SREDA Board Meeting
February 4, 2026 – 7:03 am
FMTC, Fruitland, ID
Directors, Members & Guests present: John Breidenbach, Ontario Chamber of
Commerce; Dan Cummings, City of Ontario; Taylor Dunn, Idaho Power; Jules Belyea,
Idaho Commerce; Ron Rembelski, Farmers Mutual Telephone Company; Larry Hogg,
City of Weiser; Tatiana Burgess, City of Ontario; Gordon Wilkerson, Washington
County; Bob Komoto, Kiwanis Club; Patricia Walker, Four Rivers Cultural Center and
Museum; Kathy Patrick, City of Payette; Ken Bishop, Payette County and the Biz Zone;
David Armstrong, Rogue Credit Union; Mike Smith, Agile Homes; Jeff Williams, CBCP;
Kristen Nieskens and Jeff Carpenter, SREDA.
Zoom: Stuart Grimes, City of Fruitland; Cathy Yasuda, TVCC; Tobin Dixon, SBA; Tom
Vialpando, SBDC at TVCC; Shelly Cutler, Saint Alphonsus; Torie Ramirez, First
Security Bank, Rotary Club; Beau McNeff, Weiser Memorial.
1. Chairman John Breidenbach called the meeting to order at 7:03 a.m. and welcomed
everyone to the Wednesday morning meeting at FMTC.
2. Introduction of Attendees: Chairman Breidenbach asked everyone present to
introduce themselves and the business or entity they were representing.
3. Approval of January 2026 Board Minutes as amended with a few grammatical
corrections. Chairman Breidenbach asked for a motion to approve the minutes.
Director Bishop made a motion to approve the minutes as amended, and it was
seconded by Vice-chair Cummings. Motion passed.
4. The Financial Report was presented for the end of January 2026 by Treasurer Larry
Hogg. Mr. Hogg reported that the financial report has not yet been populated with the
new budget data, as staff is still working on budget. Director Williams made a motion
to accept the financial update, and it was seconded by Director Patrick. Motion
passed.
5. Staff Report: Jeff reported that he made contact with representatives of current
projects. Jeff also made contact with the caretakers of the Visitor’s Center and plans
on meeting with John, the caretaker onsite, to go over the Visitor’s Center needs. Jeff
directed the members to the staff report submitted for details regarding his visits with
different parties and entities, as well as for a list of attended events and meetings. Jeff
also informed the members that he has been working on the upcoming annual
Western Valley Economic Breakfast, set to be held on April 10, 2026.
SREDA Staff Report
February 2026
2025 PROJECTS
Project Back to Life – New Plymouth – Sent contact to Idaho SBDC for biz plan
consulting.
Project Wellness – International investment. $300K+, 3-10 employees. Looking for a
location in Idaho to start a business. (Idaho)
Project Corn Huskers – (Fruitland)
Project Coke – Entrepreneur (Washington Co.) – sent contact to Idaho SBDC for biz plan
consulting.
Project Save – Save Manufacturing: Emergency response equipment. $40M, 125 jobs
(welders, fabricators). Save HQ: Headquarters $17.2M, 5-50 jobs. (Malheur)
Project Myan – Payette County – Entrepreneur looking to open a business in Payette.
Interested in the Opportunity Zone. The contact has shelfed the project for now. He has
decided to pursue another profession.
Project Hen House – Community Development project. (Midvale). Attended their
meeting through Zoom and got an update on the progress of the project and their needs.
Project Kale – Housing project. (Weiser)
Project Dilly Dally – Business expansion. (Weiser)
Project Repair – Working with Washington Co. on Senior Center projects.
USDA/Commerce. (Washington Co.) Cambridge Senior Center and Weiser Senior
Center could not be sponsored by one county. It had to split and have the cities be the
sponsors. Weiser decided to wait and Cambridge is continuing with grant writer to
complete grant by March.
Project Par – Diesel repair shop. Fruitland business is expanding to a larger location.
Purchased land off exit 3 for expansion. (Fruitland/Payette Co.) – will be meeting with
Brittney 02/23. They have moved the project to exit 17 and Sandhollow.
Project Ties – Idaho Northern RR. Seeing opportunities in Emmett, Payette & Fruitland.
(Payette Co.) – Looking at other alternatives like spurs off the main line.
***Just a reminder that certain projects are not listed due to confidentiality agreements or at
the discretion of the project managers.
OTHER:
Snake River View Visitor Center Update: Talked with John (caretaker at rest area). Will plan
on meeting closer to opening to cover operation details (flyer supplies, employees, etc)
American Staffing will handle staffing. I’ll come up with staffing hour schedule.
Meeting/contacts this month:
Attended SREDA board meeting for introductions.
WTVEB planning meeting w/Kristen, John and Tom.
Met with Ken Hart of Valley Family, update and membership.
Attended Ontario Chamber of Commerce lunch.
Attended Fruitland City Council.
Met with Taylor Remowski @MCED.
Attended Fruitland Chamber lunch.
Zoomed Rural ED board and introduced myself. Scheduled next zoom meeting.
Participated in table sponsor and attended the Ontario Chamber Annual meeting and dinner.
Coordinated with Tom @SBDC about the United States SBA roundtable at the SREDA
conference room.
Went to Vale for the USSBA roundtable.
Attended the TVCC rebranding event.
Meeting with Idaho Commerce rep and visited with Fruitland City Administrator. Planned
another trip 2/4 to visit completed projects and more introductions.
Zoomed the IEDA legislative update on bills and issues in the capital.
Zoom call with Cambridge and Weiser projects with Frontier Development about grant issues
and moving forward.
IEDA zoom with update on grants available.
Zoom with Frontier and Cambridge Senior Center on grant questions.
Attended Idaho Commerce Mainstreet presentation at Payette City Hall.
Zoom Idaho Rural Water Assoc. meeting.
Zoom Midvale Community Partners annual meeting with update on Community Center project.
Introduction meeting with Marie Baker from Idaho SBDC.
Talked with TVCC about WTVEB date change and planning.
Continued to get familiar with SREDA bylaws, Board members, projects, and different training
programs. Continued to contact members, possible members and speakers about WTVEB and
SREDA membership. Updated membership trifold with new board member names and got new
ones printed.
Upcoming…….
Guest speaker Nyssa Chamber March 4th, noon.
Confirm WTVEB speakers and continue event planning.
Continue meeting with area cities, counties, and businesses.
Next meeting: March 4th, 2026
Jeff also reported that SREDA staff’s goal for the upcoming year will be to attract new
investments with a targeted marketing plan, support business retention and build
community support. SREDA will focus on working with commerce entities in both
Oregon and Idaho. Goal #5: Increase Private and Public Funding and Goal#8: Strengthen
and Modernize Land & Property Listings of the 2026 Action Plan will remain a high
priority.
Jeff reported that he has been working with Dennis Parker, on coming up with an idea to
create a customized search engine for commercial properties, that can be incorporated on
SREDA’s website. Mr. Parker has reached out to several organizations within the
Nampa-Meridian area to inquire about their current processes. Kristen added that Goal #8
should in fact be Goal #6. It was a typo error.
Director Williams reported that he hasn’t been able to connect with Mr. Parker, as they
had previously agreed during the last SREDA meeting, to work on the search engine
options.
Vice-chair Cummings informed Jeff, and the entire group, that budgeting cycle is
underway in the City of Ontario, and encouraged Jeff to present to City Council in late
April, or possibly May, to promote SREDA and advocate to receive the $10K grant
again, that the city has awarded SREDA in the past years. Jeff agreed to do so.
Mr. Smith inquired about what cities within the SREDA region currently don’t have
active paid memberships and whether there is a current action plan to gain their
membership. Jeff reassured that he will be reaching out to all those cities. Mr. Smith
offered to join Jeff when he goes to those meetings, to advocate for SREDA. He
suggested that since he grew up in New Plymouth, he could join Jeff there, to facilitate
making connections there. Chairman Breidenbach encouraged the group that if they are
willing to help, especially pursuing the non-paying cities, the help is welcomed.
Kristen reported that they are still working on creating a snapshot of all successes and list
of accomplished projects, to make it easier to read and more user-friendly. Vice-chair
Cummings welcomed that idea and suggested that it could be used as a helpful tool to
help promote SREDA services and membership. Vice-chair Cummings encouraged
increasing private businesses membership, as currently the largest portion of SREDA
revenue comes from local jurisdictions membership. He believes that ultimately the
businesses are the ones who benefit from increased economic development and it would
be to their advantage to actively participate in SREDA. SREDA should rely more on
private funding rather than government funding.
City and Community Reports:
1. Fruitland: Stuart Grimes reported that the Fruitland Chamber Lunch is upcoming
on February 11 at Orchard Hall. The Chamber fundraiser, Apple Jam, is coming
up on April 17, 2026; sponsorship opportunities and tickets are still available.
The Chamber also has a new director, Erika Christensen, that could be reached
regarding all upcoming events. The city has been in the planning stage for the
upcoming America 250 event, scheduled for April 18, to coincide with the
anniversary of Paul Revere’s ride. The city has been awarded a state grant for
this event. The event will feature a 5K run, a pancake breakfast in the park,
served by the Fire Department, and the burying of a 25-year time capsule. The
local children will be asked to contribute to the time capsule, with guesses
regarding Fruitland’s future population in 25 years. The capsule will also
include a gift for the future winner of the population estimate guess.
The city received a $500K private donation from a local family to develop the
Payette River Park. The city has been working on a concept to develop a phasing
plan. The city is hoping to add this spring pickleball courts, tennis courts, a full
basketball court, a volleyball court, and a putting green.
The city was also awarded a grant for one phase to widen N Pennsylvania Ave,
as well as adding curb, gutter and sidewalk; final engineering is in progress.
Next year the city will work on land acquisition for the right-of-way. Tentative
construction is scheduled for 2028. Pennsylvania Ave project will consist of 3
phases, with phase 1 starting on the north end of Pennsylvania Ave, at the
intersection with 16th St, and continue working south.
The city was awarded a sidewalk grant for the SW 7th St project, by the high
school, to install curb, gutter and sidewalk on the south side of SW 7th St from S
Iowa Ave to S Pennsylvania Ave. Construction is set to start this spring.
In 2025, the city issued a total of 280 permits, which include residential,
commercial, mechanical and sign permits; 44 of which were for single-family
residential permits and 4 commercial projects. The AutoZone project at Gayway
Corner is nearing completion.
Dollars for Scholars Board is accepting donations for this year’s program, to
sponsor scholarships for local students. The base scholarship is $1,500 and it can
be named and presented during the Awards Assembly in May, at the high
school. The sponsors can stipulate criteria for the scholarships to direct which
type of tuition the scholarship can be applied towards. A specific recipient
cannot be chosen, as per Scholarship America guidelines.
John Breidenbach added that on February 5, at 04:30 pm, the Ontario Area
Chamber will join the Fruitland Chamber at Mrs. Ohh’s Cookies Co. for a
ribbon cutting ceremony, to celebrate their one-year anniversary.
2. Payette: Kathy Patrick reported that in January, the city issued 3 residential and
3 commercial permits. Bancroft Park project is on track, projected to be finished
in May with a grand celebration for the 4th of July and America 250 event. The
water issue has been resolved. The mayor has agreed to purchase a water testing
mechanism to be able to conduct regular testing and avoid future issues.
3. Ontario: Dan Cummings reported that the city currently has 3 projects out to bid:
a burn cell to be located at the Public Safety Training Facility off Oregon St, an
interior remodel project at Fire Station #2 to create rest areas for both male and
female firefighters and an interior remodel at Fire Station #1 inside City Hall, to
create 4 separate dorms. Additionally, a portion of the Fire Department’s engine
bays at City Hall will be converted to create office spaces for the Police
Department. The city secured funding to rebuild the flagpole by Lion’s Park that
had been torn down during a wind storm a few years back. Additionally, the
Council approved funding to construct an additional parking area, in conjunction
with the Recreation District’s pool remodel project at Lion’s Park.
Tatiana Burgess reported that the city has not issued any new single-family
residential permits in January. The city issued 14 mechanical permits, and 2 big
commercial projects permits in January: the remodel of the Rec. District’s pool
and the expansion of Edge Performance show room, off Oregon St. City of
Ontario has been awarded an EPA grant, distributed locally through DEQ, to aid
the conversion of existing vacant buildings into residential dwelling units. The
grant would award up to $40K per unit created, as a rebate, at the completion of
the project. The grant is available for a total of 45 units and through 2030.
4. Ontario Chamber: John Breidenbach reported that Chamber’s Annual
Leadership Program is set to start in a few weeks with 13 spots still available.
The Center Ball is coming up on February 7. American Global Village Festival
will be on June 6, and it will feature America 250 celebrations. The Chamber is
also working on the new directory and updating memberships. The Chamber
was joined by a new member: a moving company from Weiser. Downtown
merchants are collaborating with Eastern Oregon Border Board and the
Revitalize Ontario group on a new project to update Moore Park.
5. Weiser: Larry Hogg reported that one residential permit was issued in January.
Due to health issues, Weiser Mayor Hibberd resigned, and the Council will be
working on appointing a new mayor, which can be a council member or a
community-at-large member. Meanwhile, Council President Herb Haun has
been appointed as the interim mayor. The city is starting to work on the new
year’s budget. On April 4th, Weiser Chamber of Commerce will host its Annual
Crab Feed.
6. Nyssa: John Breidenbach reported that Nyssa Chamber got a new Board and
they have been working on their annual awards banquet, to be held on May 30,
2026. The Chamber has also already started working on their Thunderegg Days
event for this upcoming summer.
7. No reports from Vale, or New Plymouth.
County Reports:
1. Payette County: Commissioner Bishop reported that PAR Repair Inc. is set to
break ground soon for their new facility at exit 17 off I-84. Commissioner
Bishop also reported that together with Commissioner Wilkerson, last week they
attended the Idaho Association of Counties conference, in Boise. Take-aways
from the conference: significant budget cuts are expected, along with funding
cuts for major transportation projects, which would be approximately a $600K
shortfall for Payette County’s road and bridges, and about $1.3M for all other
entities in Payette County, which will put a big strain on county budgets.
Payette County Ambulance District will be relocating to a new facility to be
built in the City of Payette. Commissioner Bishop also reported that the county
website is being updated. Two of the County Fair Board members recently
stepped down, and the county received five applications from community
members, willing to serve.
2. Washington County: Commissioner Wilkerson concurred with Commissioner
Bishop, being concerned regarding the state budget cuts, which are
approximately a total of $374M. The budget shortfall translates to about a 30%
reduction in revenues for county roads and bridges. The fact that the county
didn’t spend their snow removal budget this year, due to the lack of snow, is a
benefit to the county, as it costs about $18K for each snow event. The county is
hoping to use the unspent money for other projects. The county currently has
two major bridge projects. One is under construction, about half completed – the
Cove Bridge. Construction is set to start this summer on the other bridge that
crosses the Weiser River, if it’s still funded. Commissioner Wilkerson also
reported that Idaho County Commissioner Skip Brandt has been recognized by
Senator Crapo for helping him in securing SRS funding to supplement what
can’t be done by the Forest Service. Commissioner Wilkerson also reported that
5 new residential permits have been issued December through January.
3. Malheur County: John Breidenbach reported that Dr. Dana Young was able to
pursue the organizers of the Eastern Oregon Economic Summit to host this
year’s summit in Ontario, which will bring lots of traffic and activity to Ontario.
8. Round Table:
1. Patricia Walker, the new Four Rivers Cultural Center Executive Director, reported
that the Center Ball event is coming up on February 7. Ms. Walker introduced
herself to the group, and informed everyone of her extensive experience with
nonprofits, as she still represents Idaho for housing in her role with Idaho Habitat
for Humanity. She expressed her excitement about working with all the SREDA
members and getting to know everyone.
2. Bob Komoto added that Four Rivers Cultural Center continues to host a number of
really great fitness classes. Mr. Komoto added that the Kiwanis Club is considering
restarting the CWAD activity at the end of March, which is the act of jogging or
running while picking up trash. Grabbers and bags will be provided for participants.
3. John Breidenbach added that the monthly Chamber Lunch is scheduled for
Monday, February 9, and it will feature representatives of a learning center for
children with special needs from Nyssa. Also, Malheur ESD will be presenting.
4. Tom Vialpando reported that TVCC has acquired a new building – the new
Advanced Energy building, at 297 SW 19th Ave. Mr. Vialpando reported that
SBDC now has a new office manager, and the office has been busy assisting clients
with Eastern Oregon Border Board grant applications.
5. Tobin Dixon thanked Mr. Vialpando and Jeff Carpenter for helping host a listening
round table with representatives of the National Rural Affairs Advocate (NRAA)
from the Office of Advocacy. NRAA offers services not only to non-profits, but to
small businesses and help route complaints or support through the Federal
government.
6. Shelly Cutler reported that St. Alphonsus opened a new women’s clinic inside the
St. Alphonsus Ontario hospital, with Dr. Mairs. This is great addition, as St.
Alphonsus Ontario did not have OB providers on staff for a number of years. Ms.
Cutler also reported that St. Alphonsus Ontario earned a four-star recognition from
Forbes: out of 5,400 total hospitals, only 520 earned a four-star rating.
7. Taylor Dunn, the new Economic and Community Development representative for
Idaho Power introduced herself to the group.
8. Jules Belyea, the new Idaho Commerce representative encouraged members to
attend the Rural Success Summit on May 12-14, 2026, in Pocatello, ID.
9. Jeff Williams reported that he recently attended a Main Street event in Payette,
along with Ms. Patrick and Jeff Carptenter.
10. Mr. Smith encouraged members to consider development of data centers in their
communities as they could be massive construction projects. Ms. Dunn encouraged
those who consider attracting data centers to meet with Idaho Power first.
With no further business, Chairman Breidenbach adjourned the meeting at 8:10 am.
The next regular meeting is March 4th at FMTC.
Reported by Tatiana Burgess, Board Secretary
February 2026 Minutes