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Pocatello Economic Development Resources
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.
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.
Business Incentives
Idaho Department of Commerce
The Idaho Department of Commerce explains why Idaho is such an attractive place for doing business. Operating costs are low, the tax structure is predictable. and companies benefit from a variety of tax incentives, property tax exemptions, and workforce training grants.
State of Idaho Workforce Training Fund
The goals of the Idaho Workforce Development Training Fund include increasing the economic mobility of Idahoans, providing timely assistance to businesses, supporting growth of the economy, providing a return on investment to Idahoans, promoting innovation in talent development, and encouraging replication of best practices.
Idaho Office of Energy and Mineral Resources
The Idaho Office of Energy and Mineral Resources has compiled a list of tax credits and grants that may benefit certain businesses.
Idaho Power
Find ways to increase savings for your business through Idaho Power incentives available for new construction and major renovations, retrofits, custom projects, Flex Peak program customers, irrigation program customers, commercial/industrial training, and more.
City of Pocatello Business Resources
Building Department
The mission of the City of Pocatello Building Department is to promote building safety through code compliance, assist citizens, contractors and design professionals in completing building projects, enhance neighborhood quality of life and assure Pocatello is compliant with state building code laws.
Business Licenses
The City of Pocatello does not require general business licenses, but specific types of businesses do require licenses. The Permits and Licensing Division provides the specific fees and the requirements associated with them. If you have questions regarding city business licenses—not related to the building trade—please email the City Licensing Enforcement Officer, Tori Eldridge, or call 208-234-6285.
Planning and Development Services Department
Planning & Development Services oversees the orderly growth and development of Pocatello through its Planning and Zoning services.
Pocatello Regional Airport
Pocatello Regional Airport serves the cities of Pocatello, Chubbuck and the southeast Idaho region with Delta Connection service to Salt Lake City and over 325 Delta destinations worldwide.
Small Business Resources
Idaho Innovation Center
The Idaho Innovation Center is a business incubator providing resources to small, fledgling companies where entrepreneurs can confidently and aggressively start and grow their small businesses through collaboration, education, mentoring and shared resources.
Eastern Idaho Development Corporation
The Eastern Idaho Development Corporation was formed to stimulate economic development and create jobs in Southeast Idaho. We help stimulate economic growth in our region by managing four loan programs: the Small Business Administration (SBA) 504 Loan Program; a City of Pocatello Revolving Loan Fund (RLF); the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Intermediary Relending Program (IRP); and the USDA Rural Business Enterprise Grant (RBEG) program
Idaho State University Bengal Solutions
Bengal Solutions is a business consulting group that utilizes the abilities of graduate students in the Master of Business Administration (MBA), Master of Accountancy (MAcc), and Master of Healthcare Administration (MHA) programs at the ISU College of Business.
Idaho Small Business Solutions
The Idaho Small Business Solutions website provides the information you need to start or grow your small business. It includes information from both state and federal agencies that license, regulate, or tax small businesses, as well as information about business funding and assistance resources.
Southeast Idaho Small Business Development Center
The Small Business Development Center (SBDC) provides no-cost consulting and low-cost training to any small business. Hosted at the ISU College of Business, the SBDC is taxpayer supported to help with business plans, financing, marketing, employees and many other small business issues. Visit IdahoSBDC.org or call 208-282-4402.
U.S. Small Business Administration
The U.S. Small Business Administration helps Americans start, build, and grow businesses. The SBA was created in 1953 as an independent agency of the federal government to aid, counsel, assist and protect the interests of small business concerns, to preserve free competitive enterprise and to maintain and strengthen the overall economy of our nation.
Boise Office
The Boise Office helps small businesses succeed by aiding, counseling and assisting small business owners through the efforts of SBA and its resource partners. In conjunction with our partners we provide service in primarily three areas: financial assistance, management assistance and procurement assistance.
State of Idaho Business Resources
State of Idaho Business Division
The State of Idaho Business Division provides information on renewing professional licenses, starting a business, paying taxes and obtaining credits, running a business, Idaho trucking, and managing and hiring employees.
Idaho State Tax Commission
The Idaho State Tax Commission Business Basics Hub provides a variety of business resources as they relate to taxes.
About Pocatello
Visit Pocatello
Pocatello offers world-class outdoor recreation, plentiful dining options, and wide-ranging entertainment. Get more information on what to see and do in the Pocatello area at the Visit Pocatello website.
Demographics
Get a breakdown of the demographics for Bannock County, Idaho, including age distribution, population growth, educational attainment, labor force statistics, work distribution, number of businesses and jobs, median income and expenditure, percentage of home owners versus renters, transportation options, and tax rates.
Bannock County Economic Dashboard
Idaho State University’s College of Business' Bengal Solutions team has put together a visual representation of several economic trends in Bannock County known as the Bannock County Economic Dashboard.
Pocatello/Chubbuck School District #25
Pocatello/Chubbuck School District #25 provides the highest quality educational services in a safe, supportive, and caring learning environment for approximately 12,500 students within thirteen elementary schools, four middle schools, three high schools, and an alternative school.
History
Founded in 1889, Pocatello was known as the "Gateway to the Northwest." As pioneers, gold miners, and settlers traveled the Oregon Trail, they passed through the Portneuf Gap south of town. Stage and freight lines and the railroad soon followed, turning our community into a trade center and transportation junction. Learn more on Pocatello History page.
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. |