Zions bank maintains a statewide small business index that is updated every month.  The latest report upgrades Idaho’s business outlook in November to 91.3 from a revised 90.8 in October 2007. The Index includes 14 different factors that influence small business success, including such data as the unemployment rate, retail sales, personal income, bankruptcies, and the strength of the regional economy.

Jeff Thredgold (the reports author) was quoted at saying “Even as the economy [nationally] has slowed, the state’s long-term economic potential rivals any in the nation.” Several key factors that were considered in the upgraded forecast were as follows: 
 

• The average Idaho home price increased 6.87 percent, the sixth highest in the nation.
   
• The Idaho economy added 11,300 new jobs, a growth rate of 1.7 percent.
   
• Idaho unemployment rate averaged 2.6 percent.