Southern Idaho’s business climate is rich with agricultural heritage, but there is so much more to the overall business sector. Here are some highlights.

Food Production 

Gossner Foods in Heyburn was founded in 1966 as a strictly Swiss cheese plant, and today more than 30 varieties of cheese carry the Gossner name. Brewster Dairy is housed in a former Kraft Foods facility in Rupert, and Brewster’s product line includes skim-barreled cheese (orange color) used by Kellogg Foods for its Cheez-It Crackers. Rite Stuff Foods in Jerome uses Idaho russet potatoes to make packaged products such as fried skins, mashed potatoes and fried potatoes filled with bacon, cheddar, mozzarella or pepper jack cheese.

High Desert Milk in Burley was formed in 2001 by six progressive dairies that oversee more than 25,000 cows and market 1.8 million pounds of milk each day. ConAgra Foods Lamb Weston in Twin Falls makes a line of french fries and prepared potato products, with several items under the Inland Valley brand.

Amalgamated Sugar Co. in Twin Falls is involved with beet sugar, cane sugar and refining, and has annual revenues topping $100 million. And Jerome Cheese Co. manufactures cheddar, Monterey Jack, colby and reduced fat varieties that are packaged in 40-pound blocks, 500-pound barrels and 640-pound blocks.

Manufacturing

Hilex Poly in Jerome manufactures plastic bags and agricultural films, and focuses on reducing the impact of plastic on the environment through recycling. Polytech is a plastics recycling and fabrication company that creates dairy-related calf hutches from high-density polyethylene and low-density polyethylene.

Warehousing and Distribution

WOW Logistics in Jerome began operations in 2002 with 232,650 square feet and has grown to 450,000 square feet. It runs a distribution center that is a multi-temperature warehouse with storage areas to primarily serve the dairy industry.

RV Manufacturing 

Dutchmen Manufacturing in Burley builds recreational vehicles and campers as well as light truck and utility vehicle parts, and the company has annual revenues surpassing $100 million. Jayco Manufacturing in Twin Falls also makes RVs and campers along with related parts and equipment, and has a staff of approximately 150 employees.

Historic Downtown Twin Falls

Industry and agriculture are a big part of the Southern Idaho economy, but another contributor is Historic Downtown Twin Falls. The interesting district is home to a mixture of shops, galleries and restaurants, and it hosts a variety of community entertainment events.

Learn more about businesses in Twin Falls, ID.