Business Climate

 

Historically, Idaho is a pro-business environment, and Eastern Idaho is no exception. A Right-to-work state, businesses in Idaho also enjoy one of the lowest tax burdens in the nation and one of the lowest overall costs of doing business. Eastern Idaho is rated as one of the most cost-effective places in the country to do business. The area has an overall rank of 45 (51 being the lowest, 1 being the highest), a figure that exemplifies the benefits of locating new business or industry in eastern Idaho. Of Eastern Idaho residents over 25 years of age, 25.6% hold a Bachelors Degree, well above the national average and the energy costs in eastern Idaho are close to half the national average. See our General Cost of Business Guide for more information.

At the same time, businesses either considering Eastern Idaho as a location or already here will find a wide variety of expert assistance is available from both public and private sources.

The region is home to two business incubators -- The Idaho Innovation Center in Idaho Falls, and the Idaho State University Business Incubator in Pocatello.

The area's economic development authorities are well staffed with seasoned development professionals who have a firm grasp on the resources available to business considering Eastern Idaho as a location, and they are highly experienced at putting together attractive packages that ease the way to making a move into the region.

The Eastern Idaho Community Reuse Organization (EICRO) is one of several Congressionally funded CRO's in the nation charged with the administration of funds and programs to help diversify the region's economy away from a dependece upon federal national laboratories.

In addition to public and quasi-public sources of capital, businesses considering Eastern Idaho will find a surprisingly open reception from both private bankers in the region and several venture capital firms who have developed an interest in the Eastern Idaho Technology Corridor.

For a state by state comparison of doing business in Eastern Idaho, click here.

For the average hire rates for selected occupations, click here.

If you are looking for more specific regional demographics, see Cities & Counties.