Hilde Shetler: Hungry to help others

Whether it has been providing prospective companies the advantages of relocating to Kootenai County or making this a better community as a volunteer, Hilde Shetler loves assisting people.

"It's always about helping someone," she said.

Shetler's last day as vice president at Jobs Plus, the area's economic development recruitment agency, was on Friday. She's been with the company for eight years.

Shetler plans to move back to Hawaii to do economic development work and promote her new website www.madeinusa-z.com.

She's been active in the community, including with Post Falls Rotary, the Post Falls Urban Renewal Commission, Ending Kootenai County Homelessness, Boys and Girls Club of Kootenai County, Kootenai County Workforce Development Task Force and North Idaho College Workforce Development.

Shetler said being a part of the boards, nonprofits and Jobs Plus has been rewarding.

"The group efforts of people involved keep us all going, encouraging each other and wanting to do more," she said. "There's so many people in our community working so hard to make it better."

What have you enjoyed most about your job at Jobs Plus?

Connections and solutions seems to be a theme ... providing what the client or others need when they need it and when they're happy with the outcome.

What experiences have you had with your job that made it rewarding?

As an example, we recently assisted a manufacturing company expanding in our area which was facing equipment installation issues. At every level, working together with private and public entities and a local state senator, there was a positive outcome, and quickly, so the company could be up and running. The assistance and speedy responsiveness from our local officials and legislators at the state level shows the concern and work to provide solutions beneficial to business and their employees. Another business we're currently working with is pleased that they'll be doing business here in the future. We have provided them with information on property, incentives and addressed concerns that have convinced them that North Idaho is where they want to be.

Can you offer any hints on the types of businesses currently looking to locate here?

We are working with a wide range of businesses - customer service, manufacturing and distribution - which are at various stages of inquiry. We are working with companies - great companies paying above-average wages with benefits - which would be wonderful additions for our communities. We hope that announcements will be made in the near future.

Do you believe we'll see a lot of businesses coming here in the next year or will it be a slow/gradual growth? What makes you say that?

The interest in our area has increased in the last year or so through referrals, community partners and the Idaho Department of Commerce. Initial contact to decision to relocate or expand to our area takes several years. We are looking forward to announcements as the client wishes, later this year and early next year from businesses we are currently working with which plan to begin operations here.

During these tough economic times, has Jobs Plus had to refocus its recruiting efforts since the boom years of 2004-05 and, if so, how?

There is more focus on existing businesses and assisting them in any way we can. We have more outreach through referrals and partnerships with agencies and legislators.

What are the biggest challenges Jobs Plus faces with recruiting businesses during tough times?

Staying competitive with other states and what they offer and doing the best job we can to show that our state and communities are the best place to live, raise a family and do business for the long run. Many larger companies operating nationally and internationally use site locators in their search process, initially with a broad search encompassing many states. As the process moves forward, locators are analyzing data, including property, incentives, transportation, cost of start-up and doing business, along with what support comes from the community. Our competition with some states may include property availability, infrastructure and cost to fit client needs, certain insurance costs and other categories that vary from state to state. Getting beyond the matrix of analysis, getting the decision makers to visit here, continue to be an important goal.

What types of businesses is this area really ripe for right now?

Family-owned businesses are always ripe for our area. They are concerned about quality of life and not solely focused on the matrix of comparisons and numbers. We win when quality of life is an important consideration for the client.

How else does this area remain a promising area for businesses to come to?

Our property prices - commercial and residential - are very competitive and low when considering most states. We have reliable and low-cost power. Transportation is easy getting from the West Coast to the East Coast, north and south. Our state offers great incentives for workforce training, capital investment, along with certain tax exemptions.

What are your thoughts about moving on?

Too bad I can't be in both places at the same time.

What's your next job about?

With the website which just recently launched I'm committed to providing information to those interested in products made in America with a comparison to like foreign-made goods. It's a misnomer that foreign-made products are vastly "cheaper," and one would be surprised at what goods are foreign-made that have an American brand name. The website does not sell goods. If we want Americans to have jobs, then we need to buy American. Products made here equate to jobs here. Buy local ... your town, your state, your country. We need to think beyond buying local at the retail level, which is by itself a great support, but where are those products we're buying coming from, where are they made? Buying Made In USA products keeps jobs here. Buying products made elsewhere keeps jobs elsewhere.

What do you think the future holds for this area? What do you think will be the biggest challenges?

The future of our region is fantastic. Over and over again, we hear that our people always step up, are always willing to help and give with time and money. We read about it often. What goes on behind the scenes with so many in our community, on so many boards and committees and groups, is remarkable and the outcome is so positive. Our biggest challenge is meeting needs specifically at every level and that takes work, cooperation and giving, whether it be business recruitment, helping the homeless, expanding programs for children, filling the food bank's shelves or more educational programs. Whatever it is, we want to be the best, have the best and provide the best that's just right for our community.