Recognizing good people, good events in community

Catch someone doing something right. In our society, from raising children to managing employees to observing our public officials, we often focus on catching someone doing something wrong. In other words, we emphasize the negative.
Of course, that is sometimes necessary as we attempt to correct inappropriate behavior.
However, today I want to focus on catching people doing something right, especially in the area of economic and community development.
Too often we do not recognize good things that happen and the good people who accomplish those good achievements.
As we all are well aware, our economy continues to struggle along with those who are affected by our weak economy. The recession may be technically over, but unemployment still hovers around nine percent. Too many individuals and families continue to struggle in this economy to make ends meet.
Fortunately here in the Pocatello, Chubbuck, and Bannock County community we have experienced some great economic development successes over the past year that bode well for the future. These success stories haven’t occurred by happenstance. They have occurred due to the hard and diligent
work of many in our community including elected officials, business leaders, economic development professionals, education leaders, and citizen volunteers.
Today I want to recognize and thank these individuals and organizations for their wonderful achievements over the past year. They have been caught doing something right and deserve the thanks and recognition of our great community and its residents.
Allow me to cite a few examples of our community and economic development success during 2011.
Allstate: The ribbon was cut in October for Allstate’s national insurance service center in Chubbuck. The Allstate facility brings over $20 million in new investment and creates over 500 new jobs. Our Pocatello and Chubbuck Mayors and City Councils along with our Bannock County Commissioners
deserve credit for their roles in bringing this new business to our community.
Hoku: It’s taken awhile, but the huge Hoku facility on the west side of Pocatello is about to begin production. The company has invested over $700 million in new construction, has employed hundreds of construction workers, and will soon employ over 200 new workers.
Petersen, Inc.: They constructed and moved to their new facility located by the Pocatello airport in September. Along with their growing competitor,
Premier Technology, they also add jobs and economic vitality to our community.
Portneuf Medical Center: Our new community hospital opened in May following construction in excess of $150 million. Along with the new hospital, we now have a new cancer center and many new doctors providing additional medical treatments and services allowing our residents to receive the best of medical services right here in Pocatello. Idaho Joint Research Center (located in the former Ballard Building): Congratulations and thanks to the Pocatello City Council, State of Idaho, and Idaho State University for upholding the zoning, covenants, promises, and commitments made relative to the Ballard Building and the Research and Business Park. The Idaho Joint Research Center is off to a fast start creating new contract and research opportunities for ISU, including the ScanTech business partnership, providing support to new and existing businesses, and setting the stage for additional business growth in the community.
ON Semiconductor: Completed the $27 million expansion announced in 2010 adding over 100 new jobs and securing the future of the  Pocatello. I am optimistic that we will hear more good news from ON Semiconductor and its Pocatello operations in 2012.
Idaho State University: ISU continues to grow its positive impact on business and economic development in our region. In addition to its 2,000 employees and annual economic output estimated at $312 million, ISU has greatly increased its research and development revenue. This has also led to the commercialization of technology the university has developed, further benefiting local businesses and the regional economy.
Brooklyn’s Playground: This is not an economic development project. It doesn’t have any employees or directly provide any community income.
However, more than any other project in our community this past year, it symbolizes how great this community is in working together to benefit others. It was built with $580,000 in donated funds and with mostly volunteer labor by our citizens. While providing children of all abilities a place to play, it is a symbolic showcase for businesses looking to locate in our community, demonstrating how this community comes together to help one another.
In the theme of catching someone doing something right, I conclude by thanking Gynii Gilliam, executive director of Bannock Development, for the key leadership role she has played with all of the above-mentioned achievements and many more. Gynii has led our community’s economic development efforts with great positive leadership and integrity. As you may know, Gynii will be leaving Bannock Development at the end of the year to become the
new chief economic development officer for the state of Idaho. I know she will continue to look out for the interests of our community in her new job.
Thanks, Gynii, and best wishes.
May God richly bless our wonderful community and you personally this Christmas season and may 2012 be a successful and prosperous year for all of us!

By Arlen Wittrock
December 18, 2011