Boise a Case Study for the High-Tech Economy

Idaho policymakers must make necessary investments and attract talent to succeed, according to a new report.

1 minute read

March 5, 2008, 2:00 PM PST

By Nate Berg


A new report prepared by a professor from the Affairs and Planning Program, Virginia Tech finds that "Idaho's state and local policymakers have to understand and recognize the importance of the knowledge economy. They need to support entrepreneurship, industry-university connections, workforce and skill development, talent creation, and the region's quality of life. Knowledge-based industries are critical for future growth for any region, and Boise needs to recognize that it already has the right prerequisites to succeed in a knowledge economy. To take the region to the next level, policymakers need to make strategic investments in their universities, connect to and leverage industry R&D, and they need to develop, attract, and retain talent.

Boise, Idaho, is part of a growing community of so-called emerging high-technology regions. Even though Boise's high-tech economy is small when compared to places like Silicon Valley or Seattle, the technology community in the Treasure Valley is highly specialized and very entrepreneurial. The region is home to leading high-technology employers such as Hewlett-Packard and Micron Technology. These firms contributed to the creation of a skilled labor pool and the formation of many dynamic and entrepreneurial startups. This white paper presents the result of an online survey of 135 high-tech firms in Boise."

Thanks to Jon Cecil, AICP

Friday, February 29, 2008 in Idaho Business Review

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

July 2, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Aerial view of town of Wailuku in Maui, Hawaii with mountains in background against cloudy sunset sky.

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly

Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

July 1, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

White and purple sign for Slow Street in San Francisco, California with people crossing crosswalk.

San Francisco Suspends Traffic Calming Amidst Record Deaths

Citing “a challenging fiscal landscape,” the city will cease the program on the heels of 42 traffic deaths, including 24 pedestrians.

July 1, 2025 - KQED

Google street view of red brick multi-story power plant building in Pittsburgh, PA.

Defunct Pittsburgh Power Plant to Become Residential Tower

A decommissioned steam heat plant will be redeveloped into almost 100 affordable housing units.

July 4 - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Cyclist on protected bike lane in middle of street in Washington D.C. with Washington Monument obelisk visible in background.

Trump Prompts Restructuring of Transportation Research Board in “Unprecedented Overreach”

The TRB has eliminated more than half of its committees including those focused on climate, equity, and cities.

July 4 - Streetsblog USA

Blue and silver Amtrak train at small station.

Amtrak Rolls Out New Orleans to Alabama “Mardi Gras” Train

The new service will operate morning and evening departures between Mobile and New Orleans.

July 3 - New Orleans City Business