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Spotlight on Emmett

Known as the “Valley of Plenty,” Emmett earned its title because of the fertility of the valley. However, Emmett is also abundant with opportunities that extend far beyond the agricultural industry.

Residents of Emmett see the town as a place where people can live, work, and play—a community that offers a high quality of life without sacrificing other accommodations. Emmett boasts several outdoor recreational opportunities. Residents can take advantage of the nearby Payette River to fish, tube, and kayak. In Emmett’s foothills, Little Gem Cycle Park provides acres of open land for motorcycling and 4-wheeling. Finally, Emmett’s Gem Island Sports Complex is fully equipped with basketball and volleyball courts, baseball and soccer fields, an amphitheatre, and a stocked fishing pond. Besides these assets, Emmett takes pride in its family friendly atmosphere that characterizes the town.

In addition to these factors, local community leaders are determined to build upon Emmett’s appeal through creating long-term, sustainable economic growth. Shadow Butte, a non-profit economic development organization in Emmett, is currently in the process of developing a 120-acre light industrial park in a collaborative effort with Gem County. It is anticipated that the park will create over 200 jobs by 2012. Besides the industrial park, several other projects are in the works for Emmett, including revitalizing downtown Emmett, expanding the airport, and the Dewey Road project, an ambitious plan to connect Highway 52 to Interstate 84.

Economic growth in Emmett is also fostered because of the support of the local community. Emmett is a close-knit community that promotes a strong spirit of volunteerism and civic engagement. Sharon Church-Pratt, Gem County Commissioner, says, “Emmett has a can-do spirit…It has a strong group of individuals who are very supportive of everything going on.


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Emmett Quick Facts

Business District

Emmett’s first mill since 2001, Emerald Forest Products held its grand opening in May 2010, which was well attended by an excited community. Residents of Emmett were thrilled to see a mill in Emmett again, which brings jobs and money back within the local community. By summer 2010, Emerald Forest Products’ facility had created 44 new jobs for local residents.

Emerald Forest Products’ facility boasts a state of the art system, optimized with computers, that allows it to quickly and efficiently produce cut lumber. One work shift at Emerald Forest Product’s facility can produce roughly 200,000 board feet a day and approximately 44 million board feet a year. Emerald Forest Products also makes 4-by-4 inch timbers, which many mills aren’t able to process.
Emmett’s location offered several strategic advantages for Emerald Forest Products. Emmett is close to log sources, saving transportation costs for bringing lumber to the mill.

The closest mill to Emerald Forest Product’s facility is more than 120 miles away, making Emerald Forest Product the closest mill to Boise, a major metropolitan area. Emerald Forest Products have also benefited from Emmett’s workforce, as many of Emerald Forest Products’ workers are former employees of Emmett’s previous sawmill and are skilled laborers familiar with sawmill working procedures.

Emerald Forest Products’ future goals are to increase production and create new jobs in its Emmett facility. Because of the company’s vision, it is likely that the sun will continue to shine down upon Emerald Forest Products in the Valley of Plenty.