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Eagle-Star Technology Corridor spreads its message: The chairman of the Valley technology corridor says UGOBE's demise hasn't hurt efforts to recruit California companies. [The Idaho Statesman, Boise]
(Idaho Statesman (Boise) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) Jun. 1--The demise of UGOBE, an Eagle-based robotics company once considered the poster child for the Eagle-Star Technology Corridor, apparently hasn't diminished interest in the proposed high-tech community in northern Ada County, according to ESTech Chairman Lloyd Mahaffey.
Mahaffey recently spent three days in California pitching seven technology companies on the idea of relocating to some 79,000 acres of land in and around the communities of Eagle and Star that are envisioned as business parks catering to high-tech companies.
UGOBE's slide into bankruptcy was never an issue, he said.
UGOBE filed for Chapter 7 liquidation in April after the worldwide credit crunch made it impossible for its overseas customers to pay for orders shipped in time for last year's Christmas season.
In addition to calling on friends made during a 25-year career as a high-tech executive with Apple and Honeywell Control Systems, Mahaffey said he also met with foreign ministry officials from two countries who are international trading partners with Idaho and want to expand their high-tech industries and build new partnerships in the United States.
He declined to name the companies or the ministry officials.
"These were early forays to try and determine what the market is like," he said. "But people were intrigued by the fact that we have Hewlett-Packard's printer division right here in our backyard."
Mahaffey said his recruiting efforts got an unexpected shot in the arm when California voters shot down initiatives aimed at raising taxes.
"There I was, talking lower (Idaho) taxes, and there was California trying to raise taxes," he said.
Mahaffey's trip was funded by the Boise Valley Economic Partnership, which is covering his travel expenses out of its $45,000 recruiting budget, said BVEP Executive Director Paul Hiller.
Hiller said BVEP hopes to send a larger Idaho contingent on Mahaffey's next recruiting trip to the San Francisco Bay Area, as well as to trade shows where industry executives would be invited to private dinners.
"When we do, it will be Lloyd's call. But we're ready to jump in and help," Hiller said.
Rick Carns, an Eagle-based advertising and marketing consultant, said bringing in a major high-tech company to the Eagle-Star area would entice similar companies to relocate.
"You can compare it to a mall," Carns said. "What do you get when you get that big anchor tenant? You get all those smaller smaller stores filling in around it and they feed off each other."
Joe Estrella: 377-6465
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