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Jayco, Inc. is expanding its manufacturing operations to a 154,000-square-foot facility in Twin Falls, ID. The privately-owned company will initially build its line of Jay Flight travel trailers and "fifth wheels" in the facility and. As many as 80 jobs will be created by the end of the first year of operations, which are scheduled to begin in early 2005.

"We chose Twin Falls after extensive discussion with state and local officials," says Derald L. Bontrager, Jayco president and chief operating officer. "We are most impressed with the people and Idaho's business friendly environment. The labor climate, interstate transportation availability, and access to appropriate suppliers were all attractive factors in our decision making process. Jayco is a family owned and family oriented company. We think it is important to locate our facilities in an area that is a good place for our employees to raise their families."

Idaho Governor Dirk Kempthorne recently awarded a $500,000 federal Idaho Community Development Block Grant to the city of Twin Falls for the purchase of the $2.4 million, 154,000-square-foot industrial building through the city's Urban Renewal Agency. The building, formerly owned by Norco Windows, will be leased back to Jayco for 10 years with an option to buy when the lease expires. According to a Jayco spokesman, the company will invest $250,000 to $500,000 in equipment but altogether plans a "multimillion" investment.

"Jayco is a leader in the RV market," says Gov. Kempthorne. "The company's decision to choose Twin Falls is a feather in our cap and reinforces the message that Idaho delivers on our promise to maintain a progressive business climate."

Other incentives offered by the State of Idaho include:

• Idaho Workforce Development Training Funds to train 80 employees;
• An invitation to apply for a job-creation incentive grant from Business Plus III, a team of economic development groups and local businesses from six counties; and
• A cooperative training program with the College of Southern Idaho.

Twin Falls Mayor Glenda Thompson predicts Jayco's expansion plans will have a significant impact on the community.

"We are pleased and excited to welcome a quality company like Jayco to our community," Thompson says. "The company's total payroll and benefit impact on Magic Valley is estimated at more than $10 million annually."

Jayco's expansion opportunity originally came to the attention of Idaho Commerce & Labor Director Roger B. Madsen through Idaho Falls Jayco dealer Tadd Jenkins of Bish's RV Super Center. Jenkins also represents eastern Idaho on the Idaho Travel Council, an eight-member, private sector advisory board appointed by Kempthorne to oversee the state's tourism promotion and development programs.

After hearing from Jenkins, Madsen assembled a team of agency staff who provided detailed information on potential facilities, the local business climate, and labor market conditions. Several site inspections followed, coordinated with the help and support of local economic development officials in Boise, Meridian, Nampa, Caldwell, Gooding, Twin Falls, Burley, Pocatello, and Caldwell. Once Twin Falls emerged as Jayco's first choice, officials from the City of Twin Falls/Urban Renewal Agency, the Southern Idaho Economic Development Organization, Business Plus III, and the College of Southern Idaho put together an aggressive proposal that closed the deal.

"Jayco is a first class company that was recruited by a first class team," says Madsen. "Company officials were clearly impressed by the coordination and cooperation displayed by Idaho's economic development community. Everyone—from Idaho Falls to Caldwell—rolled up their sleeves and came to the table, ready and willing to make this project happen."