Boise businessman Chadd Harbaugh, founder and president of a law-enforcement and military training company there, has bought a 550-acre dude ranch near Harrison, Idaho, and plans to move the companys training facility there.


The ranch, which has operated as Hidden Creek Ranch for the past 13 years, now will be called Red Horse Mountain Lodge, Harbaugh says. His company, Government Training Institute Inc., or GTI for short, currently is seeking a conditional-use permit from Kootenai County so that it can offer classes there, he says.


Harbaugh also is seeking approval from the Idaho Outfitters and Guides Association Licensing Board to offer recreational activities at the ranch. Pending approval, he plans to host tourists and youth programs there when law-enforcement classes arent being taught.


He hopes to be conducting classes by May and says recreational youth programs might be offered there earlier in the spring.


GTI will employ about 20 people at the ranch and has two employees who have moved to North Idaho from Boise already, Harbaugh says. Its unclear how many more of the companys current 15 employees will move to North Idaho.


Once the ranch is up and running next spring, Harbaugh says, he plans to make a few improvements. He says those changes will include remodeling a 7,000-square-foot lodge into housing for GTI instructors, who will stay there while teaching. Also, a target range will be improved and brought up to National Rifle Association standards, and a few mock buildings will be constructed for simulation exercises.


He doesnt have a cost estimate for the improvements yet. Also, he declines to disclose the terms of the transaction through which he bought the ranch.