SREDA Board Meeting
April 1, 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; Ken Bishop, Payette County and the Biz Zone; Paul Radloff, PAR Repair; Brittany Fenstemacher, PAR Repair; Dina Ellwanger, St. Alphonsus Medical Center; Torie Ramirez, First Security Bank; Natasha McDaniel, City of Weiser, Weiser Chamber of Commerce; Larry Hogg, City of Weiser; Ron Rembelski, Farmers Mutual Telephone Company; David Armstrong, Rogue Credit Union; Gordon Wilkerson, Washington County; Bob Komoto, Kiwanis Club and Fourt Rivers Cultural Center; Mike Smith, Agile Homes; Jeff Williams, CBCP; Mike Hanigan, The Outpost; Patrick Nauman, Weiser Classic Candy, Weiser Chamber of Commerce; Kristen Nieskens and Jeff Carpenter, SREDA.
Zoom: Taylor Rembowski, Malheur County Economic Development; Taylor Dunn, Idaho Power; Dan
Kauffman, Fry Foods; Ken Hart, Valley Family Health; Tom Vialpando, SBDC at TVCC; Carrie
Rackey, Stantec; Stuart Grimes, City of Fruitland; Cathy Yasuda, TVCC; Erika Christensen, Fruitland
Chamber of Commerce.
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.
Chairman Breidenbach and Kristen presented Mr. Nauman with a plaque to thank him for 11 years
of service to SREDA, as well as being a SREDA founding member.
3. Approval of March 2026 Board Minutes: Director Williams made a motion to approve the minutes
as presented, and it was seconded by Director Nauman. Motion passed.
4. The March 2026 Financial Report was presented by Larry Hogg. Director Hogg reported that he was still working on updating the budget. Kristen added that the return on the CD account was $800. Director Hogg encouraged feedback from members regarding the new budget layout format. Director Cummings pointed out that the $10K posted to January, should’ve been listed as revenue in 2025, as received from the City of Ontario. Jeff reported that he will continue working with Director Hogg to update the budget. Chair Breidenbach made a motion to table budget approval to next
month; motion seconded by Ms. Ramirez. Motioned passed.
5. Staff Report: Jeff reported that he made contact with representatives of current projects (details below). Jeff continues to work on the upcoming annual Western Valley Economic Breakfast, set to be held on April 10, 2026: 76 tickets sold, all speakers committed and continues to look for table
sponsors.
SREDA Staff Report
March 2026
2026 PROJECTS
Project Park – (Washington Co.) City of Cambridge is looking to expand city park and install public
restroom building. Working with Commerce on different options.
Project Brush/Annette – (Payette Co.) Entrepreneur working on a new product. Referred from SBDC
Ontario. Referral to Idaho Commerce. No new update.
Project Knock, Knock – (Payette/Washington Counties) Manufacturing company looking to expand. Sent her information about Idaho Commerce programs. I’ll help where needed.
Project Back to Life – New Plymouth – Sent contact to Idaho SBDC for biz plan consulting. Project contact looking for match money. Trying to help with smaller grant options. No update.
Project Corn Huskers – (Fruitland) contact talking with area property owners along railroad for possible
partnerships and rail usage. Continuing to talk with possible rail partners.
Project Ties – Idaho Northern RR. Seeing opportunities on the in Emmett, Payette & Fruitland. (Payette Co.) Looking at other alternatives like spurs off the main line. Continuing to talk with possible rail partners.
Project Coke – Entrepreneur (Washington Co.) No update. Project seems to be on hold right now.
Project Save – Ontario – Save Manufacturing: Emergency response equipment. $40M, 125 jobs (welders, fabricators). Save HQ: Headquarters $17.2M, 5-50 jobs. (Malheur) Project is ongoing and location has not been locked down yet.
Project Hen House – Community Development project. (Midvale). I checked in with contact person and sent CDBG information. Didn’t make the deadline w/public hearing. Working w/IC for other park options.
Project Kale – Housing project (Weiser) Emailed contact person. Project is on hold for now.
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.
Project Repair – Working with City of Cambridge on Senior Center projects. USDA/Commerce.
(Washington Co.) Public hearing is tonight and I plan on attending. They got the grant app submitted
and are now waiting for decision.
Project Par – (Fruitland/Payette Co.) Diesel repair shop. Fruitland business is expanding to a larger
location. Purchased land off exit 3 for expansion. I met with Brittany and they are moving forward with
the exit 17 project. They are building on the old Fulcher property. Finishing planning and getting ready to begin construction 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: Met with Kristen and started contacting pamphlet suppliers. Talked with American Staffing for staff needs.
Meeting/contacts this month:
Attended 2 day Idaho Housing & Economic Development seminar in Boise. Attended Ontario City Council.
Attended Fruitland City Council
Attended Cambridge City Council Public Hearing
Attended Fruitland Chamber lunch
Attended Nyssa Chamber Lunch (double booked speakers, plan for next month)
Attended “Boot On The Ground” ¼ meeting via zoom. (Eastern Oregon ED group)
Attended Tourism Talks w/Idaho Tourism Seminar in Nampa
Contacted local advertising providers for WTVEB and SREDA advertising
Zoomed the IEDA legislative update on bills and issues in the capital
Met with TVCC and Sodexo staff for planning set-up for breakfast
Attend EOBB monthly meeting
Provided Conference room for Community In Action for financial education classes.
Continued to contact past members for possible SREDA membership.
Continued to get project updates, and different available programs.
Upcoming…….
Guest speaker Nyssa Chamber April 1st, noon. WTVEB April 10th – TVCC Weese building
Continue meetings with area cities, counties, and businesses.
Next meeting: May 6th, 2026
6. Guest speaker: Vice-chair Cummings introduced Carrie Rackey of Stantec, an environmental consultant, specializing in brownfields revitalization. Ms. Rackey gave a detailed presentation on EPA Brownfield Grants, benefits and instructions on how to apply. (SREDA has a copy of presentation)
7. City and Community Reports:
1. Fruitland: Stuart Grimes reported new businesses: Fruitland Carstown, Conerstone Building, Local Laundry. ITD’s project between Fruitland and Payette has started. America 250 celebration is scheduled for April 18. Erika Christensen added that the Chamber’s membership luncheon will be on April 8. The Apple Jam Fundraiser will be on April 11 at Stateline Autoranch. On April 30, the Chamber will host Coffee Connect at its office. Registration is open for the Spring Fair Parade, set for May 9.
2. Ontario: Tatiana Burgess reported that the city issued 18 building permits in March. A permit was issued for Gem Dandy Carwash, to be rebuilt after the 2025 fire. Another commercial permit was issued for Lifeways for the new residential care facility complex off Sunset Dr. The city also issued 2 business licenses: Amber’s Pack & Ship (ownership change) and All Culture (relocated).
3. Ontario Chamber: John Breidenbach added that the former JoAnn store will be converted to a vintage marketplace, set to open at the end of the month. Autism Awareness Day will be at Lion’s
Park on April 24. Depot District will host Friday Night Markets at Moore Park, starting May 1.
The Outpost food court is set to open in May. America’s Global Village will be on June 6.
Calvary Chapel will host a concert on June 27 in Lion’s Park.
4. Weiser: Natasha McDaniel reported that the city has issued 1 commercial and 10 residential
permits. Sundance Pointe Subdivision final plat is in review. Edward Jones had relocated
downtown. The Chamber Crab Feed will be on April 4. The Farmer’s Market’s coming up, July
thru September, every Thursday, 05:00 pm – 07:00 pm, featuring different themes. Chamber
Luncheon will be on April 14. Serve Day will be on April 25.
5. Nyssa: John Breidenbach reported that Nyssa Chamber will hold their annual awards banquet on May 30, 2026.
6. No reports from Payette, Vale, or New Plymouth.
8. County Reports:
1. Payette County: Commissioner Bishop reported that the county approved several TDRs. The
county continues to work on the impact areas reductions, with public hearings coming up. The
208 Cleanup event will be held on April 11, 10 am: meeting on Pearl Rd, on BLM lands.
2. Washington County: Commissioner Wilkerson reported that the county is working on their
budget and preparing for the elections. The Ambulance District Director continues to raise
awareness for the proposed ballot levy, hoping the levy passes. The county interviewed two
candidates for a building inspector position; decision will be made soon.
3. Malheur County: Taylor Rembowski reported that the county concluded its Biofuel Opportunity Zone study, funded by a RDBG grant. The county will now work on a marketing plan, to target bio-digesting companies and attract to the area. A new diatomaceous earth mine will open in Westfall. The county will start on a UAS/UAV (drones) study, focusing on Ontario, Nyssa, Vale, to identify potential costs to set up a local UAS/UAV research facility.
9. Round Table:
1. Bob Komoto reported that the plogging event on March 28 was a success. Kiwanis Club plans to
hold another event on Serve Day, as well as last Saturday in May. The Kiwanis Club now has a
K-Club for high school students and is currently recruiting. The Spring Fusion concert will be on
April 12 at FRCC. On April 14, FRCC will feature the Living Voices: Journey from the Dust
event. The Savanah Sipping Party play will be at FRCC May 1-3.
2. Mike Hannigan informed the group of the work of “100 Men” – a local charity organization, that
funds local non-profit groups and projects, such as the Nyssa Food Bank, the Boys & Girls Club,
the New Plymouth Senior Center, the Volunteers Rural Firefighters Association. 100 Men meets
the second month of every quarter, on the first Tuesday, at Cowboys in Ontario.
3. Torie Ramirez reported that First Security Bank will host a customer appreciation day on April 1.
4. Cathy Yasuda reported there are multiple outdoor sporting events this quarter. On April 30,
TVCC will sponsor the Connected Conference, along with EOU and Blue Mountain CC.
5. Patrick Nauman reported that the Buy Idaho Wholesale Marketplace event will be on May 13, 10:00 am – 03:00 pm at the Caldwell Event Center. The Fiddle Festival Parade will be on June
27. Mr. Nauman reported that Weiser also has a similar to “100 Men” charitable organization,
called “100 Friends” and encouraged everyone to get involved in their communities.
6. John Breidenbach added that Ontario Chamber will offer to its members an “Introduction to AI”
course on April 23, to be held at St. Alphonsus Hospital.
With no further business, Chairman Breidenbach adjourned the meeting at 8:08 am.
The next regular meeting is May 6th at FMTC.
Reported by Tatiana Burgess, Board Secretary.
April 2026 Minutes