Idaho Flag on Our Flagpole

Idaho – The Gem State

Idaho National Laboratory
Idaho National Laboratory

A variety of industries are important. Outdoor recreation is a common example ranging from numerous snowmobile and downhill and cross-country ski areas in winter to the evolution of Lewiston as a retirement community based on mild winters, dry, year-round climate and one of the lowest median wind velocities anywhere, combined with the rivers for a wide variety of activities.  Other examples would be ATK Corporation, which operates three ammunition and ammunition components plants in Lewiston.  Two are sporting and one is defense contract.  The Lewis-Clark valley has an additional independent ammunition components manufacturer.  Four of the world’s six welded aluminum jet boat manufacturers are in the Lewiston-Clarkston.

Today, Idaho’s largest industry is the science and technology sector.  It accounts for over 25% of the state’s revenue and over 70% of the state’s exports.  Idaho’s industrial economy is growing, with high-tech products leading the way.  Since the late 1970s, Boise has emerged as a center for semiconductor manufacturing.  Boise is the home of Micron Technology, the only U.S. manufacturer of dynamic random-access memory (DRAM) chipsHewlett-Packard has operated a large plant in Boise since the 1970s, which is devoted primarily to LaserJet printers production.  Boise-based Clearwater Analytics is another rapidly growing investment accounting and reporting software firm, reporting on over $1 trillion in assets.  ON Semiconductor, whose worldwide headquarters in Pocatello, is a widely recognized innovator in modern integrated mixed-signal semiconductor products, mixed-signal foundry services, and structured digital products.  Coldwater Creek, a women’s clothing retailer, is headquartered in Sandpoint.

Sun Microsystems Server
Sun Microsystems Server

Sun Microsystems, now a part of Oracle Corporation, has two offices in Boise and a parts depot in Pocatello.  Sun brings $4 million in annual salaries and over $300 million of revenue to the state each year.

A number of Fortune 500 companies started in or trace their roots to Idaho, including Safeway in American Falls, Albertsons in Boise, JR Simplot across southern Idaho, and Potlatch Corp. in Lewiston.  Zimmerly Air Transport in Lewiston-Clarkston was one of the five companies in the merger centered around Varney Air Lines of Pasco, Washington, which became United Airlines and subsequently Varney Air Group that became Continental Airlines.

Transportation:

The Idaho Transportation Department is the government agency responsible for Idaho’s transportation infrastructure, including operations and maintenance as well as planning for future needs. The agency is also responsible for overseeing the disbursement of federal, state, and grant funding for the transportation programs of the state.

Roads:

Idaho is among the few states in the nation without a major freeway linking its two largest metropolitan areas, Boise in the south and Coeur d’Alene in the north.  US-95 links the two ends of the state.

Transportation Map of Idaho
Transportation Map of Idaho

Interstates in Idaho include:

Airports:

Major airports include the Boise International Airport that serves the southwest region of Idaho and the Spokane International Airport (in Spokane, Washington) that serves northern Idaho.

Boise International Airport
Boise International Airport
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