PSB's groundbreaking draws interest

SANDPOINT — Panhandle State Bank remained true to its Sandpoint roots Wednesday as the first ceremonial dirt was moved for PSB's 94,000-square-foot headquarters.

"My dream is to keep this company small while we grow," said CEO Curt Hecker. "Our home is Sandpoint so it makes sense to build this here."

More than 300 guests eyed the model of the beautiful facility. Moments after the ceremony was over, the heavy equipment was back to work with an eye on an opening date of next July.

"Panhandle State Bank does it right by investing community money back into the community," said Gov. Jim Risch. "The Panhandle State Banks of our state are the backbone of our state's economy."

Risch also announced Intermountain Community Bancorp as the state's first small company that has utilized the Idaho Business Advantage program. The two-year-old program gives tax incentives to businesses that create a minimum of 10 new jobs paying $40,000 and invests $50,000 on administrative facilities for each qualifying employee.

The state has to be business friendly, he said.

The crowd applauded the speakers several times and Risch received a standing ovation.

Risch also praised PSB's chairman of the board, Jack Parker, for his leadership in guiding the bank through some tough times in the early 1990s and helping to make Idaho's largest community bank the success it is today.

"Back then it was helping Merwin's and Taylor-Parker," he said. "Now it's helping Alpine Lumber and Diedrich Coffee."

The governor also earned applause when he mentioned he was going to assist with property tax relief and better fund Highway 95 improvements.

He also praised the state representatives for helping him fight for tax relief. Risch said he is very close to having the votes he needs to pass "permanent tax relief" in a special session.

But the bank's future and a new facility were the reasons the guests came.

"We are the largest community bank in the state and we are still growing and we are still a community bank," Parker said.

"We want this facility to be a community legacy," Hecker said.

Crews recently completed site preparation for the three-story financial complex that will showcase a 4,600-square foot glass atrium which will be used as a meeting place for civic and banking functions.

Complete with skylights and live pine trees, the enclosed atrium will also feature a cascading waterfall, period streets lights patterned after those in the downtown area and artwork from local artists.

Reaching 60 feet to the center of its peaked roof, the building will boast a mix of log columns and gabled entryways. Brick and a stucco exterior along with vertical banks of windows will front the bank's three entrances on Oak Street, Farmin Park and one facing its parking lot.

Contractors Northwest is the main contractor while Gordon Longwell and Associates is the architect.