People come to self storage facilities often times because the clutter and mess that they have at home or in the office has become too much for them to bear. Being able to use a self storage unit to alleviate the burden—to take the load off—can be an invaluable relief to the tenant. [More]

When the Idaho Land Board purchased Affordable Self Storage in 2010 with the idea being that it was a good investment that would benefit the beneficiaries of the endowment well (i.e. public schools). Little did they realize that it would result in a controversy that would continue on long after the purchase was finalized. [More]

Sequels rarely work. Often times the second will be okay, but the third installment and on tends to be a miss as often as it is a hit; for examples see the fourth Star Wars movie, the last Indiana Jones, and the last six or seven of the Friday the 13th series. Much like the Friday the 13th series, the story that has developed around the purchase of a self storage facility by the state of Idaho does not appear ready to go away anytime soon. [More]

Now that Christmas is over, people the world over will be looking to get back into the working world just long enough to make it to New Year’s Eve. As the party dies down on the morning of January 1 there are likely going to be many people thinking about the new year ready to unfold in front of them and what their resolution may be. [More]

It has been over a year since the Idaho Department of Lands added a self storage facility named Affordable Self Storage to its portfolio for $2.7 million. Since the purchase was completed there has been an ongoing controversy on whether it is appropriate for the state to get involved in such a business enterprise that is in direct competition with so many privately held facilities. [More]

The government purchase of Affordable Self-Storage in Boise, Idaho, last year has always been a controversial one, especially with self storage operators and local business owners who cried foul, accusing Idaho of competing unfairly with the private sector. Now two key players in the purchase – Gov. C.L. “Butch” Otter and Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Luna - say they made a mistake when they voted to spend $2.7 million to buy the storage business and use the revenue to benefit Idaho public schools and other state institutions. [More]

The state government in Idaho probably had no idea what it was in store for when the Department of Lands decided to get into the self storage business by buying Affordable Self Storage in Boise for $2.7 million. The ensuing controversy has stirred up a lot of feeling about economic policies and the role that the government should/ should not be allowed to take in regards to private business. [More]

When the State of Idaho purchased Affordable Self Storage for $2.7million it was done with the same reasons in mind that any person has when it comes to investing, making money. Self storage facilities are a solid investment after all, something that will always be in need. Little did they realize the trouble that would ensue from this simple business transaction. [More]

When the state of Idaho got involved in the self-storage business by purchasing and operating Affordable Self Storage in Boise the move was met with a lot of resistance by local activists and community business owners. Most cited an unfair business advantage since it would not have to pay taxes, and others complained of the tax finds that the local schools would not get. [More]

Should state governments be running commercial real estate ventures? The subject is controversial, but a recent decision by the Idaho Lands Department to go into the self storage business is stirring up interest. Idaho’s Department of Lands purchased Affordable Self Storage of Boise two months ago and is running it as a tax-exempt business. [More]