Shining a light on ideas

The state of Idaho has unveiled a new specialty license plate, aimed at the state’s 50,000 science and technology workers.

A glowing light bulb and the phrase “Ideas, Innovations, Idaho” appear on the license plates, which go on sale at Department of Motor Vehicle offices in June. The cost is $35, with a $25 annual renewal fee.

Money raised from the sale of the plates will augment Idaho’s Office of Science & Technology’s $150,000 annual budget, said Julie Howard, a spokeswoman for the office. The office funds programs such as Tech Connect in Post Falls, which helps startup companies with patents, business plans and marketing.

“We have a big focus on developing new entrepreneurs,” Howard said.

Tech jobs pay some of the highest wages in Idaho, she noted. The average wage for a tech job is $59,000 in Idaho. In comparison, the average private sector job pays $30,000 per year.

Idaho has 22 specialty license plates. The state’s wildlife plates are the most popular specialty plates. Sales and renewals for license plates featuring elk, trout and bluebirds raised more than $800,000 last year. The money was used for habitat protection, education programs and species monitoring.

The light bulb design on the technology plates came from Anne Larkin, 14, of Moscow, and Bluegrass Roots Marketing of Nampa. Larkin and the firm were winners in a state-sponsored design contest. Their ideas were merged to create the final license plate.