TODAY'S BOISE

oise offers residents and visitors alike an array of opportunities combined with a relaxed atmosphere which affords a lifestyle rich with possibilities, but lower in cost than most metropolitan areas.

Floating the Boise River near BSU / Golf at BanBury

Considered part of Idaho's banana belt, Boise is a treasure with no comparison. The area's moderate climate is pleasant year round. During the mild winter months, Boise residents often enjoy 55 - 60 degree weather while skiers 16 miles north of town enjoy a perfect powder day. At the same time, equidistance to the south, families are fishing and camping in the Snake River Canyon in the Birds of Prey National Conservation Area.

This mild climate offers the perfect setting for many of Idaho's outdoor activities, which are near and within the Boise city limits. Boasting 3,000 whitewater miles, Idaho's canoeists, kayakers and rafters have an endless supply of wet terrain, more than any other state in the lower 48. And, in a mere thirty minutes from town, Boise residents can access some of the finest whitewater in the state.

The mighty Boise River runs like a major artery through the center of town offering amazing play areas including 25 miles of greenbelt riverside pathways. several community parks. the city zoo and for those who prefer a more tranquil river ride, a float trip straight through downtown, a ritual which is shared by thousands of residents and visitors of all ages on an annual basis.

The Boise foothills offer a system with over 85 miles of trails and pathways for hiking, biking or jogging, and the town was made for golf. Golfers not only enjoy 21 public courses in the area but also benefit from an average of 325 playable days each year. And then, beyond the foothills exists a landscape filled with scenic mountains, lakes, reservoirs and high-valley prairies, perfect for hunting, camping, fishing and boating.

The climate and recreation are not the city's only distinctly appealing characteristics. Over the twentieth century Boise became a major regional center for both business and education. And, as the third largest city in the Pacific Northwest, Boise offers all of the necessities and a variety of options for business travelers, vacationers and those who call the city home.

Living and working in Ada County is very different from most major regional cities where a commute into the office can consume the majority of the day. The typical daily commute for a Boise resident often takes no longer than twenty minutes. And, travelers from out of the area are equally satisfied as the city's airport connects with major metros around the nation including nonstop fights to Chicago, San Francisco, Denver, Salt Lake City. Seattle, Minneapolis and Portland, to name a few.

Boise's coming of age has caught the eyes of travelers looking to do business. as well as an appealing place to call home. Recently, Boise has been receiving rave reviews as one of the best places to do business, live and play. National Geographic Adventure Magazine's September 2006 edition ranked Boise as No. 1 for "Best Place to Live and Play." The August 2006 edition of Money magazine ranked Boise No.8 for "Best Places to Live." Forbes magazine's March 2008 edition ranked Boise No. 2 for "Best Places for Business and Careers." This annual list rates 150 of the largest metropolitan areas on their cost of doing business and ability to attract new businesses and workers to the area. This was the third year in a row that Boise was ranked in the top five. Kiplinger's Personal Finance magazine ranked Boise in the top five cities for mid-level professionals in its June 2007 edition. And finally, Forbes ranked Boise No. 7 on its "Top 10 up-and-coming tech cities" list in March 2008.

Few trademarks are as recognizable or as proudly demonstrated as the blue "Smurf" turf of Boise State's Bronco Stadium. Boise State began as a modest two-year school in 1932 and moved to its present campus along the Boise River close to the heart of downtown in 1940. Now, as the state's largest college and a strong competitor in the Western Athletic Conference, Boise State helps maintain a college town atmosphere while providing area businesses with a skilled and knowledgeable workforce.

Early on, large corporations had established corporate headquarters in the Boise area including Albertson's, Boise Cascade, LLC., J. R. Simplot Company, Washington Group International (formerly Morrison-Knudsen) MPC Computers, Micron Technology and TJ International. Today, in the world of mergers and acquisitions Boise has experienced the loss of several of its large corporate headquarters - such as SuperValu/Albertsons (though Albertsons, LLC. has retained its headquarters here), Washington Group International that is now a division of URS Corp., and TJ International, now iLevel by Weyerhaeuser � yet they still maintain a strong presence in the community.

As the century neared its close, Idaho had a paradigm shift. Almost unexpectedly, its gross receipts in agriculture had been surpassed by its technology sector, led by the efforts of companies in the Boise area like Hewlett-Packard and Micron Technology who are also among the city's largest employers. These pillars of the high-tech sector have created third and fourth generation spin-off companies that have expanded the industry in the Boise area helping other area industries and businesses offer an array of production and employment opportunities.

Riding in the Boise Foothills (Boise Front)

Paved walkways on the campus of Boise State University connect to the Greenbelt pathway system.

Entrepreneurs have also found their niche here in Boise. Over the past few decades, new ventures have added immense value to the economy, which has resulted in national recognition for the Boise Metro Area as being a great place to start and grow a business.

The relatively low cost of living and a well-educated, productive workforce attracted Micron Technology, Idaho Power, Boise Cascade LLC. and MPC Computers to make Boise their headquarters. Recent additions to this list include Keynetics, Inc. and American Ecology. Hewlett-Packard (printer division), Blue Cross of Idaho, Idaho Power, Intermountain Gas, BMC West and Global Travel are some of the diverse companies choosing Boise for regional offices and offering varied employment opportunities.

Boise offers its community a lifestyle like no other. At the base of the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, the Boise valley floor is sprinkled with chances for growth, education and discovery.

With a setting in which you can find yourself in peaceful solitude along the river at one moment and, within a very few minutes, be in the bustle of a vibrant city, Boise fulfills the expectations of its Northwest location in every sense. At the same time, Boise maintains its unique character with a blend of business acumen and natural endowment, which gives special meaning to its identity as the City of Trees.

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