“We’ve been working with company representatives from Gem State Processing for several weeks, and we’re excited to see the beginning of construction,” Manning said in a written statement. “The development will help diversify the local economy and create jobs.”

Manning said Tuesday that during a phone interview that most of the company’s new hires will be local residents. The company plans to begin operations by the second quarter of 2011, said Bill Schow, general manager for Gem State Processing. Manning said the company will produce a potato flake that will be used in other products. The company will be located toward the north end of the industrial park.

Burley officials along with officials from the city of Heyburn and Minidoka County and the Boyer Co., which manages the industrial park, have been actively involved in negotiations in order to get the project off the ground, Manning said. The project contractor is Max Gabbard Construction of Yakima, Wash.

“You never know what might happen because of this one,” Manning said, adding that he may have another economic development announcement later this month.

(Originally in the Magic Valley Times-News, 08-11-2010, Written by Laurie Welch.)

Tom and Barbara have been working closely with downtown Idaho Falls experts, their development team, and their local property manager and broker Steven Frei to plan the renovations, which includes renaming the building “Constitution Plaza”.  John Hart, the director of Downtown Idaho Falls Development Corporation and Jan Blickenstaff, the City of Idaho Falls grants administrator, have been extremely helpful.  Jan is retiring but plans to remain available as a resource to the city and developers because of his commitment to Idaho Falls. Constitution Plaza will be extensively renovated, both interior and exterior. The owners will seek LEED certification and will also apply to the Idaho Falls Historic Preservation Commission for historic façade renovation grants.

The Eastern Idaho Community Action Partnership will move all of its operations to a single location in 2011.  Constitution Plaza will then become available for lease for one large or several smaller office tenants. Steven Frei and Brent Butikofer of NAI Commerce One brokered the sale of the building and may be contacted about leasing opportunities.

Thomas Development has two other developments in Idaho Falls. Rosslare on 12th and Hoopes is an affordable 48 Unit senior apartment and opened last summer.  Summerhill is an 80 unit housing development that opened this month.
Summerhill “follows our pattern of developing low- and moderate- income housing for families,” said Tom Mannschreck.  Like the adjacent Rosslare development, Summerhill will have Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification from the U.S. Green Building Council.

For questions, please contact Kaly Shippen at (208) 525-8088 or email kaly@nai-idaho.com