Action Plan

Goal 1

Annual Report Open For Comment

Promote Economic Empowerment (EE)

Frontier’s Role: As the designated Economic Development District for the region, Frontier will utilize existing relationships, formulate new connections, and leverage assets to promote collaboration throughout the region in order to support economic growth.
Key Partners

IDCO
SBDC
SBA
Regional Financial Institutes
Chambers of Commerce
Civic Groups
Higher Education
Community Leaders
Food Production Industry Leaders
Financial Institutions
State of Idaho
EDDIs
ITD
Industry Leadership

Funding Sources

SBA
EDA
IDOC REDS Program
USDA-RD
EDA Partnership Planning Program

Objective EE1:
Promote Idaho as a hub for commerce through enhanced manufacturing capabilities and transportation options.

Actions/Strategies
  1. Identify future transportation routes and search for financial resources to develop these routes.
    • Promote the need for an additional crossing of the Snake River Canyon in the Magic Valley.
  2. Frontier staff serve as a regional representative on ITD’s Public Transportation Advisory Council.
  3. Frontier staff and other stakeholders participate in the Mini-Cassia Manufactures Alliance to collaborate with regional businesses on training and infrastructure needs.
  4. Regional stakeholders participated form a Dairy Processing Consortium to direct research and workforce development initiatives.
  5. Economic Development organizations and transportation providers meet regularly to learn of their needs and connect them with resources to enhance their services
  6. Regional collaboration with Idaho Transportation Department on policy improvement proposals.

Objective EE2:
Promote the nurturing of existing industries and assets to strengthen regional uniqueness.

Actions/Strategies
  1. Support the tourism industry cluster in preserving regional assets through the securing of funding for the revitalization and expansion of outdoor trails.
  2. Assist in exploring available funding for the construction of a convention center.
  3. Facilitate downtown revitalization in rural communities through REDS Operation Facelift.
  4. Support Main Street programs in local communities to support business growth and marketplace.
  5. Promote the expansion and modernization of critical infrastructure throughout the region, including water, wastewater, broadband internet, green energy, electrical, and stormwater drainage systems.

Objective EE3:
Create a more cohesive approach to small business support and entrepreneurial growth.

Actions/Strategies
  1. Collaboration among federal, state, and local resource providers, educators, and banking institutions to present workshops and promote existing mentoring programs.
  2. *Provide training opportunities and support services for regional entrepreneurs including access to business finance programs.
  3. Utilize state and federal funding resources (SBA 504, EDA RLF, USDA-RD IRP, USDA-RD Micro-loan and/or other available financial sources) to finance small business loan projects in the region.
  4. Network through workshops, conferences, civic groups, and professional organizations to stay abreast of the evolving financing programs available for small business development.
  5. Market diverse financing options to regional financial institutes, chambers of commerce, civic groups, etc.
  6. Create a regional food processing research and workforce training center.
  7. *Create and promote a state-wide revolving loan fund.
  8. Promote expanded workforce development offerings to support emerging industry clusters.
Frontier specializes in Idaho Community Development Block Grant (ICDBG) project planning and administration, which provides funding for public facilities, infrastructure improvements, downtown revitalization, community & senior centers, disaster recovery, and public park improvements such as community pool facilities.
Rinard Media utilized financing options through Frontier Community Resources to revitalize a 100 year old building in downtown Twin Falls. Functionality was improved upon while preserving the historic features, allowing Rinard Media to grow as an organization.
Photo: Burley Swimming Pool at dusk courtesy of City of Burley.

Annual Report Open For Comment

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