Study reveals INL impact

Idaho National Laboratory operations had an economic impact on Idaho of over $2 billion in Fiscal Year 2018. An annual economic summary released Tuesday indicates the lab’s impact was 6.4% higher than a year ago.

According to the report, INL directly employed an average 4,349 workers over the course of the year, making Battelle Energy Alliance Idaho’s sixth-largest private employer and 9th-largest employer, when compared to all public and private businesses.

The site spent more than $148 million with Idaho businesses and contributed more than $618,700 to charities, economic development, and K-12 STEM programs.

“To see the positive impact the laboratory has on Idaho’s economy is incredibly rewarding,” said INL Director Mark Peters. “Not just because we are helping improve the quality of life in our own backyard, but also because INL’s steady growth shows that we are serving our fellow citizens by striving to resolve the nation’s big energy and security issues.”

The report, compiled by the Moscow, Idaho based Emsi market analytics firm, does not include the impact of the Department of Energy, Idaho Cleanup Project, or the Naval Reactors Facility.