The annual index, which ranks metro areas on their ability to create and retain jobs, showed the metro area in 19th place last year, compared with 32nd place in the 2006 index.
For 2004-2005, Idaho also ranked first in the nation in job growth in 2006, as employers expanded their payrolls by 6.2 percent.
The report said the economy in the Boise/Nampa metro area was fueled by job creation in the high-tech sector.
Since the report was prepared, however, Micron Technology Inc., Idaho’s largest employer has laid off 1,100 employees. The top spot in the rankings went to Ocala, Fla., which jumped from 13th to first in the 2007 report. Among Intermountain states, Salt Lake City jumped from 87th place a year ago to 18th, or one spot ahead of the Boise/Nampa metro area.
The Provo/Orem region south of Salt Lake City went from 23rd a year ago to eighth in 2007, while the Las Vegas/Paradise metro area rose from 11th to 9th place.
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