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Idaho Falls Promotes Growth in Science and Sustainable Energy
Plans for Continual Growth
Cities awarded a slot on the Top 30 List are able to create and offer a greater number of jobs than some other cities, because their planners successfully implement ongoing economic development that draws new and expanding businesses as well as additional residents into their cities.
The Idaho Falls Economic Development entity, Grow Idaho Falls, continually expands the city's business base to create high-quality jobs in the Greater Idaho Falls area and surrounding two-county marketplace. They accomplish this by providing:
- Low business overhead - low-cost utilities and real estate, with beneficial tax structures and incentives.
- High standard of living - affordable housing, community cooperation, neighborhood revitalization and development, festivals and events, tourism, and recreation.
- Developing infrastructure - transportation, telecommunications, tech support, and strong training programs for workers.
- Development of alternative energy sources and sustainability in business and government. The local Wolverine Creek wind farm maintains 43 turbines.
Idaho Falls is the fastest growing city the state from 2010 through 2020, with a population growth of 101.78% reported by the U.S. Census.
Growth in the Historic Downtown District
Historic Downtown Idaho Falls is the city's urban revitalization center with official planned economic development in energy and science projects and events like Alive After Five, Fourth of July Fireworks, the Farmer's Market, and a growing list of business attractors.
Downtown residences are increasing in number, with new living spaces constantly planned in condominiums and residential hotels. At the same time, historic buildings are being refurbished and added to the list of US National Historic Sites.
Altogether, business and jobs have been increasing since 2009.
Idaho Falls celebrates a popular annual event for Resilience Week to promote energy security and energy restoration, backed by the Department of Energy's Office of Cybersecurity, Energy Security, and Emergency Response.
The Goshen North Wind Farm is located 10 miles east of the city of Idaho Falls in Bonneville County.
Greater Idaho Falls Area Marketplace
Idaho Falls serves as a regional hub for healthcare, travel, and business.
Consistently among the Top 30 Cities for Jobs in America, as awarded by CareerBuilder.com, Idaho Falls is located in the Bonneville and Jefferson county metropolitan statistical area.
The city follows along the Idaho river belt formed by Snake River, which flows through the city center. During the AD 1800s early settlement, the falls was taken over by a sharp man named Taylor, who built a toll to span it.
Mormon settlers and trappers, traders,and gold miners provided business trade and a large LDS Temple. The town that grew up here was named Taylor's Bridge, and then Taylor's Crossing before receiving the name Idaho Falls.
The city maintains the area surrounding the river via city budget allocations, donations, and grants. Ongoing development and expansion adds additional green-way areas, residences, and businesses to the river belt area to boost the economy. Such local and tourist attractions include a footbridge over the falls at the location formerly known as Taylor’s Crossing, new parks, and a new baseball diamond.
Amenities are growing with the developing city.
Family Nuclear Science Night, sponsored by the Idaho National Laboratory, engages local families in the understanding and promotion of developing science and science based businesses. Many youngsters later choose to participate in science careers.
The Ten Largest Local Employers
- Idaho National Laboratory (INL) does government research, design, and development regarding energy. This includes Nuclear Energy, Homeland Security, and the Environment. At least 50 separate programs are in development. INL have an extensive community outreach program, including partnering with local organizations. IHL News Room.
- Battelle Energy Alliance: Research and design services for alternative energy; commercial physical and biological research. Annual sales $301,800,000. Part of the larger Battelle Memorial Institute HQ in Columbus, Ohio the Number One Technology City in America for 2008. Sites worldwide.
- Melaleuca: As of 2021, this producer and seller of tee tree oil and home and personal products reached the third largest employee cohort in the state as well as locally. Highly successful and providing a Charitable Foundation that benefits communities.
- Winco ("Winning Company") Foods: This is a discount/bulk grocery company of employee-owned stores grew during the COVID-19 pandemic to increase its services through curbside pickup. The local store is a 24-hour operation, seven days a week. Look for employment at WinCo Careers.
- LP Propane: Also one of the biggest companies in the state, considering employees on staff.
- Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center and Women and Infants Center
- Bechtel BWXT: Energy and waste management
- Idaho Falls School District #91: Seventh largest school district in the state.
- CH2M Hill WG: Environmental Management Services, including safe disposal of radioactive materials.
- City of Idaho Falls: Government jobs.
Idaho is the fastest growing state in the nation for information technology jobs, according to a new report from a company called VPNOverview.
— Idaho State Journal; September 3, 2021Top 10 Fast Growing Jobs Through 2030
Note: During September 2021, 700 IT positions were advertised at Indeed.com.
- Software Developers.
- Operations Research Analysts
- Statisticians
- Information Security Analysts
- Nurse Practitioners
- Physician Assistants
- Retail Sales positions, all levels
- Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialist
- Big-Rig Truck Drivers
- Agricultural Workers, including Famers
Partnering Schools Save Money
Eastern Idaho Technical College continues to expand its campus and academic offerings, as well as partnering with government and local businesses to develop new jobs. Originally a vocational and technical school, it is called "The College of Eastern Idaho."
Economic growth partnerships further include University Place, offering a dual enrollment option that permits students to attend the University of Idaho and Idaho State University simultaneously, at no extra cost.
The Center for Advanced Energy Studies partners with the schools above, as well as the Idaho National Laboratory and local businesses.
Jobs are growing through school partnerships.
Sources
- Best Nuclear Energy Jobs in Idaho
- Energy and Environmental Technology Jobs at Idaho National Laboratory
- Idaho National Laboratory. https://www.inl.gov/ Retrieved November 11, 2018.
- Idaho State Journal. Study: Idaho is fastest growing state in nation for IT jobs. September 3, 2021.
- KMTV News Release. Idaho job growth projected to be sixth fastest in the nation through 2024; August 12, 2016. www.kmvt.com/content/news/Idaho-job-growth-projected-to-be-sixth-fastest-in-the-nation-through-2024-390002891.html Retrieved September 18, 2018.
- Idaho Job Projections 2012 - 2022. labor.idaho.gov/publications/2022-Idaho-Projections.pdf Retrieved September 16, 2018.
- US Department of Energy Jobs in Idaho
This article is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge. Content is for informational or entertainment purposes only and does not substitute for personal counsel or professional advice in business, financial, legal, or technical matters.
© 2009 Patty Inglish MS
