Nearly $50 million sought to boost Idaho tech industry, jobs

Idaho needs faster Internet and more carrots for investors if it wants to become a high-tech state, a task force charged with boosting Idaho's technology sector recommends.

At a meeting Tuesday, the Governor's Science and Technology Advisory Council prescribed a nearly $50 million spending package to lure technology companies to Idaho. The package includes a $25 million technology stimulus fund, $10 million to improve Idaho's broadband service, $10 million for the first year of a five-year tax credit on technology investment, and $2 million to develop Idaho's reputation as a good place for science and technology investors to send their money.

Gov. Jim Risch would have to ask the Legislature to approve money for the project. Risch will consider the package, but wants more specifics on how the $25 million fund will be used, Risch spokesman Brad Hoaglun said.

At the meeting, council Chairman John Grossenbacher, who is director of the Idaho National Laboratory, suggested the money could be split among the state's three public universities. Part would go toward helping recruit new faculty, upgrading research facilities and paying for collaborative research projects with the Idaho National Laboratory and Veterans Administration Medical Center, Grossenbacher said.

Several council members were concerned the proposal sent too much money toward education, and could possibly be viewed as a money grab from the universities.

But if Idaho wants to be viewed as a technological leader, it needs to start building up at the university level, said Boise State University President Bob Kustra.

"If Idaho is going to move forward in the areas of discovery and invention and count itself among the states that have achieve notoriety, it will be through the development of intellectual talent and the intellectual property that comes from the universities," Kustra said.

Information from: Idaho Statesman, http://www.idahostatesman.com