Pocatello Economic Development Resources

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Doing Business in Pocatello, Idaho

Pocatello sits in a beautiful mountain valley at the edge of the Snake River Plain, boasting excellent air, rail, and ground transportation at the junction of Interstate 15 and Interstate 86. The community has been wired for cutting-edge telecommunications services and is home to many high-tech companies.

Glassdoor Research recently found Pocatello to be in the top 30 cities in the nation for best economic recovery since the end of the Great Recession. The city has also been recognized by Forbes as a "Best Small Place for Business" and ranked 2nd on Forbes’ Cost of Doing Business index. Pocatello has also been ranked by the AARP as one of the top cities in the U.S. to retire and one of the Best Small Cities in America by NerdWallet. In addition to all of this, residents are just minutes to a day's drive away from the best recreational opportunities the West has to offer!

If you have any questions, please contact Brent McLane, Planning and Development Services Director, at 208-234-6184 or by email at bmclane@pocatello.gov.

  1. Partners
  2. Incentives
  3. Business Resources
  4. About Pocatello

Economic Development Partners

Bannock Development Corporation

Bannock Development Corporation is a private, non-profit economic development organization working for continued growth and diversity in Bannock County, Idaho.

Idaho Department of Commerce

As the lead economic development agency for the State of Idaho, the mission of the Idaho Department of Commerce is to foster a business-friendly environment to aid in job creation, support existing companies, strengthen communities and market Idaho.

Idaho Department of Labor

The Idaho Department of Labor connects business, education, and workforce; links job seekers with employers; and helps people with career and life transitions.

Regional Economic Development for Eastern Idaho (REDI)

REDI promotes regional business retention, expansion, and recruitment to target areas of Eastern Idaho’s economy where competitive advantages exists, prospects for future growth are the greatest, and return on investment is highest to capitalize on Eastern Idaho’s strong ecosystem.

Pocatello-Chubbuck Chamber of Commerce

The Pocatello-Chubbuck Chamber of Commerce promotes and fosters a favorable business climate through networking, advocacy, and educational opportunities for the benefit of Chamber members and the Pocatello-Chubbuck community.

Historic Downtown Pocatello

Since 1991, Historic Downtown Pocatello has been working to redevelop and revitalize the downtown Pocatello area.

Idaho State University

Founded in 1901, Idaho State University (ISU) attracts students from around the world. ISU offers high-quality education in more than 250 programs, and is the state's designated lead institution in health professions. Idaho State is a Carnegie-classified doctoral research institution.

Pocatello Development Authority

The purpose of the Pocatello Development Authority is to undertake urban renewal projects in areas designated by the City of Pocatello to be deteriorating and to undertake this rehabilitating, conservation, redevelopment, or a combination thereof of such area, or areas, in the Interest of the public health safety, morals or welfare of the residents of the City of Pocatello.

National Recognition

Glassdoor Research found Pocatello to be in the top 30 cities in the nation for best economic recovery since the end of the Great Recession.
Forbes.com listed Pocatello as a "Best Small Place for Business" six years in a row.
Financial Times' fDi Magazine found Pocatello to be one of the top ten Micro Cities of the Future and ranked it 2nd in Best Economic Potential.
Financial Times' fDi Magazine found Pocatello to be 5th in Best Quality of Life.
Pocatello has ranked 2nd on Forbes Cost of Doing Business index.
The Milken Institute recently ranked the Pocatello MSA 3rd in growth rate of high-tech manufacturing companies.
Forbes magazine ranked Pocatello "8th Best Place for Business and Careers" among small metro areas - populations below 177,000.
Pocatello ranks in the top 10 places to live cheaply qualifying as “some of the lowest living costs in the nation…also have highly rated schools and low unemployment and crime rates.”
The U.S. Census Bureau ranked Idaho as the #5 Best Homeownership rate in the Nation!
Pocatello ranked 2nd in Outdoor Life Magazine's 2010 list of Best Towns for Hunters and Fishermen.