SILVER VALLEY STRENGTHS

Infrastructure...

We have infrastructure that was in place to serve the massive needs of our mining industry. We are using only about half of our electrical capacity and our electric rates are in the lowest 10% nationally. Our natural gas situation is similarly very attractive.

Our water district has 5,200 gallons per minute capacity with a 2.75 million gallon storage capability. Our sewer district, with 10 million gallons daily capacity for domestic waste water, uses just over a third of that volume.

"We've got excellent infrastructure in Silver Valley. We would very much like to help bring industries into the valley that can use that infrastructure."

Paul Anderson, District Manager
Washington Water Power

General Telephone installed fiber optic cable throughout Silver Valley in early 1997. We will have a digital switch here with centernet capability. Companies with strong telecommunications needs will be well served.

Interstate 90 is one of the great American super highways. Our major industrial districts literally touch this corridor which connects Seattle and Boston. Nearly four million people drive through the Valley every year. And our four modern interchanges offer great development opportunities.

Our communities currently are developing a 78-acre Silver Valley Business Center in the middle of the Valley. By 1999, we plan to have fully serviced industrial development sites, a business incubator, a multi-media distance learning center, and professional staff to serve the business development needs of our tenants. Meanwhile, we offer a variety of sites ready for industrial, commercial and residential development.

Future Site of Silver Valley Business Center,
Adjacent to Interstate 90, North of Smelterville

People...

There are about 14,000 residents in Shoshone County. Our median age is 37. The vast majority of us were born and raised here. We are a mature, stable population. Though many people have had careers in mining-related activities, our largest employment sectors now are services, retailing and government. Manufacturing is another significant employer.

Crime in Idaho is very low and its even lower here in the Valley. Personal safety is one of our great assets. You'll find PTAs in our schools, not security guards.

Since the decline of mining, our percentage of high school graduates has risen greatly. We have good schools and outstanding faculty. Educational funding per average daily attendance in Silver Valley exceeds the state's by nearly 10%.

We have a highly motivated work force. We need more and better paying jobs. Not willing to wait for redevelopment, hundreds of our residents commute 80 miles or more per day to jobs in Coeur d'Alene and Kootenai County. Even so, unemployment has hovered around 10% during the 1990s. Our average income level is slightly above 70% of the national average and 85% of the state average.

Business Assistance & Support...

One of our greatest assets is our team of business assistance professionals. We have federal, state, regional and local specialists ready to assist in all areas of business development. Technical assistance is coordinated by the Panhandle Area Council and the Small Business Development Center. Local guidance is facilitated by the Silver Valley Economic Development Corporation.

A wide range of business financing programs are in place to help new and relocating companies. We have attractive financing packages ranging from $1500 microloans to $10 million infusions through revenue bonding. PAC, the U.S. Economic Development Administration and U.S.D.A. Rural Development work closely to build multiple-source financing for desirable projects. If you have an economically viable business, we have access to the capital you need to get started here. But remember, there is no free lunch.

"I continue to stand ready to help this community. I am impressed with the work you've done... With your Institutional Controls and strategic plan, we should be able to help with the development of your Silver Valley Business Center."

Al Ames, U.S. Economic Development Administration
in Address to Silver Valley Community Leaders

Training...

We are building partnerships with North Idaho College and the Panhandle Area Council to provide our work force and businesses with the training they need to compete effectively. One of our major projects is a multi-media distance learning facility to be housed in the Silver Valley Business Center. We expect to have the Business Center open in late 1999. Meanwhile, NIC provides our people with extensive educational services at its campus just 35 minutes west on Interstate 90.

PAC and the regional Small Business Development Center also offer training and advisory services on an on-call basis.

One of our most attractive support programs is the Idaho Workforce Development Training Fund. This program provides funding for two segments of job skill training: 1) to help train new employees in order to take full advantage of economic opportunities in the market place; 2) to provide current workers with upgrade training. Businesses which sell the majority of their products and services outside the state or local market have priority for this program. In general, retailers are not eligible.

Companies which are adding or preserving at least five permanent positions are eligible to apply for Fund support. Up to $2000 is available per trainee. The employer needs to provide a 25% match, which may include in-kind contributions (e.g., facilities, equipment, staff and supplies).

The Fund has been extremely attractive to incoming industries. For more information, call Larry Hertling at the Idaho Department of Labor, (208) 334-6298.

Markets...

Silver Valley is within one hour of 600,000 people. Over twenty-six thousand vehicles pass through our region every day. Silver Mountain Ski and Summer Resort draws over 100,000 people in both its summer and winter seasons each year. And, as we noted earlier, nearly four million people drive through the Valley every year. Sixty percent of them are tourists and cross-country travelers.

Our transportation connections link us to the world. Interstate 90, Spokane International Airport, rail services in Coeur d'Alene and Spokane, and the Port of Lewiston provide us with great flexibility to serve national and international customers.

In short, we have immediate access to substantial markets.

Interstate 90 Near Kellogg Looking East Toward Wallace

Quality of Life...

We consider ourselves fortunate to be able to live in Silver Valley. Consider our assets. We have a strong sense of community, where volunteerism and community service are a way of life. Ninety-six percent of our county is forested and we use it heavily for year-round recreation. In fact, our natural wonders are all linked by the world's largest recreation trail system. We've got low crime, great four-season weather, easy access to nearby cities, and plenty of cultural activities of our own. In short, we value our rural lifestyle greatly.

High quality of life doesn't just happen. We learned that when our mines started closing. We are aggressive about sustaining and improving it wherever possible. Recently, our communities created a list of priorities for the people in the west end of Silver Valley. The top ten say a lot about what is important to us. These values, which are driving our economic development programs, include:

1. Highly employed workforce

2. Stable economy

3. Community-based planning

4. Clean industry

5. Access to affordable housing

6. Enhanced tax base (encouraging highest & best use)

7. Historic preservation

8. Natural beauty of environment

9. Multiple use of natural resources

10. Public-private partnership in community development

Clearly, citizens here are committed to long-term, stable employment in businesses which respect the environment. In addition, they are prepared to take an active role in supporting the needs of these businesses.

Kellogg Middle School, with Playfields and Silver Mountain Gondola Tramway in Background.