September Minutes

SREDA Board Meeting
September 2, 2026 – 7:00 am
FMTC, Fruitland, ID
Directors, Members & Guests present: John Breidenbach, Ontario Chamber of Commerce; Tatiana Burgess, City of Ontario; Taylor Dunn, Idaho Power; Rob Van Idour, Edward Jones; Ron Rembelski, FMTC; Jeff Williams, CBCP; Bob Komoto, Four Rivers Cultural Center and Kiwanis Club; David Armstrong, Rogue Credit Union; Larry Hogg, City of Weiser; Natasha McDaniel, City of Weiser, Weiser Chamber of Commerce; Kathy Patrick, City of Payette; Ken Bishop, Payette County & Biz Zone; Gordon Wilkerson, Washington County; Brittany Fenstemacher, Goldwings Real Estate, Agar Transportation; Jeff Carpenter, SREDA.
Zoom: Jules Belyea, Idaho Commerce; Stu Grimes, City of Fruitland; Dennis Parker, Stone Castle; Erika Christensen, Fruitland Chamber of Commerce; Angela Machuca, WorkSource Oregon.
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 August 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 August 2026 Financial Report was presented by Larry Hogg. Director Hogg reported that there is an anticipated revenue of about $22K yet to be deposited. The expenditure side saw an increase, due to having 2 employees for the first part of the year.
5. Staff Report: Jeff reported that he’s been maintaining some of the projects from Idaho Commerce. Working on 2 projects in Oregon: Project Combo in Nyssa and Project Flower. The Visitor’s Center has one more week of activity. Jeff is working on the MOU for the visitor’s center, and was awarded $25K for the upcoming year. Jeff has been working with Four Rivers Cultural Center to coordinate next year’s Western Treasure Valley Economic Breakfast, tentatively scheduled for April 16, 2027. Jeff is also partnering with the Cultural Center for the From Farm to Fork event, scheduled for later
in October. Detailed past month’s activity and upcoming events, listed in the staff report below:
SREDA Staff Report
September 2nd, 2026
2026 PROJECTS
Project Precision – (Idaho) Manufacturing. Looking in Payette area. No new update.
Project Moo – (Idaho) Looking to expand with another location. Sent site possibilities.
Project Cuda – (Idaho) Looking for land. Trying to fulfill the requirements in the ask. No new update.
Project Landing Pad – (Oregon) Same as Project Vivid, but for Oregon. Ontario and MC applied.
Project Combo – (Nyssa) medical building expansion. Talking w/ Biz Oregon and city for possible site.
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. Project has taken a turn They are looking for companies that can use their services before they purchase a building. No update
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. Moving forward with land purchase.
Project Knock, Knock – (Payette/Washington Counties) Manufacturing company looking to expand. Nothing new. Still looking for property. Purchased land and getting plans together. No new update.
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 update.
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 update.
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. No new update.
Project Kale – Housing project (Weiser) Project is on hold for now. Still on hold. No new update. Did not return email request for 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. Did not return email request for update.
***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 13,000 people through the visitors center for the month of August. Finalized the MOU for the fiscal year 2026/2027. We received another $25,000 grant for operations for FY27. The final weekend is Labor Day weekend. Inputting all the visitors and numbers for the final wrap up report the end of the year.
Meeting/contacts this month:
Met with Idaho Commerce rural ED Pro chat via Teams.
Met with FRCC for dates for “SREDA-FRCC Economic Summit/Ag Show” Jan. 2027; SREDA-FRCC “From Farm/Ranch to Fork” Local Features Oct. 2026; WTVEB April 16th 2027.
Attended EOBB meeting.
Attended Ontario Chamber Lunch.
Attended Fruitland City Council.
Provided Conference room for Community in Action for financial home buying education classes.
Worked on list of updates for the website. Still looking for ways to list Idaho Realtors with a list of Idaho
properties to put together a list for the website and continue with Prospector for Oregon listings.
Continuing to look for tax preparers for 2026 taxes.
Attended Eastern Oregon Economic Summit the 25th.
Continued to work with Larry on Financial snapshot.
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, Biz Oregon).
Upcoming…….
Attending Networking and Marketing events. (Chamber Lunches, FRCC events, dwntwn events)
Attending the Idaho Economic Development Association (IEDA) fall conference Sept. 29th & 30th.
Attend Idaho Dept. of Commerce Rural ED Pro monthly chat via Teams.
Attend City council and County Commissioner meetings for quarterly updates.
Next meeting: October 7th, 2026.
6. Welcome new member Brittney Fenstemacher from Goldwings Real Estate.
Chairman Breidenbach introduced and welcomed Ms. Fenstemacher in her new capacity as a realtor.
7. City and Community Reports:
1. Fruitland: Stu Grimes reported that Fruitland issued 1new permit in August for a total of 18 YTD. Two subdivisions are progressing along: Remington Hills had pavement installed and Water’s Edge is also progressing. New businesses: Hunter of Homes and Pitter Patter Playhouse daycare. Fruitland will host the Idaho Liberty Bell Tour on September 25th.
Erika Christensen reported that the chamber will host its monthly luncheon on 09/09. Fruitland
Family Fun Days are coming up on 09/12 with about 100 vendors. The chamber has started doing the Business Blast every Friday, showcasing chamber members.
2. Payette: Kathy Patrick reported that the Kids in Aviation event is coming up on September 26. The EMS building is under construction, as well as is the airport taxiway. Cruise Night light show is on September 11 and 12. A new Payette Clerk Treasurer is set to start on September 8. Hwy 95
construction is still ongoing. Payette issued 18 permits in August, 2 of which were commercial.
3. Ontario: Tatiana Burgess reported that 2 major commercial projects have been completed in
August: the Outpost and TVCC’s Evelyn S. Dame Nursing Center (grant opening is on September
17). The helipad project is underway at the airport. The former Denny’s restaurant is being
remodeled into a Japanese Hibachi Grill, anticipated to open by the end of the calendar year. John Breidenbach added that the former mall at Westpark Plaza is being remodeled into climate control indoor storage units.
4. Ontario Chamber: John Breidenbach reported that the Outpost will have its grand opening on
September 11. On September 23 will be the Pac West Storage’s ribbon cutting. The Tater Tot
Festival is on September 18 and 19 at Lions Park. The Chamber is also working on developing an
Art District.
5. Weiser: Natasha McDaniel reported that Weiser has 18 open building permits in the Sundance Subdivision. The Weiser Mud Raise is on October 3. Farmer’s Market continues every Thursday and on September 17 will be Movie in the Park. On September 12 will be the Red, White and Brew Fest. Weiser Economic Development Taskforce has been meeting and working on a flyer and site.
6. No reports from Vale, Nyssa or New Plymouth.
8. County Reports:
1. Payette County: Ken Bishop reported that the county issued 5 single-family permits, including a couple ADU permits. Maverick is getting close. A new Burger King is set to go in Jackson’s.
Commissioner Bishop reported that the Payette County Ambulance District will feature a levy
overwrite on the November ballot.
2. Malheur County: Jeff Carpenter reported that the owners of the lithium mine that is set to open in the southern Malheur County gave an update at the 2026 Eastern Oregon Economic Summit.
3. No reports from Washington County.
9. Round Table:
1. John Breidenbach reported that Tom Vialpando announced that he will be relocating to Western Oregon. His SREDA board position has now been vacated; nominations can be made to the Chair.
2. Bob Komoto reported that the Four Rivers Cultural Center’s Somewhere in Paradise event will be on 09/25. Dance of India event will be on September 18. Kiwanis Annual Chicken BBQ event was a great success. Kiwanis Club will host a litter pick up event on October 3.
3. David Armstrong reported that Rogue Credit Union’s applications for sponsorship and donations requests are now open through November 15. Requests must be for family, youth or education purposes. Four Rivers Health Community Conference will be on September 18, with a reception on September 17, to coincide with the Block Party to celebrate the groundbreaking for the Oregon Food Bank’s new location on Fortner St. in Ontario.
4. Kathy Patrick reported that the American Legion will host a fundraising breakfast on September 5 and on October 3, and American Legion Post 33 will partner with the Payette Community Senior Center for a “Stuff the Bus” event to collect toy donations for Children’s hospital.
5. Ron Rembelski reported that FMTC will host its Annual Customer Appreciation Day on September 26, typically serving about 500 meals.
6. Natasha McDaniel reported that Weiser will host its Harvest Fest on October 2nd and 3rd.
7. Jules Belyea reported that Idaho Commerce’s Rural ED Pro awarded three $5,000 grants through SREDA $5,000 for various projects. The Idaho Gem Grants are due September 21st, for grants for up to $100K. Idaho Commerce is also interested in community conversations regarding downtown and Main St developments.
8. Torie Ramirez reported that First Security will host a Shred It event on October 3.
With no further business, Chairman Breidenbach adjourned the meeting at 8:00 am.
The next regular meeting is October 7th at FMTC
Reported by Tatiana Burgess, Board Secretary