First Jobs Plus boss now a Hall of Famer

COEUR d'ALENE - Economic development legend Bob Potter was inducted Thursday into the Idaho Hall of Fame at Jobs Plus Inc.'s 2015 annual meeting of members.

Potter spent 15 years at the helm of Jobs Plus, the Coeur d'Alene area's economic development corporation, and has been credited with recruiting more than 70 companies.

"Bob, you must take the greatest satisfaction in knowing how many families' lives have been blessed and improved from the work that you did," Tony Stewart, a member of the Idaho Hall of Fame board of directors, said in announcing Potter's induction. "And not only have those families prospered, but their children have experienced greater educational opportunities because of your work."

Approximately 300 people attended the annual meeting Thursday at The Coeur d'Alene Resort.

In an interview, Potter recalled his work helping bring major companies like Kimball, the office furniture manufacturer, to North Idaho. At its peak, the Post Falls plant had 450 employees.

It was announced this winter, however, that Kimball would be shutting down the huge Post Falls plant to consolidate operations in Indiana.

Potter recalled working hard for four years to bring that major employer to Post Falls from California.

"It was a huge move," Potter said. "Probably the largest manufacturing company that's ever just moved into the state."

Buck Knives was another one he fondly remembers recruiting.

"I love that company," Potter said.

There was plenty of love to go around Thursday.

"Your work bringing businesses and jobs to Idaho has left a legacy of professionalism and success that's a credit to your commitment to our state and our citizens," Idaho Gov. Butch Otter wrote in a letter to Potter.

Titan Spring Inc., in Hayden, was the last company he recruited to Idaho from outside the state.

"He knew what was good for us before we knew what was good for us," said Vince Desantis, vice president of operations at Titan Spring. "Bob is tenacious ... He chased us for about three years."

Stewart said the companies Potter recruited have been responsible for more than $325 million in capital investment, nearly $100 million in annual payroll, more than 3,900 well-paying jobs and more than $2.4 million in property taxes.

Lt. Gov. Brad Little quipped that it was too bad Potter wasn't working on commission.