The Idaho Legislature passed a comprehensive new incentive package during its last session.
        "What the new incentives do is reinforce the fact that Idaho is a progressive place to do business," says Gary Mahn, Idaho Dept. of Commerce Director.
        Those incentives include reducing corporate income tax, providing job training tax credits up to $500 per each employee hired, up to 5 percent credit for research and development, credits up to an additional 3 percent for businesses that relocate or expand in Idaho's highest unemployment areas, and credits on broadband equipment expenditures.
        "These new incentives have really helped a lot already in the telecommunications industry," says Ray Burstedt, Bannock Development's executive director. Last fall, computer giant Dell announced a technical support center will open in Twin Falls and will bring 200 jobs into the area. Area officials agree both the incentives and Twin Falls city leaders contributed to landing the Dell deal. CB Richard Ellis' Houston office negotiated the agreement and said the city's can-do attitude played a part in the project's success. "I will recommend any of my clients looking for facilities in the Northwest to first look in Twin Falls," wrote Ryan Morris of CB Richard Ellis in a letter to the Southern Idaho Economic Development Organization and the city of Twin Falls.

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