Idaho must be ready if Micron leaves. Commerce director says the state should prepare two budgets

Idaho must be ready if Micron leaves. Commerce director says the state should prepare two budgets - just in case

January 12, 2008

Idaho's commerce director said Friday that state leaders should prepare a budget that assumes Micron Technology, the state's largest employer, will leave Idaho.

"(Micron's) either going to stay and everything's great or they're going to leave and everything's bad," Idaho Commerce Director Jim Ellick told the Idaho Statesman.

Micron's losses have been mounting as prices for its products have collapsed. The Boise memory-chip maker ended its last fiscal year with a $320 million loss and its latest quarter with a $262 million loss. In the last week, Micron's stock has continued to trade at lows not seen since 1994. On Friday, Micron's stock closed at $6.09, down 11 cents.

BY KEN DEY - kdey@idahostatesman.com

Full Story: http://www.idahostatesman.com/business/story/262286.html

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