Idaho’s Business Magnate Getting Makeover

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Idaho's top incentive for attracting businesses is getting a makeover.

Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter and Idaho Department of Labor Director Ken Edmunds announced Tuesday a series of changes to the state's workforce development training fund. The fund —which first started in 1996— provides grant money to businesses to pay for employee training.

Business recruiters argue the fund is the best tool Idaho has to attract out-of-state companies looking to expand or relocate. Edmunds says the original eligibility criteria will remain the same; however, businesses will now receive larger reimbursement amounts if they score high in a six area evaluation formula.

For example, companies that offer higher wages in highly concentrated occupations and offer an education component will receive as much as $4,500 per employee.