Monthly Archives: June 2020

New Idaho Falls Costco Taking Applications for all Departments

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: June 8, 2020
Media Contact: Connie Gardner, connie.gardner@labor.idaho.gov

The new Costco in Idaho Falls, slated to open in late summer, plans to begin hiring staff in mid-June and are asking interested job seekers to begin applying for positions online.

Up to 150 job are available ranging from cashiers, stockers and general members service jobs to skilled positions such as pharmacists, pharmacy techs, hearing aid specialists, meat cutters, cake decorators, bakers and tire center staff.

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Idaho’s Weekly Unemployment Initial Claims Decrease 22% Over Previous Week

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: June 4, 2020
Media Contact: Georgia Smith, (208) 332-3570 ext. 2102 or Craig Shaul, (208) 332-3570 ext. 3201

New initial claims for unemployment insurance benefits totaled 3,646 for the week ending May 30 – declining 22 percent from the previous week.

Continued claims – the number of people who requested a benefit payment – declined for the fourth consecutive week, falling to 51,035, down 10 percent from the previous week.

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Around Idaho: Economic Activity in May 2020

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 executives are unveiling plans for $85 million in new development, including new runs, lifts and a previously planned boutique hotel. Resort executives said expansion is justified by robust annual attendance figures. Completion of the new hotel was slated to accommodate the opening of the 2020-21 ski season, but construction has been delayed due to COVID-19. Source: Spokane Journal of Business

Boundary County

  • The Kootenai Tribe has reopened the Kootenai River Inn Casino after nearly seven weeks of being closed due to COVID-19. The tribe paid all employee wages, including tips, during the shutdown and used the downtime to conduct improvements to the facility’s parking lot, swimming pool and casino space. Source: Coeur d’Alene Press

Kootenai County

  • Downtown Coeur d’Alene is in the process of reopening according to the guidelines issued by the governor’s office. Restaurants have opened dine-in service with reduced capacity, and the Coeur d’Alene Resort has re-opened. Source: Coeur d’Alene Press
  • The Salvation Army’s Kroc Center has re-opened after the extended COVID-19 shutdown. Gym and swimming facilities will operate at a reduced capacity to limit crowding, and hours will be modified to accommodate an intensified cleaning schedule. Source: Coeur d’Alene Press
  • Silverwood Theme Park has announced plans to open May 30, with a variety of alterations to reduce crowding. Changes include limited daily attendance, complementary masks and reconfigured waiting lines. Source: Coeur d’Alene Press

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

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Idaho Cities Continue Strong Population Growth in 2019

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: June 1, 2020
Media Contact: Kathryn Tacke, (208) 799-5000 ext. 3984 or Craig Shaul, (208) 332-3570 ext. 3201

The population increase of Twin Falls from 2018-2019 passed a milestone, making it the eighth city in Idaho to have more than 50,000 residents, according to data recently released by the U.S. Census Bureau.

Idaho’s cities continue to be magnets drawing population from outside the state and from Idaho’s rural areas. Population in Idaho’s 200 incorporated cities grew 2.3 percent between 2018 and 2019, faster than the state’s 2.1 percent.

Two Idaho cities — Boise and Meridian — had more than 100,000 residents in 2019, while Nampa’s 2019 population was shy of 100,000 by 3,064 residents.

Meridian added the most population in Idaho between 2018 and 2019, adding 7,697 residents, while Nampa added 3,064 and Caldwell added 2,003.

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Idaho Cities Continue Strong Population Growth in 2019, Housing Growth Lags

Recent population estimates for 2019 show Idaho’s cities in general have been thriving although small towns in many rural areas have not shared in the growth.

The data recently released by the  U.S. Census Bureau shows the population living in Idaho’s 200 incorporated cities grew 2.3 percent from 2018-2019, faster than the state’s 2.1 percent growth.

The bureau also released housing unit growth across the state, which also grew 2.1 percent for the year.

Population Changes 2018-2019

Meridian added the most population in Idaho between 2018 and 2019, adding 7,697 residents, while Nampa added 3,064 and Caldwell added 2,003. Boise and Meridian were the only two cities with more than 100,000 residents, though Nampa was not far behind with just 3,064 residents fewer than 100,000.

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