1. business and industrial

Idaho Falls Business
Location Profile
Grow Idaho Falls, Inc.
2008
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Idaho Falls Business Location Profile
Table of Contents
Welcome! ___________________________________________________________________ 1
Location _________________________________________________________________________ 1
Commuting in Eastern Idaho _________________________________________________________ 1
Air Service ________________________________________________________________________ 2
Rail Service _______________________________________________________________________ 2
Trucking _________________________________________________________________________ 2
Geography & Climate __________________________________________________________ 3
Population and demographics ___________________________________________________ 4
Idaho Falls ________________________________________________________________________ 4
Age Distribution ___________________________________________________________________ 4
Education ________________________________________________________________________ 5
School Districts ____________________________________________________________________________ 5
Higher Education __________________________________________________________________________ 5
Educational Attainment _____________________________________________________________________ 5
Quality of Life ________________________________________________________________ 7
Cost of Living _____________________________________________________________________ 7
Income __________________________________________________________________________ 8
Income __________________________________________________________________________ 8
Crime Rates_______________________________________________________________________ 8
Housing Market ___________________________________________________________________ 9
Rental Rates ______________________________________________________________________________ 9
The Idaho Falls metro area offers residents a wide array of housing prices and construction styles.
Additionally, the Idaho Falls area has a large supply of affordable rental housing, ranging from
houses to townhouses to apartments. Utilities __________________________________________ 9
Utilities _________________________________________________________________________ 10
Water __________________________________________________________________________________ 10
Electricity _______________________________________________________________________________ 10
Utility Incentives _________________________________________________________________ 11
Idaho Falls Power _________________________________________________________________________ 11
Rocky Mountain Power ____________________________________________________________________ 11
Intermountain Gas Company ________________________________________________________________ 11
Your home must have been built at least three years prior to your furnace conversion to qualify for
the rebate.Healthcare _____________________________________________________________ 11
Healthcare ______________________________________________________________________ 12
Recreation ______________________________________________________________________ 13
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Idaho Falls Business Location Profile
Arts and Culture __________________________________________________________________ 15
Arts Organizations ________________________________________________________________________ 15
Museums _______________________________________________________________________________ 16
Business Information _________________________________________________________ 17
Target Industries _________________________________________________________________ 17
Energy and High Technology ________________________________________________________________
Medical Technologies and Services ___________________________________________________________
Agribusiness and Food Industries ____________________________________________________________
Tourism and Gateway Community Services ____________________________________________________
Predominant Industries/Services_____________________________________________________________
17
17
17
18
18
Workforce _______________________________________________________________________ 19
Labor ___________________________________________________________________________________ 19
Workforce Productivity & Union Activity ______________________________________________________ 19
Research and Development Resources ________________________________________________ 20
Business Climate__________________________________________________________________ 22
Business Real Estate _______________________________________________________________ 23
Blazing Telecommunications ________________________________________________________ 23
Business assistance and incentives ______________________________________________ 24
Tax Incentives _______________________________________________________________ 25
Property Tax Incentives ____________________________________________________________ 25
Rural Property Tax Exemption. ______________________________________________________________
Large Business Property Tax Cap _____________________________________________________________
Large Employer Property Tax Cap ____________________________________________________________
100% Property Tax Exemption _______________________________________________________________
25
25
25
25
Income Tax Incentives _____________________________________________________________ 25
Up to $2,000 new employee training reimbursement ____________________________________________ 25
New Jobs Income Tax Credit ________________________________________________________________ 26
3% Investment Tax Credit __________________________________________________________________ 26
Net Operating Loss Deductions ______________________________________________________________ 26
5% Research and Development Income Tax Credit ______________________________________________ 26
3% Broadband Telecom Income Tax Credit ____________________________________________________ 26
Sales Tax Incentives _______________________________________________________________ 26
100% Sales Tax ___________________________________________________________________________ 26
100% Goods-In-Transit Tax Exemption ________________________________________________________ 27
Additional incentives _________________________________________________________ 28
Idaho Prime Rate Loan Program _____________________________________________________ 28
Up to $20 Million in Industrial Revenue Bonds__________________________________________ 28
Idaho Film Incentives ______________________________________________________________ 28
About Grow Idaho Falls, Inc. ___________________________________________________ 29
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Idaho Falls Business Location Profile
WELCOME!
Welcome to Idaho Falls, a city with a small town feel, big city amenities and a cost of living that
is the envy of the nation. Eastern Idaho's infrastructure is world-class:

Low power and utility rates through Idaho Falls Power and Rocky Mountain Power

Abundant, clean water

Available buildings and sites

Excellent transportation system access via interstate, rail and air.
Idaho Falls placed 28th out of 179 small cities in Forbes magazine’s 2008 report on the ―Best
Small Places for Business and Careers.‖ Forbes ranked Idaho Falls
 7th in job growth (5-year annualized figure),
 40th in educational attainment (the share of population over the age of 25 with a
bachelor’s degree or higher), and
 88th for the cost of doing business (based on cost of labor, energy, taxes and office
space.
The Idaho Falls Business Location Profile describes why business leaders, government leaders,
and eastern Idahoans think that Idaho Falls is such a great place to live, work and play.
Location
Idaho Falls is the economic and geographic
center of eastern Idaho. Its location provides
easy access to market centers in the
western United States. Interstate 15 runs
through Idaho Falls, and intersects with
Interstate 86 just 50 miles south in
Pocatello, providing easy, fast access in all
directions.
Commuting in Eastern Idaho
Commute time is nearly nonexistent in Eastern
Idaho. More than 80 percent of the region's adult
population lives less than 30 minutes from their place
of employment.
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Idaho Falls Business Location Profile
Air Service
The Idaho Falls Regional Airport is served by SkyWest-Delta Connection, Horizon Air, Allegiant
Airlines, Northwest Airlines and United Airlines. You can catch a flight to dozens of destinations,
through major hubs like Salt Lake City, Denver and Minneapolis. It isn't uncommon for
professionals living in eastern Idaho to fly out of the region for meetings or other business, and
then return home the same day.
The modern facility (terminal remodeled in 2002, runway rebuilt in 2008) also accommodates
overnight freight services, business and charter jets, medical flights, and visiting aircraft too
large for runways at nearby resorts of Jackson Hole and Sun Valley (e.g., Air Force One).
Rail Service
Historically, rail transportation has been important to eastern Idaho for the transfer of freight and
goods, including raw, semi-processed, and finished products. While trucking and air service now
provide full service to the region, the region continues to enjoy superb access to rail service.
For business requiring rail access, freight services are provided by the Union Pacific and the
Eastern Idaho Railroad. The EIRR is one of the largest single shortline spin offs in U.P. history
carrying a wide variety of products in its near 35,000 annual car-load capacity.
Trucking
The residents and businesses of eastern Idaho are served by scores of trucking and
transportation companies, including freight lines, heavy hauling services, and liquid or dry bulk
transfer.
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Idaho Falls Business Location Profile
GEOGRAPHY &
CLIMATE
Idaho Falls is located at an
elevation of 4,730 feet on the
eastern edge of the curved
depression of the Snake River
Plain that runs across southern
Idaho. The Snake River Plain
geology results from volcanic
activity that is responsible for
lava flows including Craters of
the Moon and the geysers and
hot springs of nearby
Yellowstone National Park.
The immediate area around Idaho Falls is
known as high-altitude sagebrush-grassland
steppe, and is considered a high desert, with
annual precipitation of 10.9 in, mostly falling as
winter snow and early spring and fall rains. The
average snowfall is 37.5 in. Seasonal and
daily temperature extremes vary widely, from a
high average in July of 86 °F to the average
low in January of 10 °F.
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POPULATION AND DEMOGRAPHICS
Idaho Falls
The population of Idaho Falls
proper is 52,786, making it the
fifth-largest city in Idaho. The
Idaho Falls metropolitan statistical
area population is 120,000.
As the cultural, medical and retail
hub of eastern Idaho, Idaho Falls
serves over 300,000 residents of
eastern Idaho, western Wyoming
and southeastern Montana. In addition, its location in
the heart of some of the most beautiful recreation in the
United States means that thousands of tourists spend
time in Idaho Falls each year.
Age Distribution
The population of Idaho Falls is a young one. The
median age in Bonneville County is 32; more than half
the population is under 45 years old.
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Education
School Districts
Our school districts work hard to exceed state standards for accreditation. The results: schools
throughout eastern Idaho — from elementary through high school — repeatedly receive "merit"
or "exemplary" status, according to Northwest accreditation standards.
In addition to effectively addressing core competencies and scholastic achievement, the school
districts in eastern Idaho make available to students a wide range of elective courses and
extracurricular activities that help create well-rounded individuals.
Idaho Falls has two school districts: Bonneville Joint School District #93 and Idaho Falls School
District #91.
 District #93
Bonneville Joint School District No. 93 is located in Bingham and Bonneville
Counties, and comprises a portion of the City of Idaho Falls and the incorporated
cities of Ammon, Iona and Ucon; and also includes the unincorporated county areas
to the north, south and east of Idaho Falls. District #93 has two high schools, two
middle schools, ten elementary schools with two pre-school programs and two
developmental kindergarten programs. The student population of the District is
approximately 9,000.
 District #91
Idaho Falls School District #91 is located within the city of Idaho Falls. Student
population is around 10,400 students in the two high schools, three junior high
schools, twelve elementary schools, and one alternative school. More than one-third
of the professional staff has an advanced degree. Many teachers have achieved or
are pursuing National Board Certification.
Higher Education
The University of Idaho and Idaho State University both provide certificate programs and
associate, bachelor, masters and PhD degree programs through University Place in Idaho Falls.
Brigham Young University – Idaho in nearby Rexburg also offers associate and bachelor degree
programs. Approximately 5,100 students graduate each year from ISU, U of I, BYU-I and
Eastern Idaho Technical College.
Educational Attainment
Idaho has a highly educated populace. Among the 50 states, Idaho ranks 21st for percentage of
adults aged 25 and older who have graduated from high school (87.3 percent). Twenty-eight
point two percent of those have a bachelor’s degree or higher. Fifty-eight percent of the state’s
total general fund is allocated to education.
Idaho students consistently score well above the national average on the SAT, as the following
table shows, comparing Idaho students taking the SAT to students across the United States for
the class of 2006 (the most recent scores available.). (Source, Idaho Dept. of Education.)
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SAT scores for the class of 2006
Nearly 97 percent of Idaho’s school-age children attend public schools, demonstrating a high
level of public confidence and ensuring a demographically balanced student population.
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Idaho Falls Business Location Profile
QUALITY OF LIFE
Cost of Living
Idaho’s cost of living is the lowest in the western United States. According to the most recent
data published by the American Chamber of Commerce Researchers Association (ACCRA) in
their Cost of Living Index (2nd quarter, 2007), Idaho Falls is 90th out of 339 metro areas in an
index comparing costs of necessities such as grocery items, housing, utilities, transportation,
health care, and miscellaneous goods and services.
Cost of Living in western
cities
City
Composite
score
Idaho Falls, ID
92.4
United States
100.0
Farmington, NM
97.0
Loveland, CO
100.6
Cheyenne, WY
100.8
Bozeman, MT
101.7
Olympia, WA
103.9
Prescott, AZ
106.8
Las Vegas, NV
108.7
Bend, OR
111.5
Fairbanks, AK
126.3
San Jose, CA
154.2
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Income
The median household income for the Idaho Falls metropolitan area is estimated to be nearly
$47K per year. Per capita income averages around $20K, and includes all adults and children.
(source: Sperling’s BestPlaces.) Trade, utilities and transportation account for more than a
quarter of the jobs held in Bonneville County. ―Professional and business services‖ is the next
largest sector – most INL jobs are classified in this category. Government and educational and
health services are also significant.
Occupation
Median
Hourly Wage
(2007)
Financial managers
$29.57
Median
Hourly Wage
(2007)
Occupation
Electricians
21.95
General & operations managers
25.63
Helpers, construction trades
13.04
Computer programmers
27.22
Carpenters.
14.39
Computer systems analysts
29.76
Welders, cutters, solderers, & brazers
14.60
Electronics engineers
34.68
Truck drivers, heavy & tractor trailer
14.51
Accountants & auditors
20.64
Logging equipment operators.
18.66
Crushing, grinding & polishing
machine setters, operators, & tenders
14.85
Retail salespersons
9.34
Office clerks, general
10.96
Janitors & cleaners
9.44
7.86
Registered nurses
24.07
Child, family, & school social workers
16.47
Medical & clinical lab technicians
14.25
Cashiers
Exec. Secretaries & admin. assistants
Receptionists & information clerks
14.47
9.97
Electrical & electronic equip. assemblers
10.89
Nursing aides, orderlies, & attendants
9.23
Assemblers & fabricators
11.49
Cooks, restaurant
9.44
Source: Idaho-at-a-Glance, 2008, Idaho Dept. of Commerce
Crime Rates
FBI data for 2007 shows that violent crime in Idaho occurs at only 51% of the national rate, and
property crime occurs at 69% of the national rate.
2007 Crime Rates (per 100,000 population)
Violent Crime
Property Crime
United States
466.9
3,263.5
Idaho
239.4
2246.6
51%
69%
Percent difference:
Source: U.S. Dept of Justice, FBI, Crime in the United States, 2007
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Idaho Falls Business Location Profile
Housing Market
Eastern Idaho’s housing
costs are moderate and
affordable, and homes
are available from
modest cottages to
executive estates.
According to the Greater
Idaho Falls Association of
Realtors, the average
home price for a mid- to
upper-management
quality executive home
with the specifications
listed below is
$154,222 in the
Idaho Falls
metro area and
$127,785 in the
surrounding
areas.
Location: Good
subdivision,
convenient for shopping and school, within an
area offering full municipal services.
General Description: 1 to 2-story house; 3-4
bedroom, 2 full baths, living-dining area, kitchen
with built-in cabinetry, finished family room, one
fireplace, utility room. Conventionally built on site.
Lot Size: 8000 sq. ft.
Garage: Two-car attached.
(These standards are set forth by ACCRA (American Chamber of Commerce Researchers
Association). However, many houses in Eastern Idaho exceed these standards with larger lots,
more house square footage, and three-car garages.
Rental Rates
The Idaho Falls metro area offers residents a wide array of housing prices
and construction styles. Additionally, the Idaho Falls area has a large
supply of affordable rental housing, ranging from houses to townhouses to
apartments.
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Utilities
Eastern Idaho has some of the lowest electricity rates in the nation due to forward-thinking
residents and abundant hydroelectric generation facilities along the Snake River. The city's
namesake Falls actually feed one of three small power generation facilities operated by the cityowned Idaho Falls Power. The area also hosts growing bio-fuel and wind power industries that
benefit from abundant renewable natural resources, as well as the presence of the Department
of Energy's Idaho National Laboratory. For companies that require or prefer natural gas, the
region has some of the lowest prices in the nation.
Water
The City of Idaho Falls Water Department is
responsible for supplying potable water to
residential and commercial properties
throughout the city. The Department
maintains 19 wells, over 300 miles of water
main, over 1,800 fire hydrants, and services
to nearly 24,000 accounts. Idaho Falls water
is drawn from the East Snake River Plain
Aquifer, and is of high quality that
consistently meets or exceeds water quality
standards.
Electricity
Eastern Idaho has some of the nation's
most affordable commercial rates for
utilities such as natural gas, electricity,
and water. In fact, according to the U.S.
Energy Information Administration, power
in Idaho is the cheapest in the nation.
Residential energy costs for our
area average (source: Idaho at a
Glance):
 Natural Gas - $68.14/mo
(65 Therms/mo)
 Electricity - $54.95/mo
(1,000 KWH/mo)
Hydroelectric power plants supply nearly four-fifths of Idaho’s electricity generation. Idaho is rich
in renewable energy resources but has few fossil fuel reserves. The Snake River and several
smaller river basins offer Idaho some of the greatest hydroelectric power resources in the
nation. Idaho’s geologically active mountain areas have substantial geothermal and wind power
potential.
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Utility Incentives
Idaho Falls Power
Idaho Falls Power offers a zero interest loan program to qualifying commercial customers to
install efficient lighting and other energy conservation measures. According to the company’s
website, a building must receive its electricity service from Idaho Falls Power and an energy
audit must be performed on the building by IFP Energy Services personnel prior to purchase
and/or installation. The project must also have a 10 year simple payback or less. The program
will loan up to 100% of the actual cost of installing energy conservation measures for qualifying
customers, not to exceed $25,000.00.
Rocky Mountain Power
Rocky Mountain Power partners with commercial, industrial and irrigation customers in Idaho to
help them save energy and money through these programs:
 FinAnswer Express
Commercial and industrial customers may receive pre-calculated incentives for highefficiency lighting, premium efficiency motors and HVAC equipment. Custom
incentives may be available for other types of equipment. This program is for retrofits
and new construction.
 Energy FinAnswer
RMP offers technical expertise and cash incentives to help upgrade the energy
efficiency of commercial or industrial heating, cooling, refrigeration, compressed air,
lighting, pumping or industrial processes. Both retrofit and new construction/major
renovation projects are eligible.
Intermountain Gas Company
The Intermountain Gas Company’s Gas Heating Rebate Program encourages conservation
through the use of modern, high-efficiency natural gas heating equipment by providing a
financial incentive to new customers when they convert from another energy source to natural
gas.
 A cash rebate of $200 per heating unit is available when you convert to a high efficiency
natural gas furnace.
 The furnace must be new and must be replacing a heating system using another energy
source. The rebate is not available for gas-to-gas replacements.
 To qualify for the rebate, the furnace installation must be verified by IGC personnel.
 The new furnace must meet a minimum AFUE efficiency rating of 90%.
 Natural gas furnaces used as a back-up to heat pumps are excluded.
Your home must have been built at least three years prior to your furnace
conversion to qualify for the rebate.
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Healthcare
Residents of eastern Idaho have
access to a first-class healthcare
system.
The only Level I Critical Care Center
in southeast Idaho is located at
Eastern Idaho Regional Medical
Center (EIRMC) in Idaho Falls. In
2005 it was one of only 10 ICU's in
the entire nation to be named as a
Beacon Award winner for critical care
excellence. EIRMC’s helicopter
ambulance service, Air Idaho
Rescue, connects patients with the
Trauma Center to benefit from the full
resources of every specialty.
Mountain View Hospital, Idaho Falls’
newest hospital, provides six operating
rooms, six
labor/delivery/recovery/postpartum suites, a
dedicated caesarean room, a total of
twenty private in-patient rooms that "flex"
between varying needs of surgery and
obstetrics, two special procedures rooms
for pain procedures and general
endoscopy, and a comprehensive imaging
department. The imaging department
includes MRI, CT, Radiography and
Fluoroscopy, Ultrasound, two state-of-theart Mammography units and Stereo tactic
Needle Biopsy.
Idaho Falls is also served by numerous freestanding clinics, same-day surgery centers and
home health services. Virtually every medical specialty is represented inside the region, with
many practitioners being national leaders in their fields.
Emergency services include conventional and search-and-rescue ambulances reaching all
corners of the region, and two Air Intensive Care Units supported by both helicopters and fixedwing aircraft.
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Recreation
Four distinct seasons means that
eastern Idaho can offer an unusual
variety of diverse recreational
activities. Outdoor recreation is
available year-round – you just have to
dress for it.
The area's cities and community
organizations offer programs in
softball, soccer, volleyball, basketball,
and baseball. In the winter the
Tautphaus Park Ice Rink is in use
nearly 24 hours a day by hockey
teams of all ages as well as by ice
skaters.
Idaho Falls is home to an aquatic complex
and a national junior Olympic whitewater
training site. The Chukars, a baseball team
currently affiliated with the Kansas City
Royals in the Pioneer League, plays ball each
summer in Melaleuca Field, a new stadium
that seats 3,400. Sandy Downs south of town
hosts thoroughbred racing each September
with pari-mutuel betting, as well as the War
Bonnet Roundup, the longest-running rodeo
in Idaho.
Idaho Falls’ Tautphaus Park Zoo houses over
350 animals, making it the largest zoo in
Idaho. The Tautphaus Park Zoo proudly participates in the Species Survival Plan® for 14
different species including Snow Leopards, Amur Tigers, and Red crowned cranes.
―The city maintains 30 parks and three golf
courses, which make up 1,960 acres of
parklands. (The acreage doesn't include school
yards.)
That is four times the park space of
neighboring Pocatello and well above the
national average, according to the Trust for
Public Land, a group that lobbies for protection
and enhancement of parks.
In acres, Idaho Falls is 13.8 percent city parks
or golf course. That is a higher percentage than
environmentally friendly Seattle and equal to
Portland, Ore., which is considered one of the
most park-friendly cities in the U.S.‖
Rob Thornberry, The Idaho Falls Post Register,
September 25, 2008
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Photo of new equal-access playground here.
Idaho Falls’ 30 city parks include the
beautiful Greenbelt around the Snake
River, a skate park, and a new equal
access playground.
Idaho Falls also has two public golf
courses and a private country club.
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Arts and Culture
Arts Organizations
Eastern Idaho is a prolific arts center
offering an array of visual and performing
arts. Artists of all kinds find support through
the state of Idaho Commission on the Arts,
and locally through the Idaho Falls Arts
Council.
The Idaho Falls Arts Council owns and
operates the beautifully remodeled historic
Colonial Theater, which hosts local and
traveling performances all year round. The Arts Council provides arts education for children
across eastern Idaho, including the acclaimed Snake River Roaring Youth Jam each August on
the Greenbelt.
Idaho Falls is home to many arts
organizations representing many
different art forms: music, drama,
painting and other graphic arts, and
dance. Performing arts groups include
the Idaho Falls Symphony, the Actors’
Repertory Theatre of Idaho, the Idaho
Falls Opera Theatre, and many others.
Locally made fine arts and crafts are
available all summer long at the
Grower’s Market, and at the Eagle Rock
Art Guild’s eagerly anticipated annual
Art in the Park.
Professional and semi-professional groups perform in indoor and
outdoor venues ranging in seating from 100 to 2000.
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Museums
The Museum of Idaho near downtown Idaho Falls is Idaho's
premier national traveling exhibit museum. The museum
hosts nationally acclaimed exhibitions, and offers traveling
and permanent displays, presentations, educational
programs, and a reading and reference library.
Exhibits of fine art from the masters all the way to local children are displayed in the Carr
Gallery and the Young Artists Gallery at the Idaho Falls Arts Council, the Art Museum of Eastern
Idaho, and other smaller galleries in the area.
Event
Recurring Arts Events
Date
Location
Eastern Idaho Regional Medical
Center (EIRMC) summer river concerts
Every Tuesday evening at
7:00 pm
Idaho Falls Greenbelt
Snake River Roaring Youth Jam
Early August
Idaho Falls Greenbelt
Eagle Rock Art Guild Art in the Park
Last weekend in July
Idaho Falls Greenbelt
Grower’s Market
Every Saturday, from
Memorial to Labor Day
Key Bank parking lot
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BUSINESS INFORMATION
Target Industries
Idaho is an incredibly welcoming state for any business. Idaho Falls is particularly well-suited for
some industries, however. Here are a few of them.
Energy and High Technology
For decades, Idaho Falls led the world in the
development and testing of nuclear energy
technology. Today's focus on sustainable, carbonfree energy has put this area back in the spotlight,
with programs for the development and use of
hydrogen power, as well as biofuels, wind,
geothermal, and fossil resources. There is a
multitude of opportunities and incentives for
energy-related
companies,
including commercialization programs between national labs
and private industry that facilitate technology transfer, and a
growing number of research parks and incubators.
Medical Technologies and Services
The Idaho Falls area is the medical service hub for the region,
serving the growing medical needs of patients from Idaho's
Snake River valley, Yellowstone, and Teton areas of Montana
and Wyoming. In addition to two modern hospitals, a cancer
center and a cardiac center there are supporting diagnostic
facilities, medical laboratories, outpatient facilities, and medical
support businesses. There is always room to make your
medical business part of our community.
Agribusiness and Food
Industries
Potatoes, Idaho's most famous
commodity, along with wheat,
barley and more, are grown in the
rolling fields surrounding the city.
A complimentary array of facilities
for creating value-added products
— biofuels, distilled spirits, malt,
and potato flakes — abound as
well. Some of the nation's leading food technology developers call the area home. If you are
looking to add value to agricultural commodities, or to develop new products and processes for
the food industry, Idaho Falls is the place to be.
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Tourism and Gateway Community Services
Idaho Falls is only 100 miles from Yellowstone and Grand
Teton national parks and Craters of the Moon National
Monument. The Jackson Hole and Sun Valley resort
communities are an easy day or weekend trip. Nearby
are 12 wilderness areas, 11 national forests, 8 ski areas
(Grand Targhee, Jackson Hole, Sun Valley and Big Sky,
to name just a few), and too many trout streams to even
begin to count. The hunting is legendary, the hiking,
climbing, and kayaking are beyond words. With such
abundant recreation, we have an incredibly profitable
industry based on tourism. This includes hospitalitybased businesses, recreational equipment
manufacturers, and all the attendant services required to meet the needs of the millions passing
through each year.
Predominant Industries/Services
Eastern Idaho is home to the Idaho National Laboratory, the nation’s premier nuclear and
energy research laboratory. Idaho Falls is also the regional medical hub, with two hospitals
serving eastern Idaho and western Wyoming.
The largest employers/manufacturers in Bonneville County are:
Name
Product or Service
Employees
Battelle Energy Alliance
Research and Management
Services
3,800
Idaho Falls School District #91
Education
1,700
CH2M Hill WG, LLC
Environmental Management
1,700
Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center
Health Care Services
1,300
Melaleuca, Inc.
Cosmetics, Vitamins, Soap
1,300
Bechtel BWXT, Idaho Inc.
Engineering and Waste
Management
960
Bonneville Joint School District #93
Education
850
City of Idaho Falls
Government Services
750
Center Partners
Call Center
600
Bonneville County
Government Services
450
Wal-Mart
Department Store
450
Albertsons, Inc.
Retail Food Sales
350
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Workforce
Labor
According to surveys taken by the Wadley-Donovan Group, 80% of the area’s working-age
residents have post-secondary education, while 34% have a four-year degree, or more
advanced education. Eastern Idaho’s workforce is highly oriented to the technology
occupations. In fact, the area has the largest concentration of technical professionals in the
entire northern Rocky Mountain region.
Idaho Falls currently has an unemployment rate of 3.9%. This is up from previous years
because of rising energy costs and the national economic downturn, but is still well below the
national average of 6.1%. (source: Idaho Dept. of Labor, press release 10/3/08)
Historically, Bonneville County has remained below the national and state average
unemployment rates throughout the past decade. The county is a regional hub for medical
services and retail so the consumer pool and client base extends to several surrounding
counties and several states.
Workforce Productivity & Union Activity
Eastern Idaho’s workforce is young, with higher-than-average education levels. Businesses
here regularly comment on the quality of the people they’re able to hire.
Historically, Idaho is a pro-business environment, and Eastern Idaho is no exception. Idaho is a
Right-to-Work state, with only about 5% of the state workforce unionized. The largest union in
the state is the Idaho Education Association.
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Research and Development Resources
Idaho Falls has a long-established and vibrant technology-based economy that provides great
jobs and an excellent resource for high-tech companies looking for a new base. Increased focus
on the application of science and technology to solve energy and national security challenges
will continue drawing technology companies to the area. Other assets that make the area
attractive to technology companies include:
 Idaho National Laboratory works cooperatively with economic developers and
business assistance programs to move promising new technologies into the private
sector. Idaho Falls has hosted the nation’s premier nuclear energy research facility
since the 1950s. In addition to pioneering nuclear energy research, INL supports a
variety of energy-related research including biofuels, fossil energy, geothermal and
hydrogen technologies. INL also supports critical national security research including
protection of infrastructure systems and cybersecurity. Companies looking for
research and development collaborations will find the laboratory and its spin-off
companies to be significant assets.
 The Center for Advanced Energy Studies is a public/private partnership comprised of
the three Idaho public universities, private industry, and the Idaho National
Laboratory. CAES research initiatives bring together the technical expertise of
Idaho's four major research institutions in programs that focus on materials analysis
and testing; the nuclear fuel cycle; the environmentally sound use and distribution of
fossil fuels; the economical production and delivery of renewable energy; and, critical
energy infrastructure protection. CAES also supports policy-makers in their
decisions and analyses and in understanding how policy shapes science and
engineering through the CAES Energy Policy Institute (EPI), a home for energyrelated policy research, analysis, and education.
In addition, CAES leverages INL Laboratory Directed Research and Development
resources to sustain CAES-partner research collaborations.
 Partnership for Science and Technology (PST) was formed as a community effort to
demonstrate public and political support for research and technology. This non-profit
advocacy organization promotes the benefits of INL research and energy-related
technology locally, regionally and nationally.
 Inland Northwest Research Alliance (INRA) – INRA is a consortium of eight research
universities dedicated to fostering collaborative research and educational partnership
in the Northwest. In addition, INRA acts as a facilitating agent in the transfer into
private enterprise of research with commercial implications.

Boise State University

University of Idaho

Idaho State University

University of Montana

Montana State University

Utah State University

University of Alaska Fairbanks

Washington State University
A primary purpose of the partnership is to promote and conduct research in
collaboration with faculty, students, and the U.S. Department of Energy through the
Idaho National Laboratory. INRA is a partner with Bechtel, Inc., and BWXT, Inc, in
the management of the INL.
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Principal research areas of the Alliance include: subsurface science, accelerators,
biofilm engineering, geophysics, hazardous waste remediation, biotechnology, space
dynamics, multiphase environmental research, shock physics, water resources,
information security, and environmental health sciences.
 Business Incubators – Eastern Idaho has several small business incubators, with large
facilities located in Pocatello and Idaho Falls. Both offer a full array of business
consulting services and a friendly environment for technology start-ups. The region’s
universities offer ample assistance to technology firms located in eastern Idaho
incubators.
 Development - Several organizations work cooperatively to attract and retain positive
growth and business in eastern Idaho:
 Eastern Idaho Economic Development Council
 Bannock Development Corporation
 Community Reuse Organization
 Regional Development Alliance
 TechConnect East – Idaho TechConnect brings entrepreneurs and companies together
as they bring innovative solutions to market. TechConnect East is located in
Pocatello, Idaho.
 Idaho National Laboratory (INL) – partners with Idaho State University for programs
based at ISU’s Accelerator Center in Pocatello. The work performed in accelerator
and radiation technologies is designed to further advances and practical applications
in the nuclear and radiations sciences.
 Tech Transfer – INL works cooperatively with economic developers and business
assistance programs to see promising new technologies moved into the flow of local
private enterprise.
 Infrastructure - Technology enterprises find a strong infrastructure in eastern Idaho.
Below are just two examples of this dynamic system of support and ongoing
education:
 The Eastern Idaho Forum for Information Technology (eifit) is a networking
group of IT professionals and companies from throughout Eastern Idaho. In
addition to gathering monthly for social events with guest speakers on topics
that effect the IT industry, eifit is charged with acting as the lead organization
for ongoing development of the IT and Information Security industries in
Eastern Idaho.
 The Information System Security Association (ISSA) provides education
forums, publications and peer interaction opportunities that enhance the
knowledge, skill and professional growth of its members. The new Eastern
Idaho chapter will work with local Universities to establish a "honey pot" to
study intrusion and hacking techniques.
 The ISU Accelerator Center in Pocatello – The IAC is a multi-facility complex at the
Idaho State University. The IAC ten operating accelerators and works in partnership
with the INL, the DOE, and others.
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Business Climate
Historically, Idaho is a pro-business environment, and eastern Idaho is no exception. Idaho is a
right-to-work state, and 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, with an overall rating of 45 (51
being the lowest, 1 being the highest), a figure that exemplifies the benefits of locating new
business of industry in eastern Idaho.
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 businesses considering
eastern Idaho as a location. 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 community reuse organizations (CRO’s) in the nation charged with the administration of
funds and programs to help diversify the region’s economy away from a dependence on federal
national laboratories.
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Idaho Falls Business Location Profile
Business Real Estate
Idaho Falls has properties available to
match your businesses needs, whether you
are looking for existing facilities or wanting
to build. To find specific commercial
properties matching criteria like square
footage, acreage or price, see our
Commercial Property Database on our
website. PropertiesYou can also find
commercial
properties in the
state using the Gem
State Prospector, a
GIS-based tool
developed by the
Idaho Economic
Development
Association and
Idaho Department of
Commerce.
Blazing Telecommunications
Idaho Falls is a techno-savvy community with bandwidth capacity to meet the most demanding
business needs. There is a wide selection of local firms capable of building custom wired,
wireless and fiber networks to meet your business needs. Area businesses can tap into the
CIRCA optical fiber network that runs throughout the city. The area is also saturated with digital
cellular and broadband cellular services with a wide choice of providers.
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BUSINESS ASSISTANCE AND INCENTIVES
Eastern Idaho has some of the lowest overall costs of doing business in the country. Eastern
Idaho has a variety of incentive programs designed to assist business start-up, expansion,
productivity and profitability that are available through negotiation with qualified firms.
Eastern Idaho is also near the top in virtually all indicators of business and economic vitality.
Below are some specific programs. For more information, contact Grow Idaho Falls staff or visit
the Idaho Department of Commerce.
 Workforce Development Training
If your company is considering locating or expanding in Idaho, the state's Workforce
Development Training Fund (WDTF) can help. Through the WDTF, your company
may be able to receive funds to train new employees or upgrade the skills of current
workers who are at risk of being permanently laid off.
The WDTF provides up to $2,000 per new employee for qualified training costs (up
to $3,000 can be authorized per new job created in rural counties), and requires a
25% employer match. All jobs supported by this training must pay a starting wage of
at least $12 an hour and provide employer-assisted medical benefits.
 State of Idaho Community Development Block Grant Program (ICDBG)
grants funds up to $500,000 for public infrastructure improvements such as water
and sewer.
 East-Central Idaho Development (ECIDC) long-term, fixed-asset financing
through various loan programs and revolving loan funds. ECIDC is a division of EastCentral Idaho Planning and Development Association (ECIPDA). Current programs
include the SBA 504 Loan Program, and revolving loan funds from the Economic
Development Administration, USDA Rural Development, and the Idaho Community
Development Block Grant programs.
 Eastern Idaho Economic Development Council incentives
for relocation costs; ―buy down‖ of property, buildings, or rents, or other business
purposes. Specific packages are negotiated with individual employers based upon
industry, job creation, and other factors. [email protected]
 Eastern Idaho Economic Development Council’s Enterprise fund,
a revolving loan fund that can offer competitive interest rate loans of varying size for
working capital, equipment, or fixed asset purchases. The fund occasionally makes
equity investments in qualified firms. ([email protected]
 Regional Development Alliance (RDA) funding
for equipment and working capital in the form of low interest loans, equity
investments, and occasionally grants. The Economic Development Council can
coordinate an application on behalf of a client. A fund of nearly $20 million is
available to support company expansion and relocation in eastern Idaho over the
next four years.
 Tax Increment Financing (TIF)
is available in certain districts in Idaho Falls. The program consists of a bonding
authority that can finance new construction and infrastructure. The bonds are retired
by repayment from property tax collections on the new construction.
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TAX INCENTIVES
Idaho offers significant incentives to businesses willing to invest in building a company here.
Businesses that invest a minimum of $500,000 in new facilities and create at least 10 new jobs
with wages averaging $40,000 annually plus benefits may qualify for a variety of incentives.
Qualifying companies receive:
 an enhanced Investment Tax Credit of 3.75% up to $750,000 OR 62.5% of tax liability in
any one year
 a new jobs tax credit starting at $1,500 and climbing to $3,000 per job
 a 2.5% real property improvement tax credit up to $125,000 in any one year along with a
25% rebate on sales tax paid on construction materials for the new facilities
 upon request of the company, respective county commissioners may also authorize a
full or partial property tax exemption.
Property Tax Incentives
Rural Property Tax Exemption.
Partial or full property tax exemptions may
be available from local county
commissioners for businesses that meet
qualifications.
―One thing we saw was a complete alignment between state
and local government and their federal representatives here in
Washington. The support was very strong and evident.‖
Sam Shakir, general manager of the strategic enrichment
program for Areva, Inc. The French multinational corporation
announced in May 2008 that it will construct a $2B uranium
enrichment facility in Bonneville County.
Large Business Property Tax Cap
Businesses that invest a minimum of $1 billion in capital improvements will receive a property
tax exemption on all property in excess of $400 million in value per year.
Large Employer Property Tax Cap
Businesses that employ at least 1,500 people within an Idaho county may receive a property tax
exemption on property values in excess of $800 million if they qualify.
100% Property Tax Exemption
Business inventory and registered motor vehicles, vessels and aircraft are exempt from property
tax.
Income Tax Incentives
Up to $2,000 new employee training reimbursement
Businesses may be reimbursed up to $2,000 for training costs for each new job in select rural
counties, for new jobs that pay at least $12/hour.
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New Jobs Income Tax Credit
 $1,000 Tax Credit.
Businesses may earn a $1,000 tax credit for each additional employee added
that:
 Works 20 hours/wk minimum
 Makes at least $15.50/hour
 Is eligible to receive employer-provided coverage under an accident
or health plan.
The credit may be carried forward up to three years.
 $500 Tax Credit
Businesses may earn a $500 tax credit for adding new jobs in the production,
assembly, fabrication, manufacturing or processing of natural resources. This
credit cannot be combined with the $1,000 new jobs credit.
3% Investment Tax Credit
Businesses that make qualifying new investments may earn an income tax credit, which can
offset up to 50% of a company’s state income tax liability and may be carried forward up to 14
years.
A Qualified Investment Exemption may be applied in lieu of the investment tax credit.
Net Operating Loss Deductions
A net operating loss income tax provision for losses up to $100,000 per tax year is available.
5% Research and Development Income Tax Credit
Businesses conducting basic and qualified research may earn an income tax credit of 5% that
may be carried forward for up to 14 years.
3% Broadband Telecom Income Tax Credit
Businesses that purchase qualified broadband equipment and infrastructure for the benefit of
end users in Idaho may earn a 3% income tax credit up to $750,000.
Sales Tax Incentives
100% Sales Tax

Production Sales Tax Exemption
This exemption is available for qualifying companies purchasing equipment and
raw materials used directly in
 Manufacturing, processing, mining, fabrication or logging operations
 For clean rooms used in semiconductor and semiconductor equipment
manufacturing
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Idaho Falls Business Location Profile
 For any equipment or material used in research and development
activities,
 And processing materials, substances or commodities for use as fuel for
energy production.

Pollution Control Equipment Sales Tax Exemption
Business purchasing required pollution control equipment are exempt from sales
tax on those purchases. Required pollution control facilities are exempt from
property.

Utility and Industrial Fuels Sales Tax Exemption
Businesses are exempt from paying sales tax on utilities and industrial fuels.
Examples include power, water, natural gas, and telephone.
100% Goods-In-Transit Tax Exemption
The state’s free port law provides that goods-in-transit (goods purchased by a carrier in its
business and delivered outside the state under a bill of lading for use by the carrier in its
business) are exempt from taxation.
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ADDITIONAL INCENTIVES
A variety of community investment programs are available through negotiation with qualified
firms.
Idaho Prime Rate Loan Program
Commercial banks offer low-interest loans to qualifying small businesses with up to 85% Small
Business Administration guaranty.
Up to $20 Million in Industrial Revenue Bonds
Tax-free bonds to finance manufacturing, processing, production and assembly projects are
issued by a public corporation with the project or business serving as collateral. Also, taxable
industrial revenue bonds are available up to and exceeding $20 million.
Idaho Film Incentives
Idaho has a variety of sales and tax incentives available for qualifying media productions,
including cash rebates on in-state spending, sales tax rebates on tangible goods purchased in
Idaho, and sales and lodging tax exemptions for production personnel who stay a minimum of
30 days in the state.
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ABOUT GROW IDAHO FALLS, INC.
Grow Idaho Falls, Inc., is an investor-based organization dedicated to the development and
growth of Idaho Falls, Ammon and Bonneville County. Grow Idaho Falls, Inc. plays an important
role in the expansion of existing business, job retention and the attraction of new business to
our area.
Originally named the Eastern Idaho Economic Development Council, Grow Idaho Falls, Inc. has
been in existence since 2000. Our primary goal is to create good paying jobs with benefits for
the people and families of our community.
Linda Martin is the Executive Director of Grow Idaho Falls, Inc.
Linda K. Martin, CEcD
Executive Director
Grow Idaho Falls, Inc.
151 North Ridge Avenue, Suite 130
Idaho Falls, ID 83402
Phone: 208-522-2014
Fax: 208-522-3824
[email protected]
Tami Sherwood is the Business Development Manager of
Grow Idaho Falls, Inc.
Tami Sherwood
Business Development Manager/Investor Relations
Grow Idaho Falls, Inc.
151 North Ridge Ave, Suite 130
Idaho Falls, ID 83402
Phone: 208-522-2014
Fax: 208-522-384
[email protected]
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