Billings copying Boise

Billings may never be another Boise, Idaho, a high-tech magnet that’s home to numerous multinational corporations.

By TOM HOWARD
of the Gazette Staff

But Billings is pursuing many of the job-creation strategies that helped Boise launch more than 15 years of unprecedented growth and prosperity, said Joe McClure, executive director of the Big Sky Economic Development Authority.

McClure was among eight Billings officials who visited Boise Tuesday, hoping to gain insight on the city’s model for job creation and economic growth.

Boise’s population grew by 48 percent between 1990 and 2000, mainly because of the emergence of high-tech jobs created by companies such as Micron Technology Corp. For years, Billings community leaders have hoped that Billings would be able to duplicate Boise’s growth pattern.

McClure said Boise officials set the stage for the current boom by doing the same kinds the things that Billings is doing now.

"They decided to do professional economic development work in 1986, and they decided to have a strategy of working together," McClure said in a telephone interview from the Boise airport.

"We need to believe in ourselves and create that atmosphere that starts to feed on itself," McClure said. "We’re taking that first step."

One thing Billings seems to be doing right is launching a focused business recruitment strategy. Another advantage is that the Chamber of Commerce, the city of Billings, Yellowstone County, educators and the Big Sky EDA have pledged to work together, McClure said.

The parallels between what Boise did 15 years ago and what Billings is doing today are striking, McClure said. Every economic development organization the Billings contingent met with Tuesday has a corresponding organization in Billings, McClure said.

During a visit to Billings in September, Boise Mayor Brent Coles said quality-of-life issues such as bike paths and a vibrant downtown are essential to attracting new businesses. To develop a competitive advantage, Billings must cater to bright, creative individuals, he said.

McClure was asked if Billings still has some hurdles to overcome.

"We need to continue to work on air service," he said. "That’s a key component to business relocations. Boise had a lot more direct flights, but with America West Airlines coming on board in Billings, that will help a lot."

Joining McClure in Boise Tuesday were Jim Duncan, president of Billings Deaconess Foundation; Chris Dimock, a local businessman and chairman of the MSU-Billings College of Technology National Advisory Council; Mike Schaer, chairman of the Big Sky EDA and owner of Computers Unlimited; Mayor Chuck Tooley; Nathan Bekke, sales and marketing director for The Billings Gazette; Rae Olsen, corporate relations director for PPL Montana and Sharon Peterson, state director for Sen. Max Baucus, D-Mont.

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