Monthly Archives: September 2016

Around Idaho: August 2016 Economic Activity

Information provided in this article 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 Rathdrum City Council approved a request from Avista to change the city’s zoning map in preparation for a possible natural gas power plant. Avista, which owns a 302-acre site in Rathdrum, said it is exploring plans to build a natural gas burning facility to help meet a projected ramp-up in customer demand.
  • The North Idaho Outlet Mall, which has been mostly unoccupied for several years, is being rejuvenated and reoccupied. Tedder Properties – the new owner of the mall – will move its manufacturing operations into the southern end of the facility and lease the remaining spaces to retail occupants. Source: Coeur d’Alene Press
  • Broadband provider Fatbeam announced a $3.2 million donation to the University of Idaho’s Research Park in Post Falls. This will provide access to a fiber network – owned by Fatbeam – and a long-term contract for broadband internet access. Access to fiber is timely, as UI has recently made a push toward computer science, including launching a new cybersecurity lab in the Post Falls research park. Source: Coeur d’Alene Press

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Nonverbal Cues Also Important Part of Job Interviews

You know not to put your feet up in an interview, but do you think about other body language clues?

You know not to put your feet up in an interview, but do you think about other body language clues?

When you land a job interview, there’s a lot to think about to get ready. What kind of questions will you be asked? Will you have to demonstrate any of your skills, such as write computer code, do a presentation or take a test? How long will it take you to get to the interview? Where will you park?

Besides being prepared for the meeting and questions, what about the nonverbal impression you make and might not even be aware of? Your body language, from the way you walk into the interview and how you greet the interviewers to how you sit contribute to the impression you make on potential employers.

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The Future of Reality Comes to the Think Big Festival in Coeur d’Alene

Devyn Miller reacts to the elephant coming toward her in the virtual African adventure using the Oculus Rift head mounted display at the Think Big Festival in Coeur d'Alene in August 2016.

Devyn Miller reacts to the elephant coming toward her in the virtual African adventure using the Oculus Rift head mounted display at the Think Big Festival in Coeur d’Alene in August 2016.

The 3rd Annual Think Big Festival was very visible in Coeur d’Alene on August 26-27. This high tech festival brings young and old, techie and novice together to get a glimpse of the future.

Tesla gave free rides in its fleet of electric and autonomous cars. Robots and delivery robots were in town and people enjoyed the wonders of virtual and augmented reality.

Event coordinators, the local Innovation Collective, brought in speakers, for the Saturday panels to talk about health, investment, transportation and reality. These technical, finance and education gurus came together to look into the future that isn’t very far away.

Along with the speakers were a variety of different demonstrations and interactive displays. The clear winner of this group was the virtual reality booth according to the length of the line to experience the device. In Saturday’s speakers’ forum, Ross Finman from MIT discussed the three areas that will see significant enhancement because of virtual reality: instruction, visualization and entertainment.

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