Regional Economic Development

"Our fear," she added, "is that when you talk to employers out there, they say they are not getting the skills they need," in part because "the colleges are not getting students with the skills they need.‘‘

Historically, Utah has been fortunate, Barber said, as the state ranked near the top 10 of all states in terms of oil, natural gas and coal production.

Junto Entrepreneurship Program is a fledgling project designed to sprout young entrepreneurs and reap their ideas.

The sad fact is that even if there are no other reasonable solutions, Boise is burning an important bridge with North Idaho.

Large numbers of these workers have been unable to find new jobs. Others have been forced to accept jobs with lower pay and fewer benefits.

The Rural Center believes they deserve more and better options. One possibility lies in self-employment.

Who: "If you are a technology entrepreneur, a high-tech start-up or an emerging technology business, Kickstand was created for you," the group says.

Eldred said he has received 23 requests for information from potential employers within the last year, and one in eight of those requests results in further interest in the city. Eldred and Jerome’s recruiting team are working on a "large development" now, and two more projects are in progress.

Looking to become a franchisee? Well, the May edition of the SBA Solutions newsletter is chock full of must-read information. This month you’ll find: 1. A registry of successful companies available for franchising. 2. Ways…

Rural Idaho is diversifying. The state’s new Profile of Rural Idaho makes this emerging trend clear.

One of the goals of the task force is to help "stabilize" the state’s tax revenue. In other words, not have taxes go way up in good economic times, go way down in bad.