INVESTING IN OUR COMMUNITY FOR OVER A CENTURY!
With ~2,000 member businesses, the Boise Metro Chamber has been a leading advocate for a thriving economy and an outstanding quality of life in our region since it was founded the 1890's. While new Chamber members join every year, others have been members for decades. And a handful have been been Boise Metro Chamber members for more than a century—supporting our mission across generations!
To honor their incredible legacies, we’ve launched a special video series: 100-Year Boise Metro Chamber Members. Each video explores their businesses' origins in the Treasure Valley, the transformations they've led and witnessed, and the lasting impact of their Chamber membership. View completed videos below or enjoy our 100 Year Member playlist on YouTube. Follow us on Facebook and LinkedIn for updates as we continue to grow this fantastic archive! |
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100 YEAR BOISE METRO CHAMBER MEMBER DOCUMENTARY VIDEO ARCHIVES
IDAHO CANDY COMPANY
JOINED IN 1912 | IDAHO CANDY COMPANY DIRECTORY LINK
Dave Wagers, President of Idaho Candy Company, jokingly attributes their continued membership with the Boise Metro Chamber to his dad "making" him participate in Leadership Boise. "I've just seen the value of a Chamber Membership ever since," he laughs. "For a long long time, we've really felt its good to do business with other businesses. And its important to support other businesses because then they support us. The Chamber of Commerce actually helps provide those supports and those network connections and that ability for businesses to connect with each other."
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More About IDAHO CANDY COMPANY
The Idaho Candy Company is among 17 Boise-area businesses which can claim they've been a Boise Metro Chamber Member for 100 or more years! We sat down to chat with David Wagers, current President and proclaimed "Candy Man" of Idaho Candy Company, to discover his company's rich history spanning back to 1901 and Chamber membership dating back to 1912!
Idaho Candy Company was established by a former candy maker from Chicago and Salt Lake City, T.O. Smith, who started selling candy door-to-door in Boise after finding himself unemployed. By 1909, he joined forces with the Adams family to establish a factory at 412 South 8th Street in Downtown Boise, Idaho. The factory, which was renowned for its contemporary features like skylights and a welfare room for employees, was hailed as the most modern building in Boise at the time.
In 1984 Dave's father, John Wagers, purchased the Idaho Candy Company, and in 1991, Dave began managing it. The Wagers have embraced Smith's vision by continuing to manufacture original favorites like the quintessential Idaho Spud Bar (created in 1918) and Owyhee Butter Toffee (created in 1925), alongside an array of other treats, many of which the recipes haven't much changed. Catering to local retail customers, global online clientele, direct businesses nationwide, and distributors in 12 states, Dave credits a century of success to their loyal customers, time-tested recipes, and dedicated employees who work tirelessly to craft exceptional, nostalgic candy, piece by piece.
Thank you Idaho Candy Company!
Idaho Candy Company was established by a former candy maker from Chicago and Salt Lake City, T.O. Smith, who started selling candy door-to-door in Boise after finding himself unemployed. By 1909, he joined forces with the Adams family to establish a factory at 412 South 8th Street in Downtown Boise, Idaho. The factory, which was renowned for its contemporary features like skylights and a welfare room for employees, was hailed as the most modern building in Boise at the time.
In 1984 Dave's father, John Wagers, purchased the Idaho Candy Company, and in 1991, Dave began managing it. The Wagers have embraced Smith's vision by continuing to manufacture original favorites like the quintessential Idaho Spud Bar (created in 1918) and Owyhee Butter Toffee (created in 1925), alongside an array of other treats, many of which the recipes haven't much changed. Catering to local retail customers, global online clientele, direct businesses nationwide, and distributors in 12 states, Dave credits a century of success to their loyal customers, time-tested recipes, and dedicated employees who work tirelessly to craft exceptional, nostalgic candy, piece by piece.
Thank you Idaho Candy Company!
IDAHO POWER COMPANY
JOINED IN 1914 | IDAHO POWER DIRECTORY LINK
Bobbi-Jo Meuleman, the Chamber's President and CEO comments on how Idaho Power has empowered the community, "Everyone knows who Idaho Power is and it's not just because they're keeping our lights on it's because of the engagement that they provide to this community...[They've been] active partners to help us facilitate conversations to talk about issues that are important, and that affect all of us."
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More About IDAHO POWER COMPANY
Idaho Power Company has been committed to advancing our community since it was founded in 1916, and for over 100 of those years, they've done so as supportive members of the Boise Metro Chamber.
Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Idaho Power Company, Adam Richins, weighed in on his perspective of the mutually beneficial partnership saying, "I think the Chamber realizes that we're very much stronger together and [for] anybody who's new to Idaho, it doesn't take long to realize that that's the community we are. What the Chamber does, I believe, is fosters those relationships and make sure we stay connected. The Chamber [offers an ability] to get together, re-engage with each other, and make sure that we're helping each other as we move forward in our business."
With almost 30,000 miles of distribution lines and 5,000 miles of transmission lines, Idaho Power has experienced many successes over the last century.
"We're fortunate that Idaho Power's rates are 20 to 30% below the national average," says Richins. "We had some great forward-looking ancestors that were able to get this great Hydro system that we have in place. Hydro is affordable, it's clean, it's reliable, and it is a big reason why the rates are what they are right now. We were the second utility in the nation to come forward with a voluntary clean energy goal in 2019. It's to be 100% clean by 2045. We believe in the next decade we'll get close to 80% and then we're going to need some technologies that are going to help us get that last 20% but I'm confident that we'll get there."
Join us in celebrating their legacy and unwavering commitment for powering our communities with safe, reliable, affordable, and clean energy!
Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Idaho Power Company, Adam Richins, weighed in on his perspective of the mutually beneficial partnership saying, "I think the Chamber realizes that we're very much stronger together and [for] anybody who's new to Idaho, it doesn't take long to realize that that's the community we are. What the Chamber does, I believe, is fosters those relationships and make sure we stay connected. The Chamber [offers an ability] to get together, re-engage with each other, and make sure that we're helping each other as we move forward in our business."
With almost 30,000 miles of distribution lines and 5,000 miles of transmission lines, Idaho Power has experienced many successes over the last century.
"We're fortunate that Idaho Power's rates are 20 to 30% below the national average," says Richins. "We had some great forward-looking ancestors that were able to get this great Hydro system that we have in place. Hydro is affordable, it's clean, it's reliable, and it is a big reason why the rates are what they are right now. We were the second utility in the nation to come forward with a voluntary clean energy goal in 2019. It's to be 100% clean by 2045. We believe in the next decade we'll get close to 80% and then we're going to need some technologies that are going to help us get that last 20% but I'm confident that we'll get there."
Join us in celebrating their legacy and unwavering commitment for powering our communities with safe, reliable, affordable, and clean energy!
VEOLIA WATER COMPANY
JOINED IN 1912 | VEOLIA WATER COMPANY DIRECTORY LINK
As Idaho’s largest water utility provider and the second-largest environmental services company in the world, Veolia Water Company plays a critical role in supporting the state’s residents, businesses, and environment.
In this video, David Johns, Veolia Regional President, Idaho, shares how Veolia Water Company:
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More About VEOLIA WATER COMPANY
The following videos are schedule to complete in 2025. Sign up for our weekly eNews here for future announcements and video releases for our 100 Year Member campaign, Upcoming Chamber events, New Chamber Members and more or follow us on: Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTube
CSHQA
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CSHQA turned 130 in 2019! Founded by a Scotsman in the Idaho Territory in 1889, CSHQA has evolved and grown, persevered and transformed from a one-man office to a national firm with regional resources serving 50 states and two provinces. We'll explore their story, role in developing the Boise Area, and their partnership with the Boise Metro Chamber for over a century in an upcoming video to be released in 2025.
More About CSHQA
CSHQA'S iconic buildings can be spotted throughout Boise. Some have even made Boise's historic registry. Their portfolio includes:
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ALSCO, INC.
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WELLS FARGO BANK
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BECOME A VALUED CHAMBER MEMBER!
Not yet a member or not sure who your account manager is? Contact Teresa Kirkmire, Membership Assistant Manager, to learn more.
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