Business Facilities - June 2008 - (Page 38)

BUSINESS REPORT Idaho By Bill Trüb The Gem State Polishes Its Economic Equities Idaho’s whirlwind of new business announcements, financial incentives, and commerce Web sites is reshaping the state’s economic forecast. I daho has established industry clusters in the fields of recreational vehicle manufacturing, high technology, aeronautics, and food production. But over the last year, Southeastern Idaho has seen expansion and growth in the alternative energy sector, supported by the collaboration of Idaho National Laboratory (INL) and Idaho State University’s (ISU) Accelerator to create the Energy Systems Technology and Education Center on ISU’s campus. This center will focus on training workforce for the energy industry. This enhances the Idaho Technology Corridor in the southeast of the state, where recent companies including Peterson Incorporated (wind towers and nuclear energy), Hoku Materials (solar energy), Nordic Windpower (wind turbines), and Premier TechIDAHO FAST FACTS Population (2006): 1,466,465 Largest Cities (2006): Boise, 198,638; Nampa, 76,587; Meridian, 59,832; Pocatello, 53,932; Idaho Falls, 52,786 Targeted Industries: Aerospace, green and alternative energy, biotech manufacturing, semiconductors manufacturing and suppliers, food processing, outdoor recreation equipment manufacturing and distribution Key Incentives: Idaho Corporate Advantage, Idaho Business Advantage, New Jobs Income Tax Credit, 3% Investment Tax Credit nology (nuclear energy) have chosen to locate. But the most recent boost to Idaho’s energy growth has been the addition of Areva, a French company that announced its decision in May to locate its first U.S. uranium enrichment facility in Bonneville County, ID. The $2 billion plant will be built 18 miles west of Idaho Falls, close to INL, and will employ more than 1,000 workers to construct the building, which will be operational by 2014. The Regional Development Alliance estimates the overall economic impact to the region will be approximately $5.1 billion, and more than 250 people will be employed full-time to process natural uranium for use in U.S. commercial nuclear power plants. “While we had several attractive sites to choose from, we opted for Idaho Falls, which has strong ties to nuclear energy, and which welcomed Areva and its proposed enrichment facility to become a new member of its community,” says Michael McMurphy, president of Areva Inc. “We look forward to a productive and long-term partnership that will deliver diversity and strength to the regional economy.” Areva officials and community leaders at Areva’s announcement ceremony in Bonneville County, ID 2007 IDAHO BUSINESS ACTIVITY Investment Company Name Location (Millions) Jobs Created Biopol Laboratory Post Falls $ 30 50 Robert Weed Plywood Weiser $ 5 50 High Desert Milk Burley $ 40 30 Diversified fuel Buhl $125 60 Hoku Scientific Pocatello $260 250 Pacific Ethanol Burley $120 35 Dot Foods Burley $ 15 200 Idaho Milk Products Jerome $ 80 65 Jerome Cheese Jerome $ 10 15 SOURCE: IDAHO DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE 38 JUNE 2008 PHOTO CREDIT: IDAHO DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

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Business Facilities - June 2008 Contents First Word Snapshots Metro Spotlight: Austin, TX The Greening of America Winds of Change in the Berkshires Hot Logistics Locales Metro Spotlight: New Mexico Borderplex Hollywood on the Louisiana Bayou Idaho: Gem State's Economy is Glittering Mayor's Reports New Brunswick, Canada's Export Leader Virginia: Where Business and Fun Come Together How Green Is Your Site? Maine's New Maritime Marketing Message Corporate Moves: Alabama Advertiser Index Ask the Expert

Business Facilities - June 2008

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