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 27,000-square-foot surgical facility is being built in Hayden. The Hayden Surgery Center will provide outpatient and orthopedic surgery, physical therapy and minor emergency services. Source: Journal of Business
• North Idaho College’s Dental Hygiene program opened a new community dental clinic on the college’s main campus. The clinic will offer low-cost dental cleanings while helping dental hygiene students complete their clinicals to become register hygienists. Source: Coeur d’Alene Press
• The North Idaho State Fair concluded its 10-day run with a record attendance. The fair saw 168,567 guests – a 9% increase from attendance in 2021. Source: Coeur d’Alene Press

Openings

• Valvoline Instant Oil Change, Coeur d’Alene
• Bottle Joy, Coeur d’Alene
• Little Bear Tattoo, Coeur d’Alene
• Lucy & Sevens Pizzeria, Coeur d’Alene
• Uncorked With Friends, Hayden
• Dent Viking, Post Falls
• North Idaho Rock School, Rathdrum

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

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

• The Port of Lewiston will receive a $4.5 million grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce Economic Development Association to complete of a 95-mile segment of fiber optic cable between Moscow and Grangeville. The grant, funded by the CARES Act, will be matched with $1.1 million in local funds and could create 120 permanent jobs. The Port of Lewiston has constructed 50 miles of dark fiber optic infrastructure around Lewiston since 2016. This fiber optic highway is equally accessible to all local service providers. The port plans to hire a broadband operations manager to oversee the strategic development of its broadband network. Source: Lewiston Tribune, Port of Lewiston
• Syringa Hospital and Clinics in Grangeville and St. Mary’s Health in Cottonwood are two out of five Idaho hospitals that received a five-star rating by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. The ranking was based on survey scores collected throughout 2022 for communication, hospital environment and hospital rating. Kootenai Health, St. Luke’s Nampa and St. Luke’s Regional Medical Center in Boise also received five stars. Source: Idaho County Free Press
• North central Idaho will receive funding for three of 12 statewide projects as part of the Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment program to install electric vehicle charging stations along Idaho’s highways and freeways. The Office of Energy and Mineral Resources and the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) will direct approximately $575,000 in federal funds toward installation of 16 total charging ports – four in Lewiston and six each in Kamiah and Grangeville. Source: Idaho DEQ

Latah County

• Northwest River Supplies of Moscow has acquired a 12,000-square-foot building from Clearwater Economic Development Association to expand its product development and apparel repair operations. The outdoor recreation business currently employs 100-200 people and is one of Latah County’s top 10 employers. The company is 100% employee owned and is accepting applications on its website at nrs.com. Source: Lewiston Tribune, Northwest River Supplies, Idaho Department of Labor

Lewis County

• The Nezperce School District expanded its early childhood education program to five days per week to help prepare preschool and kindergarten kids for elementary school. Blue Cross of Idaho Foundation for Health provided funding through a $45,000 grant. Source: Lewiston Tribune

Openings

• Tractor Supply Co. plans to open its first store in north central Idaho in the former Shopko building in Orofino. The company is currently accepting applications for various positions including store manager, sales associate and team members. Tractor Supply Co. currently operates more than 2,000 stores – the Orofino location will be its eighth in Idaho. Source: Tractor Supply Co.
• Bumper Crop Coffee Shop opened in downtown Lewiston. It is currently serving drinks and has plans to add food to the menu soon. Source: Bumper Crop Coffee
• Ohm Mental Health recently opened in Lewiston. It offers depression treatment, medication management and substance abuse treatment.

Closings

• Steve’s Body Shop of Kooskia closed in September after 40 years of service. The owner retired. Source: Kooskia Chamber of Commerce

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

Job Postings

Ada County

• Money Metals Exchange plans to build a new metal depository and fulfillment center. The old Eagle Hotel has been its home since 2010. The new 40,000-square-foot facility will cost about $21 million to build. The company currently employs approximately 100 workers. Source: Idaho Statesman
• Ada County Commissioners voted against taking the 3% allowable property tax increase. In Idaho, local governments can forego tax increases and apply the funds to a later budget year. Ada County may need to draw on the $4.4 million in the future. Ada County Highway District also chose to forego its tax increase. The city of Boise opted to use 2.45% of its 3% for city employee raises and focus on city growth, affordable housing and climate change. The city of Meridian took its entire 3% increase as it staffs two new police and fire stations and saves any funds that remain. The cities of Eagle, Kuna and Garden City took the full 3% property tax increase as populations swell. The city of Star did not take any of its 3% allowable tax, reporting that leadership emphasizes fiscal conservative approaches to local government. Source: Idaho Statesman
• The City of Boise purchased Sage Mobile Home Park, a nearly two-acre park with 26 lots. It is on the Boise Bench near an I-84 exit. The purchase was made to retain affordable housing options for Treasure Valley residents, whose income may not be able to keep pace with housing costs that have risen rapidly since the beginning of the pandemic. The city took over property management and is repairing the park’s electrical system, updating parking lots and amenities, and ensuring residents are not evicted from their homes. The city has plans to preserve 1,000 affordable housing units already built across Boise. Source: KTVB News

Canyon County

• The Vallivue School District lost its attempt to finance two new elementary schools and purchase ground to build a new high school when a $55 million bond measure failed to reach super majority vote on Aug. 30. Four of the district’s seven elementary schools are over capacity and an estimated 13,000 apartment units are near completion within the school district, potentially swelling the student enrollment. Vallivue serves the rural areas of Caldwell and Nampa. Both cities experienced high population growth between July 2020 and July 2021. Nampa grew 5%, or an additional 5,062 residents. Caldwell grew 5.2%, or another 3,147 residents. The district has purchased 23 portable units at $250,000-$300,000 each, adding 46 classrooms. Source: Idaho Press, KTVB News, and the U.S. Census Bureau
• Canyon County did not take its 3% increase in property taxes this year, banking the foregone taxes for a future date when a project is imminent or a downturn necessitates additional funds in the coffers. Caldwell took the full 3% allowed property tax increase, boosting its budget by almost 14% from last year. Nampa took 2.52% of the allowable 3% increase through property taxes. Both Canyon County cities experienced high growth, with Nampa annexing property and providing additional services. Caldwell is spending its increased budget on higher wages for city employees, adding positions to protective services such as the police and fire departments, and paying heightened fuel costs. Source: Idaho Statesman
• Canyon County commissioners approved an employee retention incentive for existing county workers of $2,000 for full-time workers and $1,000 for those working part time. In addition, the commissioners approved cutting their own wages by approximately 13% — a drop from around $103,000 to $90,000 annually. The savings is designed to fund the salary for a chief operating officer, which is a new position. The COO will take on some of the commissioners’ administrative and communication duties. Source: Idaho Press
• Scannell Properties purchased a 23-acre parcel in Caldwell to develop a retail pad and two industrial buildings, creating 200,000 square feet for lease. Source: Idaho Business Review

Elmore County

• The Shoshone-Bannock Tribes of Fort Hall purchased about 155 acres in 2020 for a gaming operation in Mountain Home. Plans include two theatres, a bowling alley, a horse racetrack, a grandstand and a gaming casino. The Shoshone-Paiute tribes, located closer to Mountain Home, are also considering building a casino. The membership of each tribe must approve any gaming investment and a vote has yet to be taken by either tribe. Idaho’s governor has final approval before an off-reservation casino can be built. Source: Idaho Statesman

Owyhee County

• Three Creek School passed a levy that will add $83.58 per $100,000 in property value to annual property tax bills on primary residences after the homeowner’s deduction has been applied. It is a two-year supplemental levy that provides $20,000 annually for maintenance and operations. Source: The Owyhee Avalanche
• Homedale’s Deward Bell Stadium renovation was ready for the fall term with a ribbon cutting held before the first football game for Homedale High School. Source: The Owyhee Avalanche
• The Homedale School District revamped the former St. Hubert’s Catholic rectory building into a new public preschool that was ready for its first class this fall. The school is named Trojan Tots Preschool. Source: The Owyhee Avalanche

Valley County

• The McCall-Donnelly School District approved $4 million for the design and construction of a multi-family housing complex for staff. It will be built on a nine-acre parcel located across the street from the high school and will offer below-market rents to attract and retain staff. The community’s tourism industry has created affordability challenges for those individuals filling essential community jobs. Pivot North Architecture will design the development. Source: McCall Star-News  
• The McCall-Donnelly School District approved $1.9 million to purchase a 10,000-square-foot building to house its administrative offices, a daycare and a new preschool. The plans include a 58-person meeting room, five offices and a conference room. Building a new facility was estimated to cost $700 per square foot versus remodeling this building at $190 per square foot. Source:  McCall Star-News
• McCall’s Local Option Tax is on course to collect approximately $1.1 million for fiscal year 2022, after collecting 3% on stays in hotels and vacation rentals. The city originally budgeted $766,000, so the extra money will be available to nonprofits in the form of grants. McCall city departments will receive the largest share of funds generated by these tourism taxes. Source: McCall Star-News

Ground Breakings

• Terry Reilly Health Services broke ground on its Homedale replacement clinic. To ensure uninterrupted services, the existing clinic will operate throughout the construction process. Once the new clinic is up and running, the existing clinic will be razed and paved as surface parking for staff and patients. Source: The Owyhee Avalanche 
• St. Luke’s broke ground on a new community clinic in Nampa. The approximately 41,000-square-foot clinic will include primary care services such as pediatrics, family and internal medicine, urgent care and same day visits, in-house pharmacy, labs and x-ray. The facility should be ready for occupancy in late fall or early winter 2023, employing 120 including 20 physicians. The architect is Pivot North Architecture of Boise, and the general contractor is Okland Construction. Source: Idaho Business Review
• Red Aspen broke ground on its new headquarters in Meridian. Following rapid growth since it was started five years ago, the cosmetics company is building a 30,000-square-foot warehouse and new corporate offices. The building is scheduled for completion by September 2023 and will triple the company’s square footage. Red Aspen has 15,000 brand ambassadors who work as sole proprietors marketing and selling its products. The company worked with Larsen Architects, Jordan-Wilcomb Construction and We Three Design Studio. Source: Idaho Business Review
• Micron broke ground on its $15 billion new fabrication facility following the passage of the federal CHIPS and Science Act. This plant is co-located with the research and development center at Micron’s headquarters. Officials project the clean room where wafers are turned into integrated circuits will be in operation by 2025. An estimated 2,000 jobs will be created, with technicians projected to earn between $55,000 to $80,000 annual base salary. Engineers will earn $90,000 to $150,000 annual base salary. Source: Idaho Statesman

Openings

• Thai Basil sold its two-year restaurant to Thai Bistro in southeastern Boise. Source: Idaho Statesman
• Northpoint Recovery moved into its new Meridian facility, more than doubling the number of beds offered for its residential addiction recovery services. The company oversees the residential facility, an adult outpatient program and three adolescent outpatient programs. Source:  Idaho Press
• The James Whiskey & Cocktails of Boise rebranded to a full-service restaurant with craft cocktails and a rooftop patio. Source: Idaho Statesman
• Apricot Lane Boutique, a women’s clothing retail chain, opened in Meridian. Source: Idaho Statesman
• Biggby Coffee, a chain coffee shop, opened in Meridian. 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

Regional

August job postings gathered by Burning Glass from online sources indicates postings are down from July in south central Idaho.

• August 2022 – 2,303 (down 9.5% from July 2022; down 11.8%  from August 2021)
• July 2022 – 2,545
• August 2021 – 2,611

Blaine County

• A partnership between the cities of Ketchum, Sun Valley and Hailey called “Lease to Locals” has created a $400,000 incentive fund for property owners who make a home, condo or townhouse available for seasonal or long-term leasing to workers in Blaine County. Each qualified tenant would earn the landlord $2,000 for a lease of at least five months or $4,500 per tenant for a lease of at least one year. The program caps out at $18,000 per owner. There are qualifications for both entities such as:
  • • Rent cannot exceed $3,500 monthly.
    • The tenant must be working at least 20 hours weekly.
    • The tenant’s income cannot exceed $77,552 annually.
    • The household must be comprised of 50% qualified tenants (workers).
• The 2020 Census reported 46% of Blaine County residences are leased short term or are second homes. The ability to find affordable housing for essential community workers such as teachers, nurses, firefighters and policemen has become increasingly difficult. Source: Idaho Mountain Express
• Blaine County School District reported voters approved a five-year, $25 million plant facilities levy, which passed with 70% support. Source: Idaho Education News, http://www.IDEDNEWS.org.
• Ketchum City Council approved purchasing a new fire engine which is expected to arrive in 2025, giving the department time to expand its facility to allow for two fire engines. The existing full-size engine is reaching the end of its functional life at 20 years old. The cost of the new engine is $700,000 and will be paid off over a five-year period. Source: Idaho Mountain Express
• Blaine County School District trustees and the Blaine County commissioners are discussing funding a school resource officer to patrol Carey’s school and events. The Hailey schools have a contract in place with the Hailey Police Department, but Carey does not fund a city police department. Source: Idaho Mountain Express
• Ketchum lost 26 condos to a fire that spread through a complex. Most of the units were housed as rental contracts — both short- and long-term. The community is attempting to develop more affordable housing throughout the Wood River Valley, and this loss only adds to the shortage. The Idaho Falls Red Cross is gathering essential items while community members have been opening their homes to the displaced. Source: Idaho Mountain Express
• The Ross Fork Fire, which started around Aug. 12, was 64% contained as of Sept. 27, after burning nearly 38,000 acres in the Sawtooth National Forest. The cooler temperatures and rain helped keep the fire within the established lines. Highway 75 was reopened to traffic, even with some burning next to the road. Source: Idaho Mountain Express

Cassia County

• Owners of The Boathouse and Riverside RV Resort, located along the river in Burley, will soon open Portside Pizza and Pub. At a soft opening in early October, owners will serve free pizza to police and fire department personnel, along with school and hospital staffers. The Riverside RV Resort is expected to be designated a Kampgrounds of America RV park by summer 2023. Source: Times-News
• Inc. magazine listed Lease End, a Burley based company, as the fastest-growing company in Idaho and ranked it #171 in its list of 5,000 Fastest Growing Companies nationally. The company was founded in 2021 and offers consumers who lease an automobile to end the lease online instead of going to a dealership. The company reported $20 million in equity has been retained by satisfied customers. Company sales have grown 4,650% since inception. Source: Idaho Business Review

Jerome County

• Patrons of the Jerome School District approved a $12 million bond that will add capacity at the elementary school level. The bond passed with 69% approval. Source: Idaho Education News, www.IDEDNEWS.org

Twin Falls County

• Chobani announced a commitment to hire 200 refugees over the next three years at its two plants in Twin Falls and South Edmeston, New York. Dozens of other companies across the nation made the same commitment because of the global displacement of thousands of individuals. Source: CBS2 News
• The Buhl School District took a $6.3 million plant facilities bond levy to its patrons. The bond failed, receiving only 36% support. Source: Idaho Education News, www.IDEDNEWS.org

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

• Both employment and unemployment increased in Idaho’s seven-county southeastern region from July to August, according to labor force estimates released from the Idaho Department of Labor’s Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS) program. Seasonally adjusted, the August preliminary estimates show labor force participants increased by 1,312, with 299 more unemployed people and 1,013 more employed people. The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate rose to 3.0% from 2.7 % in July but was down four-tenths of a percentage point year over year.

• August 2022 job postings in the region rose to an estimated 861, up from 752 the previous month and down from 1,158 the prior year, according to data from the Conference Board. The top 10 most common occupations by job posting included transportation and material moving as well as health care- and sales-related occupations.

• Health care and social assistance remained at the top of industries by largest share of job postings. Services continue to be the overall driver of job postings with health care and social assistance; educational services; finance and insurance; and professional, scientific and technical services among others representing most open positions in the region. Manufacturing was ranked  third.

• Lightcast’s data from the Conference Board indicates the hardest-to-fill jobs remain concentrated in education, training and library occupations as well as community and social services, and protective services. In August, automotive glass installers and repairers jumped to the top of the list.

• Despite late summer rainstorms, most 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, western Bear Lake County and most of Franklin County experiencing an extreme drought. Source: U.S. Drought Monitor
• Reservoir levels remain well below average despite recent rainfall and are expected to drop more in September. The Idaho Falls Reservoir is predicted to drop below 10% capacity. Without an above-average snowpack this winter, reservoir levels are not expected to return to normal. Source: KIFI Local News 8
• The ongoing drought coupled with a dry, hot August contributed to a series of wildfires across the southeastern region. Grass and sagebrush fires were reported in and around Pocatello, Chubbuck, Fort Hall, McCammon, Inkom, Morgan’s Bridge and Malad. Source: Idaho State Journal, KIFI Local News 8
• Idaho State University (ISU) announced several new degree and certificate programs beginning this fall semester, including a Bachelor of Science in respiratory therapy and an undergraduate certificate in forensic sciences. Source: KIFI Local News 8
• ISU’s TRIO McNair Scholars Program was awarded a five-year, $1.3 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education. The grant supports the McNair Scholars Program in its work to prepare first-generation and low-income undergraduates, as well as students traditionally underrepresented in graduate education, for doctoral study through involvement in research. Source: KIFI Local News 8
• The ISU College of Education awarded $500K in scholarships to 621 students enrolled in teaching and educational studies, human performance and sport studies, school psychology and educational leadership, and organizational learning and performance. Awards ranged from $500 per semester up to a four-year, full-tuition scholarship. Source: KIFI Local News 8
• The National Science Foundation awarded a $1.5 million grant to ISU for transfer student scholarships and other support for students seeking to earn an undergraduate degree in biology, microbiology, biochemistry or chemistry. The grant will allow up to 45 high-achieving, low-income students with two-year scholarships transfer to ISU over the next four years. Source: KIFI Local News 8

Bannock County

• Officials with Connor Academy in Chubbuck broke ground on its new Alpine Academy Charter School, which will serve students in grades six through eight. The school is estimated to cost $12 million to construct and will be funded through a moral obligation bond from the Idaho Housing and Finance Association with help from Piper Sandler. The goal is to have the new school completed by July 2023. Source: Idaho State Journal
• The Pocatello-Chubbuck School District 25 Board of Trustees unanimously approved a series of levy reductions that amount to $2.4 million in local tax relief. Source: Idaho State Journal
• Bannock County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously on its proposed budget for fiscal year 2023. The budget included market adjustments for county employee wages, establishment of an enterprise fund for the East Idaho Pathology Center, updates to the courthouse security system, capital improvement projects for the detention center and fairgrounds in Downey, and the addition of one full-time position for the landfill. Additionally, levy tax rates are anticipated to fall pending certification by the State Tax Commission. Source: Idaho State Journal
• After a kitchen fire earlier in August, Abracadabra’s of Pocatello reopened to public. Source: Idaho State Journal
• The Idaho Workforce Development Council awarded the Idaho Department of Correction a $25K grant to support a vocational education program for individuals incarcerated at the Pocatello Women’s Correctional Center. Source: KIFI Local News 8
• The Bannock County Sheriff’s Office continues to experience a severe staffing shortage of detention duties, with at least 10 positions remaining vacant and current employees working overtime to keep the jail adequately staffed. Sheriff Tony Manu noted difficulties with keeping pay competitive with comparable agencies as well as a recent hiring push for security officers at the Idaho National Laboratory. Source: Idaho State Journal
• The owners of Family Fun Party & Balloons of Pocatello held a grand opening for their new business, Toy Store, at the same location. Source: Idaho State Journal
• Eagle Swing, a 24-hour private golf simulator facility, opened in Pocatello. Members can virtually play 18 holes on 160 courses from around the world as well as participate in monthly tournaments. Minigames for families are also available. Source: Idaho State Journal
• The fourth annual Inkom Village MountainFest Harvest and Music Festival returned to Pebble Creek Ski Area, featuring food, activities, a local vendor market, and live music. Proceeds will go to Inkom Village Revitalization, a local nonprofit working to improve and enhance the quality of life in the Inkom area. Source: Idaho State Journal

Franklin County

• Weston City Council is considering more than doubling the water hookup fee from $7,500 to $20,000. The city faces growing uncertainty about its local water supply, including that available from the city spring. 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 News

• Both unemployment and employment increased in Idaho’s nine-county eastern region from July to August, according to labor estimates from the Idaho Department of Labor’s Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS) program. Seasonally adjusted, August’s preliminary estimates show labor force participants increased by 1,317 from July, with the number of unemployed increasing by 144 and employed decreasing by 1,173. The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased to 2.5% from 2.4% in July. It was down four-tenths of a percent from August 2021.

• There were an estimated 1,376 job postings in eastern Idaho in August 2022 according to data from the Conference Board, up from 1,190 the prior month and down from 1,916 one year prior. The top 10 most common jobs by posting include transportation and material moving, health care- and sales-related occupations, and personal services.

• The health care and social assistance sector was back at the top of the list of industries with active job postings last month, with other services including public administration; retail trade; professional, scientific and technical services; and others largely making up the job openings in eastern Idaho.
• Lightcast’s data from the Conference Board indicates the hardest-to-fill jobs in eastern Idaho vary across occupational families from arts, design, entertainment sports, and media to computer and mathematical, and specialized health care practitioners.

• Despite recent rainstorms, 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 both experiencing extreme drought. Source: U.S. Drought Monitor
• Reservoir levels remain well below average despite recent rainfall and are expected to drop more in September. The Palisades and Jackson Lake reservoirs were at 36% and 34% capacity in August and were expected to drop further. Without an above-average snowpack this winter, reservoir levels are not expected to return to normal. Source: KIFI Local News 8
• Thunderstorms and high winds throughout August continued to make containment of the Moose Fire near Salmon difficult, though late summer rainfall and cooler temperatures provided some reprieve for fire crews. Having burned more than 130,000 acres since mid-July and forced the evacuation of dozens of Idahoans, it was the eighth–largest fire in the lower 48 states and remained only 51% contained as of late September. Source: KIFI Local News 8, Post Register
• Amidst an ongoing drought during the dry and hot summer season, several other fires broke out across the eastern Idaho region including many in the Salmon Challis National Forest. Source: KIFI Local News 8
• Officials with Yellowstone National Park and Native American tribes teamed up to offer a series of tribal activities and events that celebrate the park’s 150^th anniversary and the upcoming anniversary of the creation of the National Park Service. Among those participating in the events were members of the Bitterroot Salish and Salish Tribes, Rocky Mountain Tribal Leaders Council, Pretty Shield Foundation, Northern Arapaho and North Paiute, and Shoshone-Bannock. Source: Idaho Capital Sun
• Airline carrier aha! filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy and ceased all operations less than a month after beginning flight services between the Idaho Falls Regional Airport and Reno, Nevada. The company cited a combination of market and economic conditions including stifled growth, rising costs and lower revenue due to the pandemic. Source: KIFI Local News 8, Idaho Business Review
• Idaho Falls Regional Airport is on pace to see another record-setting year of passengers passing through its terminals. The first quarter of 2022 saw a year-over-year increase of about 30%, and summer passenger numbers were up about 25% compared to the same time last year. Officials cite the addition of more flights, spurred in part by the temporary closure of Jackson Hole Airport in neighboring Wyoming for runway repairs. Source: Post Register
• According to estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau, Teton County has one of the fastest rates of housing inventory growth in the country. Housing units in the county increased from an estimated 5,853 units to 6,099 units between July 1, 2020, and July 1, 2021 (+4.2 percent), making it 17th in the nation overall. Neighboring Madison County came in at 12th nationally with an estimated annual growth rate of 4.5%. Source: Teton Valley News

Bonneville County

• The Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office and Idaho Falls Police Department have managed to keep fewer unfilled positions than the national average. However, anticipated retirements in the near- to medium-term, together with a smaller pool of qualified candidates and rising opportunity costs of employment, will likely mean considerable pressure on local law enforcement agencies to maintain staffing levels. Source: Post Register
• Idaho Falls School District 91 is requesting a record $250 million bond on the Nov. 8 ballot to go towards constructing two new elementary schools and upgrades to existing ones. This comes after failed attempts in 2017 and 2018 to upgrade the district’s aging schools. Source: Idaho Education News
• Due to construction supply chain issues, the completion of the new Idaho Falls police station on Northgate Mile has been pushed back to the end of 2023. Source: Post Register
• Idaho Falls School District 91 broke ground on its new Tiger Athletic Complex. The four-phase private-public project is a partnership between the district and a booster club comprised of parents, alumni and community members. It will house the high school’s athletic programs. Source: Post Register

Madison County

• Voters in Madison County approved the renewal of a $2 million supplemental levy for Madison School District 321. The proceeds will continue to support classroom technology and fund district programs, including the Madison Cares mental health program. Source: KIFI Local News 8

Teton County

• City of Driggs staff and a project development crew hosted a neighborhood meeting to introduce residents to a proposed large apartment complex on Ross Avenue in Driggs, the Flats at Teton Parks. The phased development will have 184 units on 11.25 acres. Fifty-two units will be deed restricted in some way as either low-income housing, workforce housing or short-term rental-prohibited housing. 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.