Record Number of Visitors Enjoyed Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks

The National Park Service has reported record visitor numbers this year for both Yellowstone and Grand Teton National parks.

The park service reports "Yellowstone National Park hosted a record number of visitors this summer. Nearly 2.3 million people came to the park during June, July and August, up 124,000 over the previous summer record of 2,173,371 set back in 1999."

"The West Entrance remains the park’s busiest, with 1,090,306 visitors for the year; and nearly 300,000 in August alone. The greatest percentage increase in visitation was again recorded through the East Entrance, up 16.3 percent from August 2008."

Grand Teton National Park also recorded an increase in visitors of over 9%.

Driggs Rated 20th in the Top 100 Adventure Towns by National Geographic

The October 2009 issue of National Geographic's Adventure Magazine rates Driggs, Idaho in 20th position amongst the top 100 Adventure Towns in the US.

Incredibly, Driggs beat out Jackson Hole WY at 37th position!

Driggs lies in the middle of Teton Valley just 10 miles north of Trail Creek Crossing in Victor.

To review the full list, go to http://adventure.nationalgeographic.com/weekend-getaways/best-adventure-towns-list/1

Not Just Another Mountain Town - Why Teton Valley Idaho is a hidden jewel in the Gem State

Positioned on the western side at the foot of the Teton Range, Teton Valley Idaho represents not one, but four superb mountain towns nestled in the midst of a steadfast rural, agricultural and ranching community.

At the northern end of the Valley lies the City of Tetonia, ID population 247 (2000 census). At the center of the Valley lies the City of Driggs, ID population 1,100 (2000 census).
At the eastern edge of the Valley lies the Town of Alta, WY population 400 (2000 census).
At the southern end of the Valley lies the City of Victor, ID population 840 (2000 census).

Each location offers a its own diverse flavor of mountain town living, centered around the principal theme – “…go outside and play…”

As you commute to your job during the week, or commute to your favorite park to play on the weekend, consider these Teton Valley facts;

1-2 minutes drive to: World Class Fly Fishing; Cross Country Skiing;
15-30 minutes drive to: Grand Targhee Resort; championship Golf; Hiking, Mountain Biking
15-45 minutes drive to: Upland Game + Bird Hunting;
30-45 minutes drive to: Jackson Hole WY; Grand Teton National Park;
90-120 minutes drive to: Yellowstone National Park

Ever considered shifting gears during your commute? National Geographic has. In April 2009, National Geographic announced that Driggs, ID would be the home of the first Geotourism Center in the US. Teton Valley lies within the Greater Yellowstone Region, and its selection as a center for sustainable tourism reinforces the beauty and significance of this region. Confused? Here’s a simple explanation of Geotourism provided by National Geographic. “Geotourism is the kind of travel that sustains or enhances the geographical character of a place — its environment, culture, aesthetics, heritage, and the well-being of its residents.”

Teton Valley Idaho is evolving from a once predominantly rural/ag./ranch community into one that includes recreation based tourism. This transition has brought both public and private development projects.

Private development tends to garner ample media coverage, and Teton Valley’s growth has generated its fair share of News through large scale projects including the Grand Targhee Expansion; Huntsman Springs; Teton Springs; Teton Reserve; Teton Saddleback Vistas, among many others. Each of these projects reflect different phases of the development cycle, some are complete pending construction of homes on previously sold lots; some are being completed in phases; others are yet to break ground.

Public development has gained momentum over recent months and threatens to rival the pace of the private folks. Idaho Transportation Department’s investment in Scenic Byways during 2009 will work in parallel with National Geographic through the construction of the new Geotourism Center; Urban Renewal funds will see streetscape improvements constructed in Driggs; Teton Basin Ice + Recreation will soon commence construction on the new Ice Arena in Victor as soon as Steel is delivered, whilst the new Transit Facility will be constructed alongside the Ice Arena this summer.

Forward planning continues in Victor with the work of Envision Victor, an organization created following the receipt of a $100,000 grant from the Orton Family Foundation to guide the Community through a detailed planning process

“Envision Victor seeks to implement a new kind of planning in our City, a process that is focused on engaging our citizens, bridging our divisions, and honoring our shared values, in order to realize a vibrant and enduring Victor for years to come. The first phase of the project will last two years, but we hope it will continue well beyond.

The Goals and Objectives of Envision Victor are summarized as;
• Engage and connect all segments of the Victor community
• Describe and articulate the City’s Heart and Soul
• Enhance a sense of belonging
• Enact a new model of planning and decision making
• Develop a land use plan that incorporates visions and values of its citizens
• Strengthen the ability of the Citizens to integrate the ideas of the Citizens into tangible products such as transportation, capital improvements and main street plans

Construction will commence in mid July 2009 on a Bike Park in Victor. An initiative of non-profit Victor Velo, City of Victor has approved development of a bike park within the boundaries of Pioneer Park. An in‐town bike park is designed to pack as much fun as possible into a small space while teaching the youth of Victor Idaho about the lifetime sport of cycling. Victor Velo will begin the construction of a pump track & set of dirt jumps as the next step towards a multi‐discipline cycling facility unique to Southeast Idaho. A pump track is a cycling feature that looks similar to a skate board park, but made of dirt, and is designed to accommodate cyclists of all ages and skill levels.”
With so much activity on the horizon in an otherwise dark economic environment, it is imperative that growth Teton Valley is managed with the degree of stewardship deserving of the Greater Yellowstone Geotourism region.

With its many wildlife corridors and unspoiled vast wilderness areas, this delicate ecosystem, combined with unparalleled recreation has been seeking a way to harmonize with one another. Recent changes in City and County Planning Ordinances has cast a might tighter net across growth and will result in more intensive scrutiny of development proposed in designated wildlife corridors and wetland areas, potentially making development in those areas difficult and costly.

To learn more about Development + Business opportunities in the Teton Valley and Jackson Hole region, contact Meagan Hill, NAI Jackson Hole (307) 734-8700, meagan@naijacksonhole.com

To receive a copy of a power-point presentation detailing Teton Valley’s growth and supply, including economic changes, contact Julie Bryan, Broker/Owner of Windermere Real Estate/Teton Valley/Jackson Hole. jbryan@windermere.com 307-699-0205

Order or Download a copy of National Geographic’s Greater Yellowstone Geotourism Map at http://www.yellowstonegeotourism.org/order_yellowstone_mapguide.php

Download a copy of the Commonsense Guidelines to Living in Teton Valley at http://www.tetonvalleyadvocates.org/resources_handbooks.php

Written by Meagan Hill with contributions from Julie Bryan

10 Things That May Lie Ahead for Southern Idaho's Future - By Cynthia Sewell, Idaho Statesman

Published: June 25, 2009

Between now and 2050, a researcher says we should expect a lot more people, new kinds of housing booms and changes in the way we work and play.

The Snake River corridor from Idaho Falls to Ontario could double in population over the next 40 years, a Utah researcher says.

A series of social, economic and financial trends will bring more people to southern Idaho and transform the region's housing market, said Arthur C. Nelson, a professor and director of the Metropolitan Research Center at the University of Utah.

The new people and aging commercial buildings will demand about $400 billion in construction between now and 2050, he estimates.

According to his eye-popping keynote speech, "Mega Trends of the Snake River Corridor," presented last week at the New West planning conference at Boise State, the roughly 350-mile-long stretch could become a series of metropolitan areas stitched together by the freeway and railway.

Nelson talked to the Statesman this week about the 10 things he thinks will shape Southern Idaho's future.

1. WESTWARD HO
Idaho and other Western states are projected to remain the nation's fastest-growing states.

2. QUALITY OF LIFE
Many seniors, families and young professionals will be looking for the same thing: slower pace, recreational opportunities, clean air and water.

3. CHANGING HOUSEHOLDS
Idaho's senior population and homes without children will increase.

4. MOBILE JOBS
Newcomers will bring their own jobs. Instead of moving to their job, people will choose where they want to live and bring their job with them via telecommuting, working from home and utilizing technology not available 20 years ago.

5. LONGER LIVES
Healthier lifestyles and better health care mean people will live longer. Already, insurance actuarial tables have been extended from 100 years to 120 years. Aging populations will have different housing and transportation needs.

6. SUBURBAN FLIGHT
In the past few decades people fled urban areas for isolated suburban living. Now people are breaking from the past and returning to cities to get out of their cars and enjoy amenities and services not found in suburbs.

7. REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION
The entire corridor is already connected by a freeway and a railway, providing necessary infrastructure for a cross-state and local public transportation network.

8. HOUSING FINANCES
Changes in lending practices will mean less demand for $1 million-plus homes and more demand for smaller homes on smaller lots and an increase in renters.

9. BETTER TECHNOLOGY
Communication improvements have improved regional social and economic networks.

10. GREEN MOVEMENT
More efficient water, energy, land-use and transportation practices will help ease growth's strain on natural resources, air and water quality, and farmland.

Development Costs Set to Rise in Jackson WY

The Jackson Town Council is considering implementing a system that would see builders pay additional fees on commercial developments that do not meet new energy efficiency measures.

The system is intended to encourage builders to implement new energy efficiency measures into the design and construction of their buildings, in lieu of paying the additional fees.

Energy efficiency measures would generate credits with the total number of credits used to determine if additional fees are due.

Proposed Fees for Residential are:
- $4/sf for every foot above 2,500sf;
- $8/sf for every foot above 5,000sf.

Proposed Fees for Commercial are:
- $4/sf for every foot above 10,000sf, for buildings up to a max. of 20,000sf;
- $8/sf for every foot above 20,000sf for buildings over 20,000sf plus a $10,000 flat fee.

Source: Jackson Hole Daily, Monday May 18th 2009

490 Applications for 7 Affordable Homes in Jackson Hole

Housing affordability continues to be a challenge for many residents of Jackson Hole as evidenced by the 490 applications received for 7 affordable homes in Wilson, at the base of Teton Pass.

Homes were priced between $155,000 and $233,000 placing them well within the range of housing options available in the Victor marketplace.

With limited land supply and a Draft Comprehensive Plan currently working through Public Consultation, Jackson Hole will continue to face challenges in addressing Affordable Housing.

With the bedroom community of Victor, ID just 20 minutes drive over the Pass from Wilson, home seekers have plenty of incentive to broaden their search.

Information Courtesy of Cara Froedge, Jackson Hole Daily.

Jackson Hole Ranks 3rd in the World for Adventure

Tourism Review.com ranked Jackson Hole, WY 3rd in the World behind Valdez, AK and Vancouver, BC as an Adventure Sports Destination.

The article reads;
"Outdoor sports have become a massive hit in the last decades and people are thus searching for better places for their leisure activities. Over the years, certain places with particularly good access to rivers, mountains, surf, and other natural features have cultivated entire communities based on outdoor recreation."

Jackson Hole is the #1 destination in the Continental US and for many states, well within summer driving distance, making it also the #1 destination for your family vacation this year.

So stop by for a visit this summer. Call our office for advice in planning your trip.

National Geographic puts Valley on the Map

National Geographic has released its newest geotoursim map guide, which features the Greater
Yellowstone Region. On that map lies a yet-to-be-built Greater Yellowstone Geotourism Center in Driggs. This gives Driggs a tourism endorsement from National Geographic that’s “worth its weight in gold,” said Chamber of Commerce President Reid Rogers, who is spearheading the initiative.

The map effort sparked an initiative by Rogers to establish a geotoursim center in Driggs. And though the center is on the map, it could be sometime before an actual building exists. Rogers explained that the Teton Scenic Byway Committee had similar goals to that of the geotourism map project. The byway committee, of which Rogers is a member, has received federal grant money for a gateway center for eastern Idaho. Since the project had similar goals, Rogers approached National Geographic and they agreed to endorse the project if they called it a regional center. Rogers said as far as actual construction of the building, National Geographic wouldn’t be responsible, but would provide several indoor exhibits such as an interactive Web station, a 3-D map of the Tetons and life-size maps and descriptions of geotourism.

But getting the actual building has several hurdles. Rogers said they are waiting to hear if they’ll receive grant money for a Community Development Block Grant. Part of that grant would provide money for some infrastructure needs that could potentially tear apart ground in front of the current city center. Rogers said they are also working with the Idaho Department of Transportation which is eligible for some funds to improve Highway 33 in 2011. Rogers said it would make sense to coordinate all those projects since they are nearly in the same spot. But now that the geotourism center is on the map, there “is more incentive to hurry,” he said. He said he hopes to possibly start construction by this fall.

Information courtesy of Rachael Horne, Teton Valley News.

Lodging Tax Receipts Up in Teton Valley

Extract from the Teton Valley Chamber of Commerce, Chamber Activity and Events Report –March, 2009

The state reported the status of lodging tax collection from July, 08 to January, 09. Much of the state was down in collections which is not a surprise given the current condition of the economy. The state forecasts a total decline in lodging revenue of 15% year on year (July 08 to January
09.)

For the above seven month period, however, four of the seven state regions posted overall declines. North Idaho and the two eastern Idaho regions posted a gain of which our region was the clear winner, up 2.26% overall. Of the tourism and regional hot spots, Coeur d 'Alene was up 1.82%, Ada County was down 12.97%, Valley County was down 6.20%, Teton County was up
10.92%, Bonneville County was up 1.83%, Blaine County was down 3.65%.

It is gratifying to see that the efforts the TVCC and our community have been putting forth did come back in a quantitative way and showed us that we are headed in the right direction.

Scott Fitzgerald - Victor's New Mayor

Scott Fitzgerald has been sworn in as the new Mayor of Victor. The Mayor's position became available after long term Mayor Don Thompson moved out of the City area.

Welcome Scott!

Jennifer Zung Wins National Association of Women Business Owners, Business Woman of the Year - Idaho

Jennifer Zung holds the National Association of Women Business Owners, Business Woman of the Year Award for Idaho.

Congratulations Jennifer!

Project Designer Nominated for State Business Award

Jennifer Zung, owner of local small business Harmony Design and Engineering, was nominated for the Idaho Chapter's National Association of Women Business Owners, Business Woman of the Year. Zung is one of three finalists who will be traveling to Boise this weekend for the Gala Awards event.

Zung has grown her small, two-person business into an eight­person firm in little over two years. Harmony Design and Engineering has grown not only into a successful company but also a role model for community involvement and sustainable business practices. Zung serves on the Design Review Board for the City of Diggs and is a member of the Teton Valley Engineering Association. In addition to belonging to many local and regional organizations, Zung also donates her time to many local non­profit organizations.

(Information courtesy of the Teton Valley News, Thursday January 22 2009)

Jennifer and her company have worked on the Trail Creek Crossing project, providing services including Master Planning, Civil Engineering, Landscape Design and Flood Plain Analysis.

Trail Creek Crossing wish Jennifer the best of luck at the Awards Ceremony this weekend.