Newsletter August - September 2010

Buy Idaho Supports Drug Free Idaho Campaign

Buy Idaho is involved and highly supportive of the Drug Free Idaho campaign, to build the Idaho economy, and save Idaho Businesses untold wasted dollars in operational expenses.

Marianne King, Executive Director of Drug Free Idaho, and her staff stand ready to help Buy Idaho members avoid this problem. Here’s how they can help you. We also have printed information in your Buy Idaho Office/Showroom for your use.

Why Drug Free Workplaces Are Important

During tough economic times, businesses are all trying to do more with less and be as productive as possible. Promoting a drug-free workplace is one way to make this happen.

Drug Free Workplace programs are invaluable to businesses and communities by creating an atmosphere of greater health and safety. Businesses that promote a drug free environment often experience an increase in productivity, safety, profits, customer satisfaction and employee morale. Companies also usually see a decrease in absenteeism, insurance costs, accidents and employee turnover.

Substance abuse in the workplace can be devastating. Research has shown that employees abusing drugs function at approximately two thirds of their capacity. Businesses also pay about twice as much in medical claims and workers compensation for employees who use drugs. Imagine what a business could accomplish if all of its employees worked to their maximum potential.

Statistics indicate 90% of large businesses have drug free workplace programs in place today, while only 5 to 10% of small and medium sized businesses have implemented similar programs. The irony here is that about 75% of employed Americans work for these small and medium sized businesses. Workers who want to avoid substance abuse policies at the large companies take their job search to the smaller businesses, and that's where they are today!

DrugFree Idaho, Inc. works to not only educate the youth and parents of Idaho through substance abuse prevention education programs and parenting classes, but also by working with businesses of all sizes in designing and implementing comprehensive drug free workplace programs. These programs include:

• Policy Development

• Supervisor Training

•  Employee Education

•  Employee Assistance Programs

•  Drug Testing

DrugFree Idaho was recently named as a recipient of a two year grant from the Small Business Administration that provides financial and technical assistance to small businesses. Your company may be eligible for discounted fees and services to get you started in implementing a drug-free workplace program. In addition to the vast array of services offered to your business, one small incentive to joining DrugFree Idaho is a 5 percent premium credit on Worker’s Compensation Insurance.

Please contact DFI Consultant Larry Hedberg at (208) 570-6406 or Director Marianne King at (208) 570-6404, or visit our website at: www.drugfreeidaho.org for more information.

Buy Idaho is 25 Years Old Next Year

Development of Buy Idaho as a member-supported statewide organization began in the fall of 1986, following C.L. “Butch” Otter’s campaign for the Lt. Governor’s office, due to the positive reception that the concept received as he made it his dominant theme and a blueprint for Idaho’s internal economic growth in speeches to audiences all over Idaho. 

Following his election, Otter’s campaign team from BB&W Advertising, Bruce Belcher and Jack Rucker began the job of turning Buy Idaho-the Concept, into Buy Idaho-the Organization.  Logos were created, a Board of Directors was recruited, and the first Executive Director, Karleane Allen was hired. 

Idaho’s Media were instantly supportive of Buy Idaho’s efforts to boost Idaho’s economy by promoting Idaho products to Idaho buyers; thereby creating jobs and retaining taxes dollars within the state to build schools, roads, and other infrastructure in Idaho.  This media support continues to be a key factor in establishing the identity and goals of Buy Idaho as we enter our 25^th year.

The strength of the original concept has been validated by 24 years of solid growth, and Buy Idaho has given its members a steadily-expanding array of services to use in building their own businesses.

From the office/showroom in the 8^th street marketplace Boise, Buy Idaho staff welcomes visitors, phone calls, e mail inquiries from thousands of people, and are referred to the great network of some 1100 Buy Idaho member businesses.

Barbara Dorsey, Membership Services Director has been with Buy Idaho since it began in 1986, Dale Peterson, Executive Director came in July 1998, after 40 years in the Radio business here in Idaho

Dave Burnett is Working With Buy Idaho

Dave Burnett is working with us part time at Buy Idaho in contract sales and service of Buy Idaho membership. Dave started in Radio at KFLY in Corvallis, Oregon while attending Oregon State  University.

His career led him through Oregon, to Pocatello in 1986 and to Boise in 1988. Dave has hosted various Radio shows, owned a restaurant in West Boise for 4 years, and in 2002 moved to Peak  Broadcasting, where he is currently employed.

He and his family are involved in hunting, fishing, Little League baseball and Optimist football.

Welcome Dave, to Buy Idaho!
 

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Build the Idaho Economy: BUY IDAHO

The concept is un-changed; Buy Idaho and your dollars keep working to make Idaho a better place to live, do business, educate our children, support the police, fire departments, build roads and bridges, and improve Idahoan’s way of life. Send your money out of Idaho...and it’s gone forever.

Generate your money over and over again, Buy Idaho; and they will buy from you.

On behalf of the over 1100 Buy Idaho members, thank you for partnering with us to keep Idaho money in Idaho; and bring all the dollars we can into Idaho from other states and from all over the world; to build
the Idaho economy, and improve your way of life.

Members Note: If you are not using the Buy Idaho Logo in your advertising, website, vehicles, door  fronts, etc., you are not getting the benefit and promotional value that our Buy Idaho label represents.

Let folks know you are a Buy Idaho member; Sell more Idaho products and services. If you’re out of  logos, call, we’ll ship, e mail, or whatever to get your business identified as Buy Idaho!

There has never been a better or smarter time to be BUY IDAHO!

If the 1.5 million people in Idaho, all spent just $100 more with Idaho companies this year, instead of an out of state company:

• That would be $150,000,000 more spent into the Idaho economy this year.
   
• Imagine the effect of another $150,000,000 in new jobs, capitol improvement, re-investment in Idaho families and new equipment to build Idaho business, industry, education and agriculture.
   
• Sales tax at 6% would be $9,000,000 increased funding for education, health & welfare, parks, transportation, law enforcement, and the many services that make Idaho a better place to live and raise families.
   
• Plus the taxes Idaho companies pay on the $150,000,000 in additional sales; the wages they pay people, the workers compensation, health care, added jobs and the individual taxes the employees will pay into the Idaho economy. With additional income, families will enjoy a higher standard of living.
   
• Build the Idaho Economy: BUY IDAHO

Join Buy Idaho; find a listing of Buy Idaho members, and learn more by clicking here.

Search for Buy Idaho Members using Keywords

Thanks to Recently Renewing Members!

Search for Buy Idaho Members using Keywords

Welcome New Members!

·         All Season Carpet Cleaning, Meridian

·         Apollo Insurance, LLC, Meridian

·         Ataraxis, Inc., Boise

·         Boise Front Adventures, Inc., Boise

·         BORASparts.com, Garden City

·         Direct Home Mortgage – Jesse Stroup, Boise

·         erstad ARCHITECTS, Boise

·         Flagpole Country, Meridian

·         Food Services of America, Meridian

·         Goldy's Retail and Specialty FoodsBoise

·         Homestyle Direct, LLC, Kimberly

·         Hyperion Capital Group, Boise

·         Idaho Bag LadyNampa

·         Michael's Total Automotive Collision Ctr, Garden City

·         Paws On It Dog Training, Emmett

·         Pool Doctor, Garden City

·         Pristine Retail, LLC, Meridian

·         Pulliam & Associates Chartered-, Boise

·         Sue's Organic Lip Balm, Nampa

·         Sustainable Futures, Inc., Boise

·         Treasure Valley Salsa, Eagle

·         Two Ravens Herbals, LLC, Kooskia