Eastern Idaho Technology corridor director, Chris Hertz pushes for unified regional development (You can get involved)

POCATELLO – Teamwork isn’t only for sporting teams. Chris Hertz said it is something eastern Idaho needs to become stronger economically.

By Tanna Barry – Idaho State Journal Writer

Hertz is project director of the Technology Corridor, http://www.eastidaho.org/tech/index.html a project meant to unite eastern Idaho as a region and attract more technology-oriented businesses.

"This region has a lot to offer," said Hertz, who spoke at Pocatello Rotary Club’s meeting Thursday. "If we could leverage resources, package them and work as a team, we could obtain meaningful economic growth."

He said eastern Idaho is unique because it has multiple universities, beautiful scenery, the Idaho National Engineering and Environmental Laboratory and agriculture.

Instead of cities competing for growth, he said the region could market itself as a whole to improve the entire area.

"We have to act as a region so we can achieve incredible things," Hertz said.

Howard Burnett, an attorney and Rotarian, was one of many club members who endorse the Technology Corridor.

"We need to create a critical mass of technology businesses in our area," he said. "We need to retain and attract people who are well trained and qualified."

To do these things and improve the region’s economy, he said there needs to be unity.

Eight volunteer committees have been meeting to help create a strategic plan. These committees include business retention and expansion, marketing and real estate.

Hertz said the committees look for gaps in Eastern Idaho and ways to fill them. For instance, the business committee noted few know what businesses think about the region and what issues they have.

"We are starting to interview businesses to see what they feel and what we can do to help them," Hertz said. "We can’t solve every problem, but we can form relationships with them."

The committees are trying to create measurable goals for upcoming years.

Many Rotary members agree with the concept of the Technology Corridor.

"I’m all for it," said Linda Groom, a real estate agent and Rotary member. "We have needed to do it for some time."

Archie Service, an attorney and club member, agreed.

"I think it’s an excellent thing," he said. "Even to have a say in the state, we have to act like a region."

To make the project advance, though, Hertz said they need more volunteers to help on committees.

"We have a long way to go," he said. "We can’t do it by ourselves."

Anyone who wants to help with the project can call the Eastern Idaho Development Council at 522-2014.

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