News

To ensure a continuing supply of telephone numbers, the new 986 area code will be added to the area served by 208. This is known as an area code overlay. Get ready to change the way you dial your local calls!

An overlay is the addition of another area code (986) to the same geographic region as an existing area code (208). An overlay does not require customers to change their existing area code. Who will be affected? The 208 area code covers the State of Idaho. The new 986 area code will serve the same geographic area currently served by the existing 208 area code.  What will be the new dialing procedure? To complete local calls, the new dialing procedure requires callers to dial the 10-digit telephone number (area code + the 7-digit telephone number). This means that all calls in the 208 area code that are currently dialed with seven digits will need to be dialed using 10-digit telephone number. The same dialing procedure will apply to telephone numbers assigned to the new 986 area code. Calls that are currently local will continue to be local, even though 10-digit dialing will be required. When will the change begin? Beginning August 5, 2017, you must use the new dialing procedures, as described above for all calls. After this date, if you do not use the new dialing procedures, your calls will not be completed and a recording will instruct you to hang up and dial again. Beginning September 5, 2017, new telephone lines or services may be assigned numbers using the new 986 area code. What will you need to do? In addition to changing your dialing procedures, all services, automatic dialing equipment, or other types of equipment that are programmed with a 7-digit number will need to be reprogrammed to use the new dialing procedures. Some examples are stored telephone numbers in contact lists in wireless phones, life safety systems, PBXs, fax machines, Internet dial-up numbers, security gates, speed dialers, call forwarding settings, voicemail services, etc. You may also want to check your website, business stationery, printed checks, contact information, pet ID tags, or advertising materials to ensure the area code is included. Important safety and security equipment, such as medical alert devices, and alarm and security systems must be programed to use 10-digit dialing.  Many systems operate on 10-digit dialing by default but some older equipment may still use 7-digits.  Please contact your medical alert or security provider if you don’t know whether your equipment needs to be reprogrammed to accommodate the upcoming change to 10-digit dialing. What will remain the same? ·         Your telephone number, including current area code, will not change. ·         The price of a call, coverage area, or other rates and services will not change due to the overlay. ·         What is a local call now will remain a local call. ·         You will still dial 1+area code + telephone number (11-digit dialing) to place long-distance calls within either the 208 Area Code or the 986 Area Code. ·         You will still dial just three digits to reach 911. ·         If 211, 311, 411, 511, 611, 711 or 811 are currently available in your community, you will still dial these codes with just three digits. Who may you contact with questions? If you have any questions regarding information provided in this notice, please call Farmers Mutual Telephone Company at (208)452-2000 or access the following websites for more information: www.puc.idaho.gov or www.fmtc.com.

Fruitland, ID—Jolts & Juice celebrated its Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting with more than 100 people on Thursday, June 29th. Fruitland Mayor, Ken Bishop, Chamber Executive Director Kimberly Burgess, Chamber Leadership and community members were present to welcome Jolts & Juice to Fruitland.

“We are thrilled to have Jolts & Juice as part of the Fruitland Chamber of Commerce and our business community,” said Kimberly Burgess, Executive Director, Fruitland Chamber of Commerce.  

Jolts & Juice is located at Pennsylvania Avenue, Fruitland, ID 83619 and is open for business Monday – Wednesday, 6am – 7pm; Thursday – Friday, 6am – 8pm; Saturday, 7am – 8pm and Sunday, 7am- 5pm.  

We are excited to open in Fruitland, commented owner Todd Heinz, during the official ceremony which drew crowds to their new patio space for the occasion. Heinz also has store fronts in Ontario and Caldwell, making Fruitland his third.

Jolts & Juice, opened its doors at the Fruitland location in January and offers coffee, smoothies, tea, craft beer and wine as well as light breakfast and lunch options. They also have the only large coffee house patio and outdoor entertainment space in the Fruitland area.   

Jolts & Juice can be reached at (208) 452-4166 and can be found online at www.joltscoffee.com, or via Facebook at www.facebook.com/joltsandjuicecompany, or Instagram. 

Fruitland, ID—Modern Auto Service welcomed more than 130 people at its Grand Opening and Ribbon-Cutting ceremony held on Thursday, April 20th. Fruitland Mayor Ken Bishop, Chamber Leadership and community members were present to welcome Modern Auto Service to the neighborhood.

“The Grand Opening represents the culmination of a lot of hard work. We are thrilled to have Modern Auto Service as part of the Fruitland Chamber of Commerce and our community,” said Kimberly Burgess, Executive Director, Fruitland Chamber of Commerce.  

Modern Auto Service is open Monday – Friday from 8:00am – 5:00pm and is located at 1225 S Pennsylvania Ave, Fruitland, ID 83619.

“We are grateful for the tremendous support of the community and exciting to offer our service,” said owner Ryan Baxter.

Modern Auto Service, opened its doors in January and offers everything from basic oil change services, to diagnostic and major engine repair. They also offer complimentary pickup and delivery and have loaner vehicles for their customers.

They can be reached at (208) 452-2886 and found online at www.modernautoservice.net, or via Facebook at www.facebook.com/modernautoservice. 

Fruitland, Idaho, February 22, 2017 – The Board of Directors of the Fruitland Chamber of Commerce are pleased to announce Kimberly Burgess has been named the new Executive Director, effective February 1, 2017.

Burgess brings a wealth of experience to her new role. Working for the last 17 years in the nonprofit sector managing programs for the American Heart Association and Junior Achievement of Oregon & SW Washington. She has also worked at two Chamber of Commerce in New York and Illinois and has a passion for all things local.  

“I am thrilled to bring my experiences and talents to Fruitland,” said Burgess. “I am a small town girl, raised on a dairy farm in northern Vermont.  I own a small business and understand the importance of being connected to other business owners in the community.”

The Board of Directors conducted a local search in January which generated several qualified applicants. “After a very thorough search, we selected Kimberly.  She possesses a wealth of knowledge and experience in the nonprofit sector and as a small business owner in her own right.” said Matt Frye, Chairman of the Board.

The newly reestablished Fruitland Chamber of Commerce currently supports 32 members and has been active since September 30, 2016.

“Our mission is to support local business and our community through effective collaboration," said Frye. “With Kimberly’s vast knowledge, experience, and her ability to connect with other small business owners as the Fruitland Chamber Executive Director, the chamber will undoubtedly provide local businesses opportunities for growth and collaboration on a go forward basis.”                             

###

For more information on the Fruitland Chamber of Commerce or our upcoming events visit, our website at http://fruitlandchamberidaho.org

Over two hundred people attended the ribbon cutting and grand opening of the new offices of Reece M. Hrizuk, Attorney at Law located at 224 S.W. 3rd Street in downtown Fruitland on Friday, November 4th.  When asked why he chose to move his location to downtown Fruitland, Hrizuk cited his commitment to revitalizing downtown Fruitland, which he called the "heart and soul of the Fruitland Community." Hrizuk's ribbon cutting also marked the first official ribbon cutting of the new Fruitland Chamber of Commerce.

Photo by Alaura Harps Photography.

You found us! Hopefully you have heard that a new Fruitland Chamber of Commerce has been formed. The official date was September 30, 2016 but it all started back in the spring when the Fruitland Community events Committee held a lunch and invited local businesses to begin the discussion. It was with great enthusiasm that a committee was formed to research further. After a ton of work and bylaws being drafted, a Board of Directors was recently appointed. Let the good work continue!