Film Addresses Crimes Against Indigenous Women in U.S. and Canada

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NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Feb. 22, 2020
Information Contact: Benjamin Earwicker, (208) 334-2873 ext. 4055

The public is invited to attend a screening of the film Somebody’s Daughter, a documentary about missing and murdered indigenous women in Canada and the United States. It will be shown March 16, 6 p.m., at the Linen Building, 1402 W. Grove St. in Boise.

This film not only tells stories of the indigenous women and their families, but the jurisdictional and socioeconomic barriers they face, as well.

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Around Idaho: Economic Activity in January 2020

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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

  • Aspen Homes & Development has begun construction on a 20-unit apartment complex in Coeur d’Alene. The units will be roughly 1,200 square feet and priced around $1,400 per month. Source: Journal of Business
  • Idaho’s first “Holistic Chamber of Commerce” has opened in Post Falls. The chamber will target specifically environmentally friendly companies, ideas and products, with the self-described mission of representing “holistic professionals, practitioners, businesses and resource providers.” Source: Coeur d’Alene Press
  • Mainstream Electric, an electric, heating, cooling and plumbing company, is vacating its facility in Post Falls and moving its operations across the Washington border. The company, which employs 42 people, experienced 94 percent growth between 2015 and 2018, and has outgrown its space in northern Idaho. Source: Coeur d’Alene Press

Shoshone County

  • Hecla Mining Company and miners of the United Steelworkers Union 5114 have agreed to a new labor contract, ending a strike lasting 1,030 days. Hecla plans to bring workers back in phases and hopes to bring the Lucky Friday mine back up to full production this year. Source: Shoshone News-Press

Openings

    • Coeur Climbing in Coeur d’Alene.
    • Stillano Gelato in Coeur d’Alene.
    • Cock-A-Doodle Brew in Coeur d’Alene.
    • The Paint Buzz in Dalton Gardens.

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

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Idaho Job Corps Seeks Youth with Barriers to Education, Employment

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NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Feb. 4, 2020
Information Contact: Tina Polishchuk, (208) 442-4500

Program expands to colleges in Twin Falls, Idaho Falls and Coeur d’Alene

Idaho Job Corps Center staff are looking for income-eligible candidates to fill 70 openings at the state-run facility in Nampa. Idahoans between the ages of 16–24 who are interested in the program, designed to help low-income youth obtain higher education and on-the-job training, should call the center or take a campus tour offered every Wednesday at 2 p.m.

Sixty-eight students are enrolled and receiving services. Some are earning their high school diploma or a GED. Others are enrolled as college students at College of Western Idaho and working toward careers in high-growth industries such as nurses, pharmacy techs, welders, information technology specialists, carpenters, HVAC technicians, electricians, engineers and more.

“We’re looking for young Idahoans who are facing barriers to education and employment,” said Idaho Department of Labor Director Jani Revier. “Our goal is to remove those barriers, put people on a solid career path, find them technical training and make sure they have a job and an hourly living wage of at least $16 by the time they graduate.”

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State-run Idaho Job Corps Sets Students Up for Success

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student cutting board

Hunter, a Job Corps student, cuts a board to be used for a bed built during a community service project.

Ben wanted to pursue a college education, but couldn’t afford the tuition. That all changed when he enrolled in a state-run Idaho Job Corps program which focuses on helping low-income youth obtain higher education or on-the-job training.

“I’ve always been interested in chemistry and I never would have been able to afford college if I hadn’t come here,” Ben said. “I’m going for a chemistry degree at the College of Western Idaho, and I’m going to finish my degree at Boise State or BYU.“

Ben enrolled in Idaho’s new state-run Job Corps program thanks to a three-year, $17.7 million U.S. Department of Labor grant to the Idaho Department of Labor, which restructured the program and now manages the Nampa facility.

“Our goal is to provide every student with a job and an hourly living wage of at least $16 by the time they graduate,” said Labor Director Jani Revier. “Depending on individual needs, students can enroll in the program for anywhere between three to 24 months.”

Joining Ben are 44 more students who are currently enrolled in the program. Twenty-six more will start Wednesday, Feb. 5. Idaho Job Corps Manager Tina Polishchuk, Ed.D., expects enrollment to reach 150 students by the end of 2020. 

Idaho Job Corps staff are recruiting students by contacting high school counselors, social service agencies, through word of mouth, social media and by offering free campus tours on Wednesdays. Plans are for the pilot program to expand during years two and three by engaging in partnerships with community colleges in Twin Falls, Idaho Falls and Coeur d’Alene.

“We plan to serve an additional 50 students at each remote location, starting with the College of Southern Idaho and North Idaho College,” said Polishchuk. “Our goal is to have finalized agreements by the end of February.” Continue reading →

Census of Agriculture Highlights South Central Idaho’s Shifting Farm Picture

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The number of farming operations and the acres of land under farm production in the U.S. peaked in 1935, trending downward since except for a slight uptick from 2012 to 2017. But in south central Idaho, the number of acres in farming is stable and even experienced some growth since the 2007 recession, according to the most recent Census of Agriculture, a survey conducted every five years by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS).

The Census of Ag is comprehensive across geographies, providing data on the nation, the 50 states and counties within each state. Data is gathered from surveys mailed to farmers and ranchers with thousands of acres and hobby farmers who only sell a couple of steers annually to friends and family.

The Census of Ag provides the only source of uniform, comprehensive, and impartial agriculture data for every county in the nation. This data is also a ‘go-to’ for those who serve farmers and rural communities including federal, state and local governments, agribusinesses, trade associations, and agricultural support companies.

The NASS definition of a farm is any place from which $1,000 or more of agricultural products were produced and sold, or normally would have been sold, during the census year. This threshold is unchanged since 1975.

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December Unemployment Rate Remains Unchanged at 2.9 Percent

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NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Jan. 24, 2020
Information Contact: Karen Jarboe Singletary (208) 332-3570 ext. 3215 or Craig Shaul (208) 332-3570 ext. 3201

Idaho Falls MSA led the nation in over-the-year job gains

Idaho’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate remained at 2.9 percent in December for the sixth consecutive month.

An additional 2,329 people made themselves available for work in December, pushing Idaho’s seasonally adjusted labor force up to 889,092. The number of unemployed decreased by 110 to 25,769. Total employment grew by 2,439 to 863,323.

Idaho’s labor force participation rate – the percentage of people age 16 years or older working or looking for work – moved up slightly to 64.2 percent.

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Governor’s Task Force Makes Recommendations to Improve Idaho’s Broadband Access

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Establishing a state broadband office, updating the state plan and formalizing installment policies for efficiency are several recommendations made by the Governor’s Broadband Access Task Force.

The task force, created by a Governor’s Executive Order in May, was assigned to research and offer solutions to improve broadband reliability, connectivity and service levels across Idaho.

In rural communities throughout Idaho, expanding access to broadband is a high priority for economic developers. High-speed Internet has become such a standard part of doing business that lack of access limits local businesses’ ability to expand, find employees, find suppliers, train their workers and market their products.

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Capitol Event Commemorates Martin Luther King Jr. / Idaho Human Rights Day

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NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Jan. 16, 2020
Information Contact: Carmen Barney (208) 334-2873, ext. 3682

Boise State University President Marlene Tromp, Ph.D., will be the keynote speaker Monday, Jan. 20 as part of the state celebration of Martin Luther King Jr. Day/Idaho Human Rights Day in Boise.

The public is invited to attend the ceremonies at the State Capitol Building 2nd floor rotunda from noon to 1 p.m., opening with a performance by the Boise State University trumpeters. The Idaho State Police Honor Guard will follow with the posting of colors.

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Idaho Volunteers Recognized at Brightest Stars Awards Ceremony

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NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Jan. 16, 2020
Information Contact: Renee Bade (208) 332-3578, ext. 4061

Seventy-one outstanding volunteers from throughout Idaho were honored as stars Wednesday by Serve Idaho, the Governor’s Commission on Service and Volunteerism, at Idaho’s Brightest Stars ceremony in Boise.

Dawn-Marie Johnson

Dawn-Marie Johnson of Kamiah was recognized in the Individual category.

“Volunteerism is a gift that benefits citizens and addresses needs in communities throughout our state,” said Gov. Brad Little.  “These men and women are not seeking recognition, but it is important to acknowledge these Brightest Star recipients and their generous commitment to giving to others and ensuring a bright future for all citizens.”

Jim Kinnard of Coeur d’Alene was recognized in the Student category.

The volunteers were nominated for their contributions in seven categories – Business, Individual, Nonprofit/Civic Organization, Senior Citizen, Student, Teacher/Professor and Veteran. Awardees were nominated by Idahoans throughout the state and a panel of community reviewers made
the final selection.

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Around Idaho: Economic Activity in December 2019

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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

  • The Coeur d’Alene City Council voted to create a health corridor urban renewal district around Kootenai Health. The new urban renewal district will allow infrastructure improvements to accommodate the rapidly expanding hospital. Source: Coeur d’Alene Press
  • The city of Post Falls voted to rezone a large parcel of industrial zone to urban center. The rezoning will tie in with the city’s intention to expand commercial development in 2020. Source: Coeur d’Alene Press
  • California-based Strategic Service Solutions Inc. has leased new office space in Post Falls, which the IT integration company will use to service eastern Washington and northern Idaho clients. Source: Journal of Business
  • Dollar Fulfillment, a Hayden-based e-Commerce fulfillment company, has purchased 5 acres in Post Falls’ Bighorn Industrial Park to expand operations. Last Year, Dollar Fulfillment was ranked among the 300 fastest-growing private companies in the United States. Source: Journal of Business

Openings

  • Bean & Pie in Coeur d’Alene.
  • Birdie’s Pie Shop in Post Falls.
  • Sherwin Williams in Post Falls.
  • Edwards Jones Investments in Coeur d’Alene.

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

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