Treasure Valley Tradition:
For 23 years, our community has gathered at Lucky Peak Reservoir to kick off the new year with a splash! The Polar Bear Challenge isn’t just about icy waters; it’s about warming hearts On January 10, 2026. Every brave plunge helps grant life changing wishes for Idaho children battling critical illnesses.

​Why It Matters:
Make-A-Wish Idaho’s mission is simple yet powerful: bring hope, strength, and joy to kids facing critical illnesses. Each wish creates a ripple of positivity that touches families and communities across our Treasure Valley.

How You Can Help:
This event thrives because of local businesses and individuals who step up. Become a sponsor and show Treasure Valley that you care! Your support ensures more wishes come true. More here: https://wish.org/idaho/gebert-arbaugh-polar-bear-challenge-2026 

Ready to Make a Difference?
​Take the plunge. Make a wish. Change a life.

PULLMAN, Washington. (Oct. 27, 2025) — Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories (SEL) is adding 370,000 square feet of new and expanded facilities to locations in Moscow and Boise, Idaho, and Charlotte, North Carolina. These investments are part of a long-term strategic plan and reflect continued growth and a commitment to serving customers worldwide.

Over the next two years, SEL plans to invest approximately $90 million across three major capital projects:

• Moscow, Idaho — SEL will construct a 150,000-square-foot electronic device manufacturing facility on its Schwartz Campus on South Main Street. Located next to its printed circuit board factory, the $50 million state-of-the-art facility will significantly enhance manufacturing capabilities. Completion is expected in 2027.

 

• Boise, Idaho — SEL will expand to accommodate its growing team with a $25 million investment, including the purchase and remodel of a 170,000-square-foot building. This expansion, expected to be completed in 2026, will support continued innovation and growth in the region.

 

• Charlotte, North Carolina — SEL will build a 50,000-square-foot office building adjacent to its current facility at 901 Center Park Drive. The $15 million expansion will support the growth of its panels and enclosures manufacturing operations and is scheduled for completion in 2027.

“Despite the recent economic and political volatility related to trade and tariffs, we remain optimistic about the future,” said SEL Founder Edmund O. Schweitzer, III. “Our teams have been making adjustments to our existing spaces to increase capacity, but we are at a point where larger capital investments are needed to continue inventing, designing and building products to meet the needs of our customers.”

According to Dr. Schweitzer, SEL evaluates where to grow based on a number of factors, including analysis from the SEL Index of Freedom—an annual ranking that assesses the 50 U.S. states based on government efficiency, regulatory freedom and energy resiliency. These are three pillars the company considers essential for a thriving business environment.

For project updates, visit the SEL Newsroom at selinc.com.

BOISE, ID – Block 22 Management Group and CEO John Cunningham announced today that Sarah Smith has been promoted to Creative Director of Block 22 Properties. In addition, Michael Munn has been promoted to Director of Information Technology, Lilinda Thompson to Director of Human Resources, and Samantha Bolen to Assistant Controller.

​“Block 22’s success has always been attributable to its outstanding team of professionals,” said John Cunningham, CEO of Block 22 Management Group. “Sarah, Michael, Lilinda, and Samantha are representative of the skills and commitment of our entire team. These promotions recognize their hard work, performance, and are all well-deserved.”

Sarah Smith was recently promoted in November 2023 to Director of Creative Services with the Idaho Steelheads after spending the previous four years as Graphic Design and Social Media Manager. She first joined the company as an intern in August 2015 working primarily as a graphic design intern with the sales team at The Grove Hotel. The Nampa, ID native earned her undergraduate degree in Graphic Design with a minor in Spanish from Northwest Nazarene University in May 2016. Shen then began working full-time for Block 22 Management Group upon graduation with emphasis on graphic design and marketing for The Grove Hotel and Idaho Steelheads.

“Sarah has been an instrumental piece in continuing to enhance our brand within all our properties specifically with the Steelheads,” said Eric Trapp, President of Idaho Sports Properties. “Throughout her time within our organization she has taken on more responsibilities and has proven that she is a very well-rounded team player and leader. We are excited to acknowledge all her success with this promotion and look forward to seeing her further development within our company.”

Smith continued to elevate her role within Block 22 Management Group as she integrated herself into more properties within the company. In 2017, she began to work with Hotel 43 and Courtyard by Marriott as a graphic designer and marketing coordinator, increasing brand exposure by revamping advertising. In 2019, she designed and developed brand identity melding the eclectic and aesthetic of the remodeled Trillium Restaurant.

“Sarah Smith leading the Creative Services team will elevate Block 22 properties,” said Vicki Carley, Regional Director of Sales and Marketing. “Her focus on branding for our independent hotels, creativity, and cohesive messaging will allow us to have a stronger presence on many platforms. Her passion and knowledge for sports, entertainment, and the hospitality industries make Sarah the ideal leader to develop this team of talented individuals.”

Michael Munn has been with Block 22 for over 12 years where he has overseen the management of all company operations systems. The Ontario, OR native’s deep technical expertise and commitment to security has protected all Block 22 systems and guest data since he started.

Lilinda Thompson has been with Block 22 for four years, serving as Manager of Human Resources. With her extensive background in both management and educational leadership, she brings a wealth of experience and deep understanding of people-centered strategy. Thompson has been instrumental in developing a culture rooted in hospitality and servant leadership, setting the tone for a workplace where every team member feels valued and supported. She holds a Bachelor of Science from WSU in Hotel and Restaurant Management, a Master of Science in Business Management, and is a certified Society for Human Resource Management member (SHRM-CP).

Samantha Bolen has been with Block 22 for eight years where she has served as a Senior Accountant and Accounts Receivable/Staff Accountant. The Lewiston, Idaho native holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Idaho in Accounting and Finance. 

Boise, Idaho — October 7, 2025 — Valley Regional Transit (VRT), in partnership with Stoltz Marketing Group (Stoltz), earned national recognition with a Grand Award in the American Public Transportation Association’s (APTA) 2025 AdWheel Awards competition. The honor, given to only 14 agencies nationwide, was awarded in the category of Best Marketing and Communications to Increase Ridership or Sales for transit systems providing 3 million or fewer annual passenger trips.

The winning entry, “Let’s Ride, BOI,” an integrated brand awareness and ridership campaign, redefined how residents of Idaho’s largest city perceived public transportation and positioned Boise on the national stage as an innovative, community-driven leader in transit marketing.

Tackling Boise’s Transit Perception Challenge
Boise is one of the fastest-growing cities in the United States, experiencing rapid increases in roadway congestion. In our car-centric region, research revealed widespread myths and misconceptions about the ability of our transit system to meet people’s needs today. VRT and Stoltz set out to challenge those misconceptions head-on.
The “Let’s Ride, BOI” campaign set out to connect bus ridership to the very best of Boise culture, from music festivals and art to outdoor adventure. By positioning transit as modern, vibrant, and accessible to everyone—using bold creative, targeted media, and community integration—the campaign helped residents see the bus not just as transportation, but as a lifestyle choice.

Proven Results
The campaign drove strong engagement and measurable impact across various channels, including app usage, media visibility, and ridership growth, in the first three months. It reached 96% of the target audience, delivering over 17 million impressions

and an average of 8.4 ad views per user per month. By connecting the Valley Regional Transit system to local people and places, VRT and Stoltz built a scalable, creative platform with staying power. This foundation set the stage for sustained growth in public transit adoption in Boise and throughout the region, encouraging more Boiseans to commute to work, school, and the activities they love. Additionally, the campaign resulted in a 95% increase in UMO app downloads, a 11% rise in daily active website users, and a 6.5% boost in organic search traffic.

“At VRT, our top three goals right now are to raise community awareness, increase ridership, and improve funding,” said Jason Rose, Chief Communications Officer for VRT. “The ‘Let’s Ride, BOI’ campaign has been instrumental in helping us achieve those goals—especially in raising awareness of the services we offer the community. A lot of people in the US don’t naturally consider public transit as an option, but this campaign really started to change that perception locally.”

National Recognition
The AdWheel Awards celebrated excellence in public transportation marketing, communications, and customer experience. VRT and Stoltz’s Grand Award was presented at the APTA Honors Luncheon on September 16, 2025, during the APTA TRANSform Conference in Boston, MA. Other honorees included Sound Transit in Seattle, WA; RTC of Washoe County in Reno, NV; and the Toronto Transit Commission in Toronto, ON.

“For VRT, this recognition means a lot,” Rose added. “We are a young marketing and communications team. To be one of only 14 agencies recognized at the national level—and to sit alongside some of the best transit agencies in the country—is a huge honor.”

Rose also credited the partnership with Stoltz: “Working with Stoltz has been amazing. They’re small enough to build strong interpersonal relationships, but big enough to bring real firepower—resources and expertise in every aspect of the campaign. That combination has been critical to our success.”

“At its core, this campaign is about moving people and re-shaping perceptions. We saw early indicators that younger audiences were leading the post-pandemic transit ridership recovery nationally, and knew a fun, bold approach to transit advertising was the move,” said Mitch Kuhn, Executive Creative Director. “Mobility is a critical part of a thriving economy and community. We’re honored to partner with Valley Regional Transit to create work that not only wins awards but drives real change in our community.”

To learn more and hear from our team, access our interview here: https://www.stoltzgroup.com/lets-ride-boi-campaign-wins-national-award/​