Economic Development

About Us

Bingham Economic Development Corporation (BEDC) was formed in 2000 as a joint venture of public and private sectors to effectively retain, expand, promote and attract business and industry within Bingham County.

2007 was another rewarding year as BEDC was a catalyst in promoting economic development throughout Bingham County.

Our retention and recruitment efforts have resulted in the creation and retention of over 350 jobs in the past two years. By working with new start-ups, existing businesses and new companies Bingham County not only saw significant job creation in 2007 but over 13 million in direct capital investment. That investment will continue to produce positive outcomes for many years to come.

Over 65% of BEDC's economic development efforts are retention and expansion oriented. By working with existing companies who are capitalizing on the competitive advantages found in southeast Idaho, Bingham County will become a model of economic prosperity

Our Mission

Bingham Economic Development Corporation will work effectively to retain, expand, promote and attract business and industry within Bingham County for the enhancement of the economic climate and value of commerce, thus, creating employment opportunities and increasing the areas quality of life through economic strength.

The Vision

Through collaboration and cooperation Bingham Economic Development Corporation will be a catalyst in promoting economic development throughout Bingham County. By creating an economic community which attracts, expands, and retains companies that compliment our quality of life, Bingham County will become a model of economic prosperity centered in Southeast Idaho.

Message from the Executive Director, J. Brandon Bird
bedc@qwest.net
(208) 785-8002

BEDC's commitment to foster relationships of collaboration and cooperation among government, businesses and chamber of commerce has improved our ability as a county to effectively recruit, retain, and be the location of choice for start-up companies that compliment our quality of life and diversify our economy. As rewarding as our efforts have been in 2007, we will see even more success in 2008 and beyond.

This spirit of collaboration among interested stakeholders has increased our ability to attract and retain businesses that have a shared vision of prosperity in Southeast Idaho. In 2007 we actively recruited over 45 companies who took interest in our low cost of doing business, well trained and educated workforce and our outstanding quality of life. As I write this summary, Bingham County has made the short list with four prospective companies whose combined job creation could be over 450 with a capital investment of over half a billion dollars. To say we are optimistic about 2008 and beyond would probably be understating the obvious.

Under the guidance of the BEDC Board of Directors we will continue to work with Regional Partners on key activities that benefit all. Those activities currently include the Business Attraction effort by Eastern Idaho Economic Development Partners and the Technology Corridor Initiative. This economic coalition will continue to be of great significance as BEDC works as a catalyst in promoting economic development throughout Bingham County. Give us a call to learn more about why Bingham County is fertile ground where companies can grow and profit from doing business in Southeast Idaho.

Employment

Bingham County is heavily dependent on agriculture-related industry. Between 1988 and 1993 employment had increased 2.3 percent. However, there is considerable diversity because it is home to Idaho's State Hospital South, American Title's headquarters office and the expansions of other businesses, the most notable of which are Premier Technology and Sartori Foods. Bingham County's location between two trade centers- Idaho Falls to its north, and Pocatello to its south- provides the county with its diverse and skilled work force and ample employment opportunities.

Labor Force	Dec. 2006	Dec. 2007
Civilian Labor Force	20,239	19,530
Total Employment	19,634	18,958
Unemployment	606	573
% Labor Force Unemployed	3	2.9
% State of Idaho Unemployed	3.2	3
% U.S. Unemployed	4.5	5

Over the past decade, Bingham County's labor force has not increased significantly, but the number of workers unemployed has dropped from 1131 in 1996 to 721 in 2006. Since employment growth surpassed labor force growth, more people found jobs and the employment rate dropped steadily from a high of 5.4 percent in 1996 to 3.5 percent in 2006.

The proximity of the Idaho National Laboratory and the Fort Hall Indian Reservation provide a wide variety of service sector employment opportunities for the county's labor force.

Major Employers

Basic American Foods, Inc Bingham Memorial Hospital Idaho Supreme Potato JR Simplot Company Nonpareil Corporation Spudnick Equipment Sho-Ban Gaming State Hospital South Wada Farms Walmart For more details on labor statistics in Bingham County CLICK HERE