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

• A new program designed to match senior homeowners with extra space with tenants is being launched in Kootenai County in response to the severe local housing shortage. The project, called HomeShare Kootenai County, aims to create additional rental inventory by leveraging seniors who have extra space or who maintain multiple residences and vacate their Idaho homes in the winter. Source: Journal of Business
• The Idaho Department of Transportation is beginning work on the next phase of improvements to State Route 41, connecting Post Falls and Rathdrum. The highway improvements will facilitate the new commercial and residential development occurring on the prairie in north Post Falls. The state route improvements are scheduled to be completed this year. ITD plans to begin preparations for the replacement of the current interchange between the SR41 and I-90. Source: Journal of Business
• After tourism recovered in 2021 and the area experienced a resurgent demand for lodging, Kootenai County now has two new hotels planned – one in Coeur d’Alene and one in Post Falls. A TownePlace Suites hotel by Marriott is under construction in Coeur d’Alene, which will include 89 rooms, while in Post Falls plans are in place for a 154-room hotel, though the brand has not yet been specified. Both hotels are expected to be finished this year. Source: Journal of Business

Openings – Coeur d’Alene

• Reignite Health Northwest
• Edgy Veggie Salad
• Inspired Nail Spa
• F45 Training
• Rakes Mediation
• Water World
• Dixie & Co.
• The Goat Lounge
• Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices

Hayden

• Hayden Furniture Depot

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

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

North central Idaho employment

• The region’s seasonally adjusted employment increased 1.8% from February to March 2022 and 6.5% from March 2021. Total employment increased by 900 positions month-over-month to 52,700 in March and increased by 3,200 positions compared with March 2021. North central Idaho’s March 2022 employment was 3.4% higher than it was in March 2020. Idaho’s total employment was 4.8% higher than it was in March 2020, just before the pandemic. All five counties showed higher employment levels in March 2022 than prior to the pandemic, with Idaho +5.8%, Lewis +5.5%, Nez Perce +3.7%, Latah +2.6% and Clearwater +.7%.Seasonally adjusted unemployment at 1,242 declined by 18% from February and was down 27% from March 2021 levels of 1,700, likely due in part to cyclical seasonality in logging/forestry occupations, although this number is expected to rise over the next few months. Using raw numbers with no seasonal adjustment, unemployment of 1,800 persons in north central Idaho decreased 2% from February and was down 6% from March 2021. Using seasonally adjusted numbers, north central Idaho had 1.8 postings for every unemployed person in March 2022, compared with 1.6 in February 2022 and 1.2 in March 2021. Using actual employment numbers that have not been seasonally adjusted show 1.2 postings for every unemployed person. The ratios for other counties were Nez Perce 1.7, Latah 1.3, Clearwater .9, Idaho .6 and Lewis .3.
• Job interviews were being conducted at eastern Washington and northern Idaho Safeway and Albertson’s locations every Wednesday in April from 12-6. Source: Lewiston Tribune

Nez Perce County

• The city of Lewiston and Nez Perce County are on track to complete a feasibility study by late June 2022 to potentially combine their two separate dispatch centers into one operational unit. The move could reduce response time and help ease staffing shortages. Source: Lewiston Tribune
• Nikoli Greene was named as the new executive director of Nez Perce Tribal Enterprises in March 2022. Source: Lewiston Tribune

Latah County

• University of Idaho opened the new Seed Potato Germplasm Laboratory on its Moscow campus in April. The lab maintains around 300 potato varieties in its library and provides the startup material used to produce around 90% of Idaho potatoes and 65% of all potatoes grown throughout the U.S. Up to 12 students are employed in the lab each year. Source:  University of Idaho
• Construction of a new Deary post office is in process after providing services in a large postal van since 2019. No final move-in data has been set. Source: Moscow-Pullman Daily News
• The city of Moscow awarded $70,000 in local grants as part of its $750,000 funding allocated from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). The grants include $15,000 each to Deep Roots Farm and Healing Point and Café Artista, along with $25,000 to the nonprofit Moscow Food Bank. Eleven businesses and 13 nonprofits currently have applied for funding through the program. Source: Moscow-Pullman Daily News
• Latah Recovery Center is spearheading a project to create Moscow’s first Oxford House, a men’s sober living facility. There are currently four Oxford Houses in Idaho — three in Lewiston with the fourth one opening in May. The organization plans to purchase a property off Mountain View Road in Moscow that is expected to open for up to 10 residents  as soon as this June. Source: Lewiston Tribune

Idaho County

• Following a school levy that failed to pass in March 2022, Mountain View School District in Grangeville will transition to a four-day school week in fall 2022 in hopes to make up for a $1.7 million budget deficit. Source: Idaho County Free Press

Clearwater County

• TAL Holdings to acquire the five stores in the Orofino Builders Supply chain, including locations in Orofino, Grangeville, Kamiah and Lewiston. The chain will retain its current management and identity but will be renamed Best Built Builders Supply. TAL operates 19 home improvement stores in the Pacific Northwest and is owned by Tululum Lumber, which owns 24 lumberyards in Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Montana. Source: Clearwater Tribune

Openings

• Botanica, a new craft cocktail destination, has opened in Troy. Source: Lewiston Tribune
• 208 Wraps, which designs custom vehicle and boat wraps, opened in Lewiston. Source: City of Lewiston
• Crumbl Cookies plans to open a new franchise in Moscow in April 2022. Clarkston has a location that opened in late 2021. Source: Pullman Radio
• Design by Kayla, a graphics design business, is opening in downtown Lewiston. Source: Lewiston Tribune

Lisa.Grigg@labor.idaho.gov, regional economist
Idaho Department of Labor
(208) 799-5000 ext. 3849

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

Ada County

• Greater Boise Aquatic Foundation stakeholders held a groundbreaking ceremony in April for a future aquatic center to sever the Treasure Valley, providing a year-round, indoor venue for competitions, lessons and sports such as water polo. The foundation is in the middle of a $7 million capital campaign to augment the construction costs. Part of the nonprofit’s mission is to promote swimming lessons and safety. Source:  Idaho Press
• The family of Dallas Harris contributed three acres of land valued at $2 million to the Boise School District to hasten the addition of its first new school since 2008. The district leadership planned to build a new elementary school funded by the $172.5 million bond passed in 2017. The land donation moves the time frame up substantially, with construction starting in 2022 and occupancy of 500 students by the fall of 2023. Source: Idaho Statesman
• Micron has been granted approval to transition four acres of its Boise campus to house a 19,000-square-foot child care facility for its employees. The cost of child care continues to be a barrier for a segment of workers who find it doesn’t pencil out when working lower wage jobs or in single parent households. The child care facility will be a recruitment tool, should the memory chip maker bring manufacturing back to the Treasure Valley. Its campus is currently dedicated to research and development and corporate office jobs. Source: Idaho Statesman
• Idaho Power is teaming up with Micron to design and manage a solar farm near its campus on the east periphery of Boise. The 40-megawatt plant is to be bult by Black Mesa Energy and is part of an Idaho Power’s  Clean Energy Your Way program, which helps large companies meet sustainability goals and adds to Idaho Power’s renewable resources. Micron has committed to using 100% renewable energy by 2025. In addition, Idaho Power plans to be 100% clean energy by 2045. Source:  Idaho Statesman
• Boise State University recently was designated a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense by the National Security Agency. BSU’s Institute for Pervasive Cybersecurity and adopted Cyberdome, a platform for use by rural and remote communities for skill development training and security purposes. BSU is committed to a five-year term and anticipates competing for grants and scholarships for the students and communities it serves. It also anticipates more participation by private industry. Source: Idaho Business Review

Adams County

• Meadows Valley School District has moved to a four-day school week with classes running an extra hour to compensate for the shorter school week. The district joins Salmon River, Council, Midvale, Cambridge, Horseshoe Bend and Garden Valley school districts that have all implemented a four-day school week, which will help scheduling intra-district events, such as athletics. The fifth day can be devoted to lesson planning and grading for staff and extracurricular activities, internships and jobs for the students. Source: McCall Star-News

Boise County

• Bogus Basin closed a couple of weeks early this season due to a lack of snow. The mountain enticed sufficient staff back to reopen for what Bogus called ‘Supply Chain Saturday on April 16_after the mountain received 20 inches of snow “supply” – more in less than a week than during the months of February and March combined. Source: Idaho News 6

Canyon County

• Trammell Crow Company, an international real estate developer with close to 30 offices across the U.S. and Europe, broke ground on King’s Road Commerce Center in Nampa. It is the first Idaho project for the institutional grade investor who was attracted to the area by the low vacancy rate for industrial buildings, estimated between 1-1.5%. The 25-acre site is expected to be completed by the end of 2022 with local ESI selected as the general contractor. The three buildings will comprise 362,000 square feet for the manufacturing and logistical industry. Source: Idaho Business Review
• The Lactalis American Group, formerly Sorrento Lactalis, brought home 20 awards from the World Championship Cheese Contest for products made in Nampa. Five were best-of-class awards for Its mascarpone cheese and four whey value-added products. The company reported it employs approximately 800 workers at the Nampa plant site, previously operated by the J.R. Simplot Company and known as the Swiss Village Cheese Factory. Source: Idaho Business Review
• Primary Health is remodeling a former U.S. Bank building to house a new clinic in Nampa with an opening planned toward the end of 2022. Source: Idaho Statesman
• A new drive-through is available in Caldwell to disburse food to those estimated 500 area households experiencing food insecurity. The Western Idaho Community Action Partnership is collaborating with a Caldwell church and the Idaho Food Bank to distribute food in a quick and customized fashion, allowing the family to select what produce and food products they take home. The collaboration is a farm to table system that allows agricultural producers to help supply their communities with food. The distribution spot was no longer available, and the process was curtailed until a new site was identified. The number of food insecure households has been on the decline since the height of the pandemic. However, many families earn just above the earnings qualification for SNAP benefits, the program that administers food stamps. Source: Boise State Public Radio

Owyhee County

• The city of Marsing is reviewing its food truck ordinance as a plan to establish a park on Main Street for up to eight food trucks starting this summer. The new park will include seating, a fire pit and offer beverages such as beer and wine. The ordinance will cover all food trucks across the city. Source: The Owyhee Avalanche

Elmore County

• Mountain Home School District is proposing a $79 million bond to voters in May. School district leadership wishes to build a new high school because of overcrowded classrooms. The new school is proposed to be built next to the existing Mountain Home Junior High School. Source: Idaho Education News

Valley County

• St. Luke’s McCall has purchased a multi-family building with the potential to provide 10 studio apartments for traveling health care professionals who work on three- to six-month contracts. The hospital reported employing about 303 staff including 175 full-time and 115 part-time. It also owns two duplexes and a four-bedroom home and rents another four-bedroom home in McCall. The high cost of housing has amplified the efforts directed at recruiting workforce in tourism towns across Idaho and the nation. Source: McCall Star-News
• The McCall City Council awarded a $2.1 million contract to Granite Excavation of Cascade to resurface the McCall Municipal Airport’s runway. The project is primarily funded by the Federal Aviation Administration, with the city of McCall adding $115,000 to the project. The total project cost is $2.7 million. The airport has 88 hangars and estimates 46,000 take-offs and landings annually. Source: McCall Star-News

Openings

• A grand opening was held in Melba for its first chain restaurant — Extreme Pizza. Source: Idaho Statesman
• A seventh Flying Pie Pizzeria opened in Eagle. Source: Idaho Statesman
• Roosevelt Market reopened under new management offering sandwiches, salads, beer and wine, soft-serve ice cream and limited groceries at its iconic Boise East End location. The operators of the Wylder Restaurant and the Certified Kitchen + Bakery are the new tenants. Source: Idaho Statesman
• Kyoto Japanese Restaurant reopened under new ownership after closing during the pandemic. The restaurant continues to offer teppanyaki tabletop cookery. Source: Idaho Statesman
• The Boise Farmer’s Market opened its season with 60 fruit, vegetable and protein venders. The season lasts through October and has an online store available during the week for ordering with pickup on Saturday at drive-through stations. The Boise Farmers Market accepts SNAP benefits and offers pop-up food services. Source: Idaho News 6
• WestVet Animal Hospital has opened an urgent care location in Meridian. This is in addition to its longstanding 24/7 veterinary hospital in Garden City. Source: Idaho Statesman

Closures

• County Line Brewing of Garden City is closing its doors after being acquired by Clairvoyant Brewing of Boise. Clairvoyant cited high demand for its brews and the need to expand its capacity with a second location. The staff at County Line Brewing are to be retained and the taproom will reopen tentatively at the end of May. Clairvoyant estimates its production will triple with this expansion. 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

Region

Rising housing costs and declining housing stock
The average median listing price in the lower half of the state for single family homes is up by 20% from a year ago.

• The highest year-over-year growth of nearly 70% was recorded in Camas County.
• There were about 1,000 homes listed sales and only 27 for rent in the region.

• Drought – According to a recent report by the Idaho Department of Water Resources, about 2/3 of Idaho currently is experiencing severe drought. A summer of major water shortages across the southern half of the state is the reality that most that farmers in the region are facing . Some estimates suggest the Magic Reservoir will only deliver approximately 45 days of water in the 2022 delivery season.

Blaine County

• • The city of Wendell has received The Community Project pilot grant from the Blue Cross of Idaho Foundation. The $85,000 grant will be used to create an outdoor public space to bring people together, technical assistance to the city and an event to celebrate the project. – Source: Idaho Mountain Express
  • The city of Hailey approved a proposal for a 27-unit, three-story apartment project. The lofts will span three residential buildings with 19 one-bedroom apartments ranging in size up to 700 square feet and eight two-bedroom apartments ranging in size up to 870 square feet. The two-bedroom apartments will be located on the third floor, facing Carbonate Mountain to the west. – Idaho Mountain Express

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

Region

• Labor force estimates for March from the Idaho Department of Labor’s Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS) program saw continued growth in employment and labor force participation as well as declines in unemployment for the southeastern Idaho region. Seasonally adjusted, March’s preliminary estimates show the seven-county region gaining 1,461 labor force participants that month, with unemployed persons declining by 12 and employed persons growing by 1,473. The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate fell by 0.1 percentage points to 2.5%, more than a percentage point less than it was one year prior.

• There were an estimated 855 job postings in southeastern Idaho from March to April 12022 according to Burning Glass data from the Conference Board. Of these postings, 591 were in Bannock County, 138 in Bingham County, 48 in Power County, 40 in Caribou County, 15 in Franklin County, 14 in Bear Lake Count, and nine in Oneida County. The top 10 most common occupations by job posting included transportation and material moving, retail sales, computer and mathematical, and food services.

• Manufacturing came in as the industry with the largest share of job postings, but services continue to be the overall driver of job postings with health care and social assistance, educational services, retail trade, and others representing a majority of open positions in the region.

• Burning Glass’s data from the Conference Board indicates the hardest-to-fill jobs are concentrated in education and training occupations as well as in design, media and writing; law, compliance and public safety; and information technology.

• Despite recent snowfall, southeastern Idaho continues to be in a severe-to-extreme drought according to data from the U.S. Drought Monitor, impacting area farmers and residents alike. The Cache Valley is experiencing the worst drought conditions in the region. Source: U.S. Drought Monitor
• Rocky Mountain Power made a formal request to the Idaho Public Utilities Commission for a 4.5% rate increase, citing higher energy market prices from extreme weather events and reduced generation from hydroelectric sources. The public can comment on the proposal as the commission studies the request, with copies of the proposal found online as well as at Rocky Mountain Power’s company offices in Rexburg, Shelley, Preston and Montpelier. Source: Preston Citizen
• Idaho State University hosted its annual Idaho Exhibition of Ideas showcase, IDX 2022. Upwards of 120 students and 20 coaches from 20 eastern Idaho schools, libraries and after-school programs displayed their submissions for a 3D design and fabrication competition conducted by Idaho STEM Action Center. Source: Idaho State Journal

Bannock County

• The Pocatello City County approved a $800,000 subsidy for airline service provider SkyWest to ensure continued round-trip flights between Pocatello and Salt Lake City, Utah. The subsidy will come from a federal grant to the city and will be in place for one year or until the money is exhausted. Source: Idaho State Journal
• The Chubbuck Farmers Market kicked off its 2022 season earlier than past years, with many food trucks and local vendors attending. Source: Idaho State Journal
• The city of Chubbuck is reviewing an application from a northern Utah-based developer to build 200 apartment units along with ambitious plans to redevelop the city
• s downtown. Source: Idaho State Journal
• The city of Chubbuck broke ground on a $1.9 million, 3,600-square-goot animal shelter after weather-related delays. Source: Idaho State Journal
• Cole Chevrolet donated $5,000 to the Boys & Girls Club of Portneuf Valley to further assist them with supporting its youth program later this year. Source: Idaho State Journal
• Bingham Healthcare opened a new urgent care clinic in Pocatello where a Golden Corral restaurant stood, joining four other affiliated facilities in the Pocatello area. Source: Idaho State Journal
• The U.S. Bureau of Land Management’s Pocatello Field Office is looking for volunteer campground hosts at Blackfoot Reservoir Campground for the 2022 season. Source: Idaho State Journal
• The Bank of Idaho announced plans to consolidate its Pocatello branches, while the Via Caporatti Drive branch is being absorbed into its Yellowstone Avenue branch. Source: Idaho State Journal
• A fire that broke out at CoreBrace, a north Pocatello steel fabrication business, temporarily disrupted operations, but work has since resumed. Source: Idaho State Journal
• Portneuf Medical Center has rewarded more than half of its staff with raises and bonuses for their continued efforts the past two years as well as expanded its student loan and tuition assistance programs. Source: KIFI Local News 8
• Ogden, Utah-based Petersen Inc., who has a manufacturing facility at the Pocatello Regional Airport’s business park, was acquired by Maine-based manufacturer Precinmac. Source: Idaho State Journal
• The Pocatello City Council unanimously approved a downtown development plan that would emphasize pedestrian walkways and public open space, potentially relocate City Hall, increase access to the Portneuf River and add more housing. Source: Idaho State Journal
• Work began on a new Olive Garden in Chubbuck, with expected completion in time for a September opening. Source: Idaho State Journal
• A new Arctic Circle is slated for construction on the site of its former Pocatello location. Source: Idaho State Journal
• The city of Pocatello hosted its Portneuf Valley Environmental Fair. It was cancelled last year due to the pandemic and was relocated indoors this year due to harsh weather. About 60 vendors attended, and various municipal departments including the Water Department had tables to educate the public about their operations. Source: Idaho State Journal
• Several new food trucks are popping up in and around the Portneuf Valley and are participating at the Food Truck Roundup in historic downtown Pocatello, taking place every Monday during the spring and summer. Chubbuck Farmers Market at City Hall is hosting its own weekly food truck event through September. Source: Idaho State Journal
• Local restaurant Reed’s Waffles and Ice Cream is slated to open its Pocatello store on May 21, at the site of the former Subway on Fifth Avenue. Source: Idaho State Journal
• Bishop’s Gun Barn, located at the former location of Doc’s Gun Barn on Jefferson Avenue in Pocatello, opened to the public. Source: Idaho State Journal
• An area heart rhythm specialist and cardiovascular surgeon is bringing a new atrial fibrillation procedure to southeastern Idaho. Source: Idaho State Journal
• Pocatello-based Idaho Hydro Tech was awarded the 2022 Idaho Small Business Administration (SBA) Exporter of the year award as well as the SBA Region 10 Exporter of the Year award for its patented line of pathogen-scrubbing humidifiers. Source: Idaho State Journal

Bingham County

• The Shoshone-Bannock Tribes were awarded $7 million in federal funding to construct a new fire station. Source: Idaho State Journal
• The Shoshone-Bannock Casino announced its season lineup of live entertainment, including shows by Larry the Cable Guy, Buckcherry, Great White, Tesla, Tracy Morgan and Como La Flor, among others. Source: Idaho State Journal

Caribou County

• The Idaho State Department of Agriculture announced a highly contagious avian flu was identified at two Idaho chicken flocks including one in Caribou County. Source: Idaho State Journal

Franklin County

• The Preston City Council received updates on plans for an upgraded wastewater treatment plant; they expected to have the final design by the end of April and begin the bidding process by June/July. Source: Preston Citizen
• Jared Hess, director and co-writer with his wife Jerusha Hess of the 2004 hit film Napoleon Dynamite which was filmed in Preston, attended two local screenings as part of a fundraiser to upgrade playgrounds organized by the Preston Education Foundation. Source: Idaho State Journal, Preston Citizen
• A drive-thru Starbucks will replace the former Idaho Central Credit Union on Fifth Avenue in Pocatello and is anticipated to open sometime in 2023. Source: Idaho State Journal

Power County

• A union representing workers at Lamb Weston’s potato processing plant in American Falls filed a complaint over extended work shifts and disciplining workers for engaging in union activities among other matters. Source: Idaho State Journal
• Kaycee Jones, an American Falls native, appeared with her business partner on the hit television show Shark Tank to pitch their line of athletic compression socks and accepted a $300K offer for a 25 percent stake from Lori Greiner. Source: Idaho State Journal
• Local beverage maker SodaShak opened its second location within The Ranch Bakery in American Falls. Source: Idaho State Journal

Matthew.Paskash@labor.idaho.gov, regional economist
Idaho Department of Labor
(208) 236-6710 ext. 4249

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

Region

• • Labor force estimates for March from the Idaho Department of Labor’s Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS) program saw continued growth in employment and labor force participation as well as a small uptick in unemployment for the eastern Idaho Region. Seasonally adjusted, March’s preliminary estimates show the nine-county region gaining 1,964 labor force participants since February, with unemployed persons increasing by 13 and employed persons growing by 1,951. The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate remained constant at 2.3%, slightly less than a percentage point below its value a year prior.

• There were an estimated 1,688 job postings in eastern Idaho between March and April 2022 according to Burning Glass data from the Conference Board. Of these postings, 1,286 were in Bonneville County, 183 in Madison County, 75 in Lemhi County, 44 in Fremont County, 40 in Jefferson County, 38 in Teton County, 12 in Custer County, five in Butte County and five in Clark County. The top 10 most common occupations by job posting include sales and related occupations, transportation and material moving, and health care practitioners.

• Health care and social assistance was the largest industry in terms of job postings, and while manufacturing was fifth and construction was ninth, services appear to be the dominant sector hiring in the eastern Region.

• Burning Glass’s data from the Conference Board indicates that the hardest-to-fill jobs range from maintenance, repair and installation professions to performing arts, information technology, and engineering.

• Despite late winter snowfall, eastern Idaho continues to be in a severe-to-extreme drought according to data from the U.S. Drought Monitor, impacting area farmers and residents alike. The Yellowstone area is experiencing the most intense drought conditions in the region. Source: U.S. Drought Monitor
• Rocky Mountain Power made a formal request to the Idaho Public Utilities Commission for a 4.5% rate increase, citing higher energy market prices from extreme weather events and reduced generation from hydroelectric sources. The public can comment on the proposal as the commission studies the request, with copies of the proposal located online as well as at Rocky Mountain Power’s company offices in Rexburg, Shelley, Preston and Montpelier. Source: Preston Citizen
• Salmon-Challis National Forest employees will award five $1,500 scholarships to graduating seniors in local communities through their Jackie Caivano Memorial Scholarship program. Applications must be submitted to the local high school counselor’s office on or before April 25, 2022. Source: KPVI Channel 6
• The first phase of a cleanup project at the Idaho National Laboratory was concluded 18 months ahead of schedule. The project will help protect the East Snake Plain Aquifer from radioactive waste materials that had previously been disposed of at the site. Source: Idaho State Journal
• The Idaho National Laboratory’s Fiscal Year 2021 Economic Impact Summary found the lab to be Idaho’s sixth-largest employer, added $3 billion to the state’s gross economic output and created 15,200 jobs in the state. Source: Post Register
• Renovations of the Idaho National Laboratory’s Advanced Test Reactor were recently completed, and the reactor is expected to resume normal operations after completing low-power system checks. Source: KIFI Local News 8
• The Idaho National Laboratory was selected by the U.S. Department of Defense’s Strategic Capabilities Office to design, build and demonstrate a mobile microreactor for its Project Pele program. Source: Idaho State Journal

Bonneville County

• Thanks to a new partnership between the Idaho Falls Parks and Recreation Department and Snake River BMX association, bicycle motocross riders have returned to the track located at the Sandy Downs venue. Racing events are planned for this year. Source: KIFI Local News 8
• The Idaho Falls Regional Airport serves ever more passengers as more people fly to-and-from the Yellowstone area and while the Jackson, Wyoming, regional airport is closed for renovations. Source: Post Register, KIFI Local News 8, Idaho State Journal
• The Idaho Falls Zoo opened for the 2022 season, featuring many new animals including red panda cubs, an Amur tiger, a male sloth bar cub and a red-flanked duiker fawn. Source: KIFI Local News 8
• Idaho Falls Community Hospital received its Level III Trauma Center designation from the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare, allowing it to care for more critical patients. Source: KIFI Local News 8
• Workers with Idaho Falls Fiber, a subsidiary of Idaho Falls Power, are about halfway through a four-year project to lay fiber optic cabling for Idaho Falls residents. Once completed, the fiber network will increase internet speeds and improve internet connection. Source: KIFI Local News 8

Clark County

• A pair of environmental groups filed to reopen their lawsuit to halt mining exploration around Kilgore after the U.S. Forest Service issued a new decision notice and finding of no significant impact to Canadian mining firm Excellon. Source: Idaho Business Review

Custer County

• The Custer Soil and Water Conservation District continues to work with area stakeholders and other state and federal agencies to install various conservation projects designed to enhance fish and wildlife habitat and water quality. Source: Post Register

Teton County

• Jackson, Wyoming-based garment company Give’r has expanded into Victor with a new production and fulfillment space and expects to triple its current number of employees by the time the expansion is completed. Source: Teton Valley News
• The College of Eastern Idaho hosted a two-day Construction Combine at its Driggs outreach center, exposing students and young adults to a range of trade skills as well as providing local contractors with recruitment opportunities. Source: Teton Valley News
• High-speed winds toppled the screen at the Spud Drive-In Theater in Driggs  in early April, a local landmark listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Plans are to rebuild on the same location. Source: KIFI Local News 8
• The Teton Board of County Commissioners reviewed a large influx of applications for large subdivisions in the unincorporated county as they work on revisions to the proposed new land development code. Source: Teton Valley News

Matthew.Paskash@labor.idaho.gov, regional economist
Idaho Department of Labor
(208) 236-6710 ext. 4249