Idaho has long been home to a host of national and international companies, spanning manufacturing, recreation technology, food processing, aerospace and high-tech. Among the most well-known are JR Simplot Co, URS, Micron Technology Inc. and Chobani. Idaho is also home to a large research facility for Hewlett Packard together with a research arm for Microsoft.

Idaho’s food processing sector continues to grow quickly. Chobani expanded into Idaho in 2012 with the largest yoghurt plant in the world. The following year, Idaho added three additional food processing companies to its growing list: Frulact, Clif Bar and Materne: GoGo squeeZ. Manufacturers and producers are attracted to the state because of an abundance of resources, access to transmission corridors, a low cost of doing business and easy access to government decision-makers.

The state ranked 1st in the nation for “Highest Personal Income Growth 2013” by U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, ranked 2nd for “Overall Most Friendly States for Business” by Governing Magazine, and named 6th “State with Fastest Job Growth” by Kiplinger.

INCENTIVES AND AFFORDABLE OPERATING COSTS
Idaho ranks fifth in economic outlook with one of the lowest energy costs in the nation. The state is required to have a balanced budget and, during the economic recession, did not encumber debt loads like many other states. This has allowed Idaho to offer a stable tax environment, which moves efficiently to meet your business needs. Programmes are in place to help new and existing businesses expand or relocate. Idaho recently lowered corporate income tax rates, personal income tax rates and personal property tax rates. The state also offers incentives for buying machinery and equipment, hiring employees and building facilities.

In 2014, the Idaho Legislature passed the new Idaho Tax Reimbursement Incentive. This performance-based incentive features a tax credit of up to 30 per cent for up to 15 years on new state tax revenues generated by companies seeking to expand in or relocate to the state of Idaho. One company that has already taken advantage of the tax reimbursement incentive for their expansion of a new maintenance facility in Idaho is SkyWest Airlines.

Programmes and funding assistance are also available to encourage technology entrepreneurs and foster new firms. These tax credits, along with a talented labour pool, gave companies such as Chobani, Allstate, Lactalis and Cives a competitive edge and allowed them to thrive.

Idaho has EB-5 regional centres, offering foreign direct investment opportunities. Qualifying investments through these centres provide permanent resident visas for an investor’s immediate family. Idaho and its regional EB-5 centres have identified businesses and projects in many industry sectors, including manufacturing; real estate; tourism; healthcare; emerging technologies and agribusiness.

INNOVATION
Idaho has a long history of innovation and consistently ranks top in the US for innovation with the most patents per capita. Philo Farnsworth of Rigby is credited with the first electronic television set, and many of us know J.R. Simplot as the man behind frozen French fries. Idaho’s inventors have been able to harness brilliant ideas to change the world. That still holds true today. Idaho is home to the only US-based memory chip maker, Micron Technology, and is the centre of Hewlett-Packard’s highly profitable Imaging and Printing Group, which introduced the HP LaserJet printer. Nearly 50,000 people work in Idaho’s innovation industry, and they are pushing technology boundaries, launching start-ups and fuelling further growth and discovery. Technology and innovation are strong drivers of Idaho’s economy. Perhaps that is why the number of high-tech companies in the state grew 61 per cent over the past decade.

SKILLED WORKFORCE
Many companies cite Idaho’s loyal, educated and skilled workforce as one of the reasons they locate here. Idahoans have a strong work ethic that comes from loving where they live and understanding the value of working hard. Companies are able to recruit skilled workers from inside and outside the state because of the quality of life in Idaho. Partnership between Idaho’s Universities and its industry leaders continue to help create a highly skilled workforce.

QUALITY OF LIFE
Idaho’s beauty, recreational opportunities and family-friendly environment provide a quality of life that draws and keeps people in the state. The state is the north west’s best-kept secret for recreation, culture, and adventure, without heavy traffic or budget-breaking prices. Living and working in Idaho is a one-of-a-kind experience. It boasts the lowest cost of living in the western states and, with an average commute time of just under 21 minutes, Idahoans get to work, home and the outdoors faster than anyone in other western metro areas. Residents are able to easily enjoy both city and country life, from fly fishing and skiing to the Idaho Shakespeare Festival and numerous symphonies.

SITE SELECTION
Idaho has made site selection easier with an interactive programme called Gem State Prospector. The programme enables users to search for appropriate land or buildings for purchase or lease, together with demographic and marketing information about locations www.gemstateprospector.com