Do your part to support economic boom

While much of the nation has its business fingers crossed, clinging to hopes that the worst of COVID-19 might end soon so they can begin to dig out of their craters, the sense is quite different here.

By no means do we wish to belittle the hardships many businesses have endured because of the pandemic, but when you compare Idaho to the rest of the nation, well, there's really no comparison.

Idaho stands in the best shape, economically, of them all.

With a surplus of hundreds of millions of dollars and businesses buffered from the most brutal virus asteroids, the Gem State is poised for an economic boom that might make the pre-COVID expansion look like a soft opening. Credit our superb governor, Brad Little; the pioneer spirit of thousands of entrepreneurs; the loyalty of local customers; and please include your strong public school system in the list of recession-busting attributes.

In fact, you can do more than include them. Support them.

Smart business people know how important it is to grow a work force that can meet not just today's needs, but tomorrow's, as well. Smart people understand that a good education is essential to healthy communities. If you don't believe that, look in cities and towns across the nation where education has been poorly supported. Crime is high, property values low and community spirit nonexistent.

The opposite is true here, in part because Kootenai County residents have steadfastly supported the levies upon which our three big school districts rely for operating funds.

That time is upon us again. Please, on March 9, vote Yes for the levy request on your ballot - Lakeland, Post Falls and Coeur d'Alene school districts included.

— Mike Patrick, BJNI editor