Business Resources and Assistance

Customized Recruiting Services
The Department of Labor offers employers one-on-one professional guidance in managing the recruitment process. Experienced Labor Work Force consultants can visit your work site to identify needs and then effectively match employee prospects to the skills, training and experience required to fill available jobs. The Department of Labor has offices located across the state.

Customized Work Force Training
Idaho supports educational and training programs through the Department of Labor and its local offices to provide skilled, productive workers for your company. Training can be tailored to your specific company needs and designed to develop skill sets for a company’s precise requirements. Financial reimbursement up to $3,000 is available to eligible companies to cover the cost of training a new employee or retaining one facing permanent layoff.

Work Force Training Network
This network coordinates delivery of statewide training programs to meet the needs of Idaho’s employers and citizens. The state provides these programs in a customized manner based on a businesses' needs.

Access Labor Market Information
Visit the Department of Labor’s web site or a local office for current information about work force trends, economic conditions, demographics, wages, industry and occupational statistics and census data.

Existing businesses; economic development groups; and companies considering startup, expansion or relocation can also call on labor economists throughout the state for information, analysis, referral services and technical assistance.

Idaho Business Network (IBN)
The Idaho Business Network is the state’s recognized Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC). This organization matches the purchasing needs of federal and state agencies with the products and services of Idaho companies. In addition, it provides technical assistance with completing bid documents, offers seminars on evolving procurement practices and hosts the
Governor’s Business Opportunity Conference to put you face-to-face with purchasing professionals from government agencies and large corporations. Annually, Idaho businesses average over $100 million in federal and state contracts by taking advantage of the Idaho Business Network.

Export Assistance
The Department of Commerce’s International Trade Division offers export counseling, seminars and marketing resources to Idaho companies. Marketing opportunities via catalogs, trade shows and trade missions are provided at a nominal fee. Idaho trade representatives in Mexico, China, and Taiwan assist companies by finding business opportunities, distributors and projects. They are co-located and partner with the U.S. Commercial Service to provide worldwide resources and assistance.

TechHelp
TechHelp assists Idaho manufacturers in lean manufacturing, human performance, quality systems, product development and information technology to help them become more competitive.

Small Business Development Centers
Small Business Development Centers around the state deliver up-to-date counseling, training and technical assistance in all aspects of management to help small business owners and potential business owners make sound decisions. http://www.idahosbdc.org

TechConnect
TechConnect staff act as project managers to access the resources necessary for businesses to commercialize private, university, and governmental technologies. State sponsored programs and federal grants are earmarked to help Idaho communities and counties with infrastructure improvements that encourage business expansion and strengthen the local economy. http://www.idahotechconnect.com

Gem State Prospector
Gem State Prospector gives companies considering relocation or expansion a database of business locations across Idaho. This resource allows companies to search by their property needs and provides in-depth results for each site, including demographic information for the surrounding area, access to utilities, and proximity to support businesses.
www.gemstateprospector.com
 

Infrastructure Improvements

Up to $500,000 in Community Block Grants
Local cities and counties may receive grants to finance public infrastructure improvements that support business development.

Up to $500,000 in Rural Development Grants
Communities in rural Idaho may receive grants to facilitate business development, expansion or relocation.

Up to $500,000 in Gem Grants
Rural communities may receive grants for projects that create assets with a high certainty of aiding job creation and job retention.

Economic Development Administration Grants
Communities may receive grants for industrial or commercial site development where commercial financing cannot be secured. Loans up to $10,000 may be granted for each new job created.

Tax Increment Financing
Cities and counties may use Tax Increment Financing to fund new infrastructure needed to support business development.