ProTech Fence's $13,000 Annual Investment Pays Off in State Honors and Quadrupled Growth
SHELLEY, ID – In a landscape often dominated by scale, the local success story of ProTech Fence highlights a potent formula for growth: deeply embedded community engagement and strategic investment in human capital. This month, brothers Dallin, Morgan, and Scott Jolley, who helm the east Idaho-based fencing and outdoor living company, were recognized as Idaho Small Business Persons of the Year. This accolade, the highest honor a state’s Small Business Association office can bestow, recognizes entrepreneurs who demonstrate robust growth, innovation, and significant contributions to community-oriented projects. For a company that consistently donates an average of $12,000 to $13,000 annually to local causes, this recognition validates a business model where local investment yields statewide acclaim.
From Garage Beginnings to Strategic Expansion
The genesis of ProTech Fence traces back to the 1990s when the Jolley parents, inspired by a vinyl fence, established the business from their garage. The company installed what Scott Jolley believes was the first vinyl fence in Idaho, laying the groundwork in Thomas, Idaho, and creating summer jobs for their six boys and two girls. However, as Dallin Jolley noted, the original venture, while good, wasn’t designed to "sustain careers for people." This vision for long-term employee prosperity, allowing individuals to "work 10, 20, 30, 40 years and actually create a lifestyle," spurred the brothers to acquire the business in 2017. Their ambitions were significantly aided by Zions Bank and the Small Business Administration, enabling an expansion that has seen them more than quadruple the company’s commercial real estate and extend operations to Rigby and Pocatello, according to a report from EastIdahoNews.com.
Strategic Investment in People and Place
Following the money at ProTech Fence reveals a deliberate strategy that prioritizes local stakeholders. One of the most telling financial decisions made by the Jolley brothers was to compensate their employees as the highest-paid in the fence industry locally. This move, initially perceived as a risk, has demonstrably paid off, fostering a thriving work culture and high retention rates. The company also regularly hires between five to eight high school students each summer, many of whom return in subsequent years. This commitment to competitive wages and youth employment not only builds a loyal workforce but also cultivates a strong reputation, with parents actively seeking out ProTech Fence for their children’s first jobs due to its positive environment. This strategic allocation of payroll dollars underpins a sustainable operational model.
Beyond internal investments, ProTech Fence demonstrates a profound commitment to its operational communities. The annual donations, ranging from $12,000 to $13,000, support a diverse array of local initiatives, including the Shelley Kiwanis Club, various school districts, sports programs, and 4-H. This financial outlay is complemented by personal civic engagement, with Dallin Jolley having served on the Shelley City Council and Scott Jolley currently serving on Bingham County’s Planning and Zoning Commission. These actions illustrate a belief that a business's health is inextricably linked to the well-being of its surrounding community, creating a virtuous cycle of support and growth. Such community involvement is a cornerstone of the philosophy espoused by organizations like the U.S. Small Business Administration, which champions local enterprise.
What This Means for Your Wallet
The story of ProTech Fence, updated as of 8:30 pm, May 13, 2026, offers a clear lesson in value creation. For consumers, engaging with a company that prioritizes its employees and community means supporting an enterprise with strong local roots and a proven track record of ethical practices. The investment in high-quality labor translates into superior service and craftsmanship, while community involvement builds trust and accountability. For local economies, this model demonstrates how businesses can achieve significant growth—becoming only the third company in the history of the Small Business Persons of the Year award to win from east Idaho—without sacrificing their core values. The continued flow of parents seeking employment for their 15- to 17-year-olds at ProTech Fence, along with the consistent annual community donations, will serve as tangible indicators of this model’s enduring success and its ongoing positive impact on the region.
