POCATELLO To better reflect its regional focus, a Gate City-based municipal economic development agency is rebranding.
The independently operated Bannock Development Corporation, which promotes local economic development, has formally changed its name to Portneuf Valley Development Corporation. In the upcoming weeks, it will also update its website, signage, and other materials. According to its CEO, new name will more accurately represent the objectives of the organization for economic growth.
Our stakeholders want the Portneuf Valley to be recognized. MiaCate Kennedy I, CEO of Portneuf Valley Development Corporation (PVDC), stated, “They want us to sell the entire area.” And we want you to be enthusiastic about what we do now that you understand it.
Prior to this renaming, PVDC was known as Bannock Development Corporation for 37 years. By luring and retaining companies, it promotes economic growth for the area as an organization dedicated to economic development.
Once a company has been recruited as a client, the agency works to facilitate the opening of a location in the area by advocating and negotiating on their behalf.
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We stay with (the company) and support them throughout the entire process. Permits, agreements, and property negotiations are all things you assist with. Kennedy stated that since we are their point of contact, they can just have a smooth (opening) here.
However, Kennedy said that maintaining our enterprises is 80% of our job.
When we visit with our clients, we learn about their problems and how we can use our resources to keep them here. Kennedy stated that it would be detrimental to us if businesses were to leave.
Kennedy stated that the agency’s decision to rebrand was made in order to make it apparent that it operates independently of the county government and to highlight its wider regional focus on southeastern Idaho.
“They believe we are the county if they know where Bannock is,” Kennedy added.
Kennedy added that although the local county and city governments do contribute to PVDC’s budget, the organization is largely supported by private investors and clients, which it uses to attract and retain local clientele.
The firm does not just accept any prospective client who might visit the area. Kennedy believes that the economic growth she contributes to will be passed down to the local population, particularly the youth.
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I care about the fact that you will all inherit anything I do. “I think it’s important to defend you,” Kennedy stated.
Kennedy cited the location where the CREST initiative was announced as one example. Data centers have already contacted the government to express interest in building there.
Kennedy stated, “If we were to install a data center, that’s all we could ever have, so you’d inherit that for 40 years, or until they go under.”
Kennedy stated that she thinks the agency’s rebranding will enable it to carry out its objective of improving the area’s economic growth and quality of life.
Kennedy remarked, “I see the beautiful potential here, and I love it.”