Super 1 Market coming to Bonners Ferry

The super 1 grocery chain will be building a new store in Bonners Ferry. Work on this project started about a year ago and the owners were able to close on the purchase of the ground November 2nd. Randy McIntyre, one of the owners of Super 1, has stated that they intend to break ground this year. This would allow for a completion sometime in late spring or early summer. In addition to groceries the store will have a fresh bakery and coffee shop as well as a full service pharmacy. The store will be located right on U.S. Hwy 95 just as you come into Bonners Ferry. This will be a great addition to the community and we look forward to the opening.

Green Dollar Solutions come to Boundary County

Local business man Sam Fodge has started a new business venture called Green Dollar Solutions. Sam has installed a plant that will produce diesel fuel from discarded vegetable oil. The main source is from restaurants. A contract with a large Seattle firm will be the main source of material. He also purchased a vacuum tanker to allow him to pick up oil from around the region. The plant will be operational as of June first. At the price of fuel this will be a great benefit for Boundary Co. Stay tuned.

Welco Cedar Mill back up and running

In December of 2009 the Welco Cedar Mill in Naples closed down and consolidated all of their operation to the Shelton WA mill. This caused a layoff of approximately 92 employees. The overall economy in Boundary County, like most of the country. has been slow during the last 2 years. However, In August of 2010 Welco was able to reopen the Naples mill and rehire about 35 employees. In addition they were able to add another 40 workers in November. These jobs are very important to the community because they provide living wages for the area. Welcome Back Welco!

City Council gives approval

On December 20, 2010 the Bonners Ferry city council, by unanimous vote, approved working with Sandpoint and other cities in Bonner County to provide fiber optic broadband to Boundary County residence. Working through Panhandle Area Council (PAC) funding will coming from revenue bonds which will be paid back out of subscriber use fees. This would allow for a very high speed connection that would allow for not just video but also TV and telephone service for less money than people are now paying. Stay tune for updates as we move along in the process.

Promo video of Bonners Ferry

On Sunday November 7th a film crew from a company call "element 242" was in Bonners Ferry. The are creating a video of attractions in the area to be used on a social media Website that will highlight all of the northern panhandle. It is designed to attract tourists to the area in an effort to stimulate the economy in the area. Look for a direct link to this site from the Chamber website at www.bonnersferrychamber.com.

Harvest Foods Comes to Bonners Ferry

The new Atkins - Harvest Foods Store opened its' doors September 29, 2010. Mike Atkins purchased the old Safeway downtown location across the street from the post office. The store provides the Boundary residents with a shopping choice and has been well received by the community. Besides liking the location, most of the customers seem to like the overall feel of the store. New brighter lighting, wider alias, and lower shelves give it a good warm feel. The next time you are in town come by and check it out. 

E.L. Automation to provide Wi-Max Internet

Eric Lederhos, the owner of E.L. Automation, as of October 1st will provide internet service out in the more rural areas of Boundary County. Eric has installed 4 transmitter towers at various remote locations throughout the county. This will allow high speed internet service to over 90% of the county residents. Depending on need E.L. Automation can provide speeds up to 3 Mbs. This a much needed service in the county and will more people to "get connected"

Broadband - Maybe another chance

There seems to be an opportunity once again deploy fibre-optic broadband in the Boundary county area. Four cities in Bonner county, Sandpoint, Pondery, Kootena and Dover, have supplied funds to move forward to supply broadband to those communities. Boundary county has been asked if they would like to be involved. The main fibre line will run right through boundary along Hwy 2 from Montana and then south on 95. Some money from the community will be required. If we choose to move forward instillation could begin this spring. Stay Tuned!