Growing Downtown Together

Downtown Idaho Falls has always had something special—an energy you can’t order online. Downtown is the warmth of familiar storefronts, and the simple joy of walking from shop to shop where people know your name.

Events have played a big part in that vitality. For years our IFDDC-hosted events have introduced new customers to our businesses, encouraged exploration, and invited both locals and visitors to experience the charm that sets a historic downtown apart from big‑box corridors.

As downtown has grown, so has the work required to keep it thriving. IFDDC is a nonprofit 501(c)(6), not a city department, though we work closely together. Our mission is to strengthen the heart of the city through events, beautification, economic vitality, and collaborative partnerships. When the city entrusted us with managing downtown parking, it expanded our ability to serve more than 240 properties—but it also added significant responsibility to a very small team.

Over the past year, we took a thoughtful look at how to best support the businesses and property owners who rely on us. With Board guidance, we evaluated our event lineup through three practical lenses: mission alignment, staff capacity, and the return on investment for downtown merchants. The result was a set of steady, mission‑driven adjustments.

We retired Winter Brew, Summer Brew, and Spring Brew—beloved traditions, but resource‑intensive, higher‑liability, and in direct competition with our bars and restaurants. At the same time, we doubled down on elevating the events that strengthen our Downtown Business Improvement District and deepen local partnerships. Paddy’s on Park and Oktoberfest now feature direct involvement from our bars and restaurants as sponsors and alcohol vendors, keeping dollars and relationships where they belong: in the hands of local businesses.

These decisions weren’t about doing less; they were about doing what matters and doing it well.

We’re directing our energy toward the work that builds a strong, sustainable downtown:

• Delivering safe, well‑run, appropriately scaled events
• Strengthening collaboration with the Merchant Association, city, county, and community partners
• Streamlining processes and adopting smarter technology
• Securing sponsorships from outside the district that don’t compete with merchants
• Protecting Business Improvement District funds and rebuilding meaningful programs
• Pursuing grants and long‑term funding to support healthy growth

This approach allows us to protect quality, safeguard resources, and ensure that merchants remain at the center of every decision we make.

We know trust is built through consistency, conversation and action. That’s why we’re investing in open dialogue: Board meetings, District Dialogue Events (coffee with executive director), 1:1 conversations, and a commitment to share regular updates about what we’re hearing and what we’re doing.

Downtowns don’t thrive by accident. They thrive because people choose to show up—steadily, collaboratively, and with a shared vision for what a historic District can be. Some challenges feel big, but big challenges don’t require giant armor. They require clear direction, unity, and a team that leads with logic, purpose, and heart.

We’re here. We’re committed. We’re your IFDDC. And we’re looking forward to what we can continue to build—together. We’ll see you at Paddy’s on Park, March 14, 3-7PM, Park Avenue.

P.S. Please arrange for a designated driver before attending the festivities. Nothing is more important than getting home safely to your loved ones.

Warmly,

Kerry Hammon

Executive Director

Idaho Falls Downtown Development Corporation