July Minutes

SREDA Board Meeting
July 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; David Armstrong, Rogue Credit Union; Natasha McDaniel, City of Weiser, Weiser Chamber of Commerce; Larry Hogg, City of Weiser; Gordon Wilkerson, Washington County; Ken Hart, Valley Family Health; Ken Bishop, Payette County & Biz Zone; Kathy Patrick, City of Payette; Taylor Dunn, Idaho Power; Bob Komoto, Four Rivers Cultural Center and Kiwanis Club; Jeff Carpenter, SREDA.
Zoom: Stu Grimes, City of Fruitland; Cathy Yasuda, TVCC; Tom Vialpando, SBDC at TVCC; Angela Machuca, WorkSource Oregon; Beau McNeff, Weiser Memorial; Tori Ramirez, First Security Bank, Rotary Club.
Guests & speakers: Jonathan Rutherford, Miranda Murray, Terri Lindenberg with Treasure Valley Transit.
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 June 2026 Board Minutes: Director Hogg made a motion to approve the minutes as presented, and it was seconded by Vice-chair Cummings. Motion passed.
4. The June 2026 Financial Report was presented by Larry Hogg. Director Hogg presented the financial snapshot to the members present; expressed no concerns about current budget status.
5. Staff Report: Jeff reported that that a new project requested information regarding potential available sites for both Oregon and Idaho properties. The Visitor’s Center continues to see increased activity with an average of 524 people a day. Detailed past month’s activity and upcoming events, listed in the staff report below:
SREDA Staff Report
July 2026
2026 PROJECTS
Project Fix Me – (Fruitland) Looking for vacate medical clinic for possible purchase. Project has taken a turn. They are looking for companies that can use their services before they purchase a building. No update (possible clinic is pending) Need to look for new location.
Project Flower – (Nyssa) Looking for opportunities for building upgrades. (replace aging doors, fire protection systems, upgrade nits). Client is putting together estimates so they know how much it will cost to fund the renovation. Still getting bids.
Project Park – (Washington Co.) City of Cambridge is looking to expand city park and install public restroom building. Waiting on Project repair before moving forward. It will be later this fall after Project repair is finished when they can start the process for Project Park. Still looking for grants.
Project Brush/Annette – (Payette Co.) Entrepreneur working on a new product. Referred from SBDC Ontario. Referral to Idaho Commerce. Still looking for investors. No new update.
Project Knock, Knock – (Payette/Washington Counties) Manufacturing company looking to expand. Nothing new. Still looking for property.
Project Back to Life – New Plymouth – Working with SBDC Idaho for plan. Having some financial
issues.
Project Corn Huskers – (Fruitland) No new updates on possible rail users. Still looking for land.
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.
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.
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. Continue to call different places requesting traveler guides and maps. We are averaging 524 people a day through the visitors center. 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:
Sent in the Idaho business registration Annual Report.
Met with Opportunity Zone attorney to learn more about the advantages of a OZ.
Met with Carrie Rackey about EPA Brownfield grant opportunities. It’s more like land use maximization. There are more opportunities that just brownfields. Will be working together for 2027 grant applications.
Met with Patricia at FRCC and went over membership options and ideas for SREDA events in the future.
Attended Malheur County Commissioners meeting during budget approval public hearing.
Attended Ontario Chamber Lunch.
Attended Fruitland City Council Request for 2026/2027 membership.
Attended Fruitland Chamber lunch
Attended Ontario ribbon cuttings
Attended Governor’s Workshop. Talked with ODOT, Biz Oregon.
Attended Eastern Oregon Visitors Association roundtable at Frosty Badger.
Talked about SREDA membership with owner of Frosty Badger.
Emailed Idaho city/county officials about a possibly meeting time w/Idaho Commerce in July.
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. Working on getting it completed before the deadline (7/10)
Worked on list of updates for the website. Still looking for ways to list Idaho properties with one site. Oregon list through Prospector.
Continued to contact past members for possible SREDA renewed membership.
Continued to get project updates, and different available programs (Rural USDA, Idaho Commerce, Dept. of Ag).
Upcoming…….
Start working on MOU for Visitors Center 2026/2027 funding grant.
Start planning “SREDA Economic Summit” sometime in September on early October.
Idaho Commerce is coming to visit on July 14th. We’ll be meeting with city/county officials. Continue meetings with City of Nyssa and new business prospects. Attending Networking and Marketing events.
(Chamber Lunches, FRCC events, dwtwn events)
Next meeting: August 5th, 2026.
6. Special guest speaker: Terri Lindberg, Treasure Valley Transit. Chairman Breidenbach introduced the guest speaker and her team. Treasure Valley Transit provides public transportation to surrounding communities. (SREDA has a copy of the presentation, available upon request).
7. City and Community Reports:
1. Fruitland: Stu Grimes reported that Fruitland will have the 4th of July Parade at 01:00 pm on
Saturday, as part of the County-wide parade.
2. Payette: Kathy Patrick reported that City of Payette’s parade will start at 11:00 am on Saturday followed by the Bancroft Park dedication at 01:00 pm. City of Payette has issued 12 new residential permits in June for Phase 3 of Montessa Subdivision.
3. Ontario: Dan Cummings reported that the city has successfully adopted its budget hearings. The airport helipad project has been awarded all the grants that the city has applied for, with
construction projected to start in September. Tatiana Burgess reported that the city issued 22
building permits in June, including 2 residential permits. There are 3 major commercial projects
currently under construction, with a combined valuation of over $2M: remodel of a portion of the old mall on SW 4th Ave, a tenant improvement at Tractor Supply and the remodel of the former Denny’s Restaurant, to re-open as a Japanese grill restaurant.
4. Ontario Chamber: John Breidenbach reported that the Chamber Christmas in July Auction will be on July 10. The Chamber will sponsor a 4th of July fireworks show at 10:15 pm at Beck-Kiwanis
Park. The Chamber continues to host lots of travelers from out of state.
5. Vale Community: John Breidenbach reported that Vale Rodeo and Pioneer Days will be July 1 – 4.
6. Weiser: Natasha McDaniel reported that the city has received a 17-lot subdivision application, off Galloway. The city has 10 open building permits for the Sundance Subdivision. Planning and Zoning is set to review a re-zone application for a multi-family dwelling project. Weiser’s
Veteran’s Parade will be on July 4th, followed by a community barbeque in the park. Farmer’s
Market will run July 9th through October. The Chamber Luncheon is scheduled for July 21.
7. Nyssa: John Breidenbach reported that Nyssa Chamber annual awards banquet and auction on May 30, 2026 was successful and had a great turnout, and Thunderegg Days will be mid-month July.
8. No reports from New Plymouth.
8. County Reports:
1. Payette County: Ken Bishop reported that the county will host a groundbreaking ceremony for the new Ambulance District building on July 21 at 9:00 am. Payette airport is undergoing 2 major
upgrades: improvements to the lighting system and the addition of 4 new taxi ways, which will
expand access, safety, airport usability, and aid new hangars construction. The County was able to offer partial financial support, in addition to the two $400K FAA grants that airport staff had
secured. The airport also sells jet fuel and offers curtesy cars. The county is currently recruiting a
weed and gopher supervisor.
2. Washington County: Gordon Wilkerson reported that the county was gifted a new flag by Rep. Russ Fulcher. The county held a formal flag retiring ceremony for the old flag on June 29 and flew the new flag. The county is working on ordinances to regulate new construction of data centers and solar farms, as well as proposing the allowance of ADUs, similar to Payette County.
3. No reports from Malheur County.
9. Round Table:
1. Chairman Breidenbach informed the members that the Executive Board has accepted Kristen
Nieskins’ resignation as the Executive Director and ended Jeff Carptenter’s probationary period.
Jeff Carpenter is the official, full-time, SREDA Executive Director.
2. Bob Komoto reported that on July 12, Four Rivers Cultural Center will host the Minidoka Swing Band. The film Seeds of Peace will be featured at 01:30 pm on July 18, followed by the Obon Festival starting at 03:00 pm. Missoula’s Children Theatre Summer Camp will run July 20 – 25. On July 29, the Live After 5 July event will be in the garden at 05:00 pm. On August 13, the Kiwanis Club will hold its annual chicken barbeque fundraiser, at Beck-Kiwanis Park. The Cultural Center will hold its annual fundraiser – Somewhere in Paradise, on August 14
3. Cathy Yasuda reported that TVCC held a Trades Summer Camp on June 30 – July 1 at the
Advanced Energy Center and Trades Center and had a great turnout. TVCC now offers an array of
trades training and apprenticeship opportunities. TVCC is offering two 4-week class sessions
during the summer, with the first session ending on July 16, and the second session set to start on
July 20. TVCC is still on track to offer 2026 fall classes in the new Evelyn S. Dame Nursing and
Allied Health Professions Center. TVCC is also working on adding new sidewalks and walking
paths on campus. Fall registration will start on September 14; classes begin on September 28.
4. Tom Vialpando reported that the old Sagebrush restaurant has reopened in Vale.
5. Beau McNeff reported that Weiser Memorial dedicated Idaho’s third Safe Haven Baby Box on June 16, during a community ceremony, with a great turnout, including Sen. Shippy and representatives from Sen. Risch’s office. Weiser Memorial now has a new podiatrist provider, that will start seeing patients towards the end of the month.
With no further business, Chairman Breidenbach adjourned the meeting at 7:55 am.
The next regular meeting is August 5th at FMTC
Reported by Tatiana Burgess, Board Secretary