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Idaho Charts Aggressive Course for Tech-based Future

January 19, 2001

Science policy and tech-based economic development have taken center stage in Idaho with last week’s release of the Idaho Science and Technology Strategy and the supporting new initiatives included in Governor Dirk Kempthorne’s recent budget message.

With the strong tech base in Boise, the wealth of science and technical expertise at the Idaho National Engineering and Environmental Laboratory (INEEL), and robust state revenues, Governor Kempthorne and the 23-member Science and Technology Advisory Council he appointed believe the key elements are in place to launch a comprehensive strategy for growing and expanding the state’s tech-based economic.



The council, which includes the state’s top technology company executives, engineers, educators, and technology experts, recommended several courses of action in the Idaho Science and Technology Strategy:

  • Build, attract, and retain a highly skilled technical workforce
  • Invest in creating R&D excellence and promoting industry-university collaboration
  • Facilitate commercialization of technology developed in Idaho
  • Build an entrepreneurial culture that supports and nurtures new firm formation
  • Invest in the infrastructure needed to support a technology-based economy
  • Establish a national and international image for Idaho as a leading technology center

Among the priority actions identified in the report are the creation of a private, non-profit Idaho Science and Technology Corporation to oversee implementation of the strategic plan. 



Governor Kempthorne’s 2001 budget, presented to the state legislature January 10, outlined an array of initiatives that will begin implementing the plan immediately, including:

  • a five percent research and development tax credit
  • a three percent broadband connectivity investment tax credit with an additional transferable credit of up to two percent for telecommunications projects in counties with high unemployment or low average personal income (total estimated cost to the state is $10.8 million)
  • $2 million incentive to encourage the creation of more venture capital to be invested in start-up companies 
  • creation of a non-profit, public-private corporation to oversee implementation of the S&T strategy
  • $500,000 for the Higher Education Research Council to provide matching grants for university research in the North Idaho Business Park
  • $2.65 million to hire more faculty in key science, engineering and professional disciplines
  • $3 million for faculty recruitment and infrastructure in research areas of economic importance to the state
  • $6 million for signing bonuses and loan forgiveness for math and science teachers 
  • a new Math Initiative to increase Idaho student performance on the Direct Math Assessment
  • $3 million for the Promise Scholarship Program (created in 2000, but unfunded), which would provide $500 to Idaho's top high school graduates to use toward attending an Idaho college or university
  • a $500,000 state matching grant program to provide 1:1 match for local and regional economic development assistance
  • $400,000 expansion of the Gem Communities Program to provide economic development training and planning for rural communities

The 62-page Idaho Science and Technology Strategic Plan may be downloaded from http://www.idoc.state.id.us/news/ScienceTech.html

Governor Dirk Kempthorne’s State of the State Address and Budget Message can be found at: http://www2.state.id.us/gov/Speeches/2001/01speeches.htm

Idaho