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

• Construction has begun on an 18-story, 60-unit luxury condominium tower in downtown Coeur d’Alene. The tower, to be named The Thomas George, has an estimated value of $45 million and will have units ranging in price from $800,000 to $4 million. Source: Journal of Business
• The city of Post Falls annexed nearly 90 acres of agricultural land and approved zoning changes to lay the groundwork for the development of a new commercial corridor, as well as infrastructure improvements related to the construction of a new charter school. Construction of the planned Kootenai Classical Academy — the first charter school in Post Falls — is expected to begin this fall. Source: Journal of Business
• The Coeur d’Alene City Council approved a $10 million water tank project to prevent water supply issues in the northeastern quadrant of the city. Urban growth has begun to stress existing water infrastructure, and city staff have assessed the need to accelerate water projects to avoid water supply issues. Source: Coeur d’Alene Press

Openings – Coeur d’Alene and Post Falls

• Water World
• Buck Wild Espresso
• Engel & Völkers
• Disaster Response
• Bottle Joy Taphouse

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

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

Idaho County

• A U.S. District judge blocked two large timber harvest and restoration projects near Grangeville — End of The World and Hungry Ridge — after finding the U.S. Forest Service plans fell short of standards to protect old-growth trees. Activities currently on hold include intermediate harvest of 24,000 acres, prescribed burning on 20,000 acres, and pre-commercial thinning. Source: Lewiston Tribune, Idaho County Free Press.
• Idaho County Commissioners have selected CRA Architects to design the new 50-bed Idaho County jail. CRA Architects is currently designing the 120-bed Asotin County Jail in Clarkston, Washington. Source: Idaho County Free Press
• The city of Cottonwood received two planning grants from the Department of Environmental Quality with a 50% match requirement. One is a $70,000 drinking water planning grant and the second is a $50,000 wastewater planning grant. Source: Idaho County Free Press

Latah County

• Latah County, in partnership with the Port of Lewiston and Imagine Idaho Foundation, has launched a broadband coalition to generate funding for building broadband infrastructure throughout Latah County. The goals of this coalition are to allow households access to minimum internet speeds of 100 megabits per second download, 20 megabits per second upload, and to allow schools internet speeds of one gigabyte per second. The coalition includes a local senator and members from eight cities, five school districts, the University of Idaho, Latah County Library District and Gritman Medical Center. Currently, close to 20% of rural county households do not have internet access. Source: Lewiston Tribune, Latah County Broadband Coalition
• Pullman-Moscow Regional Airport expects construction to begin on its new $61million, 40,000-square-foot terminal building in August 2022. Construction is expected to be complete by the end of 2023. The current terminal is 8,800 square feet and was built in 1989. The airport also recently announced it received $11.8 million in grant funding from the Federal Aviation Authority. Source: Lewiston Tribune
• The University of Idaho received $4.46 million for cybersecurity training scholarships from the National Science Foundation’s CyberCorps Scholarship for Service program. Since 2001, more than 110 UI students have graduated with aid from the grant that covers participants’ tuition and degree-related fees through 2026. Undergraduates receive an annual stipend of $25,000 and graduate students earn $34,000 annually. Along with financial assistance, students can participate in faculty-led research to investigate cybersecurity and cyber defense issues. Source: Lewiston Tribune
• The Humane Society of the Palouse in Moscow received a $12,500 grant from the Maddie’s Fund foundation to support general operating expenses. Source: Moscow-Pullman Daily News

Openings

• • Flora and Fronds, an online florist shop, is operating out of Grangeville. Source: Idaho County Free Press, Flora and Fronds
  • Hells Canyon Mobile RV Repair is serving the Lewis-Clark Valley and surrounding areas. Source: Hells Canyon Mobile RV Repair
  • Slice of The Moon, a Japanese ramen and curry food truck, opened at The Food Yard in Lewiston. Source: Lewiston Tribune, Slice of the Moon

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

• Valley Transit kicked off its electric-assist, bike-share pilot program in Boise. The first 30 minutes of ride time is free, allowing those interested a chance to test the 50 bikes provided by Drop Mobility. These bikes are available 24/7. According to Treehugger.com’s analysis of similar programs across the nation, bike share is an affordable and easy-to-access method of transportation with most 30-minute rides costing approximately $2. The ability to carry belongings in the bike basket make it a better hauling option than scooters. Source: CBS2 News and Treehugger.com
• Boise State University profited by almost $1 million from the sale of beer, wine and seltzers at its sporting events in 2021-2022. The largest share of revenue generated from alcohol sales came from BSU’s six home football games, bringing in $856,000. Alcohol sales during men’s and women’s basketball events brought in $109,000. Source: Idaho Statesman
• St. Luke’s Meridian staffers in labor and delivery, postpartum and neonatal intensive care units donated almost 300 new suitcases to children in the foster care system. Moving into a new household is a particularly stressful time for kids, who often do not have any way to move personal items. Source: Idaho News 6
• Female firefighters from across Idaho volunteered for the Boise Fire Ignite Bootcamp, a one-day program designed to expose teenage girls to skills needed to combat fires. The bootcamp provides hands-on experience to show that with organization, preparation and technique, women can also be firefighters. This is the second bootcamp held this summer at the Boise Fire Training Center. The first was held in June for adult women interested in this career. Source: Idaho Press
• Duck Club announced a new festival for the fall as pressure heightened for two Treefort timeframes. Flipside Fest will be a three-day, combination music and mural festival in Garden City, Sept. 23-25. Source: Idaho News 6
• The Boise Airport announced commercial airline carrier aha! will offer three weekly flights to and from Reno, Nevada. Flights from Reno to Boise and return flights will be available in the evening on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. The airline is a leisure brand of ExpressJet Airlines. Reno is the 27th nonstop destination from the Boise Airport. Source: Idaho Press
• Idaho Transportation Department is moving its staff from its long-standing 45-acre campus on State Street in Boise to the 200-acre Hewlett-Packard campus purchased by the state of Idaho in 2018. The department needs space for its vehicles and lab, while the current building has experienced flooding issues this past year and needs significant remediation. The area is considered some of the last large space in urban Boise that could be used for revitalization efforts. The city approved an Urban Renewal District in the area earlier this year. Source: Idaho Statesman

Adams County

• Adams County Commissioners approved a ballot issue in November that would increase property tax paid to Meadows Valley Ambulance District by 75% to cover its operational costs. The Meadows Valley Rural Fire Protection District manages ambulance operations with a budget of $119,000. In 2021, expenses were closer to $200,000. The fire district is contributing around $90,000 to the ambulance district and asked the commissioners to take the tax increase to the voters. The ambulance district is responsible for 308 square miles. Source: McCall-Star News

Canyon County

• Elevate Academy, a new charter school serving grades 6-12 in Caldwell, graduated its first class in June. It is a year-round school serving at-risk youth and offers eight trade pathways. Traditional state standards are integrated into its career-technical path, which includes:
  • • Culinary arts
    • Emergency medical technician
    • Graphic arts and design
    • Firefighting arts
    • Criminal justice
    • Business services
    • Construction

The school building includes a two-story slide for entertainment along with a fitness center, mental health services, individual showers, a laundry room and a barber shop. Elevate Caldwell has a 400-student waiting list — almost as large as its enrollment. The Nampa and northern Idaho locations that will open this fall have waitlists of 100 students each. Source: Idaho Statesman

Owyhee County

• The U.S. Department of the Interior paid a record high $1,573,666 Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) to Owyhee County this year. PILT is compensation for land within the county that cannot be taxed because it is owned by the federal government. The county plans to use the money for myriad projects and to cover general fund expenses. The state of Idaho received $35.8 million in exchange for 32.6 million acres of federal land. Source: The Owyhee Avalanche

Valley County

• The city of McCall will spend $641,000 burying overhead utility lines. The municipality has been saving fees generated from utilities to pay for the service. It will enhance aesthetics but also extend the life of utility lines and improve safety. Idaho Power and Sparklight have each paid into the fund which currently shows a balance of $1.3 million. Source: McCall Star-News

Ground breakings, grand openings and ribbon cuttings

• Perpetua Resources broke ground in Yellow Pine on its tailings and water mitigation project, Phase 1 of a three-part process. Phase 1 includes cleaning up contamination left behind by previous mining operations as far back as 60 years ago. The company hopes to eventually mine antimony, silver and gold from the site. It plans to underwrite the process in exchange for the release of liability for previous contamination. Source: Idaho Business Review
• 360 Behavioral Health cut the ribbon at its grand opening in Meridian. The facility offers services to children with autism across the Treasure Valley. The Center for Disease Control estimates Idaho has 8,000 children and teens diagnosed with some level of autism. Source: Idaho Business Review
• The Forge Building Company completed remodeling its headquarters, the former Hummel Architects building in Boise. The remodel doubles the size of the company’s previous headquarters at 12,152 square feet. Starting in 2007 as a niche designer and builder of storage facilities, Boise-based Forge now has a national presence. The company has expanded to include pre-engineered steel buildings. Source: Idaho Statesman
• Warehouse Food Hall in BoDo in downtown Boise celebrated its grand opening with 11 eating and drinking options. Several of its restaurants will open later in the year. Source: Idaho Business Review
• Engineered Structures Inc. hosted a groundbreaking for the first phase of Fuller84 Business Park, a new 60-acre development in Nampa. The Fullers are a farming family who had previously donated and developed parcels of its farm including ground donated to Fuller Park in Meridian, the Cherry Lane subdivision and golf course, and Meridian Greens subdivision. Bow River is the Denver-based developer for Fuller84. The first phase is comprised of three industrial buildings averaging 155,000 square feet each. Source: Idaho Business Review
• The two founders of Duck Club — the organizing entity of Treefort, Boise’s annual music festival — hosted a groundbreaking for the soon-to-be renovated Treefort Music Hall. It will be more than 20,000 square feet with capacity for at least 1,000 people and will include both indoor and roof bars. The venue will host Treefort travelling musicians, providing hotel-like amenities. It will also host other music acts throughout the year and is slated to open in early 2023. Source: Idaho Press

Closures and layoffs

• St. Alphonsus Hospital System will be closing its STARS pediatric therapy clinic, inpatient pediatric and general surgery services at the Regional Medical Center in Boise. The nonprofit health care system stated the programs are redundant in the community and have not been financially viable through the COVID-19 pandemic. Source: CBS2 News
• The Antique World Mall in Boise has temporarily closed due to lack of power. A nearby building, the vacated Country Club Reel Theatres, collapsed for unknown reasons. Antique World Mall will reopen once the rubble is cleaned up and power restored. Source: KTVB News
• Deluca’s, an upscale Boise Italian restaurant, shuttered its location in BoDo. Source: Idaho Statesman
• Six Walgreens pharmacies across the Treasure Valley temporarily closed doors due to staffing shortages. The stores remained open to the public but those needing medication were advised to use one of the company’s other pharmacy locations. 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 & Twin Falls counties

Blaine County

• Allen & Company held its annual conference for influential national media moguls, politicians and business leaders in Sun Valley. Source: Idaho Mountain Express
• The city of Hailey received a $33,500 grant from the Department of Environmental Quality to implement a pilot compost program. Three solar-powered receptacles will be placed in a central part of town where citizens can deposit compostable waste. They will be accessible 24/7 and will self-lock when full. The household waste will be carted to Ohio Gulch for large-scale composting then returned to the community as soil for parks and gardens. Source: Idaho Mountain Express

Gooding County

• A rapidly spreading wildfire broke out near Bliss on July 18. Within 5 ½ hours, the fire had burned 12,000 acres. The fire eventually burned 20,000 acres by the time it was contained on July 20. Bliss, Gooding and Hagerman Rural Fire Departments responded to the wildfire. Source: KTVB News

Jerome County

• • Jerome 20/20 — an organization focused on economic development in the county — and the city of Jerome have both been instrumental in generating leads and closing deals at industrial parks and existing buildings in need of repurpose. Jerome 20/20 estimated there is 600,000-plus square feet of commercial projects in the construction pipeline.
  • Tru West is constructing a 270,000-square-foot slaughterhouse and meat cutting plant, which will create 400 new jobs. The plant’s opening is slated for January 2023. The economic impact of this new plant’s payroll yields another 700 jobs throughout the community.
  • Rich Thompson Trucking is renovating the 25,000-square-foot former Jerome Cinema that closed in 2014. The six-acre lot is prime real estate for a new truck and car wash, in addition to the soon-to-be remodeled building with space dedicated to truck maintenance, transport and logistics. The family-operated company just celebrated its 40th anniversary and employs about 60 employees, according to the company. Construction is scheduled to complete spring of 2023.
  • The 208 Bar and Grill held a soft opening with a bar and backyard serving area. The grill and dining area are expected to open in August 2022. The combination of a restaurant and a music venue complements Jerome’s downtown revitalization plan.
  • Western Dairy Transportation is constructing a 20,000-square-foot building in the Northside Industrial Subdivision. The company is one of the largest dairy transport companies in the nation. The building will serve the company as a center for truck logistics, truck maintenance and truck washing upon completion in the fall of 2022.
  • The new Northbridge Junction Industrial Park leased 20,000 square feet of manufacturing space to Hempitecture Inc., headquartered in Ketchum. The location near I-84 helped attract the company, which trucks product across the nation. Hempitecture Inc. makes hempcrete, a limestone and hemp stalk insulating product, and HempWool, an insulating batt comprised of hemp husks. The company partnered with the University of Idaho on a research project that was awarded an IGEM-Commerce grant of more than $200,000. The research team will test the material’s ability to insulate, resist fire and conduct heat. Source: Expansion Solutions Magazine, Times-News and Idaho Department of Commerce
  • QualPol, a provider of fiber optic cable, has expanded into a vacant parcel that will serve as a distribution center. The company provides fiber optic with existing contracts in place for large-scale installations. Source: Times-News

Twin Falls County

• The Twin Falls School District trustees voted to hire private security guards at its nine elementary schools. Previously, the middle and high schools employed school resource officers from the Twin Falls Police Department to periodically drop by the elementary schools. This new staffing will enable all the schools in the district to have a trained and armed presence in the event of a shooting, hostage situation or disaster. Source: KTVB News

Ground breakings

• The University of Idaho broke ground on a 2,000-cow dairy in Rupert. This is the first phase of the Idaho Center for Agriculture, Food and the Environment (CAFE), with goals of providing research, education and outreach to the state of Idaho. The 600 acres was purchased in 2019, and continued fundraising has resulted in the $14 million venture. Source: Idaho Business Review
• St. Luke’s Health System broke ground for new employee housing in Hailey. The four-plex should be completed in 2023 and ready for those needing more affordable housing than found in the largely tourism-driven Wood River Valley. Source: Idaho Mountain Express

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

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

Region

• Labor force estimates for June 2022 from the Idaho Department of Labor’s Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS) program saw employment and unemployment both increase in the seven-county southeastern region. Seasonally adjusted, the June 2022 preliminary estimates show labor force participants increasing by 1,077 from May, with 198 more unemployed persons and 879 more employed persons. The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased to 2.8%, compared with 3.6% the same time last year.

• There were an estimated 666 job postings in the southeastern region between June 20 and July 19, according to data from the Conference Board. Of these postings, 454 were in Bannock County, 118 in Bingham County, 43 in Power County, 26 in Caribou County, 16 in Franklin County, six in Bear Lake County and three in Oneida County. The top 10 most-common occupations by job posting included health care- and retail sales-related occupations as well as those in transportation and warehousing and construction.

• Health care and social assistance remained at the top of industries listed by largest share of job postings. Services continue to be the overall driver of job postings, with retail trade, finance and insurance, and public administration among the industries with most open positions in the region.

• Lightcast’s data from the Conference Board indicates the hardest-to-fill jobs are concentrated in community social services, protective services and education.

• While the wet spring season provided some relief to local farmers and water managers, the recent hot and dry weather has meant all of southeastern Idaho remains in some form of drought according to data from the U.S. Drought Monitor. Drought conditions vary from moderate (D1) to extreme (D3), with southern Bannock and Caribou counties, eastern Oneida County and most of Franklin and Bear Lake counties experiencing extreme drought. Source: U.S. Drought Monitor
• Idaho State University’s Institute for Rural Health received more than $1.4 million in federal funding to expand public health across Idaho. The Gem State Public Health AmeriCorps program will partner with public health organizations across the state to host 72 members for essential trainings including suicide prevention and intervention. Applications for the program are now open on Indeed, Handshake and MyAmericCorps. Source: Idaho Business Review
• Idaho State University’s Department of Occupational Therapy partnered with local nonprofit Eastern Idaho Down Syndrome Family Connect to host a summer camp for individuals with disabilities. Summer Camp for All offered activities for persons of all ages and abilities. Students earning a master’s degree in occupational therapy volunteered at the camp. Source: KIFI Local News 8

Bannock County

• SodaCADE, a specialty soda store with retro video games and a host of pop culture references in its artwork, opened in Pocatello next to the Idaho Grocery Outlet. Source: Idaho State Journal
• Portneuf Medical Center selected four staff for its 2022-23 scholarship. Each will receive $2,000 toward their tuition at Idaho State University to assist in their pursuits in the medical field. Source: KIFI Local News 8
• Slate Medical Aesthetics, a new medical skin-care spa owned by a local doctor and a nurse practitioner, recently held its grand opening. Source: Idaho State Journal
• The Boys & Girls Club of Portneuf Valley partnered with Pocatello-Chubbuck School District 25 to host “Think Make Create” labs in which area children can participate in activities during the district’s free lunch program. The club will also launch its Syringa Elementary School program this fall and hopes to expand further in the future. Source: Idaho State Journal
• The Bannock County Veteran Services Department began its series of monthly outreach sessions for people living in the southern parts of the county who need assistance. Every second Wednesday of the month, veterans and their family members can speak with an advocate at the Downey Public Library from 8-10 a.m. Source: KIFI Local News 8
• Construction began on the Idaho Transportation Department’s project to rebuild the “Flying Y” Interstate 15 interchange. Sundt Construction and Cannon Builders were previously announced as joint venture contractors in the project. The project will include eight new bridges and is expected to take approximately three years to complete with year-round work. Source: Idaho State Journal

Bear Lake County

• Minnetonka Cave, located in the Caribou National Forest, opened for the summer season. It is one of the largest limestone caves in the state with 1,800 feet accessible to visitors. Due to an outbreak of White Nose Syndrome, a disease that affects bats, guests are strongly advised not to wear any clothing or bring any items that they have brought into another cave or mine. Source: Idaho State Journal

Bingham County

• North Bingham County Historical Park in Shelley seeks assistance from the public to raise $40,000 for a new water system after the county had to cease supplying water due to lack of water rights. This comes amid an ongoing drought situation in the region. Source: KIFI Local News 8

Franklin County

• The city of Preston is waiting for approval of a wastewater treatment plant design from various agencies including the U.S. Department of Agriculture and Idaho Department of Environmental Quality. Once approved, bidding will open on the project. Construction is expected to begin this fall or early spring of 2023 and will take about two years to complete. Source: Preston Citizen

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 June 2022 from the Idaho Department of Labor’s Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS) program saw unemployment increase and employment decrease in Idaho’s nine-county eastern region. Seasonally adjusted, the June 2022 preliminary numbers show labor force participants decreased by 285 from May, with the number of unemployed increasing by 386 and employed decreasing by 671. The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased to 2.5%, down from 3.1% one year earlier.

• There were an estimated 1,162 job postings in the eastern region between June 20 and July 19, according to data from the Conference Board. Of these postings, 874 were in Bonneville County, 92 in Madison County, 47 each in Fremont and Lemhi counties, 35 in Jefferson County, 32 in Teton County, 30 in Custer County, three in Butte County and two in Clark County. The top 10 most common occupations by job posting include sales-related, transportation- and warehousing-related, health care and child care positions.

• Public administration was at the top of the list of industries with active job postings over the 30-day period, with retail trade comprising a large share of job openings in eastern Idaho. Health care and social assistance postings were well represented in the list, also.

• Lightcast’s data from the Conference Board indicates that the hardest-to-fill jobs in eastern Idaho vary across occupations including automotive, media, architecture, sciences and health care.

• While the wet spring season provided some relief to local farmers and water managers, the recent hot and dry weather has meant that most of eastern Idaho remains in some form of drought according to data from the U.S. Drought Monitor. Drought conditions vary from abnormally dry (D0) to severe (D2), with eastern Bonneville, Teton and Fremont counties, as well as southwestern Butte County and southeastern Custer County, experiencing severe drought. Source: U.S. Drought Monitor
• A wildfire broke out July 17 five miles southwest of North Fork and has already burned over 1,000 acres. The cause has yet to be determined and remains largely uncontained. Source: KIFI Local News 8
• After historic flooding destroyed roadways, infrastructure and local homes, Yellowstone National Park partially reopened for its peak attendance season. Additionally, the park and neighboring communities impacted by the event received $50 million in emergency funding to restore temporary access. Some areas, however, remain closed for the remainder of the season and possibly longer, while rebuilding may take years and cost upwards of $1 billion. Source: KIFI Local News 8, Idaho State Journal, Post Register
• Battelle Energy Alliance, contractor for the Idaho National Laboratory, and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration selected three proposals to design a nuclear power system for moon-based missions. Each 12-month contract for this Phase 1 design effort is valued at about $5 million and includes Lockheed Martin, Westinghouse and IX (a joint venture of Intuitive Mechanics and X-Energy). Source: Post Register
• After a cancellation in 2020 and remote-only event in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Idaho STEM Action Center’s i-STEM workshop held its annual multi-day event for eastern Idaho K-12 educators at the College of Eastern Idaho. The workshop offered educators an opportunity to engage with new technology, network with colleagues and discuss best practices for STEM-related education. Source: Post Register
• After many setbacks, the Integrated Waste Treatment Unit located within the U.S. Department of Energy site that includes the Idaho National Laboratory successfully treated more than 100,000 gallons of simulant over a seven-week span. Once completed and fully operational, the treatment unit will begin processing 900,000 gallons of sodium-bearing, radioactive waste. Source: Idaho Press

Bonneville County

• The Idaho Falls School District 91 board of trustees voted to pay current bonds off early. The bonds set to mature in 2032 are expected to be paid off in full by 2023, with an anticipated savings of $7.5 million to the district. Voters approved the original $53 million bond in 2012 to construct four new elementary schools, renovate one high school, update a junior high, provide new science labs and make minor improvements to another high school. Source: Post Register
• The Bonneville County Library District announced it will open two new libraries. One will open in a 7,000 square-foot space on 25th East at the Teton Spectrum in Ammon that will be remodeled. The second one will open in a leased 1,300 square-foot space near Albertsons on Broadway. Both are expected to open by Oct. 1. Source: KIFI Local News 8
• The city of Idaho Falls started a pair of construction projects. One will improve storm drains and water lines along Westhill Avenue northward to Brenthaven Drive, while the other is installation of underground power lines at Woodruff Avenue and E. 17^th Street. Both will continue through September. Source: Post Register
• The Bonneville County Prosecutor’s Office has seen six of its attorneys choose to leave their positions for opportunities elsewhere. This is expected to put strain on the office’s prosecutorial capacities. Source: Post Register
• The city of Ammon received $5.8 million in federal funds to assist with the major reconstruction of 1st Street. The project involves widening the street to five lanes and adding a curb, gutter and sidewalk. Sand Creek bridge will also be widened to five lanes and include sidewalks. Source: Post Register
• Local restauranteur Roshan Kuman announced plans to open a third location of Himalayan Flavor in Idaho Falls, building on the success of the Pocatello and Logan, Utah, locations. The restaurant will be located at the former Cardamom Indian Restaurant on Park Avenue and is anticipated to open in August. Source: Post Register
• Food price discounter Grocery Outlet opened a new store on 25th Street in Idaho Falls, east of the Grand Teton Mall. Source: Idaho Business Review
• The city of Idaho Falls voted unanimously to sign a firefighter contractor to cover fire services at Idaho Falls Regional Airport. Pro-Tec Fire Services has contracted aircraft rescue firefighting services in the U.S. and Canada for more than 40 years and will provide similar services at the regional airport over three years at a total cost of more than $2 million. Source: Post Register

Fremont County

• The Idaho Transportation Department began work on two projects in Ashton. Extensive work on the US-20 and SH-47 intersection will improve safety and traffic flow, while a stretch of SH-47 near North Fremont High School continuing to Bear Gulch will get a pavement overlay. Source: KIFI Local News 8

Madison County

• Brightway Insurance held a ribbon cutting ceremony for its first Idaho location in Rexburg. Established in 2008, the company is one of the largest privately-owned property and casualty insurance distribution companies in the country, with more than 300 franchises in 30 states and over $900 million in annual premiums. Source: Idaho Business Review
• Rexburg’s Madison Memorial Hospital — together with its network of clinics, outpatient surgery center, associated practices and health care providers — announced a rebranding as Madisonhealth while remaining fully owned by Madison County. As part of this rebranding, Madisonhealth will streamline its services for better coordination. Source: Idaho Business Review

Teton County

• Construction began for a mixed affordable housing and commercial space project in Driggs. Part of a private and public sector collaboration, the Depot Square will include 30 deed-restricted residential units, live/work units and several commercial spaces. This project comes at a time of rising housing costs and growing concern of affordability in the Teton Valley. Source: Idaho Business Review, Teton Valley News
• Phase 1 of the three-phase Victor Bike Park revival project, led by Mountain Bike the Tetons, is near completion. Phases 2 and 3 will add beginner and advanced pump tracks to the completed jump lines and skills park. These phases are expected to be completed in 2023 and 2024, respectively. Source: Teton Valley News

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