[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 144 (Wednesday, September 3, 2025)]
[Senate]
[Page S6006]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                RECOGNIZING FRONTIER COMMUNITY RESOURCES

 Mr. CRAPO. Mr. President, with my colleagues Senator Jim Risch 
and Representative  Mike Simpson, we celebrate the 50th anniversary of 
Region IV Development, doing business as Frontier Community Resources, 
that has been utilizing the work of professional staff to help create 
thriving, vibrant southern Idaho communities.
  Founded in 1975 in Twin Falls, the organization is rooted in 
supporting access to resources. It has evolved over the decades to 
become a comprehensive economic development organization providing 
small business loans, technical assistance, and community development 
services across southern Idaho. Frontier Community Resources works 
closely with city and county officials, small business owners, local 
organizations, and community leaders to provide collaborative economic 
development, empowering commendable support for Idaho communities, 
especially rural communities. Through the organization's technical 
assistance, it provides hands-on support for important community 
projects, including water and sewer improvements, fire station 
construction, and community planning and revitalization. Frontier 
supports local businesses in accessing capital and helps with community 
project administration, such as conducting meetings to receive public 
input and preparing funding applications.
  The breadth of Frontier Community Resources' 25-person board of 
directors is indicative of its capacity to bring all aspects of 
economic development to the literal table to help rural communities 
succeed. Members of its board include representatives of Blaine, Camas, 
Cassia, Gooding, Jerome, Lincoln, Minidoka, and Twin Falls County 
Commissions, municipal elected and appointed officials, and individuals 
representing the education community and diverse private and public 
organizations.
  Frontier Community Resources has been instrumental in leveraging 
Federal and State resources to assist with projects, such as the 
construction of the Gooding County Emergency Medical Services Station, 
the Lincoln County Youth Center, city park improvement projects in 
Murtaugh and Heyburn, downtown revitalization projects in Fairfield and 
Jerome, the expansion of Burley's industrial wastewater system, 
improvements to the Senior Connection in Hailey, and much more. 
Frontier regularly holds community workshops to inform the public about 
available resources and administers a South-Central Idaho Brownfield 
Revitalization Program, providing funding for environmental assessment 
and contamination cleanup. Frontier also houses the Rural Economic 
Development Services, REDS, Program, linking rural communities to 
economic development resources.
  This community asset has provided resources to support small, local 
businesses, such as Silver Creek Hotel in Bellevue, 2nd South Market in 
Twin Falls, and Miracle Hot Springs in Buhl. Frontier Community 
Resources has also deservedly been recognized for its work as a pillar 
of economic development in the region. For example, it is the recipient 
of three 2025 Aliceann Wohlbruck Awards from the National Association 
of Development Organizations for its involvement in community 
initiatives ranging from childcare to affordable housing.
  We recognize the considerable challenges Idaho communities, 
especially rural communities, face when trying to access needed 
resources to maintain and grow. Navigating the web of requirements, 
regulations, and paperwork takes considerable time, assets, and a 
workforce that many rural communities simply do not have.
  The assistance and know-how the team at Frontier Community Resources 
brings to Idaho's rural communities offers more than new opportunities 
but also hope and encouragement. As we celebrate Frontier Community 
Resources' 50 years of contributions to strengthening an essential part 
of our great State, we commend the community leaders and partners who 
have shaped southern Idaho over the past five decades.

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