Idaho Falls tells businesses to prepare now for next year’s eclipse

The August 21, 2017 eclipse is closer than you think. Several regional cities including Mackay, Idaho Falls, Rigby, Rexburg, Jackson and other cities are directly under the path of the eclipse. While the event is still months away, many local hotels that already offer reservations are filled to capacity.

“It’s hard to anticipate exactly how many people are going to come here, but we anticipate anywhere between 40,000 to 60,000 people,” said Michelle Holt, the CEO of the Idaho Falls Chamber of Commerce.

The expected crowds is one reason why the Idaho Falls Chamber of Commerce held an informational meeting at Eagle Rock Middle School.

“The scope and scale of what’s going to happen are really going to create some opportunities for businesses and organizations,” said Holt. “(It will also create) some challenges and consequences that maybe we wouldn’t be prepared for if we didn’t start talking about it now.”

Holt says some of the challenges are obvious. Things like traffic, lodging, and emergency services are already being looked at by cities and area businesses “Some things might not be as obvious like the availability of enough bathrooms in public spaces,” said Holt to an audience at the chamber meeting.

Astrophysicist Jeffrey Bennett of the University of Colorado was one of the guest speakers at today’s meeting, he said eastern Idaho will be one of the best places to see the eclipse and expects huge numers.

“The path is relatively narrow, it’s less than 100 miles wide. And you have to be right on it to see totality. Idaho Falls and Rexburg are right on that path, but even as far south as Pocatello is too far south. So everyone south of there, even as far south as Salt Lake City, this is the place to come,” said Bennett.

More information about the eclipse as well as information on events surrounding the eclipse can be found at http://eieclipse.com/

Also Nerd Alert: If you’re into these types of celestial events, a calendar with all future solar and lunar eclipse can be found at http://www.timeanddate.com/eclipse/