Jobs in Boise?....Think the Creative Class; Boise ranks 9th in Country for attracting the Creative Class (place to live, moving to)

[Torrie]

I'll warn you up front, this post is a long one, with lots to read, but very interesting information on the current work force/trend in the Treasure Valley. I thought this topic to be relevant for both potential newcomers and locals alike. So take some time out for this one, grab a cup of coffee, take a break or come back and read this thread when you have more time, as I hope you find this topic to be a fascinating read and possibly see the value in the information.

The first article talks about the creative class driving the economic growth in the Treasure Valley. This is where some of those jobs that no one can seem to find are being created IMO.

What is the Creative Class you ask? According to the article and author of, "The Rise of the Creative Class"/economist Richard Florida says,

"A fast-growing, highly educated, and well-paid segment of the work force on whose efforts corporate profits and economic growth increasingly depend. Members of the creative class do a wide variety of work in a wide variety of industries- from technology to entertainment, journalism to finance, high-end manufacturing to the arts."

Also in the article but not online:

"Boise's Creative Index- How Boise Ranks In Attracting The Creative Class"

"What's a creative index?
Researchers developed it to measure commnities' appeal to creative people who add to the community's economic and cultural diversity."

Boise currently ranks 9th in the country for attracting creative people.

A new approach to Valley growth | Local News | Idaho Statesman


The second article is about a fifteen minute documentary film done on the very same topic in Boise. Looks like the article was dated back in 2006 and the DVD has all ready been released.

Film tells tale of Boise as a creative place


The third article was published in 2002, and while dated, still offers more information on the Creative Class concept.

"The Rise of the Creative Class" by Richard Florida


These are the things that makes Boise an exciting place to live/work/play. I think back to some of the questions forum members have asked such as "gay and moving to Boise", "Boise for Singles", "Boise:Life for minorities?" and the answer is a big "YES"!

Consider some of the upcoming projects for the area such as Bryans Run(a 1500 acre filming studio), the recent granting of Idaho's Snake River Valley AVA (American Viticultural Area-a designated wine-grape growing region), see: Snake River Valley- Appellation America, and indeed the future is looking more than bright for opportunities in Boise; these are just a few examlpes of what the articles are talking about.

[Anchorless]

As always I find the comments section to the Creative Class in Boise far more interesting, especially the post by "Unknown Poster."

[Anchorless]

Since this got censored earlier, read this comment (I didn't write it) - I think it speaks volumes about the issues our valley faces:

A new approach to Valley growth : comments | Voices.IdahoStatesman.com

[jack7y]

It would be great if someone would post the Idaho Statesman article. I can't access the site.

[Torrie]

Look at the first post and click on the 1st article A New Approach to valley growth.

[jack7y]

That's what I was talking about when I posted I couldn't access the site. I clicked that link!

[Sage of Sagle]

Because City-Data.com admins have started receiving such a mixed bag of complaints of copyrighted material being reposted here without permission, we only allow links to articles, not pasted in full texts, sorry.

[TohobitPeak]

Makes perfect sense. Boise attracted me and I consider myself to be creative.

[jack7y]

I think that people east of the Rockies will move west to Boise in the future. There's going to be people allured by the milder, yet still four, seasons. East of the Rockies the weather is mostly sticky icky heat in summer and bitter windy cold in winter. There's more to it than weather. Boise is a pretty nice place with some talented people too. With Boise's growth there's become another major city in the Northwest area of the country for creative types to consider who don't necessarily want to live just a rural life.

[Torrie]

Here's a creative niche that one retired couple pursued:

80-somethings start studio for 'something to do' | Life | Idaho Statesman