Invest in people, potential.' Nonpoliticians say Idaho needs to think beyond roads and bridges when it comes to the stimulus

Nonpoliticians say Idaho needs to think beyond roads and bridges when it decides how to spend stimulus dollars.

BY CYNTHIA SEWELL - cmsewell@idahostatesman.com

With the possibility of the state receiving millions of dollars in federal stimulus money, some local business leaders and economic experts say Idaho's economic recovery hinges on more than rebuilding roads and bridges.

The future of this Valley and this state lies in nurturing and cultivating two of its most important resources: youth, who will guide the Gem State through the 21st century, and entrepreneurs, who will become the next wave of Simplots, Albertsons and Morrisons.

"We've got to think broader and smarter than just potholes. We need to invest in our people and our potential," BoDo developer and WaterCooler founder Mark Rivers said. "This will come from higher education, new innovation and our robust class of entrepreneurs."

President-elect Barack Obama wants to invest his promised multibillion-dollar stimulus in energy, education, health care and a new infrastructure "that are necessary to keep us strong and competitive in the 21st century" and will "retrofit America for a global economy."

In his State of the State speech Monday, Gov. Butch Otter echoed Rivers' desire to create the next generation of business leaders.

But so far, Idaho has a wish list that is heavy on transportation, light on energy, education and health care - and largely made up of unfunded projects from various state agencies.

Obama has said he wants the cash to jump-start job creation and long-term growth by investing in the science, research and technology that will lead to medical breakthroughs, other discoveries and entire new industries.

So what could Idaho do to best position itself with some of its share of the money?

Rivers suggests using the stimulus money for new research and science facilities at the public universities.

"These are the new technologies and innovations that will drive new companies and an educated workforce," Rivers said.

Boise State University professor Nancy Napier thinks Idaho should make a point of recruiting creative and innovative businesses - like the well-known modern dance troupe Trey McIntyre Company. Idaho is a small enough state that business leaders and researchers and creative artists can all work together - and we should take advantage of that, she said.

And Northwest Nazarene University finance and economics professor Peter Crabb points out that Idaho has had great small and large companies for decades. If the state can devote money to a better business tax climate, he said, the economy will grow itself.