Around Idaho: Economic Activity, January 2023

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

Region

• The Idaho Department of Lands purchased 18,050 acres of timberland spread around the five northern Idaho counties. The land, acquired for $50.4 million, will support state endowment beneficiaries, especially Idaho’s public schools, and boost long-term timber sales. Source: Coeur d’Alene Press

Kootenai County

• Great Homes of Idaho is now operating in Post Falls. A builder of manufactured and modular homes, Great Homes started in Missoula and has now expanded to northern Idaho. This new supply of affordable housing is greatly desirable, with Kootenai County experiencing serious shortages of workforce housing. Source: Coeur d’Alene Press
• The Coeur d’Alene Airport is evaluating adding a commercial terminal. The current proposal would permit Avports, an airport operations management firm based in Virginia, to construct a new terminal, which would service commercial flights connecting northern Idaho to regional locations like Boise and Seattle. A measure is currently before the Kootenai County Board of Commissioners which would approve a 25-year lease for the project. Source: Coeur d’Alene Press
• The Hayden City Council denied a zoning amendment which would have allowed for a new subdivision to be built on the arterial Ramsey and Hayden intersection. Council members cited serious traffic concerns. The city’s capital improvement plan has already identified the intersection as a priority for improvement. Source: Coeur d’Alene Press

Openings

• Bruchi’s, Post Falls
• Club Pilates, Hayden
• Parallel 47, Coeur d’Alene
• Pizza Hut, Hayden
• The Wellness Bar, Coeur d’Alene

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

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

Nez Perce

• St. Joseph Regional Medical Center is adding an acute rehabilitation unit to serve as the area’s sole inpatient rehabilitation center assisting adults with reduced function or disability from stroke, brain/spinal cord injury, neurologic conditions, amputation and trauma. Construction will begin in January 2023 for the new 10-bed unit and is targeted to be completed in June 2023. Source: Lewiston Tribune
• A department-wide recall of 9 mm ammunition manufactured in the Lewis-Clark Valley was issued by the New York Police Department in early January.  The self-initiated recall occurred after a small number of bullets manufactured by Speer were not correctly discharging during training sessions. Speer is one of the largest employers in Nez Perce County with over 1,000 employees. Source: KOZE Radio
• Lewiston’s mayor declared a local disaster emergency on Jan. 18 when a breached water reservoir serving downtown Lewiston flooded homes and businesses with 3 million gallons of water. The event compromised safe drinking water for over 24,000 city residents. The city is currently working to isolate the reservoir but must continue to maintain water pressure and divert system water elsewhere. Lewiston’s public works director expects the city will feel the effects of the failed reservoir for many years. Source: Daily Fly, City of Lewiston, Lewiston Tribune

Idaho County

• The Idaho Emergency Medical Services Bureau awarded grants of $192,000 each to City of Riggins/Salmon River Ambulance District and Elk City Ambulance to purchase a new 2023 Ford F-350 Demers ambulance. Source: Idaho County Free Press
• The new Riggins city boat ramp will be blocked to all traffic for three months as Cook and Sons works to install a new ramp during January and February, with final cleanup in March. A new grant application is being submitted to cover cost overruns to complete the access road and stairway. Source: Idaho County Free Press
• Main projects for the Idaho County Commissioners in 2022 included plans for a new jail, hiring a second public defender to keep up with workload and a revision to the airport layout plan that will guide airport development for the next 10 years. The focus on 2023 will be geared towards adding community drop-off waste sites in Riggins, Grangeville and Cottonwood and seeking increased road and bridge department funding for nearly 500 miles of county roads that are not part of a road district. Source: Idaho County Free Press

Openings

• Western Meats butcher shop in Grangeville changed ownership in December 2022. Source: Idaho County Free Press, Western Meats
• Flying Squirrel indoor adventure park and arcade plans to open in Moscow in January 2023 and is located in the former Defy trampoline park location. Flying Squirrel Sports is headquartered in Coeur d’Alene and currently operates indoor trampoline parks in the U.S., Canada, Colombia and Peru. Source: Flying Squirrel Sports
• The Plumbery opened in downtown Lewiston providing finish plumbing products. Source: Moscow-Pullman Daily News
• Clearwater Cleaning Services is now providing janitorial services, window washing and carpet/floor cleaning to Lewiston and Clarkston. Source: Clearwater Cleaning
• Yahweh Supplies is a new general and specialty grocery store located in Craigmont. Source: Idaho County Free Press
• Hardware Brewing in Kendrick is re-opening in February 2023 under new ownership.
• Humble Burger and Palouse Juice are both re-opening at new locations in Moscow after temporarily closing. Source: Lewiston Tribune
• G & E Spa Essentials is set to open inside Village Centre Cinemas in Lewiston. Source: G & E Spa Essentials

Other openings

• Winchester Massage Therapy in Winchester
• The Cutting Edge Hair Salon in Lewiston
• Savage Health fitness studio in Nezperce
• Hope Massage and Wellness in Kamiah
• Coffee Loft in Kamiah

Source: Idaho County Free Press

Closings

• Smoke damage from a neighboring business in August 2022 resulted in temporary closure of Café De Vapor and the Naughty or Nice boutique in Lewiston. Café de Vapor is operating from another location in Clarkston, while Naughty or Nice is not currently seeking a new location. Source: Moscow-Pullman Daily News
• Purdy’s Farm Table Cafe in Kooskia is closing due to owner retirement. Source: Purdy’s
• Fantastic Sams in Moscow is closing. Source: Fantastic Sams

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

• The city of Eagle acquired two parcels of ground totaling about 700 acres of land. Plans are to create a sports complex with soccer fields, baseball fields, walking trails and parking. There will be sufficient space to create a wildlife corridor, sensitive and endangered species protection, open space, and a possible shooting sports park. Source: Idaho News 6
• FARE hosted its first Field to Fork Festival at JUMP in downtown Boise. The event was part trade show and part ‘movable feast’ according to organizers, all free and open to the public. FARE advocates for independent restaurants, family farms, retailers, food and beverage producers. Source: Boise State Public Radio
• The median price for homes sold in December in Ada County dropped by $31,000 to $515,000 as reported by the Intermountain Multiple Listing Service. New homes came in higher with a median sales price of $549,945 while existing home sales averaged $490,000.
• The city of Boise approved the annexation of 13 acres for Modern Machinery, a heavy equipment repair company that will build a new facility in the southeast part of the city. Source: Idaho Statesman
• Albertsons’ disputed $4 billion dividend will move forward after Washington State’s Supreme Court declined to review the case. The concern follows the planned merger between Albertsons and Kroger, with the potential of store closures increasing if a large special dividend is paid to shareholders. The stock price has dropped, closing at $21.02, while the special dividend is $6.85 a share. The payout is scheduled for Jan. 20. Combined nationally, there are close to 800,000 employees in about 5,000 stores impacted by the potential merger. Source: Associated Press
• Terry Reilly has signed a deal for clinic space in Meridian. This is the first in the Meridian area and will provide medical, dental, behavioral health and a pharmacy. Source: Boise State Public Radio
• Two Boise City Council seats are open for mayoral appointment. City council president Elaine Clegg has stepped down to lead Valley Regional Transit as CEO beginning Feb. 13. The mayor will appoint a member at-large to replace Clegg and council member for District 3 to replace Lisa Sánchez, who inadvertently moved out of the district. The two replacements will serve the remainder of both terms, up for election November 2023. This follows a recent Idaho legislative bill that requires local government seats to be tied to districts where the elected official resides for equal representation. Source: Idaho Press
• Boise State University oversees studio\Blu, a collaborative innovation center that offers a hands-on working opportunity for its engineering students while providing a pipeline of talent for manufacturers and entrepreneurs. At graduation, each student has completed 3,000 hours creating 10 to 20 new products and created process development on real client projects. They have worked in fabrication with 3D printing, CNC machining, business plan development, market research and venture capital funding. On record, 50 companies have hired studio\Blu graduates. Source: Idaho Business Review
• The city of Star is working on infrastructure needs including widening of Idaho 44, its main road. The bid was awarded to Capital Paving, and the highway will be five lanes with turn lanes built in for safety and to keep traffic moving. The project cost is $3.8 million and expected to be completed by June 2023. The city is also considering hiring a designer to create a path system for walkability near the river. Source: Idaho Statesman
• Lime, one of the scooter concessions in the Boise area, announced a $12 million expansion over three years. The plan includes providing e-bikes and higher technology scooters that have a longer life, allowing batteries to be swapped out rather than physically taking scooters to charging stations. Scooters or e-bikes allow quick connectivity, with less carbon footprint, no parking and less capital investment for the end user. Source: Idaho Business Review
• 

  The park bench in Manitou Park made of ByBlocks. Photo courtesy of ByFusion.

  The Reynolds Consumer Products program that removes hard-to-recycle plastics from the Boise landfill is ongoing, and results can be found at Manitou Park in Boise. A park bench was created from the diverted plastics made into a construction-grade block. The block was created by ByFusion, a California company that describes its business as a waste-to-infrastructure company. Dow Inc. and the city of Boise all collaborated on this first project. There are other uses for the blocks including walls, fencing, bus stations, dumpster enclosures, storage facilities and residential products. Source: Idaho Business Review

Canyon County

• Fresca Mexican Foods announced it is implementing a School to Registered Apprenticeship Program, or STRAP, in collaboration with Middleton High School and Idaho Business for Education. Two juniors will be paid to work part-time during school and full-time during the summer as machine operators at its tortilla and chip production plant in Caldwell. After graduation and completion of the program, they will receive a nationally recognized credential that demonstrates their proficiency in production machine operation. Source: Idaho Business Review

Owyhee County

• Homedale reported 10 new single-family building permits pulled and started in 2022. Sixty single-family home sales closed in 2022, including the 10 new homes located near the fairgrounds. The Marsing rural area reported a surge of larger homes with 23 of the 28 single-family homes permitted in 2022 sized at larger than 2,000 square feet. Source: The Owyhee Avalanche
• Givens Hot Springs in Marsing closed for repair after part of its roof collapsed, injuring seven guests. The long-term plan is to rebuild the cover over the pool with steel, rather than wood that deteriorates from the intense humidity and steam given off by the extreme hot water. The short-term plan is to remove the remaining wood roof and reopen the historic hot springs without a cover. Source: Idaho News 6

Groundbreakings

• The Caldwell Chamber of Commerce hosted a groundbreaking for the new Sky Ranch Logistics Center in Caldwell. The two new buildings will include Caldwell’s largest building at 336,960 square feet, while the second building will be 59,520 square feet. Tenants have not yet been identified. The industrial park sits on 23 acres and is the first project in Idaho for Dallas-based developer Lincoln Property Company. McAlvain is the general contractor. Source: Idaho Business Review
• Black Market Gelato & Sorbet broke ground on a facility in Boise. The 90,000-square-foot building will produce gelato cakes. The company, which is headquartered in Hollywood, California, worked with the Boise Valley Economic Development Organization in advance of starting construction with a capital expenditure estimate of $4 million. The company has been producing gelato for 10 years with distribution by both private label and grocery stores and restaurants. Source: Boise Valley Economic Partnership 

Openings

• A new Ace Hardware is opening in Boise’s Hillcrest Shopping Center. Tenant improvements are ongoing. Source: IDOL staff and TOK Leasing
• A local franchiser, Stella’s Ice Cream, is opening its fifth retail location in Boise, replacing Baskin Robbins on State Street. Other locations include downtown Boise, Nampa, Caldwell and Eagle. Expansion plans across southern Idaho are in planning stages. Source: Idaho Statesman
• Natural Grocers held a grand opening at its newest location in McCall, filling the long-standing Pancake House vacancy. Source: Idaho Statesman
• Pieology opened in Kuna. It is a fast-casual pizzeria franchise which features pizzas created as you order in line. The franchise was founded in California 12 years ago. The franchiser expects to open four other restaurants across Idaho. Source: Idaho Statesman

Closures

• Mad Mac at the Edwards Cinema closed its doors, but the food truck will return with warmer temperatures. Source: Idaho Statesman
• Eddie’s Diner closed its second location temporarily due to staffing issues. Its original southwest Boise operations remains open. Source: Idaho Statesman
• Sears Hometown is closing its operations across the nation due to bankruptcy of its parent company, Transform Company. The Mountain Home store is a franchise that has been operating for 25 years and is in the process of liquidating its inventory. The local operators still own the building and have not announced their plans. Source: Mountain Home News
• Flat 16, a 5-acre event center and restaurant in Eagle, changed hands and is being renovated with a new concept that includes retail and a new menu. Owners anticipate opening in March. 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

• The Senior Connection is opening a new nonprofit vision and hearing center in Ketchum. The center offers daily luncheons and several programs and services for area seniors. The community came together with donations to start the center, with the goal of providing improvements to quality of life for low-income seniors. Source: Idaho Mountain Express

Gooding County

• North Canyon Medical Center has invested in a multi-million-dollar spinal surgery tool that can reduce a 3-hour surgery to 45 minutes. This technology will allow the doctors to perform more complex and precise operations as well. There are only 45 of these robots in operation in the country. Source: KMVT

Jerome County

• Hempatecture is opening its 33,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in Jerome. The facility will produce bio-based nonwoven products for multiple industries. Additionally, the manufacturer is joining with Idaho Power’s Green Power Program to source all the facility’s energy from wind and solar. The company produces a variety of goods from sustainable liners for cold freight used in meal delivery services to hemp-based insulation. Source: Idaho Business Review

Twin Falls County

• A new 11,000-square-foot building is planned for the Twin Falls fairground. The building will be used to house the flower, produce, art and photography events during the fair. Source: Magic Valley Times

New Openings

• The Hive Learning Center, a child care facility in Twin Falls
• Papa Johns, Twin Falls
• Blast Masters, Twin Falls
• King Philly Cheesesteak’s, Twin Falls
• The Sodamix, Twin Falls
• Big Deal Outlet, Burley

Closings

• Bed Bath and Beyond, Twin Falls

Seth.Harrington@labor.idaho.gov, regional economist
Idaho Department of Labor
(208) 735-2500 ext. 3062

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

Region

• Labor force estimates for December 2022 from the Idaho Department of Labor’s Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS) program show employment and unemployment decreases in the seven-county southeastern region. Seasonally adjusted, December’s preliminary estimates show labor force participants decreasing by 1,211 from November, with 399 fewer unemployed persons and 812 fewer employed persons. The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate fell to 2.3%, compared with 2.5% the same time last year.

• There were an estimated 527 job postings in southeastern Idaho in December 2022 according to data from the Conference Board, down from 864 the previous month and down from 1,144 one-year prior. The top 10 most common occupations by job posting included health care practitioners and support, transportation, sales-related, personal care and services, as well as computer and mathematical.

• 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; retail trade; finance and insurance; and public administration among others representing most open positions in the region. Manufacturing, though, came in at third and construction at fifth.

• Lightcast’s data from the Conference Board indicates the hardest-to-fill jobs remain concentrated in education, training and library occupations – particularly those in postsecondary educational settings – as well as protective services. Recreation workers notably jumped up in the list to fourth based on average number of days to fill an opening.

• Most of southeastern Idaho remains in some form of drought according to data from the U.S. Drought Monitor, though the wet fall helped to ease drought conditions, and above-average snowpack is helping to assuage water concerns for the year ahead. Drought conditions vary from moderate (D1) to severe (D2), with most of Oneida and Bear Lake counties and parts of Franklin and Caribou counties classified as being in an extreme drought. Source: U.S. Drought Monitor
• The Shoshone-Bannock Tribes have advised motorists of large populations of wintering wildlife along sections of I-15 and I-86 near American Falls, Blackfoot, Chubbuck and Pocatello. Large herds of elk and deer as well as moose have migrated onto the reservation, driven in part by the winter conditions. The tribes are asking that the public refrain from any travel through their winter grounds to avoid triggering a mass migration across a public roadway. Source: Shoshone-Bannock Tribes
• Idaho State University Athletics and Portneuf Medical Center (PMC) announced a new multi-year sports medicine partnership. PMC will provide ISU student-athletes specialized sports medicine care and streamlined access to comprehensive health care services. Source: Idaho State Journal
• The forthcoming East Idaho Forensic Pathology Center has hired former Ada County coroner Dotti Owens as a consultant. Funded jointly by state appropriations and American Rescue Plan Act funds awarded to Bannock County, the center will provide forensic pathology services for 17 counties in eastern Idaho as well as access for Idaho State University faculty and students. Source: Idaho State Journal
• Health West announced plans to acquire seven Bear Lake Community Health Center sites across southern Idaho, northern Utah and western Wyoming. After the completion of the acquisition, Health West will have over 350 staff members and 19 clinics throughout the region. Source: Idaho State Journal
• The Idaho Department of Environmental Quality awarded several planning grants to local drinking water and wastewater systems in the region including Caribou Acres Water Company Inc.; Fish Haven Area Recreational Sewer District; the city of Inkom; the city of Malad; and the city of Soda Springs. The grants will be used to develop engineering reports identifying the most cost-effective, environmentally sound method of upgrading a system to achieve and maintain compliance with state and federal standards. Source: Caribou County Sun
• The 55th annual Idaho Potato Conference and Eastern Idaho Ag Expo were held at Idaho State University, featuring more than 70 agricultural vendors and service providers showcasing their products. Source: KIFI Local News 8

Bannock County

• Estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2021 American Community Survey show the Pocatello metropolitan statistical area among the 20 fastest-growing areas in the country. Over the past five years, the metro area population has grown by an estimated 13,000 people, or 15.7%. Source: Idaho State Journal
• Miami-based micro-mobility company Bird Global Inc. is in discussions with the Pocatello City Council about bringing a fleet of 400 e-scooters to the Gate City this spring. The company is not asking for an investment or subsidy from the city, only permissions to use Pocatello’s public right-of-way systems. Source: Idaho State Journal
• Two local residents are raising funds through a quarterly book box subscription service and an online bookstore for a future brick-and-mortar independent bookstore in Pocatello, Hares & Hatters Bookshop. Source: Idaho State Journal
• Officials with Portneuf Health Trust, Pocatello’s Parks and Recreation Department and elected city officials are in discussions about a $1.25 million expansion/renovation of the Pocatello Community Recreation Center. The proposal includes an additional 3,240 square feet of indoor facility space which, upon completion, would allow a relocation of the existing fitness and cardio area, freeing up 1,000 square feet of existing space. Source: Idaho State Journal
• The 43rd Simplot Games returns to Idaho State University’s Holt Arena in Pocatello after a two-year hiatus due to COVID-19. The open meet attracts top high school athletes from across the country and is free for spectators. This year’s list of professional guests in attendance include several Olympic champions. Source: KIFI Local News 8

Bingham County

• Premier Technology in Blackfoot was selected by the U.S. Department of Energy for its Microreactor Applications Research Validation and Evaluation (MARVEL) metal fabricator. MARVEL will be assembled at the Idaho National Laboratory’s Reactor Test Facility and, upon completion, will be the first contemporary microreactor in the nation generating 100-kilowatts of thermal power. Source: Idaho State Journal
• Spudnik hosted a company open house to showcase its innovations in potato farming equipment. Showcased at the event were designs for a future self-propelling harvester. These innovations are being made in response to a shrinking agriculture workforce, specialized demands from varied growing conditions across the country and a changing climate. Source: KIFI Local News 8

Franklin County

• Through the generosity of local residents and a grant from Rocky Mountain Power, West Side School District has raised $2.3 million of its $2.5 million fundraising goal to build a 33,000-square-foot multi-purpose addition to the Harold B. Lee Elementary School. The facility will provide two new gyms, 10 classrooms, a stage, a cafeteria and a location to hold community events. Source: Idaho State Journal

Power County

• The Idaho Department of Environmental Quality held an informational meeting and a formal public hearing regarding a J.R. Simplot project to reduce fluoride air emissions at the integrated ammonium phosphate fertilizer manufacturing plant near Pocatello. The proposed project would dismantle three cooling towers and replace them with 40 acres of cooling ponds. Source: Idaho State Journal

Openings

• Old Town. New Roots., a vintage video game and record store in Historic Downtown Pocatello. Source: Idaho State Journal
• Battlefield Pocatello, a Nerf gun arena in Chubbuck. Source: Idaho State Journal
• Idaho Wax Shack, a ski and snowboard tune-up business located in Inkom. Source: Idaho State Journal
• Family Fun Cutz, a family-owned salon in Pocatello offering games and arcades alongside hair cutting stations, in Pocatello. 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

• An estimated 956 jobs were posted in eastern Idaho in December 2022, decreasing from 1,177 (-18.8%) the prior month and 1,643 (-41.8%) from the prior year. By number of postings, managers were the top occupation in the eastern region. Demand for first-line supervisors of retail and aquacultural managers also emerged in the top half of occupations in December. High demand for registered nurses and software developers carried over from November. Demand for managers increased by 41% for December while software developers and retail sales supervisors both showed a 23% decrease. Retail salespersons showed the largest decrease in job postings (-53%), followed by customer service reps (-41%) and registered nurses (-31%), although regional demand for RNs is still high. Data source: Help Wanted Online

In-demand industries

• From November to December public administration and health care and social assistance swapped spots as the top in-demand industries in eastern Idaho according to job postings. Retail trade, professional and technical services, and manufacturing remained unchanged in the top five rankings of industry job postings in December, but each with substantially fewer postings than in November. Administrative, support, waste management and remediation services industries emerged as a top 10 in-demand industry in December, replacing transportation and warehousing. Industry job postings in construction experienced a modest increase in December. All other industry carry-overs from the previous month reported noteworthy decreases in job postings with the following reporting the sharpest demand declines: accommodation and food services (-61%), finance and insurance (-55%), healthcare and social assistance (-44%), and retail trade (-35%).

Hardest-to-fill occupations

• Data from Labor Insight indicates the hardest-to-fill jobs for eastern Idaho – measured by length of time jobs have been listed and waiting to be filled – varied across occupational families. Notable jobs, which were both hardest to fill and had multiple job postings in December, included tire repairers and database administrators. Fine artists and farm labor contractors entered as the top hard-to-fill jobs. Job demand challenges in December were generally in health care, arts/entertainment media, installation/maintenance/repair, as well as business and financial operations industry vacancies. Hard-to-fill jobs moving into the top 10 from November to December included fine artists, farm labor contractors, pilots/flight engineers, microbiologists and dentists. Spa manager, manufacturing engineer, producer and reporter/correspondent job postings dropped off the latest hard-to-fill jobs list.

• As one of 17 national labs in the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) complex, Idaho National Laboratory is home to more than 5,700 researchers and support staff focused on innovations in nuclear research, integrated energy systems and security solutions that are enabling net-zero carbon emissions. The 2022 year in review highlights for INL included the following headlines:
  • The world’s largest, most powerful and flexible materials test reactor overhauled
  • Supercharging microreactor deployment
  • First small modular reactor design receives approval
  • World’s first fast-spectrum salt reactor to be designed, constructed and operated at INL
  • Researchers take home three R&D 100 awards
  • Working toward the future of advanced nuclear reactors
  • Exploring solutions to integrating nuclear, renewables on the grid
  • INL completes construction of hydrogen hub prototype
  • Idaho launches nation’s first 5G wireless test bed
  • Lab works with major utilities to protect against cyberattacks
  • Building a strategy for cyber-resilient energy systems
  • Advanced manufacturing technology unveiled
  • INL supports Idaho small businesses
  • Building relationships in our community and region
    Source: http://www.inl.gov/news

• Idaho National Laboratory has earned a first-time 2022 HIRE Vets Medallion Gold Award from the U.S. Department of Labor Veterans Employment & Training Service for its efforts to hire, retain and provide professional development opportunities for veterans. To be eligible for the award, INL had to achieve at least 7% veteran hiring and 75% veteran retention, in addition to meeting standards for employee resource groups, professional development opportunities and organizational commitment to veterans programs. Source: INL Communications news release
• Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center recently established a psychiatry residency program to address a statewide shortage of mental health professionals. Idaho is in the bottom five states per capita in every category of physician. It is 50th in mental health professionals, with the fewest psychiatrists per capita of any state. EIRMC’s psychiatry residency program trains physicians who have graduated from an accredited medical school, earned their degree as a medical doctor or a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine, and now want to specialize in psychiatry. According to the Association of American Medical Colleges, more than half of the doctors who completed residency training in the last 15 years still practice in the state where they trained. Source: Post Register

Bonneville County

• A youth crisis center is set to open in Bonneville County in May. Badger Inc., an affiliate of Rehabilitative Health Services, was one of four organizations to receive a grant from the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare and the Idaho Department of Juvenile Corrections to open the crisis center. The new center will provide emergency care for children under 18 who are struggling with mental health or addiction and will provide a bed for up to 24 hours. Patients can receive medical screenings or assessments and get access to other community services. The center plans to hire between 35 and 40 people for the new facility, including nurses and a clinical director. Source: Post Register
• The Idaho Falls City Council has approved the final plat for a new multifamily development. The Parkway Apartments at Snake River Landing will be built on a 23-acre parcel. The property is zoned limited commercial, which allows for both commercial and residential development. The applicant for the development is Alliance Consulting Engineers. Source: Post Register
• Four new businesses are moving into the Garnet Gateway strip in Idaho Falls: Clean Juice, Leavitt Women’s Healthcare Express, Bona Vie Medical Spa and TCHE Brazilian Grill. Source: East Idaho News
• Bonneville County’s median home listing price slightly dipped in December to $435,000 (-3.3%) from November and -7.9% from last year. The county also reported an 8.6% increase in month-over-month active home listings. Median days on the market increased to 65 days, a 12.3% increase. New listings are down 8.2%. There were 38.9% of homes in inventory which reduced their listing prices in December. Source: Realtor.com
• Utah-based developer Flagship Homes has made a second attempt to seek approval for a 3,000-home development in the Ammon foothills. The Ammon Planning and Zoning Commission held a public hearing on the resubmitted proposal and voted again to recommend the city council deny the request. If approved, the proposed 650-acre development, called Ammon Fields, would be completed over the span of 20 years. Source: Post Register
• A clinic specializing in non-surgical pain relief and regenerative medicine is now serving clients in Idaho Falls. QC Kinetix opened in December. The North Carolina-based franchise, which has 150 clinics nationwide, caters to those who suffer from chronic pain due to injury, arthritis and other musculoskeletal conditions. Source: East Idaho News
• GP Tools LLC in Idaho Falls was recently awarded a portion of the Idaho State Trade Expansion Program Grant. These funds help support the growth of Idaho small business exporters. Source: Idaho Department of Commerce
• The Greater Idaho Falls Transit (GIFT) service, which began offering rides in August 2022, has doubled the number of rides as its predecessor service in only half the time. After only six months of service, GIFT drivers have given more than 44,000 rides. Source: Post Register

Butte County

• Butte County is the only Idaho county to report an average weekly wage that exceeded the national average for December. Data compiled each quarter by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics shows the average weekly salary paid to people who work in Butte County is $1,830. Many Idaho National Laboratory employees work at its various properties in Butte County, pushing wages up. The national average weekly wage for the first quarter of 2022, the most recent data available, is $1,374. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Clark County

• Clark County is seeking to fill the positions of sheriff, deputy, dispatch operator, planning and zoning administrator, economic development director and Clark County University of Idaho Extension office coordinator. The county has had difficulty recruiting personnel to compete with prevailing wages in law enforcement. The county was successful the past several months in obtaining raises for deputies and dispatch operators, based on experience, for this fiscal year. Source: Jefferson Star

Custer County

• Sales of single-family homes in Custer County in the third quarter of 2022 doubled the number sold in the previous two quarters. Days on the market was 21 days for the 3rd quarter and 87 days year-to-date 2022. Average home prices increased 59.7% from this time last year. Source: Intermountain Multiple Listings Service

Fremont County

• A recently completed 183-acre conservation easement will protect more than a mile of wilderness frontage along Bitch Creek, as announced by the Teton Regional Land Trust. The move protects working farms and ranches, fish and wildlife habitat and scenic open spaces in eastern Idaho. Source: Post Register

Jefferson County

• A large portion of land outside of the Rigby city limits is being considered for annexation. Over 50 acres have been annexed already after public hearings over the zone designations for the property which began in May and culminated in September. At the latest public hearing held by the Rigby City Council, Southgate Properties and Accelerated Capital proposed 26.5 acres of commercial zoning, 10.7 acres of R-2 multi-family zoning and 19.75 acres of R-3 high density zoning. This plan was approved by the council for a commercial and multi-family project development. Source: Jefferson Star
• The Jefferson Soil and Water Conservation District is working on a multitude of conservation projects related to irrigation efficiency and water conservation. Farmers who draw surface water from the Snake River are installing several new headgates and canal check structures to improve water efficiency. The headgate projects dovetail with conservation efforts by the Idaho Department of Fish and Game and the U.S. Natural Resources Conservation Service to encourage farmers to retain flood irrigation systems to benefit migrating wildlife, aquifer-recharge and crop yields. Other conservation projects including the purchase and rental of a no-till drill to youth education programs. Source: Post Register
• The Jefferson County Board of Commissioners moved on Dec. 12 to repeal the moratorium placed on the Ririe Area of Impact, allowing developers to move forward with their projects in the Ririe area while the city works toward completing their area of impact (AOI) agreement with the county. The moratorium placed on the Menan AOI remains in place. Source: The Jefferson Star
• The Board of Trustees for West Jefferson School District #253 voted to renew a supplemental levy for $360,000 to augment the district’s general operations fund. The levy has allowed the district to offer teachers a competitive salary and benefits package. Source: The Jefferson Star

Lemhi County

• Revival Gold completed drilling for the Beartrack-Arnett gold project in Lemhi County. A total of 22 core holes were completed in 2022 confirming potentially underground mineable grade and mineralization in the Joss target area. This winter Revival personnel will review and interpret the drilling results. The mine’s geological and mineral resource models will be updated in preparation for the 2023 first phase feasibility study. Beartrack-Arnett is the largest past-producing gold mine in Idaho. Source: Challis Messenger
• As of third quarter 2022, Lemhi County more than doubled the number of single-family homes sold for the year up through the first two quarters. Days on the market was 75 days for the third quarter and 64 days year-to-date 2022. Through the third quarter 2021, average days on the market was 38 days. Average home prices increased 59.7% from this time last year. Source: Intermountain Multiple Listings Service
• Salmon’s Pioneer Elementary School, which was built about 70 years ago, reports repairs and upgrades needed for a cracked foundation, collapsing sewer lines and outdoor food storage. Renovating the school could cost an estimated $2 million, requiring a bond measure. The community has not passed a bond since 2006. Source: Idaho Education News

Madison County

• One of Rexburg’s major music schools, Love Family Piano Studio, was purchased in December by Master Keys Music Academy from Utah. The studio currently has 107 students and 10-12 teachers who provide music lessons in piano, violin, voice, guitar and ukulele. Source: Rexburg Standard Journal

Teton County

• A recently released survey by University of Idaho Extension in Teton County found demand for locally sourced food in eastern Idaho communities rose significantly amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Teton County farmers’ market sales data suggests post-pandemic interest in local foods is stronger than ever. Sales at the Teton Valley Farmers Markets increased slightly in 2020 from the prior year, even though the market lost 30% of its vendors because of COVID-19. A project of UI Extension’s Northern District Community Food Systems Program – https://www.idahofoodworks.org/ – showcases small and artisan farms, culinary traditions and local food ways. It includes local food directories from throughout the state. Source: University of Idaho Extension
• Teton County Joint Housing Authority named the Snavely Group, based in Cleveland, Ohio, as developer of the city of Victor’s Sherman Park affordable housing project. The city of Victor is donating this land. Snavely is applying for a $650,000 Idaho Workforce Housing Fund Grant. The project is intended provide housing for tourism industry workers, teachers and public employees. Source: Teton Valley News
• City of Driggs residents obtained the necessary signatures to bring forth two ballot initiatives in November 2023. One would require the city to shorten the Driggs Airport’s runway to 4,500 feet. The second initiative is installation of a gross aircraft weight rating limit of 25,000 pounds. Source: Teton Valley News

Openings

• Moose Ridge Coffee Co. opened inside Snake River Landing. Source: East Idaho News 
• Diggs Playhouse opened in Idaho Falls in December. It offers boarding, grooming and training services for dogs. The owners also run a nonprofit that rescues dogs from being euthanized at the animal shelter. They are then trained to be given to veterans to use as service dogs. Source: East Idaho News
• Good 2 Go convenience store is opening its fifth Idaho Falls location. In addition to being the largest Good 2 Go store in Idaho, it will also include a Rusty Taco Restaurant and a new drive-thru soda, coffee and treat franchise called Sips Crafts Drinks. Source: East Idaho News
• The Greater Idaho Falls Chamber of Commerce held ribbon cutting ceremonies in January for new establishments: Ron Sayer Dealership, Comparian Insurance and Clean Juice. Source: Greater Idaho Falls Chamber of Commerce

Ryan.Whitesides@labor.idaho.gov, regional economist
Idaho Department of Labor
(208) 557-2500 ext. 3628

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.