The Education Corridor - Smarter Together

The Vision

For more than a century lumber mills largely drove the economy upon which our community built its hopes, its dreams, its future. But today we are in transition. The closing of the DeArmond mill - the last of seven mills that once operated here - signals the end of an era. Ahead of us is a future economy marked by the demands of a changing world. To be prepared we must invest in the development of another precious natural resource: the human mind.

Solving tomorrow’s challenges requires new skills: creative problem-solving, critical thinking, research, and the outright questioning of our basic assumptions about how the world works. We must make the transition from the economic realities of the 20th Century to those of the 21st

More than 25 years in the making, the Education Corridor, now shown in its conceptual stage, is the shared vision of a community looking forward. It is a public space with a sense of purpose, a bold initiative of visionary community members, public officials, and educational leaders dedicated to improving learning opportunities, economic growth, and the quality of life for all who call North Idaho home.

The Project Area --

In The News --

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Education Corridor Potential Impacts

Adds $38 million to regional earnings over 20 years.

Generates a total of $9 million more in regional fiscal impacts over 10 years than would be raised by property tax alone if the mill site was developed commercially, $17.8 million more over 20 years.

Accommodates an estimated 2% annual enrollment increase across all institutions serving an additional 12,000 students by 2028.

Creates 139 temporary full-time jobs during construction phases and 889 permanent full-time jobs by 2028.

Sets the stage for up to $35 million in increased federal and state grant funding by 2018.

The average earnings per resident will also grow in conjunction with increased educational output.

- EMSI, Regional Impact Scenario
and Analysis for

Smarter Together

Q: WHY NOT BUILD A CAMPUS SOMEWHERE LESS EXPENSIVE?

A: There are a number of reasons that make the DeArmond mill site the logical choice for expansion of the Education Corridor:

NIC’s campus is deed-restricted, it cannot feasibly be moved.
Students pursuing 4-year degrees locally must attend NIC and either LCSC or University
of Idaho to graduate and are often enrolled at two schools simultaneously. Locating the 4-year
schools miles away from NIC and requiring students to attend classes, meet with professors,
and speak with advisors in both locations wouldn't make sense.
Co-locating the schools saves taxpayer money by eliminating the need for building,
operating, and maintaining redundant facilities like the library and student union. With the
schools close together, they can share these and other facilities.
Additionally, the schools could provide joint student services.

Q: DOESN’T BUILDING THE EDUCATION CORRIDOR ON THE WATERFRONT REMOVE PRIME REAL ESTATE FROM THE CITY’S PROPERTY TAX ROLLS? WOULDN’T WE BE BETTER OFF ALLOWING THE MILL SITE TO BE PRIVATELY DEVELOPED?

A: Yes, and no. The project is envisioned as a mixed-use development which extends south from Hwy. 95 to and including the current NIC campus. The Corridor area will include public and private property. Only the property dedicated to education and public space would remain off property tax rolls, the rest could be developed to generate property tax revenue.

Regardless, the study completed by Economic Modeling Specialists, Inc. (EMSI) concludes that the potential economic impact of expanding the Education Corridor exceeds the estimated property tax revenue from private development.

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