Boise Metro Chamber Releases “Top 10 Business Stories of 2022”

The Boise Metro Chamber, the only five-star accredited Chamber in Idaho, released its “Top 10 Business Stories of 2022.” Annually, the Chamber releases such a list, which highlights the achievements of the Boise Metro Chamber, Boise Valley Economic Partnership and Visit Boise.

“We’re proud of these stories because they really show the value of being a Chamber member,” said Boise Metro Chamber President and CEO Bill Connors.
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“We now have nearly 2,000 members. The enthusiasm and perspective each member brings to the table is something to celebrate in itself. We are grateful to be the leading business advocacy organization in the Boise Valley,” Connors said.

The Top 10 Business Stories of 2022 include:

1.  The Policy Trifecta: Lower tax rates, record investments in education and transportationThe Boise Metro Chamber supported all the following:

• HB 436 provided record income tax relief and rebates to Idahoans and businesses.
• HB 1 established even-lower income tax rates and invested a record $410 million into public education.
• Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, passed by U.S. Congress, included over $2.5 billion for Idaho, over five years, for record investments in Idaho’s transportation infrastructure for projects such as highways, bridges, public transportation options and more.
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2.  Passage of state and federal legislation led to $15B Micron expansion in Boise
The Boise Metro Chamber lobbied at the state and federal levels to advocate for passage of the CHIPS and Science Act and The Idaho Semiconductors for America Act, which paved the way for Micron’s decision to expand in Boise. Subsequently, Micron announced it would invest close to $15 billion to build a new microchip fabrication facility. By 2029, its project will bring to the Boise area more than 2,000 direct Micron jobs and 17,000 other jobs to support the expansion. The Boise Valley Economic Partnership, in partnership with the Boise Metro Chamber, was a critical part of bringing this expansion to fruition.

​3.  Boise Valley Economic Partnership wins: Meta, AZEK, Stow and Petainer
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Meta (fka Facebook) – The social media giant is building a 960,000 square foot data center in Kuna, bringing 100 jobs and a total investment of $800 million.

• The AZEK Company – The industry-leading manufacturer of environmentally sustainable outdoor living products broke ground on a new manufacturing facility in Boise, an investment of $140 million.
• The Stow Company – A market leader in organization products brought a new manufacturing facility to Nampa, with a total investment of $143 million and over 230 jobs.
• Petainer – A manufacturer of lightweight, sustainable PET packaging solutions announced a new manufacturing facility in Caldwell.
  
  

4.  Boise Metro Chamber Annual Gala raised $14,410 for relief in Ukraine
​At this year’s sold-out annual gala, the theme was building support for the people of Ukraine. Five for Fighting frontman John Ondrasik sang an original song dedicated to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, entitled, "Can One Man Save the World?" The Boise Metro Chamber and Alaska Airlines each donated $5,000 for relief. Raffle tickets sold brought the total raised to $14,410. In addition, Boise Metro Chamber leadership met with the Ukrainian Consul General Dmytro Kushneruk in the spring.

5.  The Chamber prioritized restoration of Amtrak service
Amtrak’s “Pioneer Line” carried passengers from Portland to Salt Lake City until the late 1990s. In 2022, a letter signed by dozens of Idaho's leaders was sent to the administrator of the Federal Rail Administration, expressing their interest in restoring service between Boise and Salt Lake City. Boise Metro Chamber CEO Bill Connors met with Amtrak officials in Washington D.C. to advocate for restoration of the old “Pioneer Line.”

6.  The Chamber led the nation in discussion on “The Business of NIL and College Athletics”
When the NCAA approved the NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) concept in 2021, doors were opened to leverage the marketability and influence of collegiate student-athletes for mutually beneficial business relationships. The Boise Metro Chamber partnered with Boise State Athletics to host an educational interview with Jeramiah Dickey and Mike Walsh to discuss Boise State University’s NIL program, which has been recognized as the best in the nation.

7.  Boise named a “Best in Travel 2023” by Lonely Planet
In November 2022, Lonely Planet, a global travel authority, announced that Boise is one of just three domestic destinations on their list of the top 30 destinations in the world to visit in 2023. Boise was named a top destination in the Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel 2023 “Connect” category, aptly named for travelers looking to connect with distinctive local scenes.

8.  Sarah Bettwieser contracted as Boise Metro Chamber’s lobbyist
The Boise Metro Chamber of Commerce contracted Sarah Bettwieser, owner of Cygnet, LLC, to advocate for nearly 1,900 business community members in the metro area in her new role with the Boise Metro Chamber.

9.  Boise Metro Chamber Gift Shop & Visit Boise Information Center opened for business
The Boise Metro Chamber Gift Shop and Visit Boise Information Center opened its doors to the public in late 2022. The Boise-themed Boise Metro Chamber Gift Shop sells merchandise from its members. Brochures, maps, and tourism information about our region are available at the Visit Boise Information Center.

10.  Boise Metro Chamber honored U.S.S. Boise and will install a tribute wall
The U.S.S. Boise (SSN-764) is a Los Angeles Class Fast Attack Submarine. The Boise Metro Chamber hosted a reception for the U.S.S. Boise crew and invited them as guests to a CEO Speaker Series, where they received a standing ovation for their exemplary service. A permanent tribute wall is under construction in the Chamber office lobby, sponsored by Idaho Central Credit Union.

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