L&W Stone
honored for contributions
Three Rivers Stone Corporation was one of 10 eastern Idaho companies
recently recognized for its economic contributions. Pictured
here are Alan Howell, Eric Klepfer, Scott Laine, all of L&W
Stone and Gynii Gilliam, executive director of economic development
for Custer and Lemhi counties.
Ten eastern Idaho companies were recently honored as outstanding businesses and contributors to their local economies at a luncheon held at the Shilo Inn Convention Center in Idaho Falls.
Two of these awards were presented to companies in Lemhi and Custer counties, Three Rivers Stone Corporation and the QB Corporation.
Three Rivers Stone Corporation was honored as an industry leading wholesale producer of high quality natural stone. Established in northern California in 1996, the company owns and operates quarries in Idaho, California and Oklahoma that produce more than 98,000 tons of stone annually.
L&W Stone’s private quarry in Idaho is the unique source for Three Rivers Stone, the company’s proprietary quartz sandstone product that is ideal for architectural or landscape applications.
The current mining and distribution facility in Custer County grew from 20 to 80 year-round and seasonal workers in 2004, contributing $3 million annually to the local economy through payroll and mining supply purchases.
Three Rivers Stone’s 2005 expansion plans include a new manufacturing facility in Challis for fabrication, tumbling, and packaging, resulting in 30 new jobs and the expansion of the quarries, amounting to an additional 50-70 new jobs over the next three years.
QB Corporation was honored as a business of master craftsmen in glue laminated beams. They are located on 45 acres of land in Salmon with 75,000 square feet of manufacturing space.
The company currently has 95 employees, contributing more than $2.5 million dollars in payroll to the local economy, with plans for expanding its production line in 2005.
The company has also received an OSHA “Sharp Program Award” for outstanding safety achievements in the workplace. It is the first manufacturing company in the state to receive this award.
In other economic development news, the distance learning center in Salmon has begun its third semester through Idaho State University.
The program has gone from three students to 13 students, making it one of the largest ISU distance learning sites.
Lemhi and North Custer Economic Development Cor-poration, in partnership with Idaho Small Business Development Corporation, started its first set of business development workshops in Challis last fall.
Spring workshops for Challis and Salmon began in February and will cover such topics as sound concepts for women investors, small town politics, financial planning, business basics, financing and alternative sources of funding and more.
For a complete list of classes, for more information or to register for the Challis workshops, call Ginger Palmer at 879-2745.