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Idaho's science and tech businesses are driving the state's economy.
Seventy percent of Idaho's $3.7 billion in exports is generated from the high-tech sector, according to an AeA report released earlier this summer.
But despite their economic power, the small companies that have created Idaho's tech economy lack a common voice.
That could change.
On Oct. 11, Idaho TechConnect is hosting the Idaho Innovation Summit to create a trade association specifically for those companies. The proposed organization would focus on common obstacles and goals while promoting the visibility of its members throughout Idaho.
Only representatives from private companies who are invited by TechConnect will be allowed to participate. While representatives from state agencies and universities may attend, the discussion will be driven by small businesses from the private sector.
"States that have made progress have been driven by business people focused on how you build and grow an economy," TechConnect President Rick Ritter said.
Idaho's innovative companies are frustrated that issues important to them are not being addressed by the government, he said.
"They don't expect government to solve everything, but they expect some involvement," he said. "They don't have time to spend the winter educating legislators."
Membership in the alliance would be open only to companies with fewer than 500 employees who...