December 2025

Vanessa Fry

Dr. Vanessa Fry has been awarded National Science Foundation funding through Boise State University’s TRANSFORM Seed Grant program for a new two-year project examining the economic, cultural, and community development impacts of Idaho’s music industry called Amplifying Impact: A Scalable Model of Engaged Scholarship for Measuring Idaho’s Music Industry. Led by Dr. Fry (PI), the project team includes Dr. Nicole Molumby and Dr. Amanda Ashley from Boise State’s School of the Arts, Matt Wordell, PhD student in Public Policy and Administration, and Nathan Walker of Music Idaho and Duck Club Entertainment. Two student researchers, Shovanne Bostaph and Bri Dickens are also supporting the project. Using Treefort Music Fest as an illustrative case within a statewide analysis, the project will launch Idaho’s first Music Census, combining economic modeling with community-engaged data collection to better understand music’s role in workforce development, placemaking, and entrepreneurship across urban and rural Idaho. The work is made possible through support from Boise State’s TRANSFORM Community-Engaged Research Track (Track 2) and reflects strong collaboration among university researchers, students, and statewide music and arts partners.

Associated Taxpayers of Idaho Conference

Matthew May

On December 3rd, Research Scholar Matthew May attended the 2025 Associated Taxpayers of Idaho Conference. With a keynote address from Idaho Governor Brad Little, the conference focused on Idaho’s economy, potential statewide impacts from national legislation, and campaign lobbying and finance.

Interview with KBOI-TV CBS 2

Matthew May

Research Scholar Matthew May recently spoke with KBOI-TV CBS 2 to discuss the impacts of tax cuts on public services and if Idahoans are feeling financial strain, particularly with regards to housing. Read the article here.

November Realty Report

Maria Onaindia, McAllister Hall, Anika Cathcart

Check out November’s Market Update – full of realty stats on Ada, Elmore, Canyon, and Gem counties. Learn more about the realty market in Southwestern Idaho through our monthly report with Boise Regional Realtors.

Vanessa Fry Elected President of the Board of AUBER

Research Faculty Vanessa Fry was recently elected as President of the Board of AUBER (Association for University Business and Economic Research). Focused on providing applied economic research to communities throughout the US, AUBER is an organization that supports economic centers and professionals. Learn more about the leadership team and the history of the organization.

Student Researchers – Thank You!

Student Researchers Adam Pendergrass, Parker Case, and Anika Cathcart recently wrapped up their semester with IPI. While at the Institute, they completed the Sit-Ski User Experience project for the Wood River Ability Program and individually contributed to many other community projects. We’re thankful for their time with us and can’t wait to see all they accomplish in the future!

• Boise State celebrates research award ‘firsts’ – for university and for state, Boise State News, December 3 2025
• A ‘regressive’ tax policy and potential impacts on public service, KBOI, December 15 2025