Special Reports
North Idaho Alliance Women of Impact: The importance of art
The National Endowment for the Arts serves as a valuable resource for my research regarding our December Women of IMPACT Roundtable discussion on the Arts in our region and our role as creative placemakers. A creative placemaker is an individual who actively employs arts, culture and design strategies to enhance the quality of life within a community by transforming public spaces, fostering a sense of place, and promoting community engagement through creative initiatives. These often involve collaborations with local artists, residents and organizations.
POST FALLS CHAMBER: Developments that matter: Updates from the business community
The holiday season is here, and with it comes the magic of togetherness, giving, and reflection. While we celebrate our community's achievements, we’re also keeping an eye on national developments that impact local businesses.
SANDPOINT CHAMBER: The GIFT of feedback — giving some
The holiday season has come to a close, but there is still something you might want to consider giving. This gift is something unique and very valuable: the gift of feedback. Chances are, you are in a position at work, or in your personal life, where you have some form of responsibility for others. You may be a supervisor, manager, owner, parent, volunteer, or a member of a hobby group or sports team. Whatever the role, at some point, you will have the responsibility of providing someone else with feedback.
Waves of change
“My comrades, hardly strangers to pain before now, we all have weathered worse. Some god will grant us an end to this as well. You've threaded the rocks resounding with Scylla's howling rabid dogs, and taken the brunt of the Cyclops' boulders too. Call up your courage again. Dismiss your grief and fear. Maybe someday you will rejoice to recall even this. Through so many hard straits, so many twists and turns our course holds firm for Latium. There Fate holds out a homeland, calm, at peace. There the gods decree the kingdom of Troy will rise again. Bear up. Save your strength for better times to come.” Virgil, the first book of the Aeneid.
Metal America launches Post Falls facility
Shawn and Justin Sternberg, have launched their own metal coiling and forming facility and trim shop in Post Falls, Metal America.
Hayden Chamber: Christkindlemarket returns Dec. 6
November! I can’t believe it is already here and almost gone but what an odd month it seems to be.
North Idaho Alliance Women of Impact: Serving on a nonprofit board makes a huge impact
Nonprofits provide a way for people to work together for the common good, transforming shared beliefs and hopes into action. They give shape to our boldest dreams, highest ideals and noblest causes. America’s 1.3 million charitable nonprofits feed, heal, shelter, educate, inspire, enlighten and nurture people of every age, gender, race and socioeconomic status, from coast to coast, border to border, and beyond. They foster civic engagement and leadership, drive economic growth and strengthen the fabric of our communities. (In Idaho alone, there are more than 9,000 registered nonprofits.)
Sandpoint Chamber: Are you growing or dying?
Entering into the final few weeks of the calendar year, it is a good time to reflect on how you are doing in your journey of personal and professional development. It is important to be a life-long learner. When you develop a feeling that you are an expert, it can cause you to stop the learning process. Or if you rely too heavily on your experience and base your decision making on a “been there, done that” attitude, you are missing out on new and innovative ideas.
'Have you been pwned?'
Data breaches and cybersecurity attacks are a daily occurrence. The threat landscape is very wide, deep, and growing. This is big business for all kinds of criminal groups, who have the resources to go up against the best cyber security protections. This is true for all business sectors and for all individuals. Real estate practitioners are especially targeted because property transactions involve significant amounts of money. There are many variations of hacking and scam attempts.
Does your business have a future in world commerce?
Congratulations! Your Idaho-based business is thriving. You’ve created a product or service that fills a real need for loyal domestic consumers, developed a way to market and deliver your product, and created an advertising presence that works. Sales are increasing, and the future looks bright.
The lean canvas: A tool for business clarity
The North Idaho Small Business Development Center coaches hundreds of existing and aspiring business owners every year. Oftentimes, an entrepreneur client has only an idea on the back of a napkin or an established business owner needs to get “unstuck” and redefine their entire business. In either case, there is a tool, without fail, that helps Business leaders we coach move forward with confidence.
Hayden Chamber: Fall, October and new business owners
As I said last month fall is my favorite season, October is one of my favorite months. I guess I could say that about almost every month!
Sandpoint Chamber: Finish strong
And suddenly, it is truly fall. Seems like a minute ago we were enjoying a lingering summer season but we are now staring down the remainder of the final quarter of the calendar year. How are you doing on those annual goals you set back at the start of the year? If you haven't made as much progress as you would have liked or hoped, there is still time to make them happen! I have 4 tips that if you start using right now, you will start seeing results immediately and can achieve those goals you set at the start of the year.
The politics of growth
I recently attended a candidates forum where county commissioner seats and state legislature seats were on the agenda. Every candidate addressed the issue of growth in multiple questions, from different perspectives like quality of life, budgetary impacts, and cultural concerns. Growth issues dominated the event. For the past several years, Idaho has been the fastest-growing state in the U.S. In 2024, Florida took first place with Idaho second, but after the recent weather calamities the Sunshine State has gone through, that trend has become dampened. Hurricanes Helene and Milton were two of the most expensive hurricanes on record. The Small Business Administration’s disaster loan program, often the biggest source of federal disaster recovery funds for individual survivors, is on the brink of insolvency, and FEMA will face a funding crunch by the end of this year. The White House has petitioned Congress for more funds. Private insurance companies are abandoning high risk areas like coastal floodplains and places prone to large-scale fires.
A vibrant fall at the Post Falls Chamber: Celebrating milestones and embracing change
As October unfolds, the autumn season is truly upon us. The vibrant hues of the changing leaves, the crispness in the air, and the sense of togetherness that fall brings serve as reminders of the beauty that surrounds us here in Post Falls. At the Post Falls Chamber of Commerce, this season has been particularly busy, filled with significant events, celebrations and important transitions within our team.
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