Pocatello was originally founded as an important stop on the first railroad in Idaho during the gold rush. Today Hawkins Companies has turned Pocatello into the premier shopping destination in South Eastern Idaho. With 271,046 square feet of shopping at stores like Lowes, Staples, Bed Bath & Beyond, Ross, PetSmart and Famous Footwear, Pocatello Square at Hurley Drive and Highway 91 is a shopper' s gold mine. In addition to the shopping, this project is a treasure in that Hawkins Companies was able to work along with Pocatello Development Agency in securing $7.3 million in tax incremental financing which allowed the surrounding public infrastructure to be put in place. These are just some of the reasons this nugget of a shopping center was awarded the Idaho Planning Association' s Outstanding Planning Award in 2005.