(Bannock County Press Release, November 6, 2026)
Well, we made it through Halloween, and now we’re moving into November! November is one of my favorite months. I love the beautiful fall season, Thanksgiving, and, most importantly, the opportunity to reflect on all the things I’m thankful for and spend quality time with family.
Last month, I addressed one of the questions we received about how we determine land values differently from how a real estate agent might value a property or how it might be priced if listed for sale.
I’ve decided to save the question that was the same as the one about land only for homes until December, but this month I want to address another great question:
How would the construction of an asphalt plant in Inkom affect surrounding property values? Would it have an impact at all?
This is an interesting and timely question, especially considering the various types of businesses and developments that have expressed interest in locating in our area. Throughout our county, we’ve heard discussions surrounding gravel pits, a company interested in setting up by Rio Vista Road, the proposed asphalt plant in Inkom, and even a potential data center. These types of developments naturally raise questions about how they might affect the surrounding communities and property values.
The honest answer is that it can be difficult to predict exactly how a particular development will affect property values until we see how the market responds.
Our approach to determining property values is largely market-driven. We look at what buyers are willing to pay and what sellers are actually receiving for their properties. We also consider whether certain factors are influencing buyer demand or making properties more or less desirable.
For example, if an asphalt plant were constructed and we continued to see properties in the surrounding area selling at comparable market prices, with no measurable decline in buyer demand or sale prices, then we would have no market evidence indicating that the plant was negatively affecting property values.
However, the opposite is also true. If buyers become less interested in living near the facility, properties take longer to sell, or sellers have to reduce their asking prices to attract buyers, those changes could indicate a negative impact on market values.
Ultimately, our responsibility is to follow the market and reflect what is actually happening, rather than assume a development will automatically increase or decrease property values.
It’s important to remember that every situation is different, and the impact can depend on several factors, including the location of the development, its proximity to residential properties, and how buyers and sellers respond over time.
These are important conversations for our community to have, and I appreciate everyone who takes the time to ask questions and stay informed. The more we understand how these types of developments can affect our area, the better equipped we are to evaluate their potential impact.
I hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving and start enjoying the beginning of the holidays.
~ Anita Hymas
Bannock County Assessor
