Proposed Plan Aims To Invest In Idaho Research, Create Jobs

Gov. C.L. “Butch” Otter is getting ready to announce a multimillion-dollar plan which he believes will lead to plenty of new jobs in 2012.

Those who support the Idaho Global Entrepreneurial Mission, or iGem, say that the initiative is all about investing in research that’s already going on right here in Idaho.

Researchers are hard at work at the Idaho National Laboratory and at our public universities.

But, according to Doug Sayer, Chairman of the Idaho Innovation Council and President of Premier Technologies Inc. in Blackfoot, that research is a resource that we’re not taking full advantage of.

“It’s about taking technologies that are developed in universities and at the national lab and bringing it out in the marketplace,” Sayer said. “We can take those technologies and we can create jobs.”

Specifically, iGem aims to further advancements in energy, material science and manufacturing, computer science and bio and agricultural technology.

“You’re applying the research toward projects, technologies or innovations that will help companies that are in business today, or companies that are being created to develop jobs, new techniques and a way of doing business,” Sayer explained.

Of course, spending government money does not come without its fair share of criticism — especially in a conservative state like Idaho.

House Majority Leader Mike Moyle said of iGem, “…the devil is in the details. They’ll have to make the case, because budgets will be tight this year.”

Still, backers of iGem truly believe that the investments will be worthwhile.

“I think that we have a proven track record,” Sayer said. “With iGem, the ability to make smart investments — that’s not squandering the taxpayer’s money.”

Gov. Otter will reveal more details on iGem during his State of the State address on Jan. 9.