New Chair and Vice Chair Elected to Idaho Economic Ad
NEWS RELEASE: For Immediate Release
Kayla Church
Idaho Commerce
208.334.2470
kayla.church@commerce.idaho.gov
New Chair and Vice Chair Elected to Idaho Economic Advisory Council
Idaho Economic Advisory Council (EAC) advises the Governor and Idaho Commerce on economic development policy, grant and tax incentive awards
BOISE, Idaho—October 19, 2015—The Idaho Economic Advisory Council (EAC) has elected Arlen Wittrock, Region 5 Representative (Pocatello), as the Chairman and Margaret Watson, Representative At-Large (Parma), as Vice Chairman. Both Mr. Wittrock and Mrs. Watson were originally appointed to EAC by Governor C.L. “Butch” Otter in 2011, and re-appointed in 2014.
“We are grateful for the dedicated leadership of both Arlen and Margie on the Economic Advisory Council,” said Idaho Commerce Director Jeffery Sayer. “They are both well recognized and respected business leaders in our state who are thoughtful, diligent and committed to being good stewards of the economic development tools that have been entrusted under the Council’s purview.”
Mr. Wittrock serves as the Region 5 Representative and is a Public Affairs and Communications Consultant with ON Semiconductor in Pocatello. He has over 30 years of business experience and is a former teacher, education professional and Chief of Staff to U.S. Congressman Arlen Erdahl. As a dedicated civic leader, he currently serves on the boards of the Pocatello-Chubbuck Chamber of Commerce, Bannock Development Corporation and the Associated Taxpayers of Idaho. He holds both Master and Bachelor degrees in Political Science and lives in Pocatello. Arlen is a married to his wife, Yvonne, and they have two sons.
Mrs. Watson serves as the Representative At-Large and is Co-Owner of the J.C. Watson Company in Parma. As a former Mayor, Parma City Council President and Special Education Teacher, Mrs. Watson is dedicated to public service. She is one of the founders of the Treasure valley Agriculture Coalition, sits on the Teach Idaho Advisory Board and is a former Parma Chamber of Commerce Board Member and President. She holds Bachelor Degrees in Special Education and History from the University of Idaho and is the parent of two children and grandparent of one along with her husband, Jon.
The Idaho Economic Advisory Council advises the Governor and the Idaho Department of Commerce on goals and objectives that further economic development within the state. The Council makes recommendations to the Governor on applications for block grant funding and reviews industrial revenue bond allocations. Additionally, Council members advise their regions on economic development opportunities and represent their interests to state government.
Beginning July 1, 2014, the Council also gained statutory oversight authority for the new Idaho Tax Reimbursement Incentive. The council reviews and grants final approval for refundable credits on income, sales and payroll taxes of up to 30 percent for up to 15 years to qualifying new or expanding Idaho businesses.
The council consists of eight members, appointed by the Governor, with one member appointed from each of the state’s seven economic development regions and one member appointed at-large. For the full list of Idaho Commerce’s Economic Advisory Council members, click here
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