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The Idaho Department of Commerce helps to create jobs, strengthen communities, and market the state.

We do that in many ways.

By partnering with regional economic development professionals, we help foster economic growth of existing Idaho businesses and attract new businesses to the state.

Internally, our Business Attraction Group not only responds to businesses around the world requesting information, they also actively market the state at trade shows and through public relations and advertising efforts.

Besides being a technology and agriculture state, Idaho is a relatively untapped renewable energy hub. HOKU Solar and Nordic Windpower are already here, and you’ll be hearing more about the Business Attraction Group’s goal to attract more of these leading edge companies. They were instrumental in wooing French company, AREVA to Idaho Falls – a state-of-the-art facility that represents a multi-billion dollar investment that will create hundreds of high paying jobs.

The state also offers business incentives and business assistance for companies looking to expand or relocate. Things like new jobs income tax credits, investment tax credits and customized recruiting and workforce training. And we have some great resources on our website like Gem State Prospector – an on-line property search tool that lists buildings and land throughout the state so you can find just what you’re looking for.

Idaho is an innovative state. We’re #1 in the nation for number of patents issued per capita, so it’s no wonder that we’re working on creating an EB-5 Regional Center which will ultimately help cutting edge technology spin off from research laboratories and universities, to the marketplace.

Idaho businesses export goods and services to nations throughout the world. That can be a daunting proposition, (think NAFTA Certificates, documentation requirements, Non-Resident Importer program…) so luckily our International Division is here to help every step of the way. They also market the state for foreign direct investment – part of Governor Otter’s Project 60.

Idaho communities are the life-blood of our state. The Economic and Rural Community Development team administers Block Grants, and Gem Grants that help our smaller communities with infrastructure improvements that they may not be able to afford otherwise. The difference in a company relocating to a community may boil down to whether that community can support the infrastructure needed by the business.

We work to expand Idaho's tourism and recreation industries. The Tourism division administers grants, supports local regions with conferences and workshops, and creates and places advertisements in national publications. They also attend national and international trade shows to showcase the state. They even work to promote Idaho as a location for feature film and commercial production – think “Napoleon Dynamite.” Plus, the Tourism website has awesome resources and a video gallery to help you plan your next great adventure.

Our marketing, research and communications division creates collateral and advertising, actively promotes the state through public relations efforts world-wide, and keeps you informed via Twitter, Facebook and yeah yuo got it -- Flickr!

Whew! That’s a pretty big mission for the 54 people who are employed at 700 West State Street in Boise, Idaho. Check out our website for more detail, down-loadable forms, and up-to-the-minute commerce news. www.commerce.idaho.gov

You’ll find great stats there too. Things like:

Idaho has #2 Lowest Energy Costs according to Small Business & Entrepreneur Council, April 2009

Idaho has the #5 Best Economic Outlook according to American Legislative Exchange Council, 2011.

Idaho is #3 America's Best Places for Alternative Energy-Geothermal: Forbes.com, July 2008

Idaho is the #13 Wind Power Development Potential: American Wind Energy Association