Monthly Archives: March 2022

Idaho employers save time, money using SIDES E-Response for unemployment claims.

Idaho employers can save time and money by responding to information requests for unemployment insurance claims filed by former employees in a secure, electronic environment.

SIDES logoSIDES (State Information Data Exchange System) is a simple tool to help employers respond to unemployment insurance requests in a quick, accurate, automated and secure way. The system is operating in 47 states, the District of Columbia and two territories.

“Responding to claims using SIDES E-Response saves Idaho employers hours of time and effort,” said Tyler Smith, SIDES coordinator for the Idaho Department of Labor. “The system is user friendly, intuitive and much more efficient than using paper.”

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New Census Data Shows Growth Across Idaho Counties

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: March 31, 2022
Media Contacts: Sam.Wolkenhauer@labor.idaho.gov or Jan.Roeser@labor.idaho.gov

Newly released data from the U.S. Census Bureau shows Idaho’s population growth from 2020 to 2021 was well dispersed around the state, with every Idaho county growing in population over the year. 

The Census Bureau reported the state’s population rose from 1,847,772 in 2020, to 1,900,923 in 2021, in its July 1, 2021, population estimates.US Map by county population growth rate

 The newest data release shows how the population growth was distributed around the state. 

While the largest numerical growth was concentrated in urban counties, most of Idaho’s rural counties experienced proportional growth. In all, 38 of Idaho’s 44 counties grew by at least 1%, and every county grew faster than the national average growth rate, except for the Clark County, which is Idaho’s least populous county. Continue reading →

Around Idaho: Economic Activity in March 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

  • Work is nearly complete on a new water tower in Hayden, which will store 2 million gallons of water. This will increase the city’s water pumping capacity 26 times over, not only meeting higher demand from the area’s rapid population growth, but also meeting the next 20 years of projected water demand growth. Source: Coeur d’Alene Press
  • Work is underway on a mixed-use development located on the former Idaho Veneer mill site in Post Falls. The new development will include more than 120 residential units in a mix of multifamily and townhomes, as well as a dual brand hotel. Source: Journal of Business

Openings
Coeur d’Alene

  • Anchored Coffee
  • Align Yoga Studio
  • Lakeside Integrative Headache Center
  • Runway Salon
  • CenterWell Home Health
  • Memory Lane Gems
  • Manna
  • Lakeside Lox
  • European Wax Center
  • Local Market at Atlas
  • Heirloom Bridal

Region

  • Metro Express Car Wash, Post Falls
  • Post Falls RV Campground, Post Falls
  • Heart of Hope Health, Hayden
  • Dollar General, Athol
  • Ultimate Concrete Coatings, Rathdrum

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

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Meridian Multi-Employer Job Fair Set for March 30

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: March 28, 2021
Media Contact: Joe Goitiandia, joe.goitiandia@labor.idaho.gov

Idaho Labor is hosting a multi-employer job fair March 30, from 3 to 6 p.m., at the Wahooz Galaxy Event Center, 400 W. Overland Road in Meridian. 

Employers from across the Treasure Valley are hiring for a variety of positions including TSA officials, office and clerical support staff, light industrial workers, route drivers, heavy equipment operators, maintenance technician, warehouse clerks and loaders, customer service reps, and health care workers like medical assistants, RNs, LPNs, CNAs and others. Continue reading →

Idaho’s February Unemployment Rate Drops to 2.8%

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: March 25, 2021
Media Contact: Karen.JarboeSingletary@labor.idaho.gov or Salvador.Vazquez@labor.idaho.gov

Idaho’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 2.8% in February – down from January’s rate of 3%.

The number of Idahoans employed or looking for work grew by 2,936 people (0.3%) to 927,314 – a larger over-the-month increase than any month during 2021.

Labor force participation increased by 0.1% between January and February to 61.9% – the first increase since October 2021. Idaho’s peak participation rate reached 71.4% in September 1998.

Total employment grew by 4,115 (0.5%) to 901,083 while total unemployment dropped from January by 1,179 (-4.3%) to 26,231.

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McCall Labor Office moves to 1st Street

-Mobile employment services also available in Cascade, Council and New Meadows-

Idahoans living in remote, rural areas of Idaho’s West Central Mountains can now access state employment services in Cascade, Council, McCall and New Meadows.

The Idaho Department of Labor’s McCall mobile office is operating from a new location. Central District Health Department at 701 1st St. in McCall is sharing its space for walk-in Labor customers on Mondays, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., (closed from noon to 1 p.m. for lunch) and on Fridays from 8:30 a.m. to noon. Additional meeting times are available by appointment.

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Labor expands its employment services in north central Idaho

-Mobile Labor locations now available in Grangeville, Kamiah, Kendrick, Moscow, Potlatch, Orofino and Weippe-

People living in remote, rural areas of north central Idaho can now access Idaho Department of Labor services at seven – soon to be eight – nearby locations.

“Our mobile offices allow us to bring our services to you,” explains Department of Labor Director Jani Revier. “With the help of our partners of local libraries, community centers, city halls and other organization, we’re in more locations than ever before.”

Idahoans throughout the state can now get help finding a new job, upgrading their skills and increasing their earning potential in more than 50 locations. All mobile Labor locations offer walk-in hours and appointments for help with writing resumes, filling out job applications, preparing for an interview, accessing job training resources, filing for unemployment insurance benefits and other services.

Labor services for businesses include support for listing jobs, recruiting employees, organizing hiring events, employer seminars and gaining access to job training programs.

Three local office employees from the Lewiston Idaho Department of Labor office visit Kendrick, Moscow and Potlatch.

The remaining five offices are managed by Monica Jones and Heather Lerandeau. Together, they deliver a wide range of employment services to local job seekers and employers in Orofino, Weippe, Grangeville, Kamiah and Riggins, which opens April 14.

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Idaho is 6th youngest state in the nation, Census data shows

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: March 22, 2022
Media Contact: Jan.Roeser@labor.idaho.gov or Craig.Shaul@labor.idaho.gov

Idaho remains one of the youngest states in the nation according to recently released results from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2016-2020 American Community Survey.

The release includes new tables on the civilian-employed population (age 16 and older), along with data on computer and internet use.

Some of the statistically significant changes for Idaho include:

 

Age

Idaho remained the sixth youngest state in the nation with a median age of 36.6 years. Utah retained its rank as the youngest with a median age of 31.1 years. Except for North Dakota, all 50 states and the District of Columbia experienced an increase in the median age. The nation’s median age was 38.2 years and is up slightly from its 37.6 years median age in 2015.

Census Table - Median Age

The states with the oldest or highest median age were concentrated on the eastern side of the U.S. starting with Maine (44.8 years), New Hampshire (43 years), Vermont (42.8 years), West Virginia (42.7 years), Florida (42.2 years), Connecticut (41.1 years), Delaware (41 years) and Pennsylvania (40.9 years).

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Lerandeau, Jones serve as mobile office consultants for Grangeville, Kamiah, Orofino and Weippe

Heather Lerandeau

As a workforce consultant, Heather Lerandeau delivers a wide range of employment services to job seekers and employers who visit the department’s mobile office locations in Grangeville and Kamiah.

Photo: Heather Lerandeau

Heather Lerandeau

Helping Idahoans find jobs and rural employers recruit qualified employees is her favorite part of the job and keeps her busy. Some customers are referred to local education and community resource centers for workforce training or basic needs. For others it means support with navigating the process of filing for unemployment insurance benefits.

Before joining the department in 2021, Heather Lerandeau worked as a surgical assistant for St. Mary’s Hospital in Cottonwood. This helped her prepare for her new role with the Idaho Department of Labor as a workforce consultant assigned to Grangeville, Kamiah and Riggins (opening April 14).

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AmeriCorps Members Celebrated for Their Contributions

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: March 18, 2022
Media Contact: Renee Bade, Renee.Bade@labor.idaho.gov

This week Serve Idaho, the Governor’s Commission on Service and Volunteerism celebrated the valuable contributions of AmeriCorps members and AmeriCorps Seniors who pledge to “get things done” for our nation as part of the annual AmeriCorps Week.

Throughout the week Serve Idaho highlighted members from across the state on social media, showcasing the impact they are making in communities throughout Idaho. Gov. Brad Little signed a proclamation declaring the week “AmeriCorps Week,” and members were recognized for their contributions by local organizations. The weeklong celebration also honors the contributions and support of thousands of local organizations that make AmeriCorps programs possible.

In Idaho, approximately 900 AmeriCorps members serve each year in communities from Bonners Ferry to Montpelier. Programs such as Idaho HealthCorps run by Idaho State University’s Institute of Rural Health provide health screenings and health education for Idaho’s rural communities, while programs such as the University of Idaho’s Idaho Positive Youth Development Program work with the 4-H extension offices across the state to engage students in afterschool STEAM education. Members serving with the North Idaho Senior Companions Program, sponsored by the Panhandle Health District, provide much needed companionship and respite care to the elderly and disabled.

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