Silver Valley Economic Development Update: LinkIDAHO

LinkIDAHO is happy to announce the launch of the Idaho Mobile Broadband Test Project.  For this project we are partnering with Mobile Pulse, a mobile connectivity analytics company, to ensure the most accurate measurement and mapping of state mobile broadband networks across the state.  The results of the data collected from this project will give state planners the information needed to help execute cost-effective and productive mobile broadband strategies for our state. 

This project offers two levels of opportunity for participation.  

1.       LinkIDAHO Test App – available for download from the Apple Store or Google Play store.  Once loaded to a device this app will run periodic performance tests in the background and send the results to a secure site for analysis. This information, which is collected in a manner that ensures that the privacy of the user and device, will be used to help validate the speed and connection capabilities of mobile broadband vendors while also giving state planners insight into a wide range of operational issues.  Users get the added bonus of being able to check their speed and connectivity on the fly.

2.       ID Advance Test App - available in a limited quantity for download by invitation from the LinkIDAHO test coordinator.  This app will be used for more targeted testing and offers the user an opportunity to become more actively involved in the project.  To find out more about this option contact Paul Reyes at paul.reyes@cio.idaho.gov 

You can learn more about this project and other broadband work being done in Idaho at www.linkidaho.org.  Be part of this important project by downloading the free LinkIDAHO Test app from your app store today!

For more information, please contact:

Paul E. Reyes

TIM Framework Coordinator

Idaho Geospatial Office

Idaho Department of Administration

paul.reyes@cio.idaho.gov

www.gis.idaho.gov

Aerospace Training Program Starts at North Idaho College

North Idaho College is assembling the components it needs to launch aerospace manufacturing and maintenance programs starting next month under a $3 million federal grant, says Kassie Silvas, NIC's director of aerospace and outreach.

The goal of the Coeur d'Alene-based community college is to enroll a total of at least 520 students in the program during the three-year grant period and to qualify them for high-wage jobs in the regional aerospace industry, Silvas says.

"I can't think of another program like this that will recruit, mentor, and help students get jobs," she asserts.

The grant will pay for course development, instructors, supplies, and program administration and support staff, Silvas says. The school has secured an ideal site near the Coeur d'Alene Airport and has hired the initial staff for the first phase of the programs, she says.

The aerospace programs will be based in a 12,000-square-foot facility, which NIC recently leased and has dubbed its Aerospace Center of Excellence, at 1845 W. Dakota, in Hayden.

Original Press Release on Sept. 19th 2012:

North Idaho College has been awarded a $2.97 million grant intended to create an aerospace center to meet the workforce demands of the aerospace industry in North Idaho and help veterans and displaced workers in need of retraining.

The grant is expected to create 520 new jobs by 2015, according to grant application projections. It will have a $28.8 million annual impact to the local economy with average job salary estimates of $43,500, according to the Idaho Department of Labor.

Tim Komberec, CEO and president of Empire Airlines, said he considers the grant announcement a “watershed event.”

“This is something where we are going to look back in a few years and see the jobs and opportunities created by this grant and know that this was the catalyst for all of that,” Komberec said.

NIC is the only college in Idaho to receive grant funding from the Trade Adjustment Assistance Community College and Career Training initiative, which was designed to promote skills development and employment opportunities. The U.S. Department of Labor is implementing the $500 million program in coordination with the U.S. Department of Education.

“This is a fantastic opportunity for NIC to work with the emerging aerospace industry in North Idaho,” said NIC President Joe Dunlap. “This grant demonstrates NIC’s commitment to supporting the needs of business and industries as well as supporting economic initiatives in North Idaho.”

Plans for the grant funding include the creation of an aerospace center of excellence in North Idaho, which is intended to provide credit and non-credit training to individuals in aerospace related fields. The core curriculum will be in the areas of general aviation, airframe composites and non-destructive testing, as well expanding NIC’s current machining program. The proposal will target Trade Adjustment Assistance workers, displaced workers needing retraining, veterans and the general student population.

The three-year grant period begins on Oct. 1. NIC will begin planning immediately and anticipates offering courses by fall 2013. NIC is partnering with the Idaho Aerospace Alliance – a newly formed nonprofit based in Hayden, Lewis-Clark State College and the Idaho Department of Labor.

Learn more about the grant program at www.doleta.gov/taaccct

For More Information

NIC Grants Coordinator Sara Fladeland, (208) 769-7750 or sara_fladeland@nic.edu.

About the Inland Northwest Economic Alliance (INEA)

About the Inland Northwest Economic Alliance (INEA) The Inland Northwest Economic Alliance (INEA) is an alliance of 11 regional economic development agencies representing 15 counties in Northern Idaho and Eastern Washington. The collaborative effort is aimed at building economic growth through enhancing the brand recognition of the Inland Northwest and its communities and showcasing its business value. To learn more, visitwww.inlandnorthwestregion.com

Lewiston, Idaho/Clarkston, Wash. – The Snake River Boat Builders

Lewiston, Idaho/Clarkston, Wash. – The Snake River Boat Builders continued their export outreach efforts with recent trade missions to Sweden and Norway. The Snake River Boat Builders Export Program aims to develop viable foreign markets for the welded-­‐aluminum jet boat manufacturers and suppliers located in the greater Lewiston, Idaho/Clarkston, Washington region. The Snake River Boat Builders Export Program is a great example of successful collaboration between members of a dynamic manufacturing cluster and the economic development community of the Lewiston/Clarkston region. More details are available at www.snakeriverboats.com.

Spokane, Wash. – The Washington Health Benefit Exchange

Spokane, Wash. – The Washington Health Benefit Exchange will open a call center in September 2013 for Washington Healthplanfinder, the state’s new online health insurance marketplace launching this fall. The call center will create 60 jobs and will be operated by Faneuil, Inc., a recognized leader in multi-­‐ channel customer care services. More information can be found at http://wahbexchange.org.

AstaReal Technologies and Fuji Chemical Industry announce a new manufacturing facility in Moses Lake, WA

PRESS RELEASE

Embargo: July 15th, 2013

AstaReal Technologies and Fuji Chemical Industry announce a new manufacturing facility in Moses Lake, WA

(Moses Lake, July 15th, 2013) Fuji Chemical Industry, AstaReal Technologies Inc., Grant County, and the City of Moses Lake jointly announced today that AstaReal Technologies Inc. will build a microalgae based biotechnological manufacturing plant for the production of natural astaxanthin in Moses Lake, Washington.

During the initial construction phase, $30 million will be invested and 45 permanent local jobs will be created. Fuji established its manufacturing subsidiary, AstaReal Technologies, Inc., in order to expand its astaxanthin business in the United States.

In line with its philosophy to contribute to the health of people all over the world, Fuji decided to build the astaxanthin factory in the City of Moses Lake in Grant County primarily because of the abundant water resource and competitive costs of renewable hydropower energy. A skilled labor force, an open culture welcoming to Japanese companies, and supportive local and state governments were also contributing factors for the decision to locate in Moses Lake.

“Astaxanthin is an effective anti-inflammatory agent for living organisms. We want to make people healthier and happier by delivering astaxanthin raw materials for health foods to people across the world.” said Mitsunori Nishida, President and CEO of Fuji Chemical Industry. “We see the 21st century as the era of anti-aging. We believe that preventive medicine will play an even greater role in future of healthcare as advances in anti-aging and lifestyle disease research drive improvements both in the treatment and prevention of disease and illness. To that end, we have succeeded in realizing the world's first industrial production of natural astaxanthin which is both safe and high in antioxidant potency. We have devoted more efforts than any other research organization in advancing astaxanthin research.”

Grant County, the City and Port of Moses Lake, the Grant County Economic Development Council, and the Washington State Department of Commerce worked cooperatively with Fuji over the past year to help this visionary manufacturing facility become a reality.

“We are pleased that Fuji and AstaReal have decided to make Moses Lake and Grant County the home of this one-of-a-kind manufacturing process,” said Moses Lake Mayor Bill Ecret.

AstaReal Technologies will produce natural astaxanthin using state of the art photo-bioreactors to cultivate microalgae. AstaReal has been developing its technology for astaxanthin since the 1990s. This technology is the key to manage the environment of microalgae in order to realize a stable production of high quality natural astaxanthin. The natural astaxanthin produced in Moses Lake will be marketed in the United States and worldwide through Fuji’s various subsidiaries.

The manufacturing plant is anticipated to be completed and start operation in the third quarter of 2014. AstaReal Technologies plans to hire 45 skilled people as manufacturing operators, quality control, facilities maintenance and administration. Most employees will be hired locally in mid-2014.

President Nishida said “We are honored to be a community member of Grant County and the City of Moses Lake. We believe that this community will experience significant grow and want to contribute to this future development. This 30 million dollar investment shows our strong commitment to the future of this community.”

About Fuji Chemical Industry and AstaReal

Fuji Chemical Industry, established in 1946, is a Japanese pharmaceutical company whose businesses are the production and sales of pharmaceutical products, contract manufacturing of pharmaceutical and bulk pharmaceutical products, and the production and sales of food additives. Currently Fuji Chemical and its subsidiary companies sell their products in more than 20 countries. AstaReal is the global brand name of Fuji’s astaxanthin business.

Important note: This press release contains statements on future developments that are based on currently available information and that involve risks and uncertainties that could lead to actual results deviating from these forward-looking statements. The statements on future developments are not to be understood as guarantees. The future developments and events are dependent on a number of factors; they include various risks and unanticipated circumstances and are based on assumptions that may not be correct. These risks and uncertainties include, for example, unforeseeable changes in political, economic and business conditions, particularly in the area of the competitive situation, interest rate and currency developments, technological developments and other risks and unanticipated circumstances. It is not intended to update these forward-looking statements.

AstaReal Technologies, Inc. | 210 E. Third Avenue, Suite C, Moses Lake, Moses Lake, WA 98837 USA T: +1-509-855-4370 | F: +1-509-765-9073

Clearwater County, Idaho – The National Guard Youth ChalleNGe Program

Clearwater County, Idaho – The National Guard Youth ChalleNGe Program is coming to North Idaho thanks to a combined effort between private businesses, grant-­‐making organizations and the Idaho Legislature. The program will be located at the former Pierce Elementary School campus and will initially add 24 full-­‐time positions with the potential of adding up to 23 more. The program includes a 22-­‐week residential phase that focuses on education and life skills training for Idaho high school dropouts, followed by a yearlong mentoring phase. The first class is expected to begin in January 2014. For more information about the National Guard Youth ChalleNGe Program, visit www.ngycp.org.