A new friend for business

What would you say to an organization whose mission is this:

To increase jobs and develop innovative, sustainable economic growth... to provide a neutral, comprehensive, statewide forum to facilitate business and legislative professionals to identify specific issues, and leverage university research to propose consensus-based solutions.

We know what we'd say: It's about time.

While Idaho harbors a number of entities that support business, a grassroots organization called Idaho Business Council is mustering legislative and business support for its unique purpose. Through the business colleges at University of Idaho, Boise State University and Idaho State University, IBC intends to generate research that will be available to the public, for free, and help meet goals that have never been more important for Idahoans:

1. Transport Idaho to recognition of business- and corporate-friendly statehood.

2. Create jobs, economic growth and stability.

3. Increase Idaho median family income.

4. Become the primary organization for entrepreneurs and business leaders to bring new concepts and struggles to light. Analyze, develop solutions and present legislators information to resolve.

IBC is seeking legislative support to analyze and use the research it produces, but refreshingly, is not asking legislators for taxpayer funding. Executive Director Jared Bauer says funding will come from selling sponsorships of its reports to businesses and foundations statewide.

And it is its emphasis on generating valuable data statewide, information that will help big businesses and small in the state's largest cities and most rural communities, that boosts our enthusiasm for IBC. On its nine-person board of directors, Coeur d'Alene and Sandpoint are well represented by James Saballa, CFO of Hecla Mining Co., and Jim Frank, CEO of Litehouse, Inc.

Bauer, an entrepreneur himself with a strong academic and business background, has already enlisted the support of several legislators in leadership positions. When the 2012 session opens next week, he'll be meeting with legislators from throughout North Idaho as well.

We wish IBC luck and encourage local legislators to open their doors and their minds to Idaho Business Council, evaluating what could become a very useful weapon in Idaho's economic development arsenal.

Find out more:

IdahoBusinessCouncil.org