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

• The city of Coeur d’Alene is evaluating proposals to strengthen laws against short-term rentals, including civil penalties and dedicated enforcement. The city’s general services and public works committee cites the city’s well established housing crisis and severe shortage of available for-rent and for-sale homes as the need for these proposals. The committee seeks to curb the conversion of long-term rental properties to short-term rentals to combat the housing shortage. Source: Coeur d’Alene Press
• Work has begun on a major Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) project to replace and upgrade the interchange between Interstate 90 and State Highway 41 in Post Falls. The current interchange, which includes three different traffic signals and intersections, has become a major traffic bottleneck as Post Falls has grown. The interchange will be replaced by a single intersection, which ITD believes will dramatically increase efficiency. Construction will be underway in phases until the summer of 2025. Source: Idaho Transportation Department
• Kootenai Health has begun work on a $40 million expansion to its Heart Center, operating rooms and Kootenai Outpatient Surgery facilities. The expansion will add 37,000 square feet to the heart center, new laboratories and more patient rooms, which will allow the hospital to provide more same-day surgeries. The project is scheduled for completion in fall 2023. Source: Coeur d’Alene Press

Openings
Coeur d’Alene

• Sebastian’s Coffee and Pastries
• The Burger Dock
• Vantage Point Brewing
• Bare Root Skin Essentials

Region

• Burke’s Restoration, Post Falls
• Club Pilates, Hayden
• Gracie Barra Jiu-Jitsu Studio, Hayden

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

• Many of the region’s local school districts are scrambling to fill last-minute teaching and bus driver positions, with a high likelihood most will not be filled prior to school starting over the next couple of weeks. This issue is resulting in logistical changes including cutting local bus routes and finding creative ways to use existing faculty so some programs aren’t eliminated.
• The cities of Lewiston and Nez Perce are two of nine Idaho cities participating in Blue Cross of Idaho Foundation’s 2022 Community Health Academy. The learning collaborative for city and community leaders explores how they can improve the health of their communities. After completing the academy, each city will receive a grant for a project or program. Source: Blue Cross of Idaho Foundation
• The Idaho Travel Council awarded more than $390,000 in grants to three north central Idaho tourism associations for fiscal year 2022 — the Moscow Chamber of Commerce, Visit Lewis Clark Valley and North Central Idaho Travel Association. These grants represent a 17% increase from the $334,000 awarded in fiscal year 2021. These funds were collected through a 2% statewide lodging tax paid by consumers, which was up 39% year-over-year to $20.6 million in 2021. Source: Idaho Travel Council
• Business Formation Statistics: According to 2005-2021 data released by the U.S. Census Bureau, north central Idaho had its highest level of business applications at 1,182 during 2021, 33% more than the second-highest level of 888 in 2020. Statewide, Idaho business applications were up 28% year-over-year to more than 28,400. All five counties in the north central region had higher business application levels than 2020. This was the first time in the 2005-2021 data period the region saw more than 900 business applications in one calendar year. Clearwater, Latah and Nez Perce counties experienced their highest levels in 2021. Business applications in 2021 by county include Latah at 456 (+31%), Nez Perce at 386 (+36%), Idaho at 209 (+28%), Clearwater at 87 (+30%) and Lewis at 44 (+69%). Data Source: US Census Bureau – Business Formation Statistics

• North central Idaho business formation applications, 2005-2021
  Employer Establishments: North central Idaho gained 210 unemployment insurance-covered private establishments during 2021, the highest level since adding 128 establishments in 2005.

• Both Latah and Nez Perce counties were at their highest level of private employer establishments in 2021 since at least 2005 (Latah, 1,124; Nez Perce, 1,249). All five counties realized growth in private employer establishments during both 2020 and 2021. Between 2005-2021, the region has realized 10 years of gains and seven years of decline in the number of private establishments in the region. Employer establishment gains in 2021 by county include Nez Perce at 80, Latah at 80, Idaho at 27, Clearwater at 15 and Lewis at eight. By industry, the region experienced the highest gains in construction (23% of total) and health care and social assistance (15% of total). Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics – QCEW

Nez Perce County

• Lewis-Clark State College launched a new career readiness credential this fall to emphasize workplace soft skills, including effective communication, teamwork and critical thinking. The program focuses on three main components: exploring career readiness, career prep and managing a career. Source: Lewiston Tribune
• Lewis-Clark State College is partnering with the Idaho Department of Juvenile Corrections to deliver dual credit online courses in both general education and career and technical education to juvenile corrections institution students in Lewiston, Nampa and St. Anthony. Lewiston facility students will participate in dual credit hybrid courses where lab portions are taught by LC State instructors at the Juvenile Corrections Center. Course subjects may include business, HVAC, hospitality management, technical math, communications and culinary arts. Source: Lewis-Clark State College

Latah County

• Alturas Analytics, a contract research lab in Moscow specializing in pre-clinical and clinical bioanalysis, broke ground on its new 17,500-square-foot facility. Completion is expected for spring of 2023. Alturas Analytics currently employs around 60 employees, compared to 35-40 employees in 2019. The company’s open positions are listed on its website at Alturas Analytics Careers  Source: Lewiston Tribune

Lewis County

• The city of Kamiah will use two federal grants totaling $727,000 for sidewalks around the pool, school and downtown. Construction is  scheduled for completion in 2026. This first grant of $447,000 requires a $38,000 match by the city. The second is a Child Pedestrian Safety grant of $250,000 and must be completed by the end of 2023. Source: City of Kamiah

Openings

• Old Navy has submitted a building permit for a 12,000-square-foot retail store in Lewiston’s Nez Perce Plaza. If plans go  through, this would be the second Old Navy store operating in north central Idaho. The existing store is in Moscow. Source: Lewiston Tribune
• Red’s Café in White Bird closed Aug. 7 and reopened Aug. 12 under new ownership as Red’s Kitchen, offering extended hours. Red’s Café was one of the top 10 largest employers within the White Bird ZIP code. Source: Idaho County Free Press
• Wilson Sandwich Company will open in downtown Lewiston in the location formerly operated by Stax. Source: Lewiston Tribune
• On Point Massage Therapy opened in Grangeville in June 2022. According to the Idaho Board of Massage Therapy, licensed massage therapists must complete at least 500 hours of classroom/clinical instruction and there are currently less than 10 licensed massage therapists within Idaho County. Source: Idaho County Free Press, Idaho Board of Massage Therapy

Occupation Spotlight: Registered Nurses

By annual job postings, registered nurses (RNs) have been the No. 1 occupation in demand in north central Idaho since 2016 and was consistently in the top three from 2012-2015. In 2021, the more than 800 online postings for RNs throughout the region were 60% higher than the 500 postings of the No. 2 in-demand occupation of home health and personal care aides. Registered nurse is also the No. 1 in-demand occupation needed requiring at least a bachelor’s degree.

• During 2021, approximately 18 RNs were hired each month in north central Idaho, barely offsetting the 17 monthly job separations. Close to half of the region’s RNs are aged 45 or older. The region is only able to hire one registered nurse for every three to four postings. Ten years ago, the ratio was closer to one hire per posting.
• RN listings made up almost 8% of regional job postings in 2021, compared with 2.5% in 2011. Sixty-five percent of this past July’s 117 active job postings for registered nurses had been listed for more than one month, compared with 75% in June 2022 and 89% in July 2021. Source: Lightcast
• North central Idaho currently employs between 700-800 registered nurses, compared with 1,000-1,100 in 2011. Employment of RNs in the Lewiston Metropolitan Statistical Area (Nez Perce and Asotin counties) has declined by more than 100 positions between 2019 and 2021 due to separations and retirements and is now at 730. Average annual salaries increased by 4%, from $74,000 to $78,000 per year during that time, compared with an average annual salary of $50,000 for all occupations in the Lewiston metro. Average salary for registered nurses statewide is $73,000.
• According to the Idaho Center for Nursing’s 2022 Idaho Nursing Workforce Report, Idaho currently has 17,400 resident RNs available for employment — 48% live in Ada and Canyon counties — and there are approximately 2,000 statewide vacant positions as of June 2022, offset by temporary hiring of 1,500 weekly travel nurses. Idaho currently graduates 750-825 RNs per year.
• Idaho Department of Labor projections estimate total statewide employment of RNs will increase by 3,000 positions between 2020-2030 and will provide approximately 1,100 annual openings.
• Lewis-Clark State College is the top regional source of local RN graduates within north central Idaho, averaging around 150 bachelor’s degree completions per year.

MSA-metropolitan statistical area

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

Home Prices

The number of sales in July declined from June:

• 34% in Ada County and 43% in Canyon County.

Inventory continues to grow as the market shifts to more of a buyer’s market.

• Ada County’s inventory more than doubled over the same period last year (+128%) with 2,135 homes for sale in July. Over the month, inventory increased by 13%.
• Canyon County’s inventory doubled from July 2021 to July 2022 (+101%) to 1,191. Over the month, inventory increased by 14%.

Median Sales Price

• Median price growth has reversed, with a decline from June to July for Ada and Canyon counties, -0.4% and -0.7% respectively.
• Ada County’s July median price was $589,990, a year-over-year increase of 19.2%.
• Canyon County’s July median price at $414,995 was up 6.6% from last July.

Days on the Market

The time it takes to sell a home has increased over the month and over the year.

• Ada County reported an average of 21 days on the market for July, compared with 15 days on the market for June. The time on market a year ago was 13 days.
• Canyon County took 29 days on average to sell its homes in July, compared with 20 days a month ago and 13 days a year ago.

Job Postings

Southwestern Idaho job postings reported by Burning Glass for July indicate a drop of 22% from June — a decline of almost 4,000 job postings. There was an uptick of 24% from July 2021 to a level of 14,077 in July. Occupations with the most demand include:

1. Registered nurses
2. Managers, all other
3. Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, except technical and scientific products
4. Software developers, applications
5. Customer service representatives

Ada County

• The Albertsons Boise Open in mid-August was part of a bigger qualifier for the Professional Golf Association, the Korn Ferry Tour. At the end of the Korn Ferry Tour, the top 25 golfers move on to the PGA tour next year. The Boise event was held at Hillcrest Country Club and raised $3 million for local charities. Source: CBS2 News 
•  The Kuna School District staff and trustees are studying the district’s needs over the next 10 years, identifying new construction of six elementary schools, two middle schools, and one to two high schools among other updates at existing schools. The bond request was estimated at $300 million, but the fast-growing community is still mulling over different financing structures and the level of acceptance by patrons. According to Idaho Education News, this would be the largest school bond brought to the ballot box in Idaho history. Source: Idaho Education News
• Ada County Commissioners are reviewing design proposals for development of Expo Idaho ground near the Boise River. There are three finalists: one is local, one is a collaboration between a local and an international firm, and the other is a collaboration of two out-of-state firms. The three commissioners are discussing federal funding and staying within the budget of $50 million. The goal is to provide an area for the underserved neighborhoods in around Glenwood and Chinden by offering “green space, tree cover, gathering spaces, playing fields, recreation facilities and safe sidewalks away from traffic for walking and nonmotorized cycling.” Finalists have been awarded $5,000 to work on their designs over the next 60 days. The commissioners will review them in October. Source: Idaho Statesman
• TOK Commercial released its quarterly office market report on Boise, stating subleasing rose 50% during the latest quarter in response to the uptick of remote workers. Construction costs have inflated lease rates for newly built space into a $30 per-square-foot average. The vacancy rate remains low at 4.3%. Source: Idaho Statesman

Canyon County

• Canyon Terrace, an apartment complex in Nampa, is ready for leasing, with 15 units for families experiencing homelessness in the Nampa School District. The property has 12 one-bedroom, 39 two-bedroom and 30 three-bedroom units. It was developed through a partnership of The Housing Company, Idaho Housing and Finance Association, Saint Alphonsus, R4 Capital and the Nampa School District. Source: Idaho Statesman

Valley County

• Cougar Island, a 14-acre outcropping in the middle of Payette Lake, is headed to the auction block. Property owner Idaho Department of Lands will auction off the five lots on Sept. 14. The minimum bid for the entire island is set at $8.8 million. There is only one lessee who built a home on the island and has submitted a bid for the home site parcel at $2 million. If the lessee is outbid, then the winning bid must pay $1.6 million to the lessee for the value of the home built on the leased site. The state endowment lands must be sold at public auction to realize the best possible return. The terms of sale are also supported by verbiage in the Idaho Constitution. There have been lessees of public lands around the Payette Lake since the early 1900s. In the past 12 years, 154 cottage sites have been sold, with 127 of those leased historically. The auctions have raised $66 million for further investment or purchase of timber lands. It is unclear how easily future development can occur on the island due to concerns regarding McCall drinking water and public access to the island. Source: The Star-News
• As of Aug. 30, the Four Corners wildfire on the west side of Lake Cascade was 28% contained and had spread to more than 12,000 acres. Some roads are closed for the safety of travelers, as well as firefighters and equipment operators. The Federal Emergency Management Agency authorized funding to assist with firefighting costs with a Fire Management Assistance Grant. Source: Idaho New 6

Ground Breakings

• Tamarack Resort broke ground on Phase 1 of Lakeview Village employee housing complex. This phase includes two 12,000-square-foot buildings each with 32 rooms and 64 beds, common living, entertaining, kitchen and laundry facilities. Source: Idaho Business Review
• The Nampa Fire Protection District broke ground on its sixth fire station, anticipating the station will cut response times in half when complete. The last new addition was 15 years ago, and since then, the city of Nampa’s fire department and the fire district combined operations. Canyon County Paramedics will be co-housed in this new fire station that is expected to be operational in August 2023. Source: Idaho Press

Openings

• Goldstein’s Bagels & Bialys opened in the former Kiwi Shake & Bake in downtown Boise. Source:  Idaho Statesman
• Burnin’ Mouth Nashville Hot Chicken opened its first Idaho restaurant in the Village. Source: Idaho Statesman
• A mountain bike school opened at Bogus Basin Recreation Area. Lessons, available privately or as a group, are held Thursday through Sunday for all abilities. The hill also offers “happier hours” with activity prices reduced Monday through Friday between 3-7 p.m. Source: Idaho News 6
• A new Albertsons grocery store opened in south Meridian offering a Starbucks, a drive-thru pharmacy and its drive-up-and-go delivery service. Source: Idaho Statesman
• The Smokejumper Tiny Home Resort opened in Idaho City with seven tech-friendly luxury tiny homes for rent. Source: Idaho Statesman
• Dogtopia — a doggy day care, boarding and spa center — opened in Garden City. There are another three locations planned across the Treasure Valley. Source: Idaho Statesman

On Hold

• The opening of Freshies Lobster Co. in the Warehouse Food Hall in downtown Boise is on indefinite hold. The Utah-based company has won awards for its lobster roll on the East coast. 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

Region

• Job postings in July were estimated at 2,819 for the eight-county south central region of Idaho. This is a decline of 12% from June or about 370 less unique postings. There continues to be growth year-over-year, estimated at 19% more than the July 2021 figure of 2,371. Top five occupations in demand for July 2022:

1. 1. Registered nurses
   2. Heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers
   3. Laborers and freight, stock and material movers, hand
   4. Child care workers
   5. First-line supervisors of retail sales workers

Source: Emsi-Burning Glass

Camas County, Blaine County

• Wildfires have not burned as many acres as previous years, yet there are pockets of fire activity within south central Idaho:
  • The Ross Fork Fire started most likely by lightening in northern Camas County about 8 miles southwest of Alturas Lake. There were six smokejumpers assigned to the 260-acre wildfire that quickly grew to 390 acres causing personnel to be called off. According to the Sawtooth National Forest, the area is closed until mid-November due to “steep inaccessible terrain, potential for falling trees and rolling debris and the inability to safely suppress the fire.” The cooler, wetter weather is expected to extinguish the fire. Fines for ignoring the closure are substantial — $5,000 for an individual and $10,000 for an organization. Source: Idaho Mountain Express and Idaho Fire Map 

• • The Dry Creek Fire started near Carey about four miles from the Blaine County Fairgrounds and burned more than 650 acres. The Carey Rural Fire & Rescue along with the Bureau of Land Management Twin Falls District sent in trucks and aircraft to control the blaze, including a back burn operation. The fire was contained. Source: Idaho Mountain Express and Idaho Fire Map
• The Sun Valley Tour de Force car event raised a record $600,000 for the Hunger Coalition. The fifth annual event included an auto show, the Cars & Comedy dinner auction and a ‘speed run’ on Idaho Highway 75, reaching speeds of 221 miles per hour on an empty stretch of highway north of Ketchum. The speed run attracted 48 drivers with half hitting readings of more than 200 miles per hour. Last year’s event raised $175,000 for the coalition. Source: Idaho Mountain Express

Jerome County

• The College of Southern Idaho will partner with the city of Jerome to build a new 20,000-square-foot educational facility. The city of Jerome donated the downtown lot, and Jerome’s Urban Renewal Agency will help with infrastructure and financing needs. Source: KMVT News

Twin Falls County

• The city of Twin Falls reported seven single-family building permits in July, a drop from 20 in July 2021. There are 108 permits year-to-date, while 2021 permits had reached 281 by July. The record year continues to be 2005 when permits were reported at 664. The housing market started its precipitous spiral in 2007. Source: City of Twin Falls
• Glanbia Nutritionals donated $200,000 to various organizations from its 29th Annual Charity Challenge Golf Tournament to 11 organizations across the Magic Valley. The event, on hiatus from 2019-2021, had 25 volunteers and 192 golfers at Blue Lakes Country Club. The recipients included food banks, senior centers, critical services, mental health services and community resource centers. Source: Times-News
• Friends of the Avenues, a group of Twin Falls residents, has asked the city council to create a historic district to include the 300 single-family homes built in the late 1800s and early 1900s. The intent is to keep the historical integrity of the homes and retaining the unique beauty of Twin Falls. The council requested staff research the viability and impact of a historic district and report back. Source: Boise State Public Radio
• The Twin Falls Canal Company said it will reduce water availability from five-eighths inch to one-half inch due to the low water levels in the Snake River. The canal company delayed initial delivery of water in the spring and reduced levels from an inch to five-eighths inch to extend the irrigation season due to drought conditions. Source: Times-News
• The Idaho Transportation Department is studying the ideal spot for a third bridge spanning the Snake River Canyon. An estimated 40,000 motorists cross the Perrine Bridge daily. Cars were backed up earlier this summer while the bridge was being resurfaced. Twin Falls and Jerome entered into a joint powers agreement to resolve the auto congestion between the two cities. Twin Falls County Commissioner Brent Reinke is hopeful construction will start before 2030 on a third bridge. Federal funding is available but the number of bridges and roads across the state that need updating is high. Source: KMVT News

Openings

• The Dollar Tree/Family Dollar held a ribbon cutting for its newly constructed store in Hazelton. This is the first new store built in the small farming community of 813 residents during the last 50 years. Dollar Tree purchased Family Dollar in 2014 and estimates its new hires at nine employees earning around $10 hourly. Source: Times-News, U.S. Census
• Poindexter’s Costume and Novelty Shop in downtown Twin Falls reopened after closing for four months following smoke and water damage from a fire next door at Radio Rondevoo. Source: Times-News

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 &

Region News

• Labor force estimates for July 2022 from the Idaho Department of Labor saw employment and unemployment both decrease in the seven-county southeastern region. Seasonally adjusted, July 2022’s preliminary estimates show labor force participants decreased by 251 from June. There were 32 fewer unemployed people and 219 fewer employed people. The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate nonetheless fell to 2.7% compared with 3.3% the same time last year.

• There were an estimated 752 job postings in the southeastern region in July 2022 according to data from the Conference Board. This is down from 934 the previous month, and down 934 the same month the prior year. The top 10 most common occupations by job posting included occupatons related to health care, retail sales, transportation and warehousing.

• Services continue to be an overall driver of job postings with health care and social assistance as the top industries along with retail trade, finance and insurance, public administration and others representing most open positions in the region. Manufacturing was second highest and construction was ninth.

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

• The recent hot and dry weather means most of eastern Idaho remains in some form of drought according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. Drought conditions vary from abnormally dry (D1) to extreme (D3), with southern Bannock and Caribou counties, eastern Oneida County, western Bear Lake County and most of Franklin County experiencing extreme drought. Source: U.S. Drought Monitor
• Multiple fires broke out in the region including several in and around the Pocatello-Chubbuck area. Fire managers have elevated the fire danger rating to high for many parts of eastern and southeastern Idaho as long range-forecasts call for continued hot and dry conditions across these regions. Source: Idaho State Journal
• Intermountain Gas increased its rates on residential (+24.1%) and commercial (+27%) customers starting in August, citing increased energy costs. Source: Idaho State Journal
• Idaho State University’s Institute of Rural Health received $860,000 from AmeriCorps for its Idaho HealthCorps AmeriCorps program. The grant will expand the institute’s impact across the state through educating individuals on healthy choices, providing low-income and rural Idahoans access to essential health and mental health services, and enabling communities to effectively respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. Source: KIFI Local News 8
• The Hospital Cooperative, a nonprofit consortium of 17 hospitals throughout southeastern Idaho and western Wyoming, has given an endowment to Idaho State University to benefit students majoring in healthcare administration, nursing and medical laboratory science or pursuing a Master of Healthcare Administration. Source: KIFI Local News 8
• In his annual fall address to faculty and students, Idaho State University President Kevin Satterlee announced two of the university’s goals; increase the number of mentors for first-time students and reach net-zero carbon emissions. The school is  installing electric vehicle charging stations at its residence halls and investigating installation of solar panels on their buildings. 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 News

• Unemployment and employment both decreased in the nine-county eastern Idaho region in July according to state labor force estimates.  Seasonally adjusted, preliminary numbers for July show labor force participants decreased by 428 from June, with unemployed people decreasing by 78 and the total number of employed dropping by 350. Seasonally adjusted, unemployment decreased to 2.4% compared to 3.1% for the same time last year.

• There were an estimated 1,190 job postings in eastern Idaho in July 2022 according to data from the Conference Board, down from 1,506 the prior month and 1,437 the same month last year. The top 10 most common job postings were for jobs in sales and customer service occupations, health care, child care, transportation, and warehousing.

• Public administration continued to a top industry with active job postings in eastern Idaho last month, with other services including retail trade, health care and social assistance, educational services, and others. Manufacturing and construction openings were fifth and ninth, respectively.

• Lightcast data from the Conference Board indicates the hardest-to-fill jobs in eastern Idaho vary across occupations, from personal care service, computer and mathematical; to arts, design, entertainment, sports and media.

• The recent hot and dry weather means most of eastern 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 eastern Bonneville County and southeastern Teton County experiencing extreme drought. Source: U.S. Drought Monitor
• Multiple fires broke out in the region including the Moose Fire near North Fork. Fire managers have elevated the fire danger rating to high for many parts of eastern and southeastern Idaho. Long range-forecasts call for continued hot and dry conditions across these regions. The Idaho Department of Environmental Quality issued an air quality advisor and burn ban for Bonneville, Clark, Fremont, Jefferson, Madison and Teton Counties. Source: Idaho State Journal, Post Register, KIFI Local News 8
• Intermountain Gas increased its rates on residential (+24.1%) and commercial (+27%) customers starting in August, citing increased energy costs. Source: Idaho State Journal
• Local movie theaters report attendance approaching pre-pandemic levels as social distancing restrictions ease and popular blockbuster films hit theaters. Source: Idaho State Journal
• The U.S. Department of Energy announced a site in eastern Idaho where the Idaho National Laboratory will host a newly proposed nuclear test reactor. The Versatile Test Reactor will be a sodium-cooled, fast test reactor. As the first fast spectrum test reactor to operate in the United States in nearly three decades, officials say it could help lead to new nuclear reactors and reduce fossil fuel use. Source: Idaho State Journal
• Battelle Energy Alliance is accepting applications for community grants from eligible charitable organizations. The grants are an annual funding opportunity for local and regional nonprofit organizations that support rural and underserved communities. Battelle manages the Idaho National Laboratory. Source: Post Register
• The Idaho Commission of the Arts is funding more than $95,000 in annual grants to eastern Idaho art organizations. Recipients include the Art Museum of Eastern Idaho (Idaho Falls), Burton Elementary School (Rexburg), Idaho Falls Arts Council, Idaho Falls Symphony, Swan Valley School District 92 (Irwin), Challis Art Council, City of Rexburg’s Cultural Arts Department, Downtown Driggs Community Association, Idaho Falls Youth Arts Centre, Writers at Harriman and Friends of the Idaho State Parks. Source: Post Register
• The unprecedented flooding and subsequent park closures at Yellowstone National Park contributed to a 20% decrease in visitors through the first seven months of 2022. June 2022’s attendance of 536,601 was down 43% from the same time last year, though June 2021 was the busiest June on record. July 2022’s attendance of 596,562 was down 45%from the same time last year – also a record-setting month. Source: Idaho Capital Sun, KIFI Local News 8

Bonneville County

• Yellowstone Food Village in Idaho Falls recently welcomed six new food trucks. Among the vendors are Rosie Marie’s Gluten Free, Thai Food Plus, Tropical Paradise with gourmet Mexican food and fruit cocktails, U Down HaYan Hot Plate with Hawaiian cuisine and Yoimi sushi. Source: Post Register
• Idaho Falls School District 91 opened registration for its first full-day kindergarten program. The program will move students from a two-hour and 40-minute school day up to the same six-hour schedule that other grade-level students follow. Source: Post Register
• The Idaho Department of Environmental Quality sought public comments on a proposed wastewater reuse permit modification for Idaho Foods, LLC. The permit application adds 148.9 acres to the permit and extends the permit expiration date to Aug. 9, 2026. The permit allows recycled water from Idaho Foods, LLC to be used to irrigate crops during the growing season and applied at limited rates during the non-growing season. Source: KIFI Local News 8
• The Idaho Falls City Council purchased seven acres of land for $900,000 for a future fire station on the corner of Spitfire Street and Boeing Street. The station is expected to open in the next three to four years. Source: Post Register
• The Ammon Planning and Zoning Commission voted to recommend the city council deny a proposed 3,000-home development in the Ammon foothills after local objections surfaced, citing congestion and overcrowded schools. Source: Post Register
• DICK’S Sporting Goods at the Grand Teton Mall in Idaho Falls held its grand opening. Source: Idaho State Journal

Custer County

• The Idaho Department of Environmental Quality announced an award of a $3 million low-interest drinking water construction loan to the city of Challis. The funding will be used for construction of a new well, well house, booster station, transmission line and to perform leak detection on waterlines. Source: KIFI Local News 8

Lemhi County

• The Moose Wildfire, which broke out July 17 five miles southwest of North Fork, has burned more than 98,000 acres and is 44% contained as of Aug. 30. The human-caused fire has grown with the hot, dry weather making containment challenging. Source: KIFI Local News 8, Post Register, Idaho State Journal

Teton County

• The Grand Teton Council, the eastern Idaho Boy Scouts of America chapter and U.S. Forest Service have collaborated to rehab the former Treasure Mountain Scout Camp east of Driggs, which has not been operational since 2018. As part of the project, old structures will be removed and disposed, disturbed areas will be repaired, vegetation replanted, and the old shooting range will be remediated. Source: Teton Valley News, Idaho State Journal
• Teton County is now selling Teton River Recreation Fund vehicle stickers to support future enforcement efforts on the waterway. The sticker is a voluntary purchase modeled off the Teton Valley Trails & Pathways trail support sticker and cost $40 for one, $55 for two or $5 for a one-time float donation. Stickers are intended to raise money for the river fund and help people get accustomed to paying for parking at boat ramps starting in 2024. Source: Teton Valley News
• Big Hole BBQ in Victor reopened after a devastating kitchen fire last October closed the restaurant. Source: Teton Valley News
• The Victor City Council approved concept plans for a 70-lot neighborhood on 18.4 acres of land on the western end of town. It had approved a preliminary plat application for the first phase of the subdivision, entailing 28 residential lots and one park lot on 9.2 acres. Additionally, the Driggs City Council is considering a preliminary plat application for a 30-unit townhome complex on five acres recently annexed by the city on Ski Hill Road. Source: Teton Valley News
• Guidepost Brewing anticipates having its new building on West Center in Victor built before this winter and hopes to open by spring or summer of next year. Source: Teton Valley News

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

This Idaho Department of Labor project is 100% funded by USDOL as part of $695,785 in Workforce Information Grant funds from the Employment and Training Administration.