Magic Valley is investing in the future by launching a center for national food and agricultural entrepreneurship, beginning with pilot programming this fall. With specialized equipment and national industry expertise, the facility will attract high growth startups to the Magic Valley, while advancing local businesses statewide.
The nationally competitive center is the result of a months-long feasibility study commissioned by Region IV Economic Development (RIVDA). Led by KRNLS and Plaka and Associates, the independent research team determined that downtown Twin Falls could support a vibrant innovation facility, with events and training to attract entrepreneurs ranging from farmers and local dairymen to students, small business owners, and national startup founders. The study was made possible with generous support from Chobani and Dairy West, whose industry leadership continues to guide future development.
Anchored by food industry veterans, the proposed facility will host such amenities as a dairy processing center, a commercial kitchen, cold and dry storage, a makerspace, anchor tenant offices, conference and event spaces, and dedicated incubation and coworking spaces. The project is guided by a diverse steering committee (listed below), and strengthened by partnerships with Chobani, Dairy West, University of Idaho, and the College of Southern Idaho (CSI).
Initial programming will launch in fall 2021 while the team works on selecting a site for buildout and development. For more about the project’s development, visit www.mvfic.com and or keep up to date on Twitter and Instagram @SouthernIdahoED.
Eric Bastian
Dairy West
Jenny Nelson
Dairy West
Bryan Matsuoka
CSI
Todd Schwarz
CSI
Jeff McCurdy
RIVDA
Connie Stopher
Southern Idaho Economic Development
Harry Griffith
Sun Valley Economic Development
Jennie Hall
University of Idaho
Jim Miller
University of Idaho
About Region IV Economic Development
Region IV Development Association, Inc (RIVDA) is a private, not-for-profit corporation that was established to encourage the development and diversification of the economy in South-Central Idaho. The organization is recognized by U.S Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration as the regional Economic Development District serving the eight counties of South-Central Idaho, including Blaine, Camas, Cassia, Gooding, Jerome, Lincoln, Minidoka, and Twin Falls. As a result of this designation, RIVDA is tasked with preparing a regional Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) and implementing the plans and objective outlined in the plan. Through this effort, they foster partnerships and encourage collaboration among their stakeholders and community partners. They also assist small business in obtaining commercial financing through a variety of Federal programs they administer and manage. Rivda.org
About Southern Idaho Economic Development
Southern Idaho Economic Development is a joint venture of public and private sectors throughout the Magic Valley, formed to help diversify and strengthen the local economy by retaining and attracting business to the Southern Idaho region. Southern Idaho Economic Development works closely with communities throughout the region to promote economic development through expansion of existing business and to implement a focused consistent program to attract new businesses and talent to the region. For more information about Southern Idaho Economic Development and/or the Southern Idaho region, please visit southernidaho.org.
