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Economic Development Division

The Economic Development division helps create sustainable economic growth by working to retain and expand existing Idaho businesses, increase entrepreneurial activity, and attract new businesses from industries that fit well in Idaho. There are three main segments within the division, Business Development, Community Development, and Business Attraction.  

Business Development provides counseling, networking and revenue generating opportunities for local entrepreneurs. Business Development also provides support to help businesses compete for competitive government contracts, receive federal grants, and obtain support to retain and develop their workforce.   

Community Development evaluates the economic strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities for local communities and provides support to spur economic development. Community Development helps local communities to obtain funds to improve their public infrastructure, provides valuable training to local leaders, and helps educate communities on existing resources available from the Department of Commerce.  

Business Attraction seeks to attract companies from key industries to Idaho in order to create high-wage, high-growth jobs and diversify the economy. Business Attraction proactively promotes Idaho to industries that provide special benefits for the state economy and provides consulting services for companies that express interest in relocating or expanding to Idaho.  

Quick Links

Economic, Community & Rural Development Contacts

Gynii Gilliam

Ph: (208) 334-2650 x 2134
Email: gynii.gilliam@commerce.idaho.gov

Business Attraction

Susie Davidson, Business Attractions Manager

Ph: (208)334-2650 x 2146
Email: susan.davidson@commerce.idaho.gov

Autumn Braase, Business Attraction Specialist

Ph: (208)334-2650 x 2122
Email: autumn.braase@commerce.idaho.gov

Christine Jarski, Business Attraction Specialist

Ph: (208)334-2650 x 2130
Email: christine.jarski@commerce.idaho.gov

Eric Forsch, Business Attraction Specialist

Ph: (208) 334-2470
eric.forsch@commerce.idaho.gov

Jessie Speck, Business Attraction Specialist

Ph: (208) 334-2650 x 2188
jessie.speck@commerce.idaho.gov

Michael Rotchford, Business Attraction Specialist

Phone: (208) 334-2650 ext. 2115
Email: mike.rotchford@commerce.idaho.gov

Business Development

Randy Shroll, Business Development Manager-Regions 3 & 4

Ph:(208)334-2650 x 2124
Email: randy.shroll@commerce.idaho.gov

Gloria Mabbutt, Commerce Program Manager

Phone: (208) 334-2650 ext. 2139
Email: gloria.mabbutt@commerce.idaho.gov

Greg Seibert, Business Development Specialist-Regions 1 & 3

Ph: (208)334-2650 x 2131
Email: greg.seibert@commerce.idaho.gov

Hank Ebert, Business Development Specialist-Regions 2 & 3

Ph: (208)334-2650 x 2141
Email: hank.ebert@commerce.idaho.gov

Jerry Miller, Business Development Specialist-Regions 4 & 5

Ph: (208)334-2650 x 2143
Email: jerry.miller@commerce.idaho.gov

Idaho Procurement Technical Assistance Center

Gary Moore, Business Development Specialist

Ph: (208)334-2650 x 2140
Email: gary.moore@commerce.idaho.gov

Lee Velten, Business Development Analyst

Ph: (208) 334-2650 x 2123
Email: lee.velten@commerce.idaho.gov

Amanda Ames, Administrative Assistan

Ph: (208) 334-2650 x 2163
Email: amanda.ames@commerce.idaho.gov

Community Development

Dennis Porter, Rural/Community Development Manager-Regions 3 & 4

Ph: (208)334-2650 x 2145
Email: dennis.porter@commerce.idaho.gov

Tony Tenne, Rural/Community Development Specialist-Regions 1 & 2

Ph: (208)334-2650 x 2111
Email: tony.tenne@commerce.idaho.gov

Gary Hanes, Rural/Community Development Specialist-Regions 3 & 4

Ph: (208)334-2650 x 2132
Email: gary.hanes@commerce.idaho.gov

Sharon Deal, Rural/Community Development Specialist-Regions 5 & 6

Ph: (208)334-2650 x 2137
Email: sharon.deal@commerce.idaho.gov

Administrative Assistants

Gwynn Owen, Office Specialist

Ph: (208)334-2650 x 2138
Email: gwynn.owen@commerce.idaho.gov

Karen Lewis, Administrative Assistant

Phone: (208) 334-2650 ext. 2101
Email: karen.lewis@commerce.idaho.gov

Caleb Benedict, Intern