| News Back Forbes ranks Boise No. 2 for businesses Job growth, low costs boost rating among U.S. cities Julie Howard - The Idaho Statesman Surprise, Boise. Even through layoffs, a war and the struggling economy, the Boise area on Thursday was named the second best place in the country for business and careers by Forbes Magazine. Boise isn´t new to this list, ranking sixth last year and as high as fifth in 2000. But coming in just behind dynamic Austin, Texas — a metropolitan area with a population of 1.3 million — was reason for local leaders to celebrate. “It´s a surprise, a pleasant surprise,” said Shirl Boyce, vice president of the Boise Metro Economic Development Council. “Yes, indeed, we have been affected by a downturn in the economy, but we haven´t been affected as much as some other areas.” And Boyce certainly will be sure to pass the message on — especially to executives from a firm that will be visiting the Treasure Valley next week seeking a new location for their 500-employee technology firm. “There´s a lot of competition for this kind of stuff,” said Boyce, who declined to name the firm. “This ranking sends a signal that this is a pretty good place to be. So, it´s something we´ll mention.” The magazine´s fifth annual survey acknowledged the troubled economy by giving special attention to the cost of doing business, an area where Boise ranked high. For the first time, the survey also included factors such as crime rates and housing costs. Forbes did not disclose how those factors affected the rankings. The list included 150 U.S. metropolitan areas. “With costs 14 percent below the national average, Boise has been able to attract and keep tech titans Micron Technology and Hewlett-Packard,” said the report, which showed the Treasure Valley with a 3.3 percent job growth and a 2.9 percent income growth since the previous year. “The tight labor supply has loosened over the past three years, with unemployment jumping to 5.8 percent from 3.3 percent.” The Boise area has a tremendous draw for businesses and workers, said Ed Zimmer, president and CEO of ECCO, an electronics firm that has been in the valley since 1972. “If we were located near most of our customers, we´d be in Peoria, Ill.,” Zimmer said. “We´re here because of the lifestyle,” he said. “This is where we wanted to be and where we wanted to raise our families. Our employees are paid according to industry standards, and they can get a better lifestyle here and better recreational opportunities.” Edition Date: 05-09-2003 Back |