The Boise Valley Economic Association (BVEP) is a collective of communities, institutions, chamber organizations and businesses in the Boise area. This team of community organizations is devoted to helping underserved and under-resourced entrepreneurs in Idaho. BVEP offers confidential, personalized and free services and site location assistance to companies and entrepreneurs interested in relocating, starting or expanding in the Boise Valley. The Harris Community Partnership Award (formerly known as the Helping Hands Grant) is available to nonprofit organizations to receive free professional services.
The Idaho Library Commission also provides consulting services to help library directors, library boards of trustees and program leaders design partnerships. The BVEP Annual Economic Summit brings together top business leaders from the Boise Valley to analyze the economy of the Boise metropolitan area. This event has an attendance of more than 600 people and provides an opportunity for businesses to grow. Idaho Connect is an organization that increases support for training and technical assistance to small businesses in Idaho with few resources.
They use a community browser model for outreach and provide many other resources and partners. Sierra serves on the board of directors of Girls on the Run Treasure Valley & The Make-a-Wish Idaho Young Leader Board and has participated with several other organizations, such as The Alzheimer's Association, The Boise Farmer's Market & Big Brothers Big Sisters. She has developed a strong set of skills in advocacy initiatives, community outreach, relationship building, and planning and organizing events (large and small). Sharing lessons, lessons learned and successes with the Idaho library community provides an example of a local partnership to inform colleagues in other parts of the state.
Community participation creates strong communities that, in turn, impact the use and viability of the local public library. In addition to this, local businesses can benefit from these partnerships by gaining access to new markets, customers, resources, and opportunities for growth. The Boise Valley Economic Association (BVEP) is a great example of how local businesses can partner with community organizations to create mutually beneficial relationships. Through their services such as site location assistance, free professional services, economic summits, and more, BVEP helps entrepreneurs start or expand their businesses while also providing resources for local nonprofits.
Additionally, Idaho Connect provides training and technical assistance to small businesses with few resources. These partnerships between local businesses and community organizations are essential for creating strong communities that can support each other’s growth. By working together, both parties can benefit from new markets, customers, resources, and opportunities for growth. Through these partnerships, local businesses can gain access to new markets while also providing resources for local nonprofits.
