Special Reports

Greater Sandpoint Chamber: Creating a compelling customer experience — BLOOM

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In today's competitive business landscape, especially with the personalization and customization consumers experience online, how do small, local businesses compete? The secret lies in your people.

  • By MICKEY QUINN/NIBJ Contributor
  • September 24, 2024

North Idaho Alliance Women of Impact: Slow down — this is not a racetrack!

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To get home my drive takes me past some residential neighborhoods and lately I noticed yard signs popping up. Not “vote for” signs you’d expect nearing an election date but instead bright yellow “Slow Down. This is not a racetrack!” signs scattered along curb sides and grassy swales. At first, I was cautious as the signs ask, then as more and more sprung up, a bit irritated. I’ve lived in my home for years and I know how to drive in my neighborhood and am well aware of the speed limit. I did that “new people” under my breath. Then I laughed at myself. Clearly, I was over-reacting driving along my route.

  • By MARILEE WALLACE/NIBJ Contributor
  • September 24, 2024

North Idaho momentum

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It is a testimony to resilience and fundamentals that the North Idaho real estate market — for all property types — remained intact over the past nine months. Roller coasters are fun at amusement parks, not in real estate.

  • By RAPHAEL BARTA/NIBJ Contributor
  • September 24, 2024

Hayden Chamber: 'The best views come after the hardest climb'

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It will seem to just happen overnight! The crickets will change their song, the days will get darker earlier, the cooler air starts to settle in, and the leaves begin to change their colors.

  • By ANDREA FULKS/NIBJ Contributor
  • September 24, 2024

Welcome to the Parade of Homes

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Every September, our community comes alive with the excitement of the annual Parade of Homes. This cherished event showcases the talent and dedication of local builders while giving residents the chance to step into beautifully crafted homes. It’s not just an opportunity to admire stunning architecture and interior design; it's also a moment to support our local economy and celebrate community craftsmanship.

  • By DALE CARGILE/NIBJ Contributer
  • September 24, 2024

Area counties among best places to retire

Several counties in the region were ranked in the top 10 places in Idaho to retire, according to a study by SmartAsset. Bonner County was ranked second and Kootenai County was ranked fifth. Also in the top 10 were, in order: Twin Falls, Nez Perce, Bonneville, Bannock, Gem, Ada, Gooding and Cassia counties.

  • August 27, 2024

North Idaho Alliance Women of Impact: Ready to go back to work?

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WOW! What an awesomely fun summer we’ve had in North Idaho! But alas, it seems every year as August closes out, the entire community collective knows it’s time to roll up their sleeves and get ready to “go back to work.” However, after the summer fun comes to an end, going full time back into work mode can be a challenge.

  • By MARILEE WALLACE/NIBJ Contributor
  • August 27, 2024

Shop local

Why supporting local businesses is essential for our community
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In a world increasingly dominated by big-box retailers and online shopping, it's easy to overlook the treasure trove that is our local businesses. But did you know that supporting local enterprises is one of the most effective ways to build a thriving, resilient community? Let's explore why it's so important to support the local building industry, trades, and other small businesses in our community.

  • By DALE CARGILE/NIBJ Contributing Writer
  • August 27, 2024

Mid-year update

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It’s only mid-August as I write this column, but already I’m hearing summer is waning. For those of us here in North Idaho who wait patiently for months in the damp and cold darkness, we don’t want summer to go by too fast. But it’s also the end of Quarter 1 and Quarter 2: a good time to reflect on what happened so far this year, and where the real estate markets might be headed in Q3 and Q4.

  • By RAPHAEL BARTA/Contributing Writer
  • August 27, 2024

Greater Sandpoint Chamber: The one constant is change

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Change can make or break a business. If a business never makes any changes, that business is going to become obsolete and die. On the flip side, a business that is constantly changing things up, without clearly thinking through and planning the impact that the change will have on their systems, customers, and employees will have so many fires to put out! There will be confusion, chaos, and a loss of productivity and sales. Change is not a bad thing, but there are some important steps to take that will help ease the discomfort of it.

  • By MICKEY QUINN/NIBJ Contributor
  • August 27, 2024

North Idaho Alliance Women of Impact: Networking 101

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I’m a bit of a networking expert. I’ve been a networker my entire professional career and for years taught the basics of networking.

  • By MARILEE WALLACE/NIBJ Contributor
  • July 30, 2024

'History doesn't repeat itself, but it does rhyme'

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We are in a real estate market crisis. It’s been 12 years since the last real estate crisis: that one was brought on by the sub-prime mortgage mess.

  • By RAPHAEL BARTA/NIBJ Contributor
  • July 30, 2024

NIBCA: Housing impact

Clarifying the economic impact of building single-family homes in Kootenai County
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When examining the effects of constructing 1,629 single-family homes in Kootenai County, we can project remarkable economic impacts that ripple throughout the community for years to come. Let's break down the numbers to see just how significant these effects are.

  • By DALE CARGILE/NIBJ Contributing Writer
  • July 30, 2024

Post Falls Chamber: Participate in chamber and community events

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Greetings North Idaho Business Journal readers. Summer is here and the energy is high! For those hosting visitors, check out www.visitpostfalls.org or our social media on Facebook and Instagram for local activities. Our Visitor’s Center is also open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., for maps, brochures, and personalized suggestions to enhance your exploration of our community.

  • By CHRISTINA PETIT/NIBJ Contributor
  • July 30, 2024

Sandpoint Chamber: Pulling together to have a successful year

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Here we are, finally, in the heat (pun intended) of our busiest season of the year — SUMMER! The Greater Sandpoint economy gets roughly 43% of its annual revenue from tourism. That’s a significant percent, and the summer season represents a significant portion of those dollars. After this past fall/winter with its late arrival of significant snowfall, resulting in a lackluster ski season, a successful summer business season is critical to our local economy.

  • By MICKEY QUINN/NIBJ Contributor
  • July 30, 2024

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