Combined department to make its debut

BOISE – In a state that long has lagged behind most in economic development spending, it seemed something of an impossible dream for Idaho’s Commerce Department to have two dozen offices around the state offering everything from tourist information to job listings to help for businesses looking to relocate.

But now, without spending more money or adding employees, Commerce has those offices – thanks to its merger with the state Department of Labor.

On Thursday, former Job Service offices across the state will hold open houses to unveil their new dual function as Commerce and Labor offices, along with an array of new online services designed to help job-seekers, employers, visitors, and communities seeking economic development.

Roger Madsen, former state labor chief and the director of the new Commerce and Labor Department, said the local offices will serve as a “one-stop center for employment services, job creation, visitor information and business development.”

The 300 employment consultants who staff the state’s 24 job service offices have been or are being cross-trained to work on economic development as well as job placement. “These offices will provide the same great employment services, plus increased support for businesses, communities and travelers,” Madsen said.

Georgia Smith, spokeswoman for the new department and former Commerce spokeswoman, said, “It was only natural that people in both of these agencies come together.”

Local labor department employees long have worked with employers. “They have their thumbs on the pulse of the business community, do great help for people who are looking for jobs, and have very good information on skill sets available in the community,” Smith said.

It only made sense, she said, to tie that into the state’s efforts to attract companies and create jobs.

Madsen said everything from international trade to tourism to job placement will come together in the new offices. “Our job is to help businesses find qualified workers, and for unemployed and underemployed workers, help them find jobs or better jobs. So we’re out there in a very aggressive, high-tech atmosphere trying to promote labor exchange.”

New online services to be unveiled at Thursday’s open houses include a new combined Web site for the department, http://cl.idaho.gov, that allows job seekers, businesses and communities to access the department’s services. There’s also a new employer job entry system that will allow employers to post and manage job listings, review candidates and screen applicants, all on the Internet and free of charge.

Another new service is an online inventory of property in the state available for business relocation or expansion, to be called the Idaho Land and Building Inventory. Madsen said businesses around the world could tap into that and the other services, for information on relocating to Idaho.

The department also plans to unveil http://business.idaho.gov, a new Internet portal for businesses that includes links to agencies, resources and permit information needed to start and operate a business in the state. That site will allow some businesses to apply online for various registrations and permits.

Also planned is a comprehensive Web site of labor market information.

Madsen said when the merger first was proposed by Gov. Dirk Kempthorne, many lawmakers asked him how many employees he would cut and how much money he would save. His answer: None.

“We’ve had budget cuts and employee downsizing,” Madsen said. “What we’re asking for is, give us adequate budgets and increases in the future, and we will make money for the state. Only six legislators voted against it.”

Now, Madsen’s doing a job that previously was handled by two separate state department directors. “I’ve never been happier or more challenged in my life,” he said. “It’s just been a great opportunity to serve.”

Madsen said he sees economic growth in store for North Idaho, which has suffered with declines in its traditional resource-based industries.

“We’re making a very fine transition,” he said. “We will still keep a strong base to the extent possible in wood products and mining, but as we go into manufacturing, high-tech, tourism, finance, real estate and construction, the north’s economy is poised to improve dramatically in the next few years.”