Idaho’s Economy Is not the Enemy; It’s the Foundation of Our Communities

Guest Editorial by Linda Wright Hartgen

Recently, Senator Glenneda Zuiderveld published an article portraying the Idaho Association of Commerce & Industry (IACI) as a dark, corporate force working against Idaho families and small businesses. As someone who has served in the Idaho Legislature and spent a lifetime working alongside Idaho employers, both large and small, I feel compelled to respond.

The narrative that IACI is somehow “anti-Idaho” or hostile to working families is not just inaccurate. It is profoundly disconnected from how Idaho’s economy actually works.

IACI serves as Idaho’s state chamber of commerce. It represents employers from every corner of our state: family-owned manufacturers, agricultural producers, healthcare providers, retailers, construction firms, energy companies, and yes, some large employers. These are not faceless entities. They are Idahoans who create jobs, sign paychecks, offer benefits, sponsor Little League teams, and keep rural communities alive.

A strong economy is not a talking point. It i…