a group.

So, I get a lot of people asking me questions about what I do for a living. When I respond with the answer, I am a Search Engine Optimizer, people get a hazy look on their face and usually say something like…”Oh that’s nice, sounds hard!” So, I figured that I would write about it, and give people a better idea.

Plainly stated, I am an internet marketer. I advertise and promote things using the internet. I started to study this in college as part of my Business Management degree, and then began to read books, blogs, and anything else I could find on the subject. So, my specific services are as followed… Continue Reading

Wanna know something sweet?  White Satin Sugar, sold in our local grocery stores, is grown right here in the Magic Valley!  The Cassia County Sugarbeet Growers Association throws a banquet each year and recognizes the top beet-growers in our area, from rookie 4-H members to successful farmers.  This year’s top growers in the county were Oakley Idaho Crops, Darrington Farms Inc. (Shane and Robert Darrington), and Bart Bowers.  The board also recognized the top growers of each station:  Bart Bowers and Fred & Alan Hawker for Beetville, Moo View Cow Palace and Scott Turpin for Elcock, Darrington Farms Inc. and Goldenview Inc. for Hatch, Scott Beck and Craig Larson for Hobson, Harper Family Partnership for Idahome, Oakley Idaho Crops and Rick Wrigley for Kenyon, and Flying W Farms Inc. and Call Farms for Yale.  Special Awards were presented to Bob Beck, who retired after 15 years of service on the board.  Tom Garrard, who served on the Cassia County Board, Snake River Board, and Executive National Sugarbeet Board, was recognized for his distinguished service as a champion for the sugar industry.

Everyone who attended the banquet got the opportunity to participate in a raffle sponsored by: ACH Seeds, Adams Petroleum, Agriservice, AMI, Betaseed, Bio Flora, Christiansen Implement, Crop Production Services, Farm Credit, Hilleshog, Holly Hybrids, Landview, Pioneer Equipment, Simplot Soil Builders, Tires West, and Zions Bank.

4-H and FFA project winners were presented a plaque and cash award from the Cassia County Sugarbeet Growers, and an additional cash award from ACH Seeds.  First place winners received a name-embroidered coat from Butte Irrigation.  Butte Irrigation has donated these coats for over 15 years, and they are most coveted by young beet-growers!  Thanks Brice and Dale at Butte!

The Cassia County Sugarbeet Growers Association Board consists of Scott Searle, Scott Beck, Alan Harper, Shane Beck, Ken Turpin, Mike Wheeler, and newly elected Ryan Samples.

Junior Division                                                                            Intermediate Division                                                     FFA Division                                                                                                                        Senior Division (not pictured)

1st Place: Briana Beck                                                               1st Place: Brae Beck                                                           1st Place: Nate Garner                                                                                                     1st Place: Alli Webb

2nd Place: Brandon Harper (not pictured)                     2nd Place: Luci Garner                                                     2nd Place: Kyle Darrington (not pictured)                                                             2nd Place: Rebeccah Spear

3rd Place: Christopher Harper (not pictured)               3rd Place: Justin Montoya                                             3rd Place: Dallin and Jordan Darrington (tie)                                                        3rd Place: Saedee Moss

Top Record Book: Hailey Darrington                           Rookies of the Year: Hannah Beck                                Top Field Presentation: Malorie Bowen

and Savannah Searle (tie)                               Sponsored by ACH Seeds

-Brae Beck

This is a Press Release sent to GoBurley on Nov. 6, 2009 by a member of the AYAFF.

The American Youth Activities Facilities Foundation, or AYAFF as it may hereafter be known, announces the acquisition of 30 acres of property in Minidoka County along Interstate 84 near the 208 Exit.  The purpose of this acquisition will be primarily for an aquatic and recreation center, with other activity facilities to follow soon after.

This is an endeavor that has long been anticipated and hoped for, and with the right steps, can be achieved.  Building the facilities will only be the beginning.  It will take a concerted, sustained and united effort to operate and maintain such venues.  We are not looking to inflict a long term financial burden on any entity.  In fact, look for a new ‘Cost Plus 20’ policy that we hope to implement.  We will be talking with the Boys and Girls Club of America, the YMCA and other organizations that specialize in efficient operation of such facilities and who come highly recommended by others.  We do not have the luxury of being a resort town like Jackson Hole or Sun Valley, nor do we have oil and natural gas pouring into our counties’ coffers.  We call upon the recreation districts in the area to do their best in stepping up to help meet this need.  Minidoka has recently talked of forming a rec. district, and we encourage them to not only do so, but to make it all inclusive.  For the 3, 4 or 5 dollars per household per month that it costs, we will do our best to make that a great deal for every household in this 2 ½ county area.  For those who are not part of our local participating rec. districts, we will do our best to encourage them to want to become so affiliated.

If you ask anyone who has lived here for any amount of time, what this area is in need of, the unanimous consensus is, the need for activities for our youth to be gainfully engaged in.  This foundation has been carefully thought about over the last couple of years, designed with every ‘I’ dotted and ‘t’ crossed, and created to meet this need that is not unique to this area.  What is extremely rare, for the residents here, is the opportunity to give to a national 501 (c) (3), tax deductible organization and have virtually all of their donation go to the effort at hand.  AYAFF has NO PAID EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR.  In the future and only after this foundation has proven its capabilities, a paid director may be required.  For now the leadership, the CPA, the legal advice and the board are all unpaid.

Some argue that this is a lot of money we are talking about here, “millions and millions of dollars”.  And they are correct, there is land to finish purchasing, a Phase I Environmental Assessment (completed) to pay for, a feasibility study to perform and engineering & architectural design to study before we ever have a ground breaking.  But this I know and experience has proven, if we will all do a little, if those who have been abundantly blessed are able and willing to help to whatever degree they reasonably can, if myself and others who already have connections and/or are able to connect the dots and find large donors, advertisers, foundations, grants, etc., this project will be the beginning of something great for this entire community that we can all point to as a huge success.  All area service groups are being invited to organize fund raisers.  All local governmental entities, (seven high schools in two plus school districts, the cities and counties affected) will be invited to support to the extent that they can.  We will provide friendly competitive fund raising contests and challenges, and we will find ways to inspire matching donations.

The American Youth Activities Facilities Foundation is simply acting as facilitator.  It’s leadership is providing the vision for what we feel is one of the best tax deductible giving opportunities in the country, second only to your religious contributions.  Yes, it can be said that we have it in perspective.

A 501 (c)(3) corporation is a public trust.  I was reminded of this when speaking to a lady who specializes in this ‘business’. I referred to AYAFF with a certain degree of ownership. She anxiously reminded me that a foundation of this type is the public’s and that I was simply entrusted to oversee or manage it.  I and the rest of the AYAFF leadership understand this well.  While it is in its infancy, we implore everyone to take advantage of what it is, simply, where your entire gift goes to the project.  With the use of a website, there will always be transparency, even the anonymous can see their gift and how it helped, while still remaining anonymous.

Having said sufficient for now, know that more details will be made available soon, more will be heard on the radio and read about in the paper(s).  Tell your friends of the good news, talk about it with extended family, let those who grew up here, have gone away and become successful, learn of coming great reasons to come home with their families to visit.  You never know who they have met while out carving their nitch in the world.  Yes, economic times are trying, but there is a tremendous amount of money out there looking for a good home.  We have been counseled to be optimistic, and indeed, we are.

Thank you for your time and support.

-AYAFF SPOKESMAN-

On Thursday, October 15th, 2009 The Weekly News Journal published an article entitled “What People Earn”. The article outlines public employee salaries in the Mini-Cassia area which included city employees, all school employees, Minidoka hospital employees, and numerous other organizations. The article highlighted the top 10 salaries in both counties, and had numerous quotes from the likes of Thomas Jefferson and Aristotle.

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Recently we presented the idea of a Federal Prison being located in Cassia County.  The city of Burley will be fielding comments on their website within a couple of days.  Cassia and Minidoka counties have committed to pursue the idea.  We feel that time is critical in order to make the next funding cycle for federal funds.  We want this to be in the budget in February, 2010.

The idea was brought to us by DPV Solutions, Inc.  The principals of this consulting firm are former Senator Larry Craig and Paul Venosdel of New West Strategies.  Paul has just finished the process of locating and building a federal prison in California.  They are promoting the GREEN PRISON concept.  The location would be in the vicinity of the Geothermal site south of Malta.  The green electricity and the sharing of the hot water source for heating makes the prison site attractive.

The contract with New West Strategies, LLC and/or DPV Solutions,LLC would cost the area $5,000 per month, plus expenses not to exceed $500 per month unless prior approval is granted.  The process is a long one but the contract can be cancelled by either party with 30 days notice.

The facility would provide 350 good paying jobs with good benefits.   It would be non seasonal and recession proof.  Currently the Federal Bureau of Prisons does not operate a prison in Idaho, Wyoming, Utah, Nevada, Montana, or eastern Oregon and Washington.  The 1,152 bed facility would be medium security with the medium income of those working at the prison being between  $47,000 and $58,000.  A key component to employment with the Federal Bureau of Prisons is the creditworthiness and educational degree requirements of applicants.  Two or four year degrees from ISU or CSI in fields such as Sociology, Social Work, and Criminal Justice would be examples of the degrees needed.

At present we are moving forward.  We know there are others working for the project also.  As we move forward we will try to keep you informed.

Commissioner   Clay Handy

Welcome

Hello…My name is Mike Ramsey. I am not a journalist. Nor am I a reporter, or anything else that relates to someone that should be writing a newspaper. Continue Reading