SME Industries Opens New Steel Facility Near Pocatello Regional Airport, Bringing 100 Jobs to Southeast Idaho
CHUBBUCK — Local business leaders, city officials, and community members gathered at Chubbuck City Hall on Thursday to celebrate the expansion of SME Industries into a new steel fabrication facility in Southeast Idaho, a move expected to bring approximately 100 new jobs to the region.
The event, hosted by the Portneuf Valley Development Corp., welcomed SME Steel employees and introduced the company’s leadership to established members of the local business community. The new facility is located at 1463 Fortress St. near the Pocatello Regional Airport, on the site formerly occupied by metal fabricator Petersen Inc.
A Long-Standing Presence, A Significant Expansion
SME Steel is not a newcomer to the Chubbuck-Pocatello area. The company has maintained operations in the region since the 1990s, providing steel fabrication and erection services across commercial, industrial, sports facility, and governmental sectors. The new facility represents an expansion from its existing location at 3770 Pole Line Road — a sign that the company sees a long-term future in Southeast Idaho.
James Hutchison, director of marketing at SME, said the company’s growth is being driven by a robust workload and a deliberate decision to invest in the local workforce.
“SME is really in a great opportunity, because we’re growing, and there’s a lot of work out there that we are a part of,” Hutchison said. “We’re winning and we need to find a way to get it done. That really is what’s driving us down that path — looking into how we want to expand. I’ve said it before, Pocatello has the workforce that we are looking for, has skilled welders, craftsmen and hard workers.”
Hutchison pointed to the rise of large-scale technology construction projects — including data centers and semiconductor manufacturing facilities — as a major driver of demand for SME’s services. With companies like Micron Technology expanding their footprint in Idaho, Hutchison said SME is well-positioned to capitalize on that momentum.
“We have seen a huge rise in the tech space, whether it’s data centers or in microchips, and that’s been a huge advantage for us,” Hutchison said. “It has provided a lot of work that we’ve been able to secure and deliver on and continue to want to grow in.”
Economic Development Partnership Helped Seal the Deal
The Portneuf Valley Development Corp. played a central role in bringing SME’s expansion to fruition. The organization worked with the company on a tax reimbursement incentive designed to encourage businesses to remain and grow in the Chubbuck-Pocatello corridor — a model consistent with targeted economic development strategies that reward private-sector job creation without expanding government spending unnecessarily.
MiaCate Kennedy I, CEO of Portneuf Valley Development Corp., said Thursday’s luncheon was about more than just a ribbon-cutting moment. It was about building relationships that will sustain long-term economic growth.
“We have a really close relationship,” Kennedy said. “We worked on the incentive and here they are. They’re very close to my heart. I just wanted them to feel welcome and told them I would introduce them to the business leaders, because I think that is helpful when you’re first starting up.”
Kennedy emphasized that the 100 incoming positions represent exactly the kind of opportunity Southeast Idaho communities need — and should actively promote.
“These are amazing, good paying, fully benefited jobs that help the community,” Kennedy said. “We always hear there’s nothing coming, but there’s lots happening. This is just one example and the community should really champion these guys, because they’re a great company.”
Community Ties, Workforce Pipelines in the Works
Beyond filling immediate job openings, SME Steel’s leadership said the company is working to establish deeper roots in the local community. While no formal agreements have been finalized, Hutchison said conversations are already underway about internships, career pathways, and partnerships with area trade schools.
“We want to have a larger presence here and be a part of the community,” Hutchison said. “Part of that is — what can we do to educate a future workforce? How can we more ingrain ourselves in the trade schools? How can we be a bigger part of the community?”
That kind of long-range investment in workforce development reflects a private-sector approach to building skilled labor pipelines — one that benefits both the company and the broader Southeast Idaho economy without relying on government programs.
What Comes Next
SME Steel’s new facility near the Pocatello Regional Airport is expected to begin operations as the company transitions from its Pole Line Road location. The approximately 100 jobs tied to the expansion will target skilled tradespeople, including welders and craftsmen, with the company actively recruiting from the local workforce. Portneuf Valley Development Corp. is expected to continue its role facilitating economic development partnerships across the region. Community members interested in employment opportunities with SME Steel are encouraged to monitor the company’s hiring announcements as the new facility ramps up operations. For broader statewide economic news, visit idahonews.co, and for regional coverage across the Idaho News Network, visit IdahoNewsNetwork.com.