Idaho Falls Fiber begins pilot program signup

Screenshot from Idaho Falls Fiber web page

Idaho Falls Fiber has begun offering fiberoptic services to city residents within the identified boundaries of its pilot program. Anyone interested can visit www.idahofallsfiber.com or calling IFF Customer Service at 208-612-8725.

Idaho Falls Fiber has partnered for the rollout with four local internet providers: Direct Communications, Qwknet, SilverStar, and SUMO. Anyone in the pilot areas, on the city's south side, can visit the website and enter their address to determine fiber availability at their location.  Once a customer confirms availability, the sign-up continues by selecting a service package and provider.

“This is a milestone for Idaho Falls residents,” said Bear Prairie, general manager of Idaho Falls Power and Idaho Falls Fiber. “We’ve had great response from local internet providers and we’re now ready to roll this program out to the public. There has been a lot of support and interest from the community for this, so it’s an exciting time and we’re eager to start connecting customers.”

Once residents have signed up for service and selected their provider, Idaho Falls Fiber will schedule a site survey and appointment with the customer for the installation of the actual fiber to the residence.  Once the fiber is installed, the local internet provider will begin Internet service to the customer.

The Idaho Falls City Council approved the pilot program last September. “This kind of a public-private partnership is exciting," said Mayor Rebecca Casper. "It allows the city to focus on infrastructure, something we excel at and it allows local internet providers to offer services residents trust from companies they know. It captures the best of both worlds.”

The new website also provides pilot program area maps, information on how fiber optics works, billing and service details along with a wide variety of other frequently asked questions about fiber optics and the service.

As directed by the City Council, Idaho Falls Fiber will use data from the pilot program to examine the feasibility and costs associated with expanding high-speed fiber throughout the rest of the community.

“We are anticipating strong support and signups to join the network which will validate the demand in our community for this type of infrastructure,” Prairie said.

Downtown Development seeks three artists for 'Living Walls' project

The Idaho Falls Downtown Development Corporation's Public Art Committee has issued a request for proposals for three murals to be installed throughout downtown Idaho Falls. The locations downtown will be at: 1) Villa Coffeehouse; 2) The SnakeBite Restaurant; and 3) Willowtree Gallery. The murals will be installed this spring and summer.

The committee includes: Catherine Smith, Miyai Abe Griggs, Chloe Doucette, Lexi French, Amber Deschamps, Alyssa Callantine (Shorty), Georgina Goodlander, Carrie Scheid, Lisa Schulz, Kimmon Richards, and Chip Langerak.

"We believe this is an opportunity to share the community artist members’ visions and talents to represent and honor our community and the rich history and future.  Our goal is to facilitate conversations between downtown patrons and artists to create work that represents the unique qualities of Idaho and our cultures that make this city so beautiful,” said Catherine Smith, IFDDC's executive director.

IFDDC is committed to the use of public art to convey positive messages about the community and to activate underutilized private and public space for the public to enjoy. Living Walls is as a project aimed at bringing public and private walls to life. Through the years, we have seen the historical painted walls create dialogue in our community with both appreciation of the past and curiosity.

The mural design would be informed by the artist’s own research and approach to design. The artist should be able to communicate the approach to research and develop their artistic content relevant to downtown Idaho Falls. The RFP is open through May 1, after which the Public Art Committee will meet and select three proposals by May 15. Each artist will be compensated $2,500 for the mural and provided $500 for supplies. Applications should be submitted online at this link: https://seasonpresale1819.formstack.com/forms/living_walls

Funding drive starts Monday for Ronald McDonald Family Room at EIRMC

Ronald McDonald Family Rooms are aimed at providing a home-like environment for parents and families of children receiving treatment at hospitals.

In support of a new Ronald McDonald Family Room in Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center, Ronald McDonald House Charities of Idaho is holding a "Fundraising for Families” campaign this week. Monday through Wednesday, the community is being encouraged to make donations toward the construction project.

Kicking things off, Fluor Idaho has made a leading gift of $10,000. Since the project was announced in December 2018, about $515,000 has been raised toward the $766,000 goal.

Construction of the family room is scheduled to begin soon, and an opening is planned for this summer. When finished, the Ronald McDonald Family Room will provide a home-like environment for parents and families of children receiving treatment at EIRMC.

When children are sick, the thing they need most is family. Ronald McDonald Family Rooms are aimed at giving parents and families a quiet place to prepare something to eat, take a shower, do laundry, watch TV, take a nap, or even stay the night, all within the hospital.

Assistance is provided by RMHC of Idaho staff and community volunteers. To make a donation, text the amount you'd like to give to 208-721-9077 or visit rmhcidaho.org/familyroom.

Annual INL Economic Summary details lab's importance to region, state

An annual economic impact summary shows that Idaho National Laboratory continues to be a major contributor to Idaho’s economy.

Highlights from the “INL Fiscal Year 2018 Economic Summary” include:

• INL’s total economic impact exceeded $2 billion in FY-18, a 6.4 percent increase over the prior year.
• INL directly employed an average of 4,349 workers during the fiscal year. That makes INL contractor Battelle Energy Alliance (BEA) Idaho’s sixth-largest private employer and ninth-largest employer when compared to all public and private businesses.
• INL spent more than $148 million with Idaho businesses.
• BEA contributed $618,700 in charitable giving, technology-based economic development grants and K-12 STEM giving.

“To see the positive impact the laboratory has on Idaho’s economy is incredibly rewarding,” said INL Director Mark Peters. “Not just because we are helping improve the quality of life in our own backyard, but also because INL’s steady growth shows that we are serving our fellow citizens by striving to resolve the nation’s big energy and security issues.”

Information obtained in this report along with data from other sources, such as the recently released reports from the Idaho Technology Council and the Regional Economic Development for Eastern Idaho (REDI), helps INL to focus its efforts in STEM, education programs and workforce planning efforts.

The annual summary report was prepared by the Moscow, Idaho-based Emsi, a labor market analytics firm. The FY 2018 economic impact summary is available online at https://public.inl.gov/public/FY18EconomicSummary/index.aspx. The economic impact identified in the report only includes operations managed by Battelle Energy Alliance and does not include impacts of the U.S. Department of Energy cleanup contractor, the DOE itself or the Naval Reactors Facility.

INL is one of the DOE’s national laboratories. The laboratory performs work in each of DOE’s strategic goal areas: energy, national security, science and environment. INL is the nation’s leading center for nuclear energy research and development. Day-to-day management and operation of the laboratory is the responsibility of Battelle Energy Alliance.

See more INL news at www.inl.gov. Follow @INL on Twitter or visit the INL Facebook page.

KB's (Ketchum Burrito) opening location in Idaho Falls

Ketchum Burrito, branded KB’s, is going into the space previously occupied by Costa Vida in the Sagewood Shopping Center, 3000 S. 25 East. Earlier this month a building permit was granted to Skidmore Inc., the property owner, and the opening is planned for March 6, according to the company’s website.

KB’s has stores in Ketchum, Hailey, Twin Falls, McCall and Pocatello, as well as food trucks. The chain started in 1993 in Ketchum/Sun Valley, serving made-to-order burritos and tacos. The menu features multiple vegan options. It has been singled out for praise in the New York Times, which named it a “must stop” in it’s article of top 10 things to do in 36 hours in Sun Valley, Idaho saying, “Even when people are far away, they’re still thinking about the food at Ketchum Burritos. This cheerful laid-back burrito joint serves delicious fish tacos and offers a build-your-own burrito with.”

The website indicates they have live music on “Taco Tuesday” at several of their locations.