New Economic Development Plan Launched by Governor’s Office

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Idaho Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter is launching an initiative he says will boost economic development using planning collaboration but not much spending. The governor announced the plan, called Accelerate Idaho, Thursday afternoon. The initiative establishes a checklist of areas needing improvement, including K-12 education, infrastructure and labor shortages in key industries. Meridian Sen. Russ Fulcher, who is challenging Otter for the governor's seat, says the initiative is too little too late, noting that Idaho has the more workers in minimum wage jobs per capita than any other state in the nation. Idaho Department of Commerce Director Jeff Sayer says though the initiative doesn't set a wage goal, attacking the listed priorities will lead to improving the state's last-in-the-nation wage.