Idaho Gov. Phil Batt on Thursday signed an executive order creating a 15-member committee to coordinate and promote Idaho’s involvement in the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City.

Calling the games a once-in-a-lifetime economic opportunity, Batt predicted the impact on Idaho’s economy will be more than $150 million.

The committee, co-chaired by Lt. Gov. Butch Otter and Sun Valley businessman Chip Fisher, will serve as liaison between the International Olympic Organizing Committee and state and federal agencies.

A first-year budget of about $55,000 has been allocated from the state’s 2 percent lodging tax, with money going toward implementing a strategic plan to capitalize on Olympics-related expenditures.

Salt Lake City Olympic Organizing Committee officials estimate their budget for putting on the games will be $1.2 billion.

, DataTimes