Kuna Economic Development

10/26/2026

26 in 2026’ Kuna Economic Development Info Campaign
📌Topic 22: Workforce Housing & Kuna's Competitiveness 🚧

WHY WORKFORCE HOUSING MATTERS – Housing is a Workforce Issue: Employers need workers & workers need places to live. Affordable, or attainable, housing expands the local labor pool. Housing stability improves employee retention. Shorter commutes improve quality of life & productivity. Communities that can house their workforce are better positioned to grow their economy.

HOW HOUSING IMPACTS COMPETITIVENESS – Workforce Housing = Economic Competitiveness. When workers cannot find housing: Employers struggle to recruit & retain talent. Businesses may choose not to establish themselves in Kuna. Businesses may delay expansion & investment. More people are forced to commute. Local spending & economic activity decline. Housing availability is an increasingly competitive advantage in attracting both employers & the talent they need to fill positions.

THE FORMULA FOR COMPETITIVENESS – People choose communities because of housing, jobs, schools, amenities, safety & quality of life. Businesses choose communities because of workforce availability, growth readiness & community support. Long-term success depends on attracting talent, supporting business investment & ensuring Kuna remains a place where people choose to live, work & build their future.

Feed back or questions? Email us at [email protected]!

10/12/2026

26 in 2026’ Kuna Economic Development Info Campaign
📌Topic 21: The Economics of Community Events 🍁

They Generate Economic Activity: Attract residents & visitors who spend money locally. Increase sales for restaurants, retailers & services businesses. Generate tax revenue through increased activity. Create economic benefits that extend beyond the event itself.

🍁Community events bring people & transform that attendance into local economic activity.

They Support Small Businesses & Entrepreneurship: Provide affordable sales & marketing opportunities. Help entrepreneurs test produces & build a customer base. Increase visibility for local businesses & makers. Encourage residents to shop locally & support small businesses.

🍁Community events strengthen the local business ecosystem.

They Create Vibrant, Attractive Communities: Activate downtowns, parks & commercial areas. Foster community pride & social connections. Create experiences that attract residents, workers & visitors. Encourage repeat customers to local businesses & destinations.

🍁A strong events calendar enhances quality of life, fosters community pride & helps create the vibrant places that attract residents, talent, businesses & investment.

Beyond Entertainment: Support local businesses by creating customer, visibility & sales opportunities. Strengthen community connections by bringing residents together & fostering local pride. Perpetuate our community culture by showcasing our assets & creating positive impressions on prospective visitors, residents & investors. Enhance quality of life by creating the experiences that make communities attractive places to live & work.

🍁Events turn community energy into economic momentum.

Feed back or questions? Email us at [email protected]!

09/28/2026

26 in 2026’ Kuna Economic Development Info Campaign
📌Topic 20: Small Businesses vs Large Employers: Why We Need Both

📣 SMALL BUSINESSES – Often the heart of a community, small businesses help make a community unique, connected & attractive to residents & visitors alike.

Community Benefits: Create local jobs & entrepreneurial opportunities. Contribute to a vibrant downtown & commercial districts. Offer products & services tailored to local needs. Support community events, schools & nonprofits. Help create a distinct sense of place.

📣 LARGE EMPLOYERS – A strong employment base creates opportunities for residents & provide customers that support local businesses throughout the community.

Community Benefits: Expand career opportunities for residents. Generate economic activity for local businesses. Attract new retail & service investments. Contribute to long-term economic stability.

Businesses of all sizes contribute to a vibrant Kuna by creating opportunities, supporting local investment & an increased overall quality of life for residents.
Feed back or questions?

Email us at [email protected]!

09/18/2026

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09/14/2026

26 in 2026’ Kuna Economic Development Info Campaign
📌Topic 19:Housing, Jobs & Traffic: The Connection

💼 Aligning Housing & Employment Opportunities
• Housing near jobs helps employees live closer to work.
• Housing shortages often push workers farther from employment centers.
• Mixed-use development brings homes, jobs & services together.
• Diverse housing options support a stable local workforce.
• Coordinated housing & job growth strengthens the local economy.
When housing & jobs grow together, communities benefit from a stronger workforce, shorter commutes & a more resilient local economy.

🚘 Shorter Commutes
• Housing near jobs reduces commute distances.
• Less commuting lowers vehicle miles traveled.
• Shorter commutes give people more time & flexibility.
• Employers benefit from larger, more accessible workforce.
When people can live closer to where they work, communities benefit from reduced travel demand, improved quality of life & a stronger workforce.

🚦 Reduced Traffic & Community Benefits
• Fewer & shorter trips reduce roadway demand.
• Less congestion improves travel reliability.
• Reduced fuel consumption lowers transportation costs for households.
• Lower traffic volumes can lessen roadway wear & support longer maintenance cycles.
• Less traffic supports healthier, more livable communities.
When people drive less, communities benefit from more reliable travel, lower household costs, longer-lasting roadways & improved quality of life.

Feedback or questions? Email us at [email protected]!

08/31/2026

26 in 2026’ Kuna Economic Development Info Campaign
📌Topic 18: A More Connected Kuna: Homes, Businesses & Community Together

🏬What is Mixed-Use Development? Living, shopping & working in the same area.
• Combines homes, businesses, offices, restaurants & recreation in one area.
• Creates walkable, connected neighborhoods.
• Gives residents more options close to home.
• Supports a balance of living, working & gathering places.
These places are designed for more than one purpose, making daily life more convenient.

🌳Why Mixed-Use Development is Gaining Popularity in Communities – Meeting the needs of growing communities:
• More opportunities to walk, bike or take shorter trips.
• Services & amenities located closer to residents.
• Supports local businesses & job creation.
• Encourages efficient use of land & infrastructure.
Mixed-use development helps communities grow in a more connected & intentional way.

🏡What Could this Mean for Kuna?
• More housing choices for different life stages.
• New local businesses, restaurants & services.
• Increased economic activity & employment opportunities.
• Community gathering spaces that strengthen neighborhood connections.
• Reduced need to drive across town for everyday needs.
Mixed-use development is a tool that can be used to help manage growth in a thoughtful way which creates convenience & opportunity while strengthening local connections.

Have feedback or questions? Email us at [email protected]!

08/19/2026

26 in 2026’ Kuna Economic Development Info Campaign
📌Topic 17: Shop Local, Strengthen Our Community 🛒

🛍Every Dollar Makes a Difference – When we choose local businesses & services, we’re investing in our neighbors, our families & our future. Why it matters:
• Local businesses create local jobs.
• More money stays in our community.
• Unique shops give our city its character.
• Strong businesses help support local services & events.
When you shop local, you’re helping build the community you want to live in.

🛍Local Spending Creates a Ripple Effect - What is spent locally doesn’t stop at the cash register, it helps:
• Business owners hire local employees.
• Employees spend money at other local businesses.
• Local organizations receive support & sponsorships.
• Our city continue to grow & thrive.
If every household shifted just a small portion of their spending locally, the benefits would multiply throughout the entire community.

🛍Together, Let’s Make Local Our First Choice – Supporting local can be easy, fun & impactful; we can all help strengthen our community by:
• Shopping local whenever possible.
• Buying gifts from local businesses.
• Dining at locally owned eateries.
• Hiring local services.
• Participating in community shopping events like “Small Business Saturday” in November & other “Shop Local” events.
• Sharing your favorite local businesses with friend, family & on social media.
Don’t just live in Kuna, invest in Kuna because the future of our community isn’t somewhere else - it’s built by us.

Have questions or feedback? Let us know at [email protected].

08/10/2026

26 in 2026’ Kuna Economic Development Info Campaign
📌Topic 16: How Do We Maintain a Sense of Community in a Rapidly Growing City?

🌳Use Community Spaces to Connect Residents: Invest in parks, trails & recreation spaces that encourage residents to gather & build relationships. Leverage local destinations like Indian Creek & the Greenbelt as places for community activities & family events. Continue enhancing spaces where both long-time residents & newcomers can meet, interact & feel connected to Kuna.

📣Local Events – Where Residents Come Together: Expand popular City of Kuna events like Hometown Fair & Moonlight Movies. Expand popular Kuna Chamber of Commerce events like Kuna Days & Down Home Country Christmas. Support programs at the Kuna Arts & History Center that celebrate local art, culture & history. Encourage resident participation through events like Popsicles with the Mayor & other community engagement efforts.

⭐️How Do We Keep Community at the Center?: Introduce yourself to new neighbors. Attend local events, youth sports & school activities. Support local businesses, farmers/crafters markets & community organizations. Volunteer your time with schools, non-profits or community projects. Stay engaged with public outreach events as they are presented by the City. Serve on a local or municipal board or committee.

In a fast growing city, community remains strong when residents choose connection, involvement & neighborliness. Small actions by many people can help keep Kuna’s close-knit spirit at the center of its future.

Have questions or feedback? Let us know at [email protected].

07/23/2026

REPOST: Learn more about Farmers Alley Market of Kuna 🫜

Every 2nd and 4th Saturday from 10am-2pm!
📍 Kuna Grange - 189 Linder Ave

Shop local. Meet your neighbors. Support small businesses. We’d love to see you there! 💛

07/21/2026

26 in 2026’ Kuna Economic Development Info Campaign
📌Topic 15: Are We Planning For Public Transit? 🚌

🚌City staff & elected officials understand that public transportation is an important topic for many residents. As Kuna continues to grow, we remain engaged in discussion about transportation needs, mobility options & regional connectivity.

Our Commitment: Continue evaluating opportunities that could improve transportation access for Kuna residents.

🚌 The City has been actively communication with Valley Regional Transit (VRT) for some time to better understand what public transit service within Kuna could look like & whether it is feasible. Current discussions include:
• Potential transit stop locations
• Service & ridership considerations
• Operation & infrastructure requirements
• Funding & long-term sustainability

At this stage, no decisions have been made but conversations with VRT remain ongoing.

🚌 Providing public transit service requires substantial financial investment - current estimates indicate that establishing a single public transit stop could require approximately $1 million in city funding.

Because of these costs, the City must carefully evaluate any future transit opportunities to ensure they are financially responsible & aligned with community needs.

Existing Options: Several Commuteride van pool & car pool rideshare groups exist in Kuna. Check out sharetherideidaho.com to explore availability!

🚌 The City is also monitoring regional transportation efforts including COMPASS’s “High-Capacity Transit: Let’s Ride Treasure Valley Study (2024-2026)”. This study is exploring future transportation solutions that could benefit communities throughout the Treasure Valley.

Public transit remains an important topic & the City will:
• Continue positive communication with VRT.
• Monitor regional transit planning efforts.
• Evaluate future opportunities as they arise.
• Focus on solutions that best serve Kuna residents while remaining fiscally responsible.

Have feedback, questions or suggestions? Let us know at [email protected]!