Idaho Commerce and Labor Connections. December 2005

Visit us on the Web: http://www.cl.idaho.gov

In This Issue :

* Tourism an Increasing Factor in Idaho’s Economy

* Unemployment Rate Holds Steady for November

* Film Industry Task Force Proposes New Incentives

* Directory of Idaho’s Science & Tech Industry Available

* Councils Support New Math & Science Requirements

* Unemployment Insurance Tax Rate Will Rise

* Dwight Johnson Named to Science & Tech Council

* Local Offices Host Veteran Days

* New Office Managers Named

* Idaho Economic Symposium Planned

Idaho Impressions:

"Productions filmed in Idaho will have an immediate impact on Idaho’s economy through the creation of jobs and increased demand for services and products. Film and television projects can also expose a worldwide audience to all that Idaho has to offer."

— Roger B. Madsen, Director of Idaho Commerce & Labor.

The Month’s Top Stories

Cross-country skiers enjoy the trails at Ponderosa Park in McCall during the Thanksgiving weekend. A new study found that increased tourism to places like McCall is having a larger impact on Idaho’s economy. (Photo by Connie Cleveland)

Tourism an Increasing Factor in Idaho’s Economy
Tourism contributed $2.1 billion to Idaho’s $43.4 billion gross state product last year, according to a new study conducted for Idaho Commerce & Labor by Global Insight. The study found that tourism is providing an increasing share of the state’s jobs and wages. Over 47,000 workers earned $728 million in wages directly through the tourism industry in 2004.

Unemployment Rate Holds Steady for November
The total number of people working in the state of Idaho reached a record high for a sixth straight month at 711,000, while the number of unemployed increased slightly to 26,800. Idaho’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for November 2005 remained forecast at 3.6 percent for the third straight month, signifying the economy’s continued strength and stability. The current unemployment rate remained below the national rate of 5 percent, which was unchanged from October.

Film Industry Task Force Propose New Incentives
The Idaho Film Industry Task Force, appointed by Idaho Commerce & Labor Director Roger B. Madsen, has proposed two new financial incentives that will be introduced to the Idaho Legislature with the goal of increasing film and television production in Idaho. The incentives include a 5 percent rebate on sales tax and a 10 percent rebate on labor expenditures for companies that hire Idaho residents for jobs that pay at least $11 per hour but not more than $125 per hour. To qualify for either incentive, a production company must make a minimum investment in Idaho of $200,000 or more over a three-year period.

Directory of Idaho’s Science & Tech Industry Available
Idaho’s strengths in science and technology are highlighted in a new directory released by Idaho Commerce & Labor’s Office of Science & Technology. The "Idaho Core Competency Directory" lists companies, research organizations and universities actively involved in imaging, power and energy, ag/biosciences and nanotechnology/new materials. The areas were identified earlier this year by the Governor’s Science & Technology Advisory Council as the core competencies the state should focus on to continue growing its science and technology industry.

Councils Support New Math and Science Requirements
A statewide initiative to increase math and science requirements for high school students has received support from the Governor’s Science & Technology Advisory Council and the Idaho Workforce Development Council. Both councils voted unanimously this month to support the Idaho State Board of Education’s "The Future is Now" initiative, which would raise the number of math and science classes students would take in high school. Students graduating in 2012 would be required to complete three years of math and three years of science. Students graduating in 2013 would be required to complete four years of math and three years of science. Students are currently required to take only two years of math and science to graduate.

Unemployment Insurance Tax Rate to Rise
Notices are going out this month to Idaho’s 46,000 employers informing them about the new unemployment insurance tax rates that go into effect for 2006. The 2006 increase is the second year of a multi-phased rate increase approved by the Idaho Legislature. The rate increases were approved by the 2005 Legislature to avoid an even larger tax increase that would have gone into effect following the expiration of an unemployment tax rate freeze the legislature approved in 2001. "The reasonable rate increases approved by the 2005 Legislature and the corresponding $72 million reduction in workers benefits is rebuilding the financial health of the unemployment insurance trust fund," said Idaho Commerce & Labor Director Roger B. Madsen.

Idaho Commerce & Labor Offices Across the State Hosted "Hire a Veteran" days to help returning soldiers from the 116th Cavalry Brigade and other veterans learn about job and training opportunities.

Idaho Commerce & Labor Offices Host Veteran Days
Idaho Commerce & Labor’s 24 local offices hosted "Hire a Veteran" days in November to coincide with Governor Dirk Kempthorne’s proclamation naming November "Hire a Veteran" month. The events also coincided with the return of the more than 1,600 Idahoans from the Idaho Army National Guard’s 116th Cavalry Brigade that had been deployed in Iraq for nearly a year. The events were an opportunity for veterans to find out about job and training opportunities as well as other benefits available to veterans such as health care, small business loans and home loans.

Dwight Johnson Named to Science and Technology Council
Governor Dirk Kempthorne announced this month the appointment of Dwight Johnson to the Governor’s Science & Technology Advisory Council. Johnson, a former assistant deputy director at Commerce & Labor, left the department in October when he was named the interim executive director for the Idaho State Board of Education.

New Office Managers for Magic Valley, Boise and Blackfoot Named
Three Idaho Commerce & Labor Offices have new managers. Nancy Cummings is the new manager of the Boise office. Cummings has been with the department for more than 25 years. Prior to this position Cummings was assistant manager of the Boise office. Chris Orders is the new manager of the Magic Valley office in Twin Falls. Orders has been with the department for 19 years. Prior to this position she was the manger of the Blackfoot office. Replacing Orders as the Blackfoot manager is Mary Davis, who previously served as a supervisor in the Idaho Falls Office.

Help Build Idaho’s Economy
If you know of a company that wishes to relocate or expand, contact Idaho Commerce & Labor Director Roger B. Madsen at 208-334-6110. Learn more about the business incentives Idaho has to offer from Wendi Secrist, 208-334-2650 ext. 2134., [email protected] .

Calendar of Events

January 17: Global Trends Seminar, Boise
Idaho Commerce & Labor and the Idaho State Department of Agriculture are hosting the eighth annual "Global Trends Seminar." The event will highlight the latest exporting trends and is appropriate for companies new to exporting and those experienced with exporting. The location and registration information is still pending. For more information contact Damien Bard at 208-334-2470.

January 25-28: Agro-Sinaloa Trade Show, Sinaloa, Mexico
The State of Idaho-Mexico Trade Office will again showcase Idaho agricultural products and equipment at this show, located in the heart of Mexico’s farm country. Companies can either send a representative to the trade show or participate through the Idaho Agricultural Products & Services Catalog. Contact: Sarah Freeman at (208)334-2470.

January 31 : Idaho Economic Symposium
The Idaho Economic Symposium will be held in Boise at the Boise Centre on the Grove on Jan. 31�from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The event will provide an overview of the state’s economic progress and focus on the important relationship between Idaho’s economy, employment and education. Idaho Governor Dirk Kempthorne has been invited to speak and U.S. Assistant Secretary of Labor Emily DeRocco will provide the opening presentation for the event. The event will also feature a keynote address from Ed Barlow. Considered one of the leading futurists, Barlow will provide his views on employment, transportation and travel and tourisms. The cost to attend is $45. Lunch will be provided. To register call 208-332-3570 ext 3133 or visit cl.idaho.gov.
Call or e-mail Ken Dey, editor, with questions or comments: 208-332-3570 ext. 3650 or ken.dey @cl.idaho.gov

"We Create Jobs, Strengthen Communities and Market Idaho."

IDAHO COMMERCE & LABOR
P.O. Box 83720, Boise, Idaho 83720-0093
Tel: 208-334-2470; Fax: 208-334-2631
Web: cl.idaho.gov

DIRK KEMPTHORNE, GOVERNOR
ROGER B. MADSEN, DIRECTOR

Idaho Commerce & Labor is an equal opportunity employer.
This document is available upon request in alternative formats for individuals with disabilities.
georgia.smith @cl.idaho.gov • Roger B. Madsen