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

Regional

• October’s unemployment rate reported 3,921 unemployed individuals in northern Idaho while the analytics company Burning Glass reported 2,110 online job postings. Although the number of potential job seekers exceeding job postings could be a sign that the labor shortage may be on the way to being resolved, that does not mean the job descriptions align with the qualifications and education of those seeking employment.
• The region’s civilian labor force grew by 4.4% from pre-pandemic levels and includes those working and those seeking work. A percentage of those migrating to Idaho are bringing their remote jobs with them and potentially a larger paycheck than the same job pays in Idaho. This is good news to those Idaho businesses depending on local consumers, but also can fuel the affordable housing woes. Source: Burning Glass and Idaho Department of Labor

Bonner County

• Schweitzer opened its ski hill to pass holders with limited runs open the day after Thanksgiving. Source: KHQ

Boundary County

• The Kootenai tribe announced it will develop a travel center with an 8,660-square-foot convenience store, gas and diesel fuel stations, truck parking and a Sonic restaurant along U.S. Highway 95. Construction will begin in spring 2022. Source: Coeur d’Alene Press

Kootenai County

• Crisis Standards of Care were ended in the Panhandle Health District after being in effect since early September. The deactivation of crisis standards will allow hospitals around northern Idaho to resume scheduling surgeries and other procedures which were previously postponed to maximize space and staff available for COVID-19 patients. Source: Coeur d’Alene Press
• Construction is underway on the Ross Point recreation area on the Spokane River. Work, which is expected to be completed in June, will include the construction of docks, parking, pedestrian areas and recreational facilities, and it will greatly increase general access to the Spokane River shoreline. Source: Coeur d’Alene Press
• The Post Falls Wal-Mart closed its doors for two days to conduct deep cleaning and maintenance. Source: Coeur d’Alene Press

Shoshone County

• City Limits Brew Pub in Wallace is October’s Idaho Small Business of the Month. U.S. Sen. James Risch highlighted the quality of service, food and beer at City Limits in his announcement. The company also operates an RV park adjacent to the brewpub. Source: Shoshone News Press
• Silver Mountain opened its bunny and tubing hills the day after Thanksgiving. Source: Facebook page and Coeur d’Alene Press

Openings – Coeur d’Alene

• Local Market at Atlas
• Northwest Artists
• Thermography Northwest
• Breaking Bread Bistro
• Black Sheep Sporting Goods
• Black Lodge Brewing
• HeatPraxia
• Faithful K9 Training
• Linden Coffee
• Best Life Coeur d’Alene
• Lavender Sun
• Malvagio’s Eatery
• Sherman Waffle House
• Allergy Free Air
• Roasted Coffee Co.
• Golf Island

Openings – Region

• Golden Glo Coffee, Rathdrum
• Valley Roots, Post Falls
• Prairie Xpress, Hayden

Other Openings

• Allergy Free Air opened a new office in downtown Coeur d’Alene. The company says it filters out all allergens and pollution of a home through a gallon of water to provide a healthier lifestyle. Source: Coeur d’Alene Press
• Roasted Coffee Co. opened an espresso, ice cream and bakery shop in Coeur d’Alene. This is the second location, originating in Post Falls. Source: Coeur d’Alene Press
• HeatPraxia Saunas is opening in Coeur d’Alene. Source: Coeur d’Alene Press

Closings

• Locked & Loaded Storage of Post Falls is closing after 15 years due to annexation requirements by the city of Post Falls and Kootenai County. Source: Coeur d’Alene Press
• US Bank announced it will shut down its Wallace location, and most employees will be laid off. It is the only bank in the city. Residents are rallying to dissuade US Bank from closing and/or find a replacement institution. The bank building is centrally located, has the only ATM and has residential living space on its upper floors. Source: Shoshone News Press

Jan.Roeser@labor.idaho.gov, regional economist
(208) 332-3570 ext. 3639 and
Sam.Wolkenhauer@labor.idaho.gov, regional economist
(208) 457-8789 ext. 4451

NORTH CENTRAL IDAHO – Clearwater, Idaho, Latah, Lewis and Nez Perce counties

Regional

• North central Idaho’s October 2021 unemployment was estimated at 1,374, and job openings were reported at 557 – more than two unemployed individuals per online job postings. This shows the region has less pressure for hiring compared to other regions. The region’s annualized average civilian labor force lost ground over the COVID-19 pandemic with -0.6% or 333 fewer workers and job seekers, the two components of the civilian labor force. Source: Burning Glass and Idaho Department of Labor

Idaho County

• The Idaho County Commission Chair announced Juneteenth will not be a holiday for its county employees. The new federal holiday of Juneteenth was approved for federal and state workers in June 2021 with paid time off. Idaho Association of Counties opined it is not mandated to provide the time off. Most counties have followed the state lead. It was on June 19, 1865, that 2,000 Union army members entered Texas with an executive decree that freed 250,000 enslaved black Texans. Texas was the first state to approve the paid state holiday in January 1980. Since that time, 47 states have followed its lead. Source: Lewiston Morning Tribune and fortune.com

Latah County

• The University of Idaho, the land grant university for Idaho, aspires to a higher level of research credential as noted in a recent lecture by Chris Nomura, vice president for research and economic development at UI. The university currently is classified as a Research 2 (R2) university, indicating it has high research activity. Boise State University and Idaho State University also have the R2 status, which means the three institutions meet the threshold level of research investment at $5 million and awards of 20 doctoral degrees. U of I ranks 127 out of 260 universities across the nation for total research expenditures but drops down to 203 out of 260 for the number of doctoral degrees. Nearby Washington State University has the R1 classification of “very high research activity,” potentially giving it an edge in recruiting new students. Source: Moscow-Pullman Daily News

Nez Perce County

• The Lewiston Airport is preparing to host an estimated 20,000 river cruise boat passengers this year, who are expected to use the United Lewiston to Denver flight and the Delta Airline Lewiston to Salt Lake City flights. The airport will extend hospitality in the form of a relaxation room coined the “Explorer Room’ where visitors can take a break or read up on the area. There will be a shuttle available for a tour of the area’s attractions or to visit the downtown Lewiston area. Source: The Lewiston Tribune
• Rogers Subaru is continuing operations while under construction as it expands into the site formerly occupied by Mall 21. The dealership will add 15,000 square feet that includes a new showroom and service department, a new technical work area, a larger customer lounge and work areas, a new car wash and a dog park. Existing service centers will be updated at the same time. The Subaru company assisted the local franchise holder with design ideas. Construction should wrap up by the end of 2022. Source: Lewiston Morning Tribune
• St. Joseph Regional Medical Center in Lewiston, a LifePoint provider, is now part of a new national health system called ScionHealth. This comes after LifePoint acquired Kindred. This is its third change of ownership since becoming a private hospital in 2017 when it was purchased by RCCH Healthcare Partners, which merged with LifePoint in the fall of 2018. Eighteen LifePoint hospitals along with 61 long-term acute care Kindred Healthcare hospitals will be under the umbrella of ScionHealth. No noticeable effects will be experienced by St. Joe’s patients. A new CEO, Ed Freysinger, has relocated to Lewiston from another LifePoint facility in Michigan. Source: Lewiston Morning Tribune
• The Lewis-Clark Valley Healthcare Foundation approved 10 grants totaling $621,000 to nonprofit agencies throughout the area. The foundation was established in 2017 when St. Joseph Regional Medical Center was sold by Ascension Health to RCCH Healthcare partners. The foundation’s mission is to promote health and wellness in a nine-county area that includes north central Idaho counties plus Washington’s Asotin, Garfield and Whitman counties and Wallowa County in Oregon. Award recipients include:
  • Snake River Community Clinic – $69,500 (health for the underserved).
  • Community Health Association of Spokane dba CHAS Health – $39,000 (health for the underserved).
  • The Salvation Army – $75,000 (for a warming center).
  • LC Valley Youth Resource Center Inc. – $75,000 (youth resource center).
  • Upper Clearwater Community Foundation – $75,000 (Kamiah pool renovation).
  • Washington State University Foundation for Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine at WSU – $75,000 (Range Community Clinic mobile unit).
  • Twin County United Way – $30,000 (kindergarten readiness).
  • Garfield County Fire District – $32,000 (cardiac monitor).
  • Lewiston High School health and physical education department – $75,000 (Get Outside Modernizing Outdoor Recreation).
  • Washington State University for Northwest Public Broadcasting – $75,000 (health care reporting).

Openings

• Iconique, a clothing shop, opened in downtown Lewiston. Source: The Lewiston Tribune
• The Mill Taphouse opened earlier this fall in Orofino offering a variety of beers from Idaho and the Pacific Northwest and other products from the greater local area including seltzers, ciders, wine and non-alcoholic beverages. Game nights and appetizers are in the works. Source: Clearwater Tribune
• Windows, Doors and More moved from its location in Lewiston Orchards to downtown Lewiston, expanding its sale of other construction materials. The original owner sold the business in 2020. Source: Lewiston Morning Tribune
• RedBalloon is a new web-based business that links job seekers with companies that “value their freedom,” according to its website. The founder is Andrew Crapuchettes, the former CEO of EMSI Burning Glass of Moscow. The website is a sortable database with hundreds of job listings from across the nation. Source: Lewiston Morning Tribune

Closures

• Hillcrest Motel is closing its doors in Moscow after 64 years. The action will displace 30 long-term tenants and several other emergency housing tenants. The owners are retiring after 27 years and provided notice in September, offering a moving truck, flexibility with final rental payments, tips on housing and recommendations to the new landlords. The property was popular as competition for rentals is fierce with the University of Idaho students and workers seeking rentals. The future use of the property is undetermined and no announcements on a sale transaction have been reported. Source: Moscow-Pullman Daily News
• Mela Restaurant in Moscow announced it would close after three years of operation due to lease renewal issues. The restaurant offers Bengali/Bangladeshi food and is considering moving to a space in the adjacent college town of Pullman, Washington. Source: Moscow-Pullman Daily News
• Viola, an unincorporated community in Latah County, received a two-week notice the post office would be closing as the landlord has other plans for the property and opted not to renew the lease. Residents must now drive 30 minutes one way to pick up mail at Moscow or Potlatch post offices. Source: Moscow-Pullman Daily News
• Bloom announced it will permanently close its downtown Moscow restaurant after 11 years. The owner of the building, New Saint Andrews College, chose not to renew the lease. The private college is growing with plans to replace the popular brunch venue with a bookstore. It is owned by members of the Christ Church and was founded in 1994. Source: Moscow-Pullman Daily News 

Jan.Roeser@labor.idaho.gov, regional economist
Idaho Department of Labor
(208) 735-2500 ext. 3639

SOUTHWESTERN IDAHO – Ada, Adams, Boise, Canyon, Elmore, Gem, Owyhee, Payette, Valley & Washington Counties

Regional

• Columbia Bank and Umpqua Bank announced a merger creating one bank with more than $43 billion in deposits. Upon approval, the newly formed bank will trade publicly on the NASDAQ stock exchange under the ticker COLB. Going forward, the banks will operate under the Umpqua name. There are branches of both banks sprinkled throughout southwestern Idaho. Columbia operates 15 branches in Boise, Nampa, Caldwell, Payette and Weiser. Umpqua’s branding is currently 11 branches in Boise, Meridian, Cascade and McCall. Source: Idaho Statesman
• Walgreens has purchased Bi-Mart’s pharmacy business in Emmett, Weiser and Star. The files and prescriptions will transfer to Walgreens, but in some cases, Walgreens will operate the pharmacy within the Bi-Mart store. The affected staff will be absorbed by the Bi-Mart, except for pharmacists and pharmacy techs who will interview with Walgreens for positions. Source: Idaho Business Review

Ada County

• Our Path Home, a partnership of nonprofits and local government agencies seeking solutions for homelessness in the Treasure Valley, released its five-year plan that includes 250 new units across five different projects with an estimated price tag of $64 million. The forecast was based on surveys and research identifying about 500 individuals needing housing. After researching how other cities have dealt with homelessness, the organization is loosely following Salt Lake City’s approach, accommodating differences in the two areas such as population size. The organization prioritizes finding homes for people versus other programs that require substance abuse mitigation be addressed first. Ada County disagreed with this prioritizing and pulled its funding of $325,000 earlier this year. The city of Boise filled that funding gap. The large price tag for multi-family housing will be met with grants and fundraising efforts according to Our Path Home. Source: Idaho Statesman
• With one weekend storm dumping almost 3 feet of snow, Bogus Basin announced full operations would start with night skiing and express chairlifts running. The COVID-19 pandemic caused the resort to limit the sale of daily tickets last season and the practice continues with skiers encouraged to purchase lift tickets online before heading up the hill. Source: Idaho Press
• The Boise School District board voted to retain the mask mandates for students and staff, with further review after the holiday season. The board listened to hospital and district administrators who supported continuing the mandate. The school board intends to create an ‘endemic plan for use with infectious disease that spreads at predictable, low rates.’ Source: Idaho Press
• The College of Western Idaho hired Gordon Jones, dean of the College of Innovation and Design at Boise State University since 2015, as its third president since opening its doors in 2007. CWI trustees received around 70 applications from around the country from its national search. Source: Idaho Business Review
• Boise State University announced plans to create a Food and Dairy Innovation Center dedicated to creating new food and dairy processing methods, conducting research on food and dairy products and helping prepare students for dairy industry work after graduation. The university received a $2 million grant from Idaho Global Entrepreneurial Mission Higher Education Research Counsel. Campus leadership hopes to have the center established within five years using existing space for the lab. Source: Idaho News 6 and Boise State News
• Micron announced its 10-year plan to invest $150 billion to expand its global markets. Plan details were not released but it is believed Boise will be a key player with its research and development facilities. In 2009, large-scale production of semi-conductor chips in Boise ceased and transitioned into a research and development hub housed at the corporate headquarters campus. Source: Idaho Statesman
• Alaska Airlines is adding daily flights between Boise and Idaho Falls in addition to flights between Boise and the Pullman-Moscow area. The last time Alaska offered a daily flight to Idaho Falls was 2010. The airline also announced daily service to Las Vegas with departure times that synchronize with the Idaho Falls flights. Alaska also is changing its daily Phoenix service from seasonal, to year-round. Alaska’s Boise airport is the eighth largest departure airport among the 120 airports served by the commercial airline. Source: Idaho Statesman
• The Warehouse Foodhall, a 29,000-square-foot food and drink facility currently under construction at in Boise’s BoDo district, announced four new tenants. Caffe d’Arte has operated in BoDo since 2008. The other three include Freshie’s Lobster Co., CAMP Cocktail Bar and Totally Toasted. All signed on to join tenants Paddles Up Poke, Rush Bowls and the Loading Dock. The Foodhall anticipates a 2022 opening. Source: Idaho Business Review
• According to Zumper, an apartment listing service, Boise’s one-bedroom median rental prices rose by 37% from the same period last year to $1,500. The data was sourced to Oct. 16 and shows 72 apartments posted. Two-bedroom apartments grew by 35% to $1,650 with 79 apartment postings. Source: https://www.zumper.com/rent-research/boise-city-id
• The Boise Airport broke passenger records for both July and August with July reporting 419,211 passengers, while August reported 378,000. Recent enhancements include lactation stations and pet relief areas. Expanding routes with several commercial airlines has added to the passenger count while the Boyd Group, an industry tracker, reported Boise as one of the top 10 fastest growing airports nationally. The Federal Aviation Administration will move Boise’s classification from a small hub to a medium hub in the next few years. Source: Idaho Statesman
• Ridenbaugh Place, a long-standing apartment complex near Boise State University is set to be razed and all trees removed to make way for a modern student housing complex.  Residents have been offered reimbursement for moving expenses after given six months advance eviction notice. The complex has contributed to affordable housing, which is a thorny subject in Boise with rising housing costs setting apartments out of reach for those on the lower end of the income spectrum. Boise State is short on housing for students and the project has experienced various delays for more than two years. Source: Idaho Press
• The International Rescue Committee welcomed 58 refugees from Afghanistan in October. The nonprofit group reported that since 2000, the Treasure Valley has welcomed 844 refugees from Afghanistan. The refugee office in Twin Falls welcomed another 50 refugees, also from Afghanistan. Source: KTVB News

Boise County

• Crouch voters are deciding whether to apply a local option tax to visitors’ short-term rentals, food and alcohol sold by the drink. It will provide some seed capital for the city to enhance its amenities or for bigger investments. The infrastructure needs of the city are not supported by a broad tax base due to its small population and lack of major industry. The city attracts visitors to its theatre and golf course along with the attraction of recreation in the surrounding mountains. Sixteen other Idaho cities have voted in favor of local option taxes to support their communities. Source: KTVB News

Canyon County

• The College of Idaho announced record enrollment this fall, the fourth consecutive growth year. At 1,145 students, the enrollment is the highest in the school’s 130-year history. The most recent record was set in 2014 at 1,144. The college freshmen class is the school’s second largest at 296 while the group of new students is its third largest at 333. Source: Idaho Press
• The Nampa Development Company and Adler Industrial LLC are collaborating on a 194-acre industrial park in northern Nampa to be built over the next several years. The industrial park will consist of 16 buildings with 2.5 million square feet. Construction will start in 2022. Source: Idaho Press
• The Darigold plant in Caldwell has been shut down due to fire. All 80 employees working when fire broke out were safely evacuated from the powdered milk facility. The company indicated workers will be offered employment opportunities at other plants throughout the area. Source: KTVB

Elmore County

• The Idaho Water Resources Board approved a contract with the Bureau of Reclamation to design and construct 6 feet of additional water capacity at Anderson Dam. The additional water storage is 29,000-acre feet of water and compares to about 14,000 Olympic swimming pools. The price tag is estimated at $83.3 million, which may prove too costly for the end users — 78% of the water is used by irrigators including agricultural producers, hobby farmers, dairy owners and potential homeowner associations. Source:  KTVB News

Valley County

• Idaho Department of Lands auctioned off six lots near Payette Lake — two lots were lakeside with each lot’s area just under half an acre. The lots were appraised for about $3.5 million with proceeds totaling $8.4 million. Three successful bids were from Boise, one from Arizona and the lakeside lots were purchased by a family corporation in Utah. Proceeds of the sale go toward the state’s educational endowment fund. Source: KTVB News
• Tamarack Resort, near Donnelly, plans to restore the Osprey Meadows Golf Course which closed in 2015 following financial pressures. The company negotiated to repurchase the 15 holes sold to an investor group. That transaction closes later this year. Consolidating the purchase with the three holes retained will bring the course back to a full 18-hole course with the driving range scheduled to open in 2022. The golf course is scheduled to be playable in 2023, after renovation. Source: Idaho Statesman

Openings

• The James, a cocktail bar, opened in Boise occupying the long-running Cobby’s Sandwich space, which most recently was a Crave Delivery location. Crave owners brought that operation back to its Meridian collective and transitioned to The James – a whiskey bar and chef’s special menu concept with tables spanning two floors and a rooftop bar open during the summer. Source: Idaho Statesman
• Crescent Public House, the former Crescent Bar for five decades, completed its renovation and is now open to the public, offering cocktails and an “all ages” menu. Owners plans to add a breakfast component in 2022. Source: Idaho Statesman
• Mother Earth Brew Company held a weekend-long grand opening celebrating completion of the remodel on its 4,200-square-foot tap house in downtown Boise. The brewery started in Vista, California, and expanded to Nampa in 2010. In 2018, it was listed as the largest brewery in Idaho based on production. It will continue operations at is Nampa production facility and tasting room. Source: Idaho Statesman
• Manfred’s Pub opened in downtown Boise in the former Doc’s Lodge location. Source: Idaho Statesman
• Club Champion, a national retail outlet that fits, sells and builds custom golf clubs, opened in Meridian. The store offers hitting bays and putting greens for customers to determine the best club selection. Source: Idaho Business Review
• Idaho Central Credit Union opened a new branch in Boise, its 43^rd in Idaho. Source: Idaho Statesman
• Jersey Mike’s Subs opened a restaurant in Kuna. Source: Idaho Business Review
• Ada County opened a second Department of Motor Vehicles office in Meridian to meet public demand. The office will take appointments only. Source: Idaho Statesman
• Roberts Stephens Wealth Management opened an office in Boise. The company is headquartered in San Francisco with offices in Sun Valley and seven other cities nationally. The company has approximately $2.5 billion in assets under management. Source: Idaho Statesman
• Western Aircraft completed its new 53,000-square-foot hangar near the Boise Airport. The company has a multi-phase expansion in progress, investing $17 million with Phase 2 consisting of administrative offices, avionics and interior shops. The company has clients from the U.S. and Canada boasting expertise with myriad aircrafts. Source: Idaho Business Review
• Cluck’s Nashville Hot Chicken, a local diner, opened in Meridian with plans for five more restaurants in Idaho. Source: Idaho Statesman

Groundbreakings

• Greyloch Custom Cabinetry broke ground on a $45 million production facility located on several acres in Star. The 97,000-square-foot building will make residential and commercial custom cabinets along with a metal fabrication line. The company has been in operation for more than 30 years with a showroom and smaller production facility in Meridian. The general contractor is HC Company of Boise. Source: Idaho Business Review
• The city of Caldwell broke ground on a downtown, mixed-use building. The planned 147-unit apartment complex will have four stories offering retail on the ground floor and have surface parking. Many Idaho communities are developing housing near restaurants and retail shops to invigorate downtowns. The concept appeals to demographics on both ends of the age spectrum providing Idaho residents with more walkable areas and options for biking commutes. The developer is deChas Miksis of Boise. Source: Idaho Press
• Advanced Sign hosted a groundbreaking ceremony in Meridian on its new 62,500-square-foot, two-story building. The building will house the sales and design offices, the manufacturing line and the training and break rooms. The facility is scheduled for completion in July 2022. Source: Idaho Business Review

Closure

• Hugo’s Deli announced it will close one of its Meridian restaurants and reduce hours at a Boise location, allowing it to consolidate staff at its other Meridian location. This leaves two ongoing entities in business after a previous high of 10 locations across the Treasure Valley. Source:  Idaho Statesman

Jan.Roeser@labor.idaho.gov, regional economist
Idaho Department of Labor
(208) 735-2500 ext. 3639

SOUTH CENTRAL IDAHO – Blaine, Camas, Cassia, Gooding, Jerome, Lincoln, Minidoka and Twin Falls counties

Blaine County

• The city of Ketchum is taking measures to regulate short-term rentals within city limits. According to the ordinance, operators must obtain a short-term rental permit so they can pay their share of the city’s local occupancy tax. It is estimated there are somewhere between 700-900 short-term rentals operating in Ketchum. Source: Idaho Mountain Express
• Ketchum city leaders have reviewed a draft land lease for the Bluebird Village workforce housing development. Seattle-based GMD Development is working in partnership with the Ketchum Community Development Corp. to develop two four-story buildings at 480 East Ave., the former site of Ketchum City Hall. The city is providing the land and has reserved $1.4 million from its Housing In-Lieu Fund — money collected from developers who pay the city in lieu of building required workforce housing — to potentially assist in some expenditures. Source: Idaho Mountain Express

Gooding County

• A recently announced project that will convert dairy manure to pipeline-quality natural gas in Wendell could be the first of several such facilities in Idaho. Besides helping the state’s dairy industry meet environmental stewardship goals, the facilities could provide an economic boost to the state’s top agricultural commodity. Shell Oil Products U.S. is scheduled in December to begin constructing a facility co-located at Bettencourt Dairies in Wendell that will turn dairy manure into renewable natural gas, or biomethane, which is interchangeable with conventional natural gas and can be used in vehicles powered by natural gas. Source: Post Register

Jerome County

• Scoular opened a new barley processing facility in Jerome in December. The facility represents the company’s $13 million investment, where concentrated protein will be refined from locally grown barley for use in making pet food and fish feed. The facility will process 1.7 million bushels of Idaho barley annually with 11 employees. The facility will produce a trademarked protein product called Emerge. Source: Idaho State Journal
• Western Dairy Transport LLC is building a 20,000-square-foot facility for milk transport, truck maintenance and truck washing in Jerome. The building is scheduled for completion sometime in the summer. The company was founded in 1967 in Cabool, Missouri. It is one of the largest dairy transport companies in the U.S., serving customers in all 48 states and Mexico. Source: Times-News
• St. Luke’s has permanently closed obstetrics and operating room services at the Jerome Medical Center, citing their difficulty in recruiting highly trained staff in rural areas. All other services provided at the medical center, including the emergency department and inpatient care, remain fully operational. Staff members and providers impacted by the closure are being redeployed to other areas to serve patients. Source: Times-News

Lincoln County

• Lincoln County was awarded a $1.5 million grant from the Idaho Department of Commerce to improve its broadband. The grant was funded from unspent money from the CARES Act. The project was completed by the Dec. 31, 2021, deadline.  Source: Times-News

Twin Falls County

• The Twin Falls School District held a hiring event with goal of filling 35 paraeducator positions. The event resulted in 20 new hires, who will have a variety of responsibilities including working with students individually and in group situations. Source: KSAW
• According to Forbes, Chobani filed for an initial public offering in November. The company filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission to trade under the Nasdaq symbol of “CHO.” The Greek yogurt maker could be valued at more than $10 billion. Chobani employs more than 900 people in the Magic Valley at what it says is the world’s largest yogurt factory. Source: Times-News
• Region IV Development Association has received a $300,000 Brownfield revitalization grant from the Environmental Protection Agency. The organization will create a committee to assess if properties are contaminated or not. The end goal is to reuse already developed properties. Source: KMVT
• SkyWest Airlines has announced that it will discontinue its Magic Valley-to-Denver flight, which leaves the Magic Valley Regional Airport with just one commuter flight daily. Source: KMVT

Openings

• Saffron Indian Cuisine in Ketchum
• FujiXpress – Twin Falls
• Galena Lodge – Ketchum

Closure

• Tomato`s Italian Grill– Twin Falls

Bonang.Seoela@labor.idaho.gov, regional economist
Idaho Department of Labor
(208) 788-3526 ext. 3820

SOUTHEASTERN IDAHO – Bannock, Bear Lake, Bingham, Caribou, Franklin, Oneida & Power counties

Bannock County

• Morton Buildings held a groundbreaking for a 67,000-square-foot plant in Pocatello. Once in operation, the plant will build kits specifically designed to meet a customer’s criteria. A variety of building kits are available for agricultural, residential and commercial uses. The company plans to open with about 25 workers, and more employees will be added as the plant grows Source: Idaho State Journal
• Olive Garden Italian American restaurant chain will open an eatery in the former Red Lobster building along Yellowstone Avenue near the Pine Ridge Mall. Source: Idaho State Journal
• The San Francisco-based Old Navy retail clothing company plans to open a store on Pocatello’s north side in February 2022 in the former Staples office supply building. Source: Idaho State Journal
• Idaho State University has opened a new clinic in the Treasure Valley that aims to improve access to health care for Idahoans. The clinic expansion project includes a rehabilitation counseling clinic, an integrated mental health clinic, nutrition services outpatient clinic, ISU Meridian health care and a new physical and occupational therapy clinic. Nearly 1,000 students at ISU-Meridian will have experiential training opportunities in the clinics. The integrated mental health clinic offers services to the community and trains students in psychopharmacology, where clinical psychologists use both traditional therapy and medication to help clients. It is also staffed with a psychiatric nurse practitioner and a pharmacist who specialize in mental health medications. – Source: Idaho Business Review
• Idaho State University has launched a new scholarship program targeted at addressing increasing the supply of mental health care workers. The $1.5 million grant from the Blue Cross of Idaho Foundation for Health will cover scholarships for up to 50 ISU students. The awards cover those studying counseling, psychology or even students who want to be health interpreters in Spanish and sign language. – Source: Boise State Public Radio
• VanDyk Mortgage Corp. plans to build seven fourplex housing units in the city’s new downtown. The company hopes to have the 28-unit project completed by early next fall. The 1,200-square-foot units will each include three bedrooms, two and a half bathrooms and one garage. – Source: Boise State Public Radio
• A ceremonial groundbreaking was recently held for the planned new 26-unit housing NeighborWorks Pocatello development at the site of the former Bonneville Elementary School in central Pocatello. The site will feature both single-family homes and twin homes. The first homes are scheduled for completion around March 2022. Source: Idaho State Journal

Bingham County

• Blackfoot Sage Truck Driving School has seen a recent increase in enrollment. The school had about 30 people taking classes in November, which is a little higher than the average monthly enrollment. Another 20 people were seeking to enroll and there were 28 students scheduled to take classes in December. Source: Post Register

Openings

• Villano’s Italian in Pocatello will reopen with new owners and location in 2022
• Idaho Central Credit Union branch in American Falls
• Tilden Co. – Blackfoot

Closure

• Perkins Family Restaurant & Bakery

Bonang.Seoela@labor.idaho.gov, regional economist
Idaho Department of Labor
(208) 788-3526 ext. 3820

EASTERN IDAHO – Bonneville, Butte, Clark, Custer, Fremont, Jefferson, Lemhi, Madison & Teton counties

Bonneville County

• The Idaho Falls Community Food Basket recently had a ribbon-cutting and open house for its new food bank location called Happyville Farm. The farm sits on a 1-acre piece of property on South Saturn Avenue in Idaho Falls and includes a 20-by-48-foot high solar-powered tunnel, which is similar to a greenhouse. Source: East Idaho News
• Jackson Hole Mountain Resort has announced it will increase its minimum wage for all non-tipped positions to $18 per hour. This new wage is a significant increase from the previous minimum wage of $15 per hour and is part of initiative to support staff to live and work in this community. Source: East Idaho News
• Bucked Up, a Utah-based supplement company, recently opened a new store in Idaho Falls. The company manufactures and supplies everything from common gummy vitamins to products like collagen, protein powder, creatine, energy drinks and even apparel. Bucked Up started in 2013 when twin brothers Ryan and Jeff Gardner started marketing a product called Deer Antler Spray. After selling thousands of bottles to GNC’s nationwide the company morphed into its current iteration, a full-fledged vitamins and supplements manufacturer. Source: EastIdahoNews.com
• The College of Eastern Idaho has raised more than $16 million toward the $40 million needed to build Future Tech. The planned 88,000-square-foot building is intended to support careers in cybersecurity, energy and agricultural technology. Source: Idaho Business Review
• Melaleuca provided “hero bonuses” of up to $1,500 to 2,000 of its employees recently. The bonuses are targeted toward employees in the company’s warehouses, manufacturing plants and distribution centers. The company recognized 210 employees who reached landmark work anniversaries this year by rewarding them with more than $2.7 million in loyalty and long-term contribution bonuses, according to a Melaleuca news release. Each of those employees received checks ranging from $5,000 to $33,000 in appreciation for their many years of service to Melaleuca. Source: Post Register
• Idaho National Laboratory is partnering with the country’s largest commercial nuclear energy facility – PNW Hydrogen – to combat climate change and bring the nation closer to a carbon-free future. U.S. Department of Energy also announced it is providing $20 million in funding to PNW Hydrogen for this project that will explore the use of nuclear energy to produce clean hydrogen via electrolysis. Source: Post Register

Madison County

• Recently published data from Bingham Young University-Idaho show relatively steady enrollment rates among both campus and online students. The university estimates approximately 23,000 students were living in Rexburg during the fall 2021 semester with a total enrollment of 25,631 campus-based students. This number includes campus students who are enrolled in face-to-face, online and/or internship courses. Source: EastIdahoNews.com

Openings

• The Vet Center – Idaho Falls
• The Egyptian Coffee House – Idaho Falls

Bonang.Seoela@labor.idaho.gov, regional economist
Idaho Department of Labor
(208) 788-3526 ext. 3820