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Jobs Plus enjoys banner year; future looks bright in North Idaho

March 19, 2003 /

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Rick Carr likes what he sees when it comes to the future of business in North Idaho.

By KAREN SHERMAN
Staff writer COEUR d’ALENE Press

"We’re very fortunate," said the president of Jobs Plus, an economic development organization in Coeur d’Alene. "I think our future is very bright and I think it’s a great result in a year that has been difficult at best." Several hundred supporters of Jobs Plus, Inc. gathered Tuesday at the Coeur d’Alene Inn for an annual review of the past year and their efforts to bolster the area’s economy.

"We want companies that offer fair, competitive wages, and we’re finding those companies," Carr said. "The mission and strategy of Jobs Plus seems sound. If it’s not broken — don’t fix it."

Last year alone, Jobs Plus recruited five new companies to the area including ACE Tarps & Covers in Post Falls, Advanced Field Services in Hayden Lake, Home by Design, a real estate market magazine and McGillivray Environmental at the University of Idaho Research Park. The firms brought 25 jobs with them.

Since Jobs Plus began in 1987, it has brought 71 companies to the area, 3,937 jobs and $100 million in annual payroll.
"That’s what this program has helped to bring in this regions," Carr said. "If the economy only gets better think what we can do in 2003."

Bob Potter resigned in November after 15 years with Jobs Plus, Inc. and Carr took the helm. Potter helped recruit numerous businesses to North Idaho including Buck Knives, based in El Cajon, Calif.

C.J. Buck, president and chief executive officer of Buck Knives, attended the meeting. He said the company decided to move to Post Falls because it offered the lifestyle they desired and Buck believes Idaho is pro-business. The company will save nearly $500,000 in worker compensation costs with the move, and will also decrease manufacturing costs by about 25 percent.

An additional benefit for the company is the low monthly power bills. Currently, Buck Knives is paying 31 cents a kilowatt hour in California, but will only pay about 5 1/2 cents in Post Falls.

"The power is not going to exceed, so that’s a great benefit for us," Buck said. "I’m happy to be here and I’ve totally enjoyed working with Bob."

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