The man who paved the way for Idaho Falls becoming the home of Idaho National Lab

Thomas Sutton’s main goal weeks into his inauguration as the mayor of Idaho Falls was to ensure Idaho Falls became the headquarters for the Atomic Energy Commission, the agency that managed the predecessor to Idaho National Laboratory.A great deal of schmoozing and lobbying by Sutton and others paved the way for the city’s future growth and the INL campus becoming the largest employer in the region.Check out these related articles: https://www.eastidahonews.com/2025/04/how-former-mayor-helped-idaho-falls-become-home-to-nations-leading-nuclear-energy-research-facility/https://www.eastidahonews.com/2024/02/how-a-naval-proving-ground-became-a-national-lab-thats-changing-the-worlds-energy-future/This week on “It’s Worth Mentioning,” Rett Nelson speaks with Sutton’s great-granddaughter about his golden moment in history and the unique connections she’s discovered about her deceased relative.