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A Positive Economic Forecast for Idaho?

By
Real Estate Agent with Coldwell Banker Tomlinson Group

The latest scoop from Idaho Business Review indicates sunnier economic skies in the near future for my favorite state:

The Pacific Research Institute, in association with Forbes magazine, ranks Idaho second in its 2008 U.S. Economic Freedom Index.
 
The 2008 study measures factors related to an individual's ability to pursue one's interests through a voluntary exchange of private property, within each state's statutes.

"The measure assesses a state based on how friendly or unfriendly its government policies are toward free enterprise and consumer choice," the Idaho Department of Commerce said in a release.

States that cut their marginal tax rates, enact right-to-work legislation, and limit frivolous jury awards see an influx of capital, people, and businesses, according to the Economic Freedom Index. This expands the tax base, leading to larger and less volatile revenue streams compared to those states that raise taxes and enact other anti-growth measures, as based on data and information from the study.
 
Learn more about the entire study at this link:

http://commerce.idaho.gov/assets/content/docs/Economic_Freedom_Index_2008.pdf

The link above tells how each state fares in the Economic Freedom Index, p.18 of pdf file. 

Another reason for predicting a friendlier economy in Idaho:

UGOBE, creators of the Pleo, is moving to my hometown, Eagle, Idaho.  Learn more about UGOBE at this link: http://www.ugobe.com/index.htmlWhat's a Pleo?  Find out about this cute li'l guy at his own link: www.PleoWorld.com.

Last word on our upcoming economy:

Check out this article to learn about our thriving entrepreneurial environment: http://www.idahostatesman.com/business/story/588349.html  Learn what Bob and his buddies did in a basement.

 

Comments(5)

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Steve Hoffacker
Steve Hoffacker LLC - West Palm Beach, FL
Certified Aging In Place Specialist-Instructor

Paula,

Good news is always welcome. Great to hear it coming from your area. Thanks for passing it along. :)

Steve

Dec 02, 2008 11:51 AM
Paula Ryan
Coldwell Banker Tomlinson Group - Eagle, ID

Thanks Steve.  The interview/article with Bob Lokken (last link) is inspirational.  A must read!

Dec 02, 2008 11:56 AM
Justin Ukaoma
Vizion KC - Kansas City, MO
Kansas City Real Estate Investments

Glad to hear that things are looking brighter in Idaho.  I hope my states economic outlook will be similar.

Dec 02, 2008 01:48 PM
Paula Ryan
Coldwell Banker Tomlinson Group - Eagle, ID

Justin, I hope the good news is contagious too.

Dec 02, 2008 02:54 PM
Don Rogers
Keller Williams Realty Chesterfield - O'Fallon, MO
Realtor, Broker, CDPE, GRI, OnullFallon MO & St Charles County MO homes

Paula,

That is good news.  It is always good to hear the positive and not the negative press.

Dec 02, 2008 10:37 PM