Duck Race
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President's
Welcome
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Members
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Rotator
Our Club Newsletter
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Youth Exchange
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Learning More
The Object of Rotary
About Idaho Falls
Rotary International
Rotary District 5400
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"Micropolis:
a town that offers most of the advantages of a big city,
with few of the disadvantages"-- Dan Cudaback
Idaho Falls is quite literally the definitive micropolis -- the term was coined here. The City of Idaho Falls has a population of just over 50,000. But it is the commercial hub for a large region extending to the borders of Montana and Wyoming (read as the borders of Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks). Since being founded as Eagle Rock as the Civil War ended in the East, Idaho Falls has been a classic Western crossroads town: first as river crossing, then as junction of key highways, now as the union of agriculture, high tech, and leisure industries.
The City is still a regional hub -- perhaps illustrated most dramatically by our medical community. Our micropolis boasts one of the top 100 hospitals in the country! (The Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center) There is even a second hospital in town to augment the region's services and choices (Mountain View Hospital).
Our high tech industry grew out of -- and along with -- the Idaho National Laboratory. Since 1949 the laboratory has pioneered research in energy (from nuclear reactors to hydrogen cars), environmental protection and remediation (from filtration to microbes that eat waste), and national security (from Navy subs, to satellites, to cyberspace). The private sector hosts innovative firms working in advanced manufacturing (particularly recreational goods and specialty metal fabrication); software development; and agricultural equipment and food processing.
Of course, the industry we're best known for remains our "Famous Potatoes." As extolled at www.idahopotato.com, "The soil, water, clean air and climate in Idaho contribute to those consistently high-quality potatoes that have made Idaho famous for so many years." Our farmers also grow some of the world's best malting barley and beef.
Eastern Idaho values education, hard work, families and fun.
The Tech Corridor -- from Pocatello in the south to Rexburg in the north -- hosts campuses of BYU-Idaho (Rexburg), Eastern Idaho Technical College (Idaho Falls), Idaho State University (main campus in Pocatello and University Place in Idaho Falls), and the University of Idaho (University Place in Idaho Falls).
Our town and region enjoy a thriving arts community -- the spectacular surroundings and relaxed pace of life foster the muses. The Idaho Falls Arts Council Regional Arts Calendar lists many of the events and venues in the region. Activities from classes, to gallery shows, to concerts and plays are available for all ages in all seasons. Science and history are also celebrated at the beautifully renovated Museum of Idaho.
And we can't quit bragging about our town without mentioning the great outdoors for which we're so well known: from our nationally accredited zoo in Tautphaus Park to the blue ribbon trout rivers and streams nearby; whether hiking, cycling, skiing or hunting in the the mountains that surround us; from 100+ mile views through the clean, dry air of Big Sky country to crystal views into pristine waters. We're a morning's drive from Yellowstone, the Tetons, and Sun Valley. That's quality of life to a lot of us!
Of course, the Greenbelt paths surrounding the Falls are a great place to warm up your legs for any activity. For more than a decade, the Great Snake River Green Belt Duck Race has been the financial catalyst for the park project -- and the race is a very fun summer event in it's own right.
The Idaho Falls Convention and Visitors Bureau provides a great overviews of our whole region -- including many, many links for fun and business.
