Report: Boise-Nampa Metro Area Leads Nation in Economic Vitality

Business Wire,  June 12, 2008  

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Boise-Nampa Tops List of 100 U.S. Metro Areas

BOISE, Idaho -- According to a report released today, the Boise-Nampa metropolitan area is tops in the nation in terms of economic vitality.

Published by the Brookings Institution, an influential think tank in Washington, D.C., the report ranked the 100 largest U.S. metropolitan areas on three key measures of economic vitality: productivity growth, sustainable growth and inclusive growth. Boise was the only metro area to rank in the top third in all three categories.

"The Boise Valley offers an established, growing business community, educated workforce and low cost of doing business," said Paul Hiller, executive director of the Boise Valley Economic Partnership. "We're pleased to see this report recognize the region's economic strengths as we continue to grow and innovate."

The Boise Valley is a vibrant technology center anchored by a division of Hewlett Packard, Micron Technology and Microsoft Boise, as well as hundreds of high-tech startups. Technology is Idaho's largest industry, making up nearly 25 percent of the state's gross domestic product.

Idaho's cost of living is the second lowest of the eleven western states. According to the Intermountain Multiple Listing Service, the May 2008 median price for a home sold was $205,000 in Ada County and $143,900 in Canyon County. The Boise Valley region also boasts a wide range of leisure and cultural activities, including skiing, fly fishing, hiking, biking, music and art festivals, museums, theater and wine tasting.

The full report can be found at http://www.brookings.edu/reports/2008/06_metropolicy.aspx.

About the Boise Valley Economic Partnership:

The Boise Valley Economic Partnership (BVEP) is the regional economic development organization for the Boise metro area, which includes the surrounding cities of Nampa, Meridian, Caldwell, Eagle, Star and more. Driven by a partnership of communities, educational institutions, chamber organizations and businesses, BVEP is executing a long-term mission to create jobs, encourage investment in the community and maintain a high quality of life. BVEP provides customized, confidential and free services to businesses that are relocating, expanding or starting up in the Boise metro area. For more information, visit www.bvep.org.

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