SREDA Board Meeting
August 5, 2026 – 7:00 am
FMTC, Fruitland, ID
Directors, Members & Guests present: John Breidenbach, Ontario Chamber of Commerce; Dan Cummings, City of Ontario; Tatiana Burgess, City of Ontario; Gordon Wilkerson, Washington County; Ken Hart, Valley Family Health; Ken Bishop, Payette County & Biz Zone; Jeff Williams, CBCP; Ron Rembelski, FMTC; Kathy Patrick, City of Payette; Dina Ellwanger, St. Alphonsus; Taylor Dunn, Idaho Power; Bob Komoto, Four Rivers Cultural Center and Kiwanis Club; Rob Van Idour, Edward Jones; Jeff Carpenter, SREDA.
Zoom: Stu Grimes, City of Fruitland; Cathy Yasuda, TVCC; Erika Christensen, Fruitland Chamber of Commerce; Brittany Fenstemacher, Agar Transportation; Dennis Parker, Stone Castle; Angela Machuca, WorkSource Oregon; Beau McNeff, Weiser Memorial.
Guests & speakers: Aaron Menenberg, Renewable Northwest.
1. Chairman John Breidenbach called the meeting to order at 7:00 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 July 2026 Board Minutes: Director Bishop made a motion to approve the minutes as presented, and it was seconded by Kathy Patrick. Motion passed.
4. The June 2026 Financial Report was presented by Jeff Carpenter. Jeff expressed no concerns about current budget status; expenses tracking with the proposed budget, currently being at 54%.
5. Staff Report: Jeff reported that he had constructive conversations with Idaho Commerce. He is also working on a lead from City of Fruitland, working with a company wishing to expand. Working a couple of projects in Nyssa. City of Ontario has submitted an RFI for Project Landing Pad. The Visitor’s Center continues to see increased activity. Jeff has being working on the MOU for the visitor’s center. Detailed past month’s activity and upcoming events, listed in the staff report below:
SREDA Staff Report
August 5th, 2026
2026 PROJECTS
Project Precision – (Idaho) Manufacturing. Looking in Payette area.
Project Moo – (Idaho) Looking to expand with another location.
Project Cuda – (Idaho) Looking for land. Trying to fulfill the requirements in the ask.
Project Vivid – (Idaho) Big project. Not able to fulfil all the regulations.
Project Landing Pad – (Oregon) Same as Project Vivid, but for Oregon. Ontario and MC applied.
Project Combo – (Nyssa) medical building expansion.
Project Fix Me – (Fruitland) Looking for vacant medical clinic. Project has taken a turn. They are
looking for companies that use their services before they purchase a building. No update (possible clinic is pending) Need to look for new location. No new update.
Project Flower – (Nyssa) Looking for opportunities for building upgrades. Client is putting together estimates so they know how much it will cost to fund the renovation. Still getting bids. Sent grant information.
Project Park – (Washington Co.) City of Cambridge is looking to expand city park and install public restroom building. Plans are moving forward and a possible CDBG grant in 2027.
Project Knock, Knock – (Payette/Washington Counties) Manufacturing company looking to expand. Nothing new. Still looking for property. Purchased land and getting plans together.
Project Back to Life – New Plymouth – Working with SBDC Idaho for plan. Having some financial
issues. No new update.
Project Corn Huskers – (Fruitland) No new updates on possible rail users. Still looking for land. No new updates.
Project Ties – Idaho Northern RR. Seeing opportunities on the in Emmett, Payette & Fruitland. (Payette Co.) No new updates on possible rail users. Still looking for land. No new updates.
Project Hen House – Community Development project. (Midvale). Had a Zoom meeting and talked about possible grant writer for a job creation grant. Dennis from IC has been working with them on a couple possible project grants. No new update. They are still working on land options.
Project Kale – Housing project (Weiser) Project is on hold for now. Still on hold. No new update.
Project Dille Dental – Business expansion. (Weiser) Emailed contact person. They have the land and finalizing the office design. They hope to start construction this summer. They hope a block grant might be available. No update.
Project Par – (Fruitland/Payette Co.) Diesel repair shop. Fruitland business is expanding to a larger
location. Purchased land off exit 3 for expansion. Construction is starting soon.
***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: I’m getting pamphlets and brochures in from area
attractions and tourist information for handouts. We counted almost 14,000 people through the visitors center for the month of July. Had to hire a new person. I had to let go of one of the employees for attendance reasons. Finalized the MOU for the fiscal year 2026/2027. We will receive another grant for operations for FY27. If you know a company that has pamphlets or brochures please call them and get as many flyers you can get or give me their contact info and I’ll contact them.
Meeting/contacts this month:
Met with Idaho Commerce rural services specialist and went around and met with city and county officials.
Attended Ontario Chamber Lunch.
Attended Fruitland City Council.
Provided Conference room for Community in Action for financial home buying education classes.
Worked with Washington County Chief Deputy/Auditor on the new application for 2026-2027.
Completed the grant and sent it to Idaho Commerce.
Worked on list of updates for the website. Still looking for ways to list Idaho properties with one site and continue with Prospector for Oregon listings.
Talked with a couple Economic Development consultants about CRM and programs they provide.
Met with Idaho policy manager for Renewable Northwest (RNW). Talked about renewable energy in area.
Met with Malheur Co. ED Taylor.
Met with Nichols accounting for membership & tax info for 2026.
Continued to contact past members and new prospects for possible SREDA renewal and new membership.
Continued to get project updates, and different available programs (Rural USDA, Idaho Commerce, Dept. of Ag).
Upcoming…….
Looking at possible Seminars in Idaho and Oregon (IEDA & OEDA)
Meet with FRCC for dates for “SREDA Economic/Ag Summit” and “WTVEB” sometime in early 2027.
Attending Networking and Marketing events. (Chamber Lunches, FRCC events, dwntwn events)
Meeting with Biz Oregon about programs and updates.
Eastern Oregon Economic Summit the 24th & 25th at Four Rivers Cultural Center.
Next meeting: September 2nd, 2026.
6. Special guest speaker: Aaron Menenberg, Idaho Policy Manager, Renewable Northwest
Chairman Breidenbach introduced the guest speaker. Renewable Northwest provides renewable energy options to Idaho Power served territories in Idaho. (SREDA has a copy of the presentation, available upon request).
Commissioner Wilkerson provided an overview of Washington County’s proposed draft solar-farm land use ordinance, and the ongoing process.
7. City and Community Reports:
1. Fruitland: Stu Grimes reported that Fruitland the city’s building permit count has slowed down
recently. New businesses: a local laundry facility at Centennial Plaza, HD Property Service
Management, Heritage Auto Repair, McNally Mobile Care, Mrs. Ohh’s Cookies, Renewal
Counselling; the track and football field renovations at the high school, along with the gym remodel. Remington Hills Subdivision has its infrastructure in place; Water’s Edge Subdivision is also progressing along. Several road improvement contracts are still in progress. The Payette River Sports Complex – engineering is underway and hoping to break ground later in the fall.
Erika Christensen reported that the chamber will host its monthly luncheon on 08/12. The Fruitland After 5 Summer Series is ongoing. Fruitland Family Fun Days are coming up on 09/12.
2. Payette: Kathy Patrick reported that Payette Senior Center will host its 56th anniversary party on August 29 at 11 am. There are 2 new businesses in Payette: The Rusty Door and The Breakroom. Payette Chamber of Commerce will host a music in the park event on August 8.
3. Ontario: Dan Cummings reported that the city is working on the new parking lot area, along with the connector trail at Lions Park; hoping to complete before the Tater Tots Festival. Ontario will host the Public Utility Committee on August 24 at the City Hall. Tatiana Burgess reported that the city issued 30 building permits in July. Lifeways Complex update: out of 3 buildings included in the project, 1 is permitted, 1 is in plan review. Civil review is underway for a commercial complex expansion at 180 East Lane S, with 3 new proposed tenants, expanding the footprint to the east.
4. Ontario Chamber: John Breidenbach reported that the Chamber Luncheon will be on August 10. National Night Out is on August 11 at TVCC. Tater Tots Festival is September 18 and 19. Chamber has started working on the Winter Wonderland Parade.
5. No reports from Vale, Nyssa, Weiser or New Plymouth.
8. County Reports:
1. Payette County: Ken Bishop reported that the county issued 3 commercial permits, including permit for PAR Repair. Commissioner Bishop highlighted several road construction projects that were completed in partnership with the city of Payette, the Highway District and the County Road/bridge District. The county hosted a groundbreaking ceremony for the new Ambulance District facility.
2. Washington County: Gordon Wilkerson reported that the county issued 6 total permits, of which 1 was for a new construction. Commissioner Wilkerson gave an detailed overview of the wildland fires that Washington County has been experiencing over the last several weeks.
3. No reports from Malheur County.
9. Round Table:
1. Bob Komoto reported that on August 13, the Kiwanis Club will hold its annual chicken barbeque fundraiser, at Beck-Kiwanis Park, to raise funds for new ADA-compliant playground equipment. The Cultural Center has rescheduled its annual fundraiser – Somewhere in Paradise, to 09/25.
2. Ron Rembelski reported that FMTC has been working on and applied for 2 grants: one for a $4.7M fiber optics expansion in Malheur Co. and a $2.7M grant for Idaho, for Payette Co. expansion. These are Federal grants and FMTC is currently working on design engineering.
3. Beau McNeff reported that Weiser Memorial had activated its Incident Command due to the
wildfires in the region. The hospital also welcomed its newest podiatry provider.
4. Cathy Yasuda reported that TVCC’s finals exam week will be next week for the summer term.
September 14 will be the priority deadline for admission applications for the fall quarter. The
resident halls will open on September 24; there are 40 students in line for the dorms. The new
students’ orientation will be on September 25 with fall term classes set to start on September 28. The gymnasium roof replacement project is underway. The walking path between the Weese
Building and the Evelyn Dame Nursing Center is being replaced and upgraded. The grant opening for the Evelyn Dame Nursing Center is scheduled for September 17. Also on September 17, TVCC will put on the Four Rivers Healthy Communities Conference at the Four Rivers Cultural Center, with a pre-conference community block party on September 16 on Fortner St to celebrate the groundbreaking for the new Community Food Bank Center.
With no further business, Chairman Breidenbach adjourned the meeting at 8:00 am.
The next regular meeting is September 2nd at FMTC
Reported by Tatiana Burgess, Board Secretary
August Minutes