Idaho Prepares to Merge Departments of Commerce and Labor

In an effort to maximize resources and streamline service delivery, Idaho will merge its Departments of Commerce and Labor effective on July 1. Governor Dirk Kempthorne recently signed House Bill 607 approving the measure after having proposed the initiative in his January State of the State Address.

Contact: Christie Amberman
Center for Best Practices

The combined department will formalize a long-standing partnership that the two agencies have maintained in the pursuit of common goals, which include strengthening Idaho businesses and communities, creating higher-wage jobs with benefits, and increasing tourism and international trade opportunities in the state. No employee jobs will be lost in connection to the merger. Some anticipated benefits of the new structure include increased capacity to target economic development opportunities and an ability to create more efficient working relationships between the state and local governments.

Related Links:

* Governor Kempthorne’s Press Release http://www2.state.id.us/gov/mediacenter/press/pr04/prmar04/Pr_030.htm

http://www.nga.org/center/frontAndCenter/1,1188,C_FRONT_CENTER%5ED_6672,00.html