Bannock Development Gets New Leadership

The Bannock Development Corporation has had a hand in bringing major companies like Allstate and Hoku into the region, but is now getting some new leadership.

After years as the BDC’s Executive Director, Gynni Gilliam was hired as the State Chief Economic Officer.

The board of BDC started a nationwide search for the next person to fill the executive director’s chair.

“We have momentum in southeast Idaho, and we want to maintain that momentum,? BDC Chairman Tim Forhan said.

The board picked John Regetz, who headed up the economic development corporation in Michigan City, Ind.

“It just seems that I’ve been spending my whole career developing my skills to locate here in Pocatello and Chubbuck and help make your economy grow,? Regetz said.

Forhan said continued growth doesn’t come easy and that local communities have to focus and work hard to set themselves apart from the hundreds of other places businesses could locate.

“I think that the competitive landscape is just fierce, and we have to be on our A-game everyday to compete in this global economy,? Forhan said.

But Regetz said he is confident more businesses and more economic success is in the future for southeast Idaho.

“I see nothing but upward growth and momentum. You have a community that wants to improve its quality of life constantly. So I just see bigger and better things all the way out,? Regetz said.