Apartment Association has new officers

Jared Duncan has been nominated the new president of the Eastern Idaho Apartment Association. He is the lead property manager at BMG Rentals, managing single family homes, duplexes and multifamily properties.

Aaron Belk, owner and operator of Trail Creek Property Management, has accepted the nomination as president-elect. He leads a team that manages more than 300 units between Rigby and Blackfoot.

The association is scheduling all of next year's speakers and meetings. Possible topics for meetings and speakers include fair housing and how to increase the value of property. Anyone who would like to make a topic recommendation can contact the association's officers:
President: Jared Duncan
President-elect: Aaron Belk
Treasurer: Bart Weaver
Board Member: Jake Durtschi (jake@jacobgrant.com)

Making the grade

We know the sight of dirt being moved can sometimes be the basis for wild speculation, but according to our highly reputable sources nothing is currently planned for this parcel southwest of Wal-Mart on Pioneer Road (that's the new Pancheri overpass in the background). The owner is Guy Arnold of Maple Creek Investments. Because of all the lava rock it is not the easiest ground to sell, so Arnold is grading it to make it more appealing to potential developers.

Anheuser-Busch files plans for $8.8 million water treatment system

On the eve of the Beer Fest, it seems only right to report that Anheuser-Busch has filed plans with the Idaho Falls Building Department for a water treatment system at its barley malting plant at South Yellowstone and Jameston Road.

"The $8.8 million project demonstrates Anheuser-Busch's commitment to investing in our environmental management systems and enhancing our malting operations," said Plant Manager John Drake in a press release. "Construction is beginning now and will complete by end of 2014. Once complete, the water treatment system will provide a more sustainable and internal water treatment process at the malt plant."

The project involves 176 acres south and east of the barley malting plant, which went into operation in 1991. There will be a 4,620-square-foot processing building and two circular holding tanks, each of them 8,495 square feet. The general contractor on the project is J.C. Constructors of Meridian.

Bandon River Apartments holds grand opening

Angie Ferguison of Thomas Development Co. (left) and Sheila Mitchell, Bandon River Apartments manager, handle the scissors Friday at the apartment complex's grand opening.

Bandon River Apartments at Snake River Landing had its grand opening today, with the obligatory ribbon-cutting by the Greater Idaho Falls Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors.

Half of the complex's 48 one- and two-bedroom apartments are already occupied. Like Rosselare and Summerhill, Bandon River was built by Thomas Development Co. and Northwest Integrity Housing Co., a development team committed to providing quality housing to people who might otherwise scramble to find a roof over their heads that doesn't leak.

"All people deserve to have a safe, sanitary and very decent place to live," said Tom Mannschreck, a member of the Northwest Integrity board of directors.

In addition to Snake River Landing and the developers, organizations involved in the public-private networking included:
Idaho Housing and Finance Association (low income housing tax credits)
Key Community Development Corp. (equity partner)
Key Bank (construction loan)
Idaho-Nevada Community Development Financial Institution (permanent loan)
Catholic Charities of Idaho (support services)
Erstad Architects (architects)
Pacific West Construction (general contractor)
Tomlinson & Associates (property management)

The project was also aided by tax increment financing made possible through the Idaho Falls Redevelopment Agency. Under tax increment financing, property owners pay taxes on the land as if it were still undeveloped. Taxes they pay on improvements to property are administered by the Redevelopment Agency to pay for streets, storm drainage, power lines, etc. This allows for the development of land that would otherwise be too expensive to improve.

To live in Bandon River, you must be 62 years or older. Rents are charged according to a resident's income on a scale set by the Idaho Housing and Finance Administration.

The developers expect to be awarded the US Green Building Council LEED for Homes Platinum certification, which recognizes attention to sustainable design, energy efficiency and the use of "green" materials.

About 85 percent of the work on the project was done by local subcontractors, said Jason Kunde of Pacific West Construction.

Fall River Electric Co-op holding annual meeting Saturday in Driggs

Fall River Electric Cooperative is hosting its annual meeting for owner-members on Saturday, and for the first-time ever, the meeting is being held in Teton Valley.

To give owner-members from Teton Valley an opportunity to learn more about the co-op's services and product, the meeting will be held in Driggs at Teton High School. The annual meeting is free to anyone who receives power from Fall River Electric.

Free breakfast will be served starting at 8 a.m. -- pancakes, eggs, sausage, hash browns or yogurt, granola and fresh fruit. The first 500 members through the door on Saturday will receive a free seven-outlet advanced power strip, which not only provides quality surge protection but reduces the amount of standby power used by electronics in your home or office.

Members will also be able to register for prizes including a 55-inch flat screen HDTV, a Convectair radiant convection electric heater (a value of over $700), a free home energy audit (which normally costs $235), a 7-in-1 propane gas smoker, and many other smaller items.

The annual business meeting will start at 10:30 a.m. It will include a financial report, a report on key 2013 activities and future plans, presentations from the six candidates vying for three board of director positions, and an opportunity for members to ask questions.

Over a dozen vendor booths will be on-site, featuring information on home improvement, alternative solar and wind energy, summer recreational products, lawn and garden, health and wellness providers, and insulation. Electrical safety demonstrations conducted by Fall River's linemen will be held Saturday morning at 8, 9 and 9:45, where attendees can register to win a free professional grade chain saw.

For the kids there will be a play area, jump houses and rides on the Fall River Propane train.

People who visit the Fall River Propane booth can get a free certificate to fill as many propane cylinders as they want for just $5. Cylinder filling will take place June 10 and 12 in Driggs .