REDI was created in 2015 as the lead regional economic development organization in Eastern Idaho - covering 16-counties in Southeast and East Idaho. The mission of REDI is to deliver economic development programs and services that foster a business-friendly environment; support business retention, expansion, and recruitment; provide workforce development, education, training, and recruitment in support of unlimited career opportunities for our citizens; increase entrepreneurship and research activities; and build community and regional partnerships that strategically enriches Eastern Idaho’s competitive position and the lives of Eastern Idaho’s citizens.
The vision of REDI is to be the leader in building regional assets, diversify Eastern Idaho's economy, and to provide the greatest opportunities for transformative growth.
The mission of REDI is to deliver services and programs that foster a regional business friendly environment; provide unlimited career opportunities to our citizens; build and strengthen partnerships; and enrich Eastern Idaho's competitive position.
REDI brings together business, industry, city, county, academic, and community leaders to capitalize on Eastern Idaho's assets through investment, accelerated job growth, diversifying Eastern Idaho's economy, and matching existing workforce skillsets, infrastructure, and research capabilities to meet the needs of our region.
REDI drives a regional framework and vision based on data to propel growth and strategically align requirements for a strong economy that is adaptable and able to sustain long periods of economic growth, mitigate periods of economic decline, and build upon the strengths of Eastern Idaho.
REDI promotes regional business retention, expansion, and recruitment to target areas of Eastern Idaho’s economy where competitive advantages exists, prospects for future growth are the greatest, and return on investment is highest to capitalize on Eastern Idaho’s strong economic ecosystem.
Teresa McKnight is the CEO of REDI. Her work at REDI is centered on creating economic growth, engaging leaders, communicating, and marketing the opportunities created by Eastern Idaho's regional assets, and sharing our successes to attract public and private investments. As CEO of REDI, Teresa works closely with regional partners to promote economic development through the retention, expansion, and attraction of new business; enhancement of workforce education, training, and recruitment; and promoting research and entrepreneurial activities in Eastern Idaho - and beyond.
McKnight is an entrepreneurial driven executive with more than 25-years' experience building and cultivating economic and entrepreneurial ecosystems that promote vitality, attracts top talent, and creates new and meaningful opportunities for economic and social development. She has a strong background in the development of Innovation Districts across the U.S., building public-public and public-private partnerships, consulting on strategic economic development and philanthropy initiatives, and moving new ideas to market. She is passionate about building long-lasting relationships between business, industry, university, government, and community.
Prior to joining REDI, Teresa served as the Director of the State of Utah Incubation Enterprise and Technology Outreach Program. She led the development of the first statewide incubation program in Utah and negotiated the first-of-its-kind Partnership Agreement between the State of Utah and the U.S. Air Force. Prior to working for the State of Utah, Teresa led the development of several large Innovation Districts in three different states that resulted in the development of more than 500 acres, recruiting over 100 high-tech companies, creating more than 3500 high-tech jobs, and raising over $250 million in public and private dollars.
Teresa has received several honors and awards, including Excellence in Rural Economic Development Award from the Department of Commerce in Washington, DC, and the Chamber of Commerce Achievement Award in Business.
She serves on several state and national boards and councils and is a member of national associations focused on tech-based economic development. She earned a Bachelors in Business Administration from Utah State University and an MBA from Utah Valley University.
Administrative Assistant
Abigail Murphy
Abigail, a native of Seattle, has resided in Southeast Idaho for the past four years and thoroughly enjoys it. She completed her Bachelors in Business Marketing at BYU-Idaho in July 2022. In her free time, Abigail enjoys hiking, knitting, graphic design, and baking. She's thrilled to be part of Team REDI and to contribute to the economic development of Eastern Idaho, a region she is so fond of.
Executive Board
Officers
Executive Board Members
Everything we do is made possible by our Investors - our Partners - who invest annually in our work.
Our Investors represent a diverse group of public and private sectors throughout the Eastern Idaho Region (covering both southeast and east Idaho).
REDI holds a variety of meetings throughout the year focused on areas impacting Eastern Idaho's regional workforce, business retention and recruitment, education, research and entrepreneurial activities, economic reports, and regional activities.
REDI also hosts several events throughout the year - Eastern Idaho Economic Summit, Workforce Symposium, Hosing Symposium, and REDI's "What's Up in Eastern Idaho!" Annual Conference.
REDI publishes a report to brief Investors on the business scene at the state and regional levels, and report REDI's regional accomplishments and successes to-date. In addition, REDI sends out economic reports, prospective employee resumes, and timely emails to keep Investors on the inside track of activities affecting Eastern Idaho.
Join REDI's growing list of Investors who are making an impact throughout our region - bringing their expertise, resources, and innovative ideas to the table. Together, we build a strong path to prosperity - driving innovation - and enriching Eastern Idaho's competitive position and the lives of our citizens.
Contact Teresa McKnight, CEO of REDI, at tmcknight@rediconnects or by phone at (208) 522-2014/office or (405) 580-7002/mobile, to learn more about REDI's Investor Levels and Benefits and how you can get involved in fostering Eastern Idaho's economic success!