thinking of moving to Salmon or Challis

[spees5490]

Thanks MSR, I wanted to get the take on what the locals think, instead of a national organization. Sewing would be mostly supplemental income. I quite sure that i will have to have several things going to make a go of it in that area.

As for the farming, I was thinking 150 acres or less. I want to raise mostly sheep, chickens, goats, etc. That sort of thing. I do have most of the equipment, just not the property or the potential income here in MI. Our state unemployment here is 15.2 and Kalamazoo is 12.4. Lots of houses for sale from ex-auto workers and ex-Pfizer drugs employees. Anyone need a research scientist?

[Mtn. States Resident]

Originally Posted by spees5490

Thanks MSR, I wanted to get the take on what the locals think, instead of a national organization. Sewing would be mostly supplemental income. I quite sure that i will have to have several things going to make a go of it in that area.

As for the farming, I was thinking 150 acres or less. I want to raise mostly sheep, chickens, goats, etc. That sort of thing. I do have most of the equipment, just not the property or the potential income here in MI. Our state unemployment here is 15.2 and Kalamazoo is 12.4. Lots of houses for sale from ex-auto workers and ex-Pfizer drugs employees. Anyone need a research scientist?

spees5490,

You're welcome for any info I gave you or questions I asked that made you think about your plan a bit more. I know Pfizer has been very hard hit and I have some very strong feelings how some of that came down. I don't think the CEO needed the salary and benefits he received, but beyond that, well........ I think some had a point to make and Pfizer was selected..

If you are serious about a research scientist, I don't know your background, but you may want to check out the Idaho National Laboratory (INL) west of Idaho Falls. I hope to post a post soon to one of the many threads here on this forum about it. Like other topics, it is easy to research using the search features of this forum.

While it started primarily as nuclear with the Navy and has been designated the lead nuclear lab in the U.S., besides next generation nuclear work, INL has many other missions.

Given that many are for various areas of the government and the various services (i.e. Air Force) etc., not much is said of some of that work in Idaho.

Homeland Security is another major mission. Who knows how much we don't know? What we do know is INL is receiving multiple awards for R & D for work done to date. And new businesses are resulting from that technology transfer. There are other areas of Homeland Security too, but those aren't talked about as much - perhaps it takes the right clearance? At least it kee[s winning awards, bringing scientists in from various countires to improve security systems etc. And energy and environment is the third.

INL participates in a lot of collaborations with universities throughout the U.S. Last week they had about 8-10 different countries working together to learn more about nuclear. Cyberspace "war games," also draws close to a dozen nations coming to Idaho Falls to compare security tips etc. researched and updated at the lab.

While the lab isn't officially into human or companion medicine designs, never say never. It may be worth your time to look at INL and everything happening at the lab. The Center for Advanced Energy Studies (CAES) is also another new project which started less than a year ago with a new building including classrooms, labs etc. to train nuclear scientists from around the world.

Our resident expert about many things INL is breer23 who moved to Idaho Falls last year to complete his Ph.D. You may want to DM him directly to learn more about the nuclear aspect. If you do, please tell him I sent you. Otherwise, www.INL.Gov will put you at the main entrance to INL, at least in cyberspace.

Research scientist can cover a lot of ground...biochemistry, engineering, nuclear, genetic or molecular biology etc. It may be you have have training and techniques being used for certain types of research at INL. You may want to look in the category of "Other," to see what other types of work the lab is doing, at least the programs that can be talked about openly.

I've gone about 180 degrees off course here and you weren't asking about jobs, at least not in your first post. Salmon in kind of far for where the majority of research occurs at INL. However, there are lots of farms and areas in the Arco area if you find anything at INL that interests you professionally.

I don't know if you are absolutely set on living in a small area and working on various projects, or if you were thinking outside of the box of how to continue to enjoy life in an area not hit with a double digit employment rate, for many years.. Another company in Idaho Falls employees a lot of research scientists. And in this year of such a bad economy, they just broke ground or another buildling on their campus. Please send me a DM if you want the name of that company, as I truly don't know if your most important goal is to live in Salmon and support yourself in whatever manner you can bring with you. Or, if you are liking possibilities in Idaho and weren't aware of the high tech things happening, you may want to learn more.

Oh, three other things. First, around 2011, Areva a French conglomerate plans to break ground about 15 miles west of Idaho Falls to build a $2 billion plant for uranrium enrichment. You can research Areva here on CDF in Idaho. Quality control jobs often utilize many of the skills and require the training of a research scientist.

Secondly, one fact I failed to mention about INL and why it is useful to learn more on your own (if you are interested), is there are many different companies working at INL. The main contractor BAE has many subcontractors who work on only on certain projects. The place still to look for more info is with www.INL.Gov, and you can get directed to other websites if needed.

Finally, several spin offs have been developed from INL. Among them Northwind (check out what this female, minority owner has built from the ground) and International Isotopes, which will also be expanding and everyone hopes that will mean expanding more in Idaho Falls vs. other field offices established from the home Idaho Falls office.

INL researchers and scientists submitted 4 entries recently into the major R and D competition. Three of them one first place. Consequently, spin off businesses are already beginning from them. We're not allowed to advertise businesses here and I don't wish to break that request. However, this I think if is worth while to mention here (and in an INL post) about a brand new Cybertechnology company based out of Idaho Falls. It's important to mention as technology transfer from the R & D at INL is part of the mission. To create new business opportunities from principles learn at INL.

If you get a chance, you may want to check out this name: RFINITY on your favorite search engine. Be prepared to see the awards handed out in San Jose for this new mobile encryption technology. Check out the board of directors for RFINITY.

Eastern Idaho has a lot of research scientists, it simply depends on the field. The joke often told about Idaho Falls is it is the city where more Ph.D's dirve pick-ups than any other city in the U.S. It wouldn't be as funny to me if it weren't so true.

Hopefully, I've given you some new ideas to think about. Salmon is absolutely beautiful. If your heart is set on living there, you'll make it happpen somehow. If you wish to continue working in some type of research, don't discount what eastern ID is careully assembling. You may have even a better idea of what you could bring to the area.

There is an organization called, Grow Idaho Falls. It does center more around Idaho Falls/Ammon and all things INL/Areva. However, you may find talking to Linda Martin or someone else there is worth your time to determine whether or not you have the skills (or ideas) that companies who may have contacted Grow Idaho Falls might be interested in. Grow Idaho Falls serves, for lack of better, words as sort of a match maker of sorts. Linking ideas, personnel and leaders into real business opportunities and creating more jobs in eastern ID is what they do. How they accomplish that goal with each company differs as needed. That isn't their only function, but it is absolutely where the majority of their time/effort is spent. Or, in turn, you may interest Grow Idaho Falls in original ideas. You can reach the organization at: Grow Idaho Falls to learn more.

Perhaps we can DM about some of the Pfizer work you've do or your interests. Clinical research is alive and well in the Idaho Falls area. I see opportunities that some don't, if they don't totally understand how that entire process works. That isn't to knock anyone, but in the world of today's regs, and multi-national work, let alone the various parties involved from sponsors, CROs, primary sites, data managment etc... I see a lot of opportunity for Idaho and people who undertand how things are done. Data could be managed just as well in Idaho as NJ or PA, IMHO. Especially with the Cyberspace Unit at INL making sure data stored online in what I call "vaults," is safer than nit may be currently

Thank you for posting the unemployment in MI. Sometimes I think people in the west or in ID don't realize what it means to have the security of a job, given what MI has been through.

Sorry this is so long. Let's just say we have some common interests professionally, I suspect. Anything more specific than that needs to go in a DM, please?!

Let me know if you have other questions I can answer. I have limited knowledge about living in Salmon and if that is what you're heart is set on doing.........then go for it. There are people in eastern IDwho have second homes in the Salmon area, while working closer to a regional airport to make deadlines and distribute goods made etc.

I wish you the best of luck in making the decisions for this part of your life.

MSR

[spees5490]

Thanks MSR,
Actually I was asking about research for my son who is going for a Ph'd in science. I am a lowly artist/business owner. But, thanks for the info. I love Idaho and want to move there. Mostly, I want some place to do some farming (small scale) and sew for people. I also want to attend ISU in art. I will tell my son about what you told me though.
Thanks lots
Candace

[Mtn. States Resident]

Originally Posted by spees5490

Thanks MSR,
Actually I was asking about research for my son who is going for a Ph'd in science. I am a lowly artist/business owner. But, thanks for the info. I love Idaho and want to move there. Mostly, I want some place to do some farming (small scale) and sew for people. I also want to attend ISU in art. I will tell my son about what you told me though.
Thanks lots
Candace

You are very welcome. Thanks for the other note too.

ISU for art, would that be through ISU- Pocatello or ISU - Idaho Falls, or something online etc.? You may also want to check out U of I in Idaho Falls. Closer yet, but not certain of the tution would be BYU- Idaho. That website is: Brigham Young University - Idaho. Also, you won't be too far away from Montana State University in Bozeman, but I don't know what tuition would be for out-of-state. That address is: Montana State University. It's always nice to have more options.

University Center in Idaho Falls is: University Place in Idaho Falls.

So far the crop prices look fairly good in eastern ID, so I'm not sure how rentals for farms will be when you arrive. That is one of those things you'll just have to see what is available when you're here.


Best wishes for everything connected to your move.
MSR

[spees5490]

Thanks MSR
I am looking at ISU for a specific art program. I am a fiber person and they have a weaving program that I haven't found anywhere else. I may have to live there for a year to become a resident first. That out of state tuition is a killer! I am saving up for the visit and the move. I feel I will have enough to keep me going for the first year. I also hope to have my business (window treatments) there.

Hopefully, during the week of Thanksgiving, I will be making a trip there to check out ISU and possible rentals. I spoke with the admissions office in Pocatello and one woman had moved there from Nebraska. She spoke about how much more economical it is to live there. I am hoping for the best!
Candace

[Mtn. States Resident]

spees5490,

Check your DMs. You should have two. Please read the one sent the earliest first. Then read then second one, or it won't make sense.

MSR

[jadbad2004]

Originally Posted by spees5490

Hi
I am planning to move to Idaho within the next 9 months. I am looking at the Salmon area and wondered if someone would help me.

I wanted to know about the winter roads. How are they to travel on? If I had to travel to other towns or cities, what would it be like? I think we have more snow here in SW Michigan as we average 20 inches per month.

I am planning to move my custom window treatment/sewing business there and also farming. Are there any small farms in that area to rent?

I have done a lot of research, but feel it is best to get advice from the locals.
Thanks

I have been away for awhile, but as far as renting farms, you may run across a rental with 5-15 acres, but thats about the limit. We have no next day delivery service from USPS, UPS, or Fed Ex it is always 2nd day Air, but UPS and Fed Ex are in town everyday. If you are planning on driving to Idaho Falls in the winter, you will have to stay up on the weather, I understand Michigan gets more snow, but you are talking crossing Mountain passes in the winter is a whole other issue, and much more dangerous. The hardest month for traveling is March, that is when more severe weather hits the mountains, if traveling to Challis, which is an hour south, it's a pretty decent route and winter driving isn't as bad. We do not have a custom window treatment/ sewing in the area but a few people do it from their home, I could not tell you how well that works, I am not familiar with it. Please feel free to dm me if you need more info than that. I would be happy to help.

[spees5490]

Thanks jadbad2004. I am doing research right now. I like that area, but not sure how well I would do in that community due to my financial ability to stay afloat.

I am also looking at a couple of other areas. One is Pocatello so I can take college classes and the other is Sandpoint where there is a farm/ranch that may be available. I am talking to the owners right now.

I can't wait to move out there. I am planning to stay here until next spring as I am taking classes right now. I will be visiting there during Thanksgiving for about a week. I can't wait.

Thanks for the info
Take care
Candace