Our Impact
With the help of business and civic leaders, we’re making our community an even more desirable place to live, do business, and visit. Our projects fall into four main categories; Agricultural Initiative, Building Community, Downtown Evolution, and Business Support.
Meet Our People
Agriculture Initiative
A part of the Agricultural Initiative leg of our organization, we aim to protect Caldwell's land for agricultural purposes. While some of our efforts are invested in working with and educating our civic leaders about how to protect this asset with legislation, we have seen the most success in helping small family farms grow their customer base and add tourism as an additional revenue source.
Our Accomplishments
- Since 2013, we have secured $170,000 in grant funds to support tourism marketing
- Created a new, modern website for the Sunnyslope Wine Trail Association
- Created and launched the AgVenture Trail in 2019
- Created the weekly Farm to Fork Farmers’ Market at Indian Creek Plaza
Downtown Evolution
Revitalizing downtown Caldwell has been the focus of our efforts since day one. While these efforts were started as a committee through the Chamber of Commerce, we quickly realized this was a large-scale project best served by a new organization. Roger Brooks, Tourism and Downtown Expert, was hired in 2013 to create a Branding, Development, and Marketing and Action Plan that we are still following today. The City of Caldwell committed to downtown's evolution by building Indian Creek Plaza and Destination Caldwell works n partnership with the city to manage and program it.
Our Accomplishments
- Raised $60,000 to have a professional assessment and economic development plan created for downtown Caldwell in 2013
- Branded Caldwell as Idaho’s premier gathering place with a focus on locally produced wines along the Sunnyslope Wine Trail, market fresh goods and farm to fork dining
- Worked with the City of Caldwell and the Caldwell Urban Renewal Agency to create plans for and build a public square, Indian Creek Plaza
- Helped create and administer the Business Improvement District to provide partial funding for the operations of Indian Creek Plaza, including, but not limited to, management and staffing, scheduling, marketing, beautification and programming of year-round events at the Plaza
- Raised capital funds to furnish and supply operational equipment for Indian Creek Plaza
- Sourced a grant to design and build the Musical Art Park on the corner of Arthur Street and 7th
- Recruited 13 new businesses to downtown Caldwell due to the opening of Indian Creek Plaza
Business Support
To see continued growth, ensure downtown Caldwell is known for farm to fork dining, and give tourists an attractive place to start and end their day, the retail district needs more businesses. In our recruitment efforts, we have developed offering to make it easy for business owners and investors to get the information they need about Caldwell as well as have support so they can be successful once established.
Our Accomplishments
- Developed business recruitment materials containing statistics and information
- Helped multiple businesses navigate complicated city ordinances / Advocated for businesses during city council meetingsÂ
- Helped business owners establish the Downtown Caldwell Merchant Association
- Created the ‘Farm to Cork’ Certification in 2019 to help market restaurants serving more than 75% wine from the Sunnyslope Wine Trail
- During the 2020 Stay at Home order we created and maintained a list of open businesses downtown, provided downtown business owners with financial and free publicity resources and encouraged our community to support local businesses online through email and social media
Building Community
As for the Building Community leg of our organization, we are responsible for the management, programming, and operations of Indian Creek Plaza for the City of Caldwell, a public plaza in the heart of downtown Caldwell’s retail district. It is our promise to the City of Caldwell to hold at least 150+ activities and events per year. We have also been able to create several programs that address the 5 miles surrounding downtown Caldwell.
Our Accomplishments
- From July to December 2018, we held 119 events and activities at Indian Creek Plaza bringing 94,000 visitors and 23,000 ice skaters to downtown Caldwell
- In 2019, we held 315 events and activities at Indian Creek Plaza bringing 200,000 visitors and 35,000 ice skaters to downtown Caldwell
- Since 2018, our annual program the Sk8 Ribbon Coalition, offering mentorship and free ice skating lessons to youth, has served hundreds of at-risk middle and high school students
- Starting in 2020, our farmers market will accept EBT and offer a 1:1 match with ‘Double Up Bucks’ giving low-income families access to fresh, local food
Growing our Future … Together
The work done by Destination Caldwell would not be possible without our generous donors, partners and sponsors. Please help us continue our work by donating today, naming a feature on Indian Creek Plaza, or by sponsoring one of our events. Unable to give? Help us by supporting our partners or by volunteering your time.
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