Dignitaries and members of the community during a ceremonial turning of the soil Thursday morning for the groundbreaking of CEI’s new Future Tech Building. Watch highlights in the video above. | Video by Isabella Sosa-Salazar, EastIdahoNews.com

IDAHO FALLS – College of Eastern Idaho officially broke ground on its new Future Tech Building Thursday morning.

Construction on the 88,000-square-foot building is now underway in an empty field on the north side of the Idaho Falls campus. The two-level building will house energy, innovation and technology-related courses, such as cybersecurity and mechatronics, as well as IT and STEM programs.

“It’s constructed in a very open way. We don’t know what the careers are going to be in the future and it will be built in a way to accommodate that,” former CEI President Rick Aman tells EastIdahoNews.com.

RELATED | Construction slated to begin on new Future Tech building at CEI in June

In addition to classroom space, the building will have a conference center, field testing laboratories and a large gathering area for business and civic events, student group projects and bay space. Watch an animated fly-through of the building here.

The total cost of the project is about $50 million. Of that amount, about $32 million is being funded by taxpayers. The rest of the money is coming from grants and donations from the private sector.

The building is slated for completion in the fall of 2026.

During the groundbreaking, Aman noted this is his last official act as CEI’s president. Lori Barber, who previously served as the vice president of Academic and Student Affairs, was appointed to fill the role in June, which went into effect Thursday.

RELATED | College of Eastern Idaho appoints new president

CEI is the only educational institution in Idaho without a career and technical education building, according to its website. These courses are in high demand and the new building will solve a lot of challenges with inadequate space and limited resources so CEI can provide a “state-of-the-art” education for students.

Aman is thrilled to end his tenure by seeing this project come to fruition after three years of planning.

“What a fitting end, what a wonderful completion for me in my tenure as president. I couldn’t be more proud,” Aman says.

RELATED | College of Eastern Idaho President Rick Aman to retire in July

Barber was heavily involved in planning for this building in her previous role and is excited to oversee its construction.

“I certainly can’t think of a more exciting way to begin this journey than by celebrating the start of something so transformative for our students, faculty, staff and the community,” Barber said during the groundbreaking. “We’re not merely constructing a building, we’re laying the foundation for a legacy that will inspire and endure for generations to come.”

Anderson Construction has been selected as the general contractor for the project.

WATCH HIGHLIGHTS OF THE GROUNDBREAKING IN THE VIDEO ABOVE.

Alturas Lake – 1,740 rainbow trout

This alpine lake is located in the Sawtooth National Recreation Area. The lake is approximately 21 miles south of Stanley and 30 miles northwest of Ketchum.

Bayhorse Lake – 2,000 rainbow trout

Anglers will find good catch rates at this drive-in mountain lake. Primitive campsites are available. While you’re in the area, check out Little Bayhorse Lake. The two lakes are connected by a mile-long hiking trail.

Little Bayhorse Lake – 1,000 rainbow trout

Anglers will find good catch rates at this drive-in mountain lake, either from shore or a small boat. 

Cape Horn Lake #1 – 400 rainbow trout

This is the larger of two picturesque lakes endowed with fish, lily pads, and frogs. Especially well-suited to float tubes or a small boat, this lake offers limited shoreline access. The area is good for wildlife viewing and is Stop #20 on the Idaho Birding Trail. Camping is available at nearby Forest Service sites. No facilities are available here.

Hayden Creek Pond – 800 rainbow trout

This is a family-friendly fishing area in the high desert along Hayden Creek. Anglers will find ample bank fishing opportunities and a dock for anglers with limited mobility.

Meadow Lake – 1,800 rainbow trout

At over 9,100 feet in elevation, this is the highest mountain lake you can drive to in this region. The snow-melt lake is a beautiful setting for a fishing and camping weekend with unique wildlife viewing opportunities. A Forest Service campground next to the lake offers a stunning view of the surrounding Lemhi Mountains.

Salmon River – Fish will be stocked as follows:

• Section #6 – Lower Stanley to Sunbeam Hot Springs – 400 rainbow trout
• Section #7 – Sunny Gulch Campground to Stanley – 400 rainbow trout
• Section #8 – Decker Flats to Buckhorn Bridge – 800 rainbow trout

Stanley Lake – 1,100 rainbow trout

Here is a large mountain lake you can drive to. This is a popular spot known for its breathtaking views of the Sawtooth Mountains. It offers great camping, fishing, and places for kids to explore nature.

Valley Creek – 500 rainbow trout

Take a break from the Salmon River and try out your casting skills fishing this creek that offers astonishing views in every direction!

LEAP housing is creating affordable housing units in Teton County, and those interested in buying and building their own home can apply to the program now.  

LEAP Housing is an Idaho-based nonprofit whose mission is to develop and preserve affordable housing while providing services to increase housing stability. It has partnered with groups in Boise, Nampa and Mountain Home to build affordable housing. For the first time, the nonprofit is making its way to eastern Idaho. 

The nonprofit is partnering with Sustainable Trades + Housing Partners, an affordable housing organization based in Driggs, to build a housing community of eight homes in Victor.

The selection process for homeowners will begin immediately, and interested individuals can apply on the LEAP Housing website. 

Who qualifies for affordable housing units through LEAP Housing?

Applicants must meet income requirements. Only income-qualified homebuyers at or below 80% of the area median income are eligible for the program. For example, a household of four making $68,300 or less would qualify for the homeownership opportunity. 

According to LEAP Housing, the buyers are the builders, meaning those participating in the program will build their own homes through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Mutual Self Help Program. The federal program brings below-market rate interest loans to home buyers and credits them with the sweat equity contributed directly to the project. 

This is the first USDA Mutual Self-Help program project LEAP is working on, LEAP Housing asset manager Becca Mathias told the Sun. 

Teton Region native Lindsey Love leads Sustainable Trades + Housing Partners and will direct and train each homeowner on building the homes. 

“The development is a beacon of hope for many in the community who have struggled with housing affordability,” Love said in a press release. “These homes will not only provide housing stability in our community but will also empower residents by involving them directly in the construction process. By building their own homes, future homeowners will gain valuable skills and a sense of ownership and pride in their community.”

LEAP Housing will oversee the development of the affordable housing community. They will guide and support homebuyers during the construction process. 

Bart Cochran, CEO of LEAP Housing, said this project is a significant step forward for Victor and Teton County. 

“We are committed to providing affordable housing solutions that are both sustainable and community-driven,” Cochran said in a press release. “These homes represent our dedication to innovative, eco-friendly building practices and the empowerment of residents throughout the state of Idaho.”

Cochran said this housing model is collaborative, and it serves to inspire other communities to address the affordable housing crisis with innovative and sustainable solutions. 

“Through partnerships, endurance, and unused funding pools, it is possible to create affordable housing in resort and rural communities throughout Idaho,” he said.