Welcome to Inland Northwest Economic Developments

Welcome to the official blog of the Inland Northwest Economic Alliance! Here we will explore what makes the Inland Northwest (the region spanning northern Idaho and eastern Washington) a great place for business. We will discuss what makes businesses in our region successful – from low business costs to a skilled and committed workforce to a distinctive, affordable quality of life. Along the way we will share stories of businesses that have prospered after relocating here.

The Inland Northwest Economic Alliance (INEA) represents 10 regional economic development agencies covering 14 counties in northern Idaho and eastern Washington. The collaborative effort is aimed at building economic growth by showcasing the Inland Northwest, its communities, and its business value.

My role as the INEA’s chief recruiter is to help identify businesses that can benefit from the advantages of working in the Inland Northwest. I help them determine the bottom-line impact, and assist them through the relocation process. Some might call my approach ‘traditional’ or even ‘old-fashioned’ – but I know one thing. Today, more than ever, business owners are looking for value and every advantage to survive and thrive in this reset economy.

That process has been featured in the book The Potter Principles (Amazon.com and BarnesandNoble.com). The book, authored by Jeni Forman, is a step-by-step guide to the process that helped me successfully bring more than 75 companies to the Inland Northwest. Those companies found business value and opportunities to grow in eastern Washington and northern Idaho.

We look forward to sharing with you what makes the Inland Northwest such a wonderful place to live, work and play.