“Project 60 is a comprehensive initiative to grow Idaho’s Gross Domestic Product. Designed in three tiers to strengthen both rural and urban communities, the plan will create quality jobs for all Idahoans by fostering systemic growth, recruiting new companies to Idaho, and selling Idaho’s trade and investment opportunities to the world.”
The above statement from the project60.idaho.gov website sets out the ambitious goal to grow Idaho’s gross domestic product from $51 billion to $60 billion. The trouble is the GDP headed south in 2009 so it will take longer to get to $60 billion than Governor Otter first envisioned. Here’s the trend according to the Bureau of Economic Analysis Data:
When Governor Otter too the straight edge in early 2007 and projected GDP at the time of his reelection bid in 2010 he probably figured $60 billion was a reasonable target. But the economy did no cooperate given the real estate bubble finally bursting and the chickens coming home to roost for an economy based on construction jobs and real estate schemes. But while the GDP receded to $54 billion in 2009, the Governor did come close to achieving the 60 number because he got 59 percent of the vote in 2010.
