Featured post

Idaho’s June unemployment rate remains at 2.5%

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: July 22, 2022
Media Contact: Craig.Shaul@labor.idaho.gov or Karen.JarboeSingletary@labor.idaho.gov

Idaho’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 2.5% in June, unchanged from May and remaining at a historic low.Idaho map-unemployment rates by county

The number of Idahoans employed or looking for work grew by 5,190 people (0.6%) to 948,576. Labor force participation increased by 0.1 percentage points between May and June to 62.5%. Idaho’s peak participation rate reached 71.4% in September 1998.

June’s labor force growth was caused by increases in both employed and unemployed persons. Total employment grew by 4,807 (0.5%) to 924,605 while total unemployment increased by 383 (1.6%) to 23,971.

Continue reading →

Governor Little appoints leaders from Shoshone and Clayton to Serve Idaho Commission

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Aug. 12, 2022
Media Contact: Renee.Bade@labor.idaho.gov

Gov. Brad Little appointed two new commissioners to Serve Idaho, the Governor’s Commission on Service and Volunteerism. The new commissioners are Karma Metzler Fitzgerald of Shoshone and Amanda Gardner of Clayton.

The two join the existing commission of 15 governor-appointed commissioners whose mission is “To inspire and recognize volunteers and empower communities through service and AmeriCorps to solve Idaho’s unmet needs.”

Photo: Karma Metzler Fitzgerald

Karma Metzler Fitzgerald

Photo: Amanda Gardner

Amanda Gardner

“Ms. Metzler Fitzgerald and Ms. Gardner bring a passion for volunteerism and AmeriCorps in their communities,” Serve Idaho Program Manager Renee Bade said. “We are excited to welcome them to the commission to share their expertise in advancing service across Idaho’s rural communities.”

Continue reading →

Multi-employer job fair set for Aug. 18 in Boise

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Aug. 12, 2022
Media Contact: Joe.Goitiandia@labor.idaho.gov

More than 30 Treasure Valley employers from several industries will be looking for workers at a job fair Thursday, Aug. 18, from 2 to 5 p.m. The event takes place at the Dick Eardley Senior Center, 690 N. Robbins Road, in Boise.

Participating employers include Amazon, Guerdon, City of Boise, Norco, St. Alphonsus, Darigold and many more.

Among the many open positions are paralegal, facility maintenance, operations supervisors, bus drivers, maintenance technicians, parks maintenance, financial analyst, housekeeping attendant, concierge, administrative assistant and marketing associate.

Continue reading →

Serve Idaho announces $375,000 in funding for AmeriCorps planning grants

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Aug. 5, 2022
Media Contact: Renee Bade, renee.bade@labor.idaho.gov

Idaho nonprofit, educational, community and faith-based organizations, Indian tribes and local governments are eligible to apply for federal funding through Serve Idaho, the Governor’s Commission on Service and Volunteerism.

A maximum of five organizations will receive funding up to $75,000 each for planning grants to explore the feasibility of operating an AmeriCorps program. These funds allow time and financial resources for organizations to determine how an AmeriCorps program and its members could help solve community problems. Priority will be given to organizations focusing on education, housing and serving rural communities, but all eligible applicants are encouraged to apply.

Interested organizations must file a notice of intent to apply for a grant by 4 p.m. MDT on Aug. 15. The intent to apply form can be found at https://serve.idaho.gov/grantsfunding/. A mandatory technical assistance call will be held Aug. 16 at 10 a.m. MDT.

The deadline to submit the grant application is Aug. 26 at 5 p.m. MDT.

Continue reading →

Around Idaho: Economic Activity in July 2022

Information provided in these news updates is from professional sources, news releases, weekly and daily newspapers, television and other media.

Northern Idaho
North Central Idaho
Southwestern Idaho
South Central Idaho
Southeastern
Eastern Idaho

 

NORTHERN IDAHO – Benewah, Bonner, Boundary, Kootenai & Shoshone counties

Kootenai County

  • Construction has begun on an 18-story, 60-unit luxury condominium tower in downtown Coeur d’Alene. The tower, to be named The Thomas George, has an estimated value of $45 million and will have units ranging in price from $800,000 to $4 million. Source: Journal of Business
  • The city of Post Falls annexed nearly 90 acres of agricultural land and approved zoning changes to lay the groundwork for the development of a new commercial corridor, as well as infrastructure improvements related to the construction of a new charter school. Construction of the planned Kootenai Classical Academy — the first charter school in Post Falls — is expected to begin this fall. Source: Journal of Business
  • The Coeur d’Alene City Council approved a $10 million water tank project to prevent water supply issues in the northeastern quadrant of the city. Urban growth has begun to stress existing water infrastructure, and city staff have assessed the need to accelerate water projects to avoid water supply issues. Source: Coeur d’Alene Press

Openings – Coeur d’Alene and Post Falls

  • Water World
  • Buck Wild Espresso
  • Engel & Völkers
  • Disaster Response
  • Bottle Joy Taphouse

Sam.Wolkenhauer@labor.idaho.gov, regional economist
(208) 457-8789 ext. 4451

Continue reading →

An analysis of Idaho’s home prices

The following is an executive summary from an analysis of why Idaho’s home prices have risen faster than the rest of the nation. Read the full report online.

Many economists view the housing market as one of the crucial indicators of the overall health of an economy. When the economy is approaching a recession, the real estate market is usually among the first sectors to slow down and among the first to recover during a boom. If this assessment is accurate, Idaho’s housing market prices during the past three years will be critical for future economic forecasts. The average value of single-family homes in the state has increased by about 173% since the third quarter of 2011, compared with nearly 80% nationally. Continue reading →

Nampa career fair offers open jobs, information on paid training for skilled trades

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: July 18, 2022
Media Contact: Monico.Sanchez@labor.idaho.gov

Open job opportunities in skilled trades and funding information to help people pay for required training will be available at a career and job fair Aug. 2, from 9 a.m. to noon at the College of Western Idaho Micron Education Center, 5725 E. Franklin Road, Nampa.

Among the 25 employers participating in the half-day event are Guerdon, Knife River Corp., Mountain West Division, Idaho Milk Transport, NxEdge, Tradesmen International and Darigold-Idaho. These companies and a dozen more want to hire and train carpenters, roofers, electricians, bridge workers, apprentices, machinists and several other tradespeople.

Funding is available to help pay for training through programs like Idaho Launch (idaholaunch.com), which offers qualified applicants 90% of tuition costs for approved programs.

Continue reading →

Governor Little appoints commissioners to Serve Idaho

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: July 5, 2022
Media Contact: Renee.Bade@labor.idaho.gov

Gov. Brad Little appointed two new commissioners to Serve Idaho, the Governor’s Commission on Service and Volunteerism. The new commissioners are April Durrant of Boise and Rebecca Wood of Richfield.

Photo: April DurrantPhoto: Rebecca WoodThese two join the existing commission of 13 governor-appointed commissioners whose mission is “to inspire and recognize volunteers and empower communities through service and AmeriCorps to solve Idaho’s unmet needs.”

“We are excited to welcome the newest commissioners who have a passion and long history with volunteerism and national service in Idaho,” said Renee Bade, program manager for Serve Idaho.

Durrant was appointed by Gov. Little to fill the role of an individual with experience in promoting the involvement of older adults in service and volunteerism. An AmeriCorps Volunteers in Service to America (VISTA) alum, she currently works as a senior program analyst for the Idaho HUD office. She previously worked for the federal agency AmeriCorps where she served as the Idaho state director overseeing AmeriCorps Seniors and AmeriCorps VISTA programming for the state. She previously served as an ex-officio member on the commission and brings a long-time passion for AmeriCorps and volunteerism. Continue reading →

Idaho’s 2021 wages average $23.05 per hour

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: June 30, 2022
Media Contact: Karen.JarboeSingletary@labor.idaho.gov

Idaho’s 2021 average wage for all occupations was $23.05 per hour, according to recently released data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program. The release includes 2021 data on employment and wages by occupation for the state, seven Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs) and two rural county regions.

Continue reading →

Around Idaho: Economic Activity in June 2022

Information provided in these news updates is from professional sources, news releases, weekly and daily newspapers, television and other media.

Northern Idaho
North Central Idaho
Southwestern Idaho
South Central Idaho
Southeastern
Eastern Idaho

 

NORTHERN IDAHO – Benewah, Bonner, Boundary, Kootenai & Shoshone counties

Bonner County

  • Schweitzer Mountain Resort has begun construction on resort improvements to create more efficient access to the mountain, including new roadways, 1,400 additional parking spaces and a new chairlift. This will be followed by future developments expanding the resort’s skiable terrain. Source: Bonner County Daily Bee

Kootenai County

  • The 50-acre Millworx location in Post Falls is now under development and will include a 60-unit mixed use building — with both multi-family residential units and commercial spaces — 61 townhomes, a hotel and several commercial buildings. The development, formerly home to the Idaho Veneer Mill, is slated for completion in 2023. Source: Coeur d’Alene Press
  • Construction has begun on the planned 18-story Thomas George building in Coeur d’Alene. The building will eventually include 60 luxury condominiums and retail spaces on the ground floor. It is scheduled for completion in March 2024. Source: Coeur d’Alene Press
  • The Kootenai Humane Society has begun construction on a new 20,000-square-foot shelter in Hayden. The new facility is expected to be completed by year-end. Source: Journal of Business

Openings

Coeur d’Alene

    • Toro Viejo & Barracho
    • ECJ Billiards
    • Bottle Joy Taphouse
    • Memory Lane Gems
    • Grace & Joy
    • Pearl and Tin

Region

    • Klein Chiropractic, Hayden
    • Advanced Personal Protection, Hayden
    • Paddler’s Alehouse, Sandpoint

Sam.Wolkenhauer@labor.idaho.gov, regional economist
(208) 457-8789 ext. 4451

Continue reading →