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

• Labor demand in northern Idaho remains robust, with elevated levels of unfilled jobs. In August 2023, there were 2,104 job postings in northern Idaho, of which 1,680 were posted in Kootenai County, according to data from the Conference Board. The most in-demand occupation was registered nurses, followed by retail salespersons.

Top 10 occupations by job postings in northern Idaho, August 2023

Kootenai County

• North Idaho Eye Institute is opening a new facility in Post Falls which will allow them to expand their services. The new facility will triple the exam space from six examination lanes to 18. North Idaho Eye Institute currently employs 10 providers. Source: Coeur d’Alene Press)
• North Idaho College received a $1.2 million grant from the Idaho Division of Career and Technical Education, through the Leading Idaho 2.0 program. The grant will be used to purchase new equipment for training programs connected with Idaho’s in-demand occupations. NIC’s grants will cover seven programs, including automotive technology, dental hygiene, graphic and web design, nursing, law enforcement, network security, and radiography technology. Source: Coeur d’Alene Press

Shoshone County

• Hecla Mining Company is suspending operations at its Lucky Friday Mine through the end of 2023. The shutdown follows an August fire in one of the mine shafts, which needs modifications and an additional bypass shaft. Through July, the Lucky Friday Mine produced 3 million ounces of silver. No workers were in the mine during the August fire. Source: Journal of Business

Openings

• Sebastian’s Coffee and Pastries in Coeur d’Alene.
• Modern Roots in Coeur d’Alene.
• Shift Fitness in Post Falls.
• PJ’s Corner Grill in Coeur d’Alene.
• Summit Family Chiropractic in Post Falls.
• Lake City Juice Bar in Coeur d’Alene.

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

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

Region

• Summit Utility Contractors LLC of Lewiston was selected by Port of Clarkston to complete two fiber-to-the-home high-speed internet infrastructure projects in neighboring Asotin County, Washington, in 2023-2024. In June 2023, Summit completed the initial project that connected 285 households in northwest Clarkston Heights with up to speeds of 100 gigabytes per second and has started the second project connecting an additional 1,000 households in the Grantham Elementary School Service area by spring 2024. The third project, Census tract 9604 development, is in the final stages of design and has not yet been put out to bid. Source: Port of Clarkston

Nez Perce County

• The Lewiston-Nez Perce County Regional Airport authority board has approved up to $100,000 for a study to determine if the current airport terminal should be remodeled or replaced. The terminal was constructed in 1960 and the most recent major remodel was nearly 30 years ago in 1994. Source: Lewiston Tribune

Idaho County

• The city of White Bird was granted $60,000 from Idaho Department of Environmental Quality for emergency funding assistance for water hauling and bulk water costs after one of their wells went dry. Additional funds are being sought for a new well. Source: Idaho DEQ

Latah County

• University of Idaho is planning to lease vacant, university owned land to Home Depot for an initial 20-year period. Home Depot is looking to build a 136,000-square-foot store in north Moscow and will make annual lease payments to the university ranging from $90,000-$291,000. The city of Moscow requires all large retailers over 65,000 square feet to hold a community meeting, perform a 20-year traffic impact study and a public utility service impact analysis. An average Home Depot store within Idaho employs over 100 people. Source: Lewiston Tribune
• A business license has been submitted to the city of Moscow to convert the former Smokey Mountain Pizza space in the Palouse Mall into a Denny’s restaurant. Source: Moscow-Pullman Daily News
• Potlatch High School was awarded a $989,000 grant from the Idaho Career Ready Students Council to create a forestry and natural resource pathway program. Source: Lewiston Tribune
• The Port of Whitman County, Washington, is seeking a low interest loan from the Community Economic Revitalization Board (CERB) to support a new production facility in the Pullman Industrial Park that would be leased by Moscow-based brewery Hunga Dunga Brewing. Hunga Dunga estimates the new Pullman facility will employ 20 residents by the beginning of its second year in operations and will add employees to its Moscow location that does not have space to accommodate current increases in consumer demand. Source: Port of Whitman County

Lewis County

• The Nezperce Municipal Airport runway has been widened to 50 feet from 30 feet. The rural airport currently serves as a landing base for three agricultural crop spraying businesses and recreational aviators. Source: Idaho Transportation Department

Openings

• Denny’s is reportedly planning to open a restaurant in the Palouse Mall in Moscow by December 2023. Source: Magenta & Co, Lewiston Tribune
• Small Fry Daycare has partnered with the Salmon River School District to provide child care in Riggins to teachers and working parents. Source: Idaho County Free Press, Small Fry Daycare
• Spragmatic-Art store opened in downtown Lewiston offering 3D printing, comic books, game books and collectibles. Source: Daily Fly, Spragmatic-Art
• Genesee Fitness is under new ownership. Source: Genesee Fitness
• Phil’s Family Foods in Kendrick is under new ownership. Source: Phil’s Family Foods
• Pedal For the Soul bike shop and apparel opened in Lewiston. Source: Pedal For the Soul
• Ethos Fitness opened in Cottonwood.
• Highway 13 Roadside Grill and Pub has opened at the Harpster Store and RV Park.

Closings

• Wildside Steakhouse and Saloon in White Bird.

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

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

Regional housing data comparison – August 2023 and August 2022

Ada County

• Starting in January, three new ordinances will go into effect protecting Boise renters.

1. 1. Landlords cannot retaliate against renters if they need something fixed.
   2. Landlords must return security deposits if they are going to tear down the property.
   3. Landlords must also provide a summary of the city’s regulation outlining the landlords’ rights and responsibilities.

• Key Bank awarded a $100,000 grant to Life’s Kitchen, a nonprofit that prepares and trains at-risk youth to be successful in food service and other careers. The grant allows the program to expand to more youth in the future. Source: Idaho Business Review
•  A skating rink will be added around the Christmas tree at Boise’s downtown Grove this year, starting the day after Thanksgiving, through the end of January, according to the Downtown Boise Association. All skating fees and rentals will be free at “Glide on Grove” with space for 90 to 100 skaters on its 75-foot space. The group has garnered corporate sponsors for all but the last $150,000, which they believe is a doable amount. Source: KTVB News

 Canyon County

• Middleton School District is floating a two-year, $3 million bond averaging $38 per $100,000 of assessed value for a home or property. This will replace the current supplemental levy that expires in June 2024. The election is scheduled for Nov. 7 and supports a variety of programs including:
  • Curriculum adoption – $500,000
  • Certified teachers – $386,000
  • Classified staff – $354,000
  • Building maintenance – $100,000
  • School resource officer – $80,000
  • Pay-to-participate activities – $45,000
  • Transportation – $35,000

Source: Idaho Education News

• Caldwell’s City Council members voted to place a $17.3 million bond on the Nov. 7 ballot. The money would fund a new fire station and the reconstruction of another fire station. The cost to the taxpayer is $13.92 per $100,000 of taxable assessed value for 20 years. Fire department representatives said the department averages 20 calls per firefighter per day. Source: Idaho Press

Valley County

• Perpetua Resources was awarded $15.5 million from the Department of Defense to use the ore extracted from the Stibnite Gold Project near Yellow Pine, Idaho, to develop a modular pilot plant producing military spec antimony trisulfide. The U.S. does not have a domestic supplier of antimony trisulfide so far, yet this mine may have the capacity and quality should the pilot plant study materialize quality antimony trisulfide. Source: Perpetua Resources press release

Ground breakings

• The city of Boise and The Pacific Cos. have broken ground for the Wilson Station Apartments in Boise. The majority of the 102- new units will be designated for families earning 60% of the area median income or less. Completion is estimated in early 2025. The city of Boise collaborated with the Housing Land Trust to acquire a parcel of ground that is almost a full acre. The site will include a communal garden, pathways for school-bound children attending Taft Elementary and newly constructed sidewalks. Source: Idaho Business Review

• Idaho Power broke ground on the Pleasant Valley Solar Project in Boise. It will bring a capacity of 200 megawatts, with local venders participating in construction and the creation of 220 temporary construction jobs. The project should start before the end of the year and builders will partner with Kuna’s Meta data center that plans to use renewable energy. Source: Idaho Business Review

• Boise State University broke ground on its newest student residence hall, slated to open its doors to 450 first-year students in fall 2025. The six-story dorm will have views and access to the Boise River and its Greenbelt. The last new residence hall was built in 2017 while the oldest is Driscoll Hall – built in 1951. There are currently 12 residence halls at BSU, nine for freshmen and three for sophomores with upper classmen mainly living off campus. Source: Idaho News 6

Openings

• Greyloch, a cabinet manufacturer, recently moved into its newly constructed, $44 million cabinetmaking facility in Star, celebrating with a grand opening and ribbon cutting. The company originally started in Meridian three decades ago. Its current level of employment is approximately 50, with plans to ramp up to over 100 within three years. Source: Idaho Business Review
• The Alpine Bar opened in downtown Meridian replacing Pauly’s Bar Room. Source: Idaho Statesman
• A ribbon cutting was held at The Bridge which opened in Boise to provide assessment services to youth and families. The center is located across from Idaho Department of Juvenile Corrections and is funded with part of a $6.5 million appropriation by the Idaho Legislature to develop ‘safe teen assessment centers’ across the state. Source: Idaho Press
• One of the newly constructed parking garages at the Boise Airport (BOI) is open to the public. The East Parking Garage added 1,100 additional stalls, increasing capacity by 50%. Other parts of the BOI upgrade will open in subsequent years. Next up is the employee parking garage scheduled for spring completion. The consolidated rental car center will break ground this fall and a new concourse — Concourse A — begins construction in 2026. Source: Idaho Business Review
• Chicken Shanty’s opened a drive-through restaurant in Boise offering casual fast food. This is the first Idaho restaurant, expanding from Medford, Oregon, where it started with a food cart. Source: Idaho Statesman
• The Stag Bar is finishing up its remodel in the former Idaho Blueprint and Supply space in downtown Boise. Source: Idaho Statesman

Closures

• The last Sizzler Restaurant in the Treasure Valley in Meridian closed in September. The franchise holders cited labor costs and challenges, the price of goods and supply chain problems as reasons for the closure. Source: Idaho Statesman

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

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SOUTH CENTRAL IDAHO – Blaine, Camas, Cassia, Gooding, Jerome, Lincoln, Minidoka & Twin Falls counties

Cassia County

• Burley Public Library is receiving a $500,000 grant from the Idaho Commission for Libraries. The grant money will be used to expand the library by 1,900 square feet and a 600 square foot remodel. They will also create a new community meeting space, two private study rooms and a new teen center. The project will be finished by August 2026. Source: KMVT

Jerome County

• The Jerome Police Department has upgraded its police station from 3,000 square feet to a 12,000-square-foot facility. This upgrade is a 50-year solution to allow for future growth.

Source:  KMVT

Twin Falls County

• The Magic Valley Regional Airport added a second daily flight in September. The new service added a mid-day turn-around flight arriving in Twin Falls at 12:15 p.m. and returning to Salt Lake City at 1:15 p.m.

Source: Magic Valley Times

New Openings

• • Twin Falls Zoological Center in Twin Falls.
  • Smiles4Kids Dentistry in Jerome.
  • Real Deals in Twin Falls.

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

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

Region News

• Labor force estimates for August 2023 from the Idaho Department of Labor’s Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS) program shows employment increase and unemployment decrease in the seven-county Southeastern Region. Seasonally adjusted, August’s preliminary estimates show labor force participants decreasing by 164 persons that month, with 687 fewer unemployed persons and 523 additional employed persons. The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate fell to 3.2%, 0.3 percentage points higher than it was one year prior.

• In August 2023 there were 1,772 unique online job postings in the southeastern Idaho labor market area, down from 1,909 the prior month and down from 1,879 in August 2022. The median posting duration stood at 27 days, down from 32 days in July and down from 36 days in August 2022.

• The top occupational families by unique online job postings in southeastern Idaho were health care practitioners and technical; sales and related; management; transportation and material moving; as well as office and administrative support. Among specific occupations, registered nurses remain at the top of the list and are up over 100% compared with the same time last year, whereas retail salespersons and customer service representatives were also up year-over-year.

• Health care and social assistance remained at the top of industries by unique online job postings in August 2023 with 348, up from 151 in August 2022. Professional, scientific and technical services; manufacturing; and retail trade came in next with 216, 206, and 176 postings that month, while construction had 96 job postings. A majority of all job postings remained in service-producing industries.

• Lightcast’s data from the Conference Board indicates that the hardest-to-fill jobs were in the protective service occupation family with a median posting duration of 47 days, followed by architecture and engineering (36 days); management (33 days); installation, maintenance and repair (33 days); and computer and mathematical (31 days). The single occupation with the longest median posting duration were civil engineers at 53 days, followed closely by electrical engineers at 52 days.
• The snow-filled winter and wet spring helped pull southeastern Idaho out of a multi-year drought, and the three-month outlook looks to remain drought-free. The recent cooler, wetter weather has additionally helped with the water outlook. Source: U.S. Drought Monitor
• The Shoshone-Bannock Tribes have voiced support for the U.S. Bureau of Land Management’s recent decision to close the American Falls Archaeological District and a portion of the Lake Channel area to better preserve the historical and cultural site. This decision comes after decades of work by the tribes with the BLM and U.S. Bureau of Reclamation to protect the site. Source: Shoshone-Bannock Tribes
• Idaho State University faculty, staff and alumni as well as local stakeholders celebrated the opening of the Idaho Central Credit Union Bengal Alumni Center. The two-year, $11.5 million center offers meeting spaces including an event hall, an atrium, a boardroom, a lounge and a courtyard. Source: Idaho State Journal
• Idaho State University enrollment for the Fall 2023 semester was up 26% over the previous fall for undergraduate students, while graduate student enrollment was down 3% year-over-year. The incoming class is the largest since 2014. Source: Idaho State University
• A hazardous material leak forced the temporary closure of the Idaho State University Eames Complex but has since been reopened after hazardous material personnel with the local fire department helped clean the scene. The source was leaking boron trifluoride gas from donated neutron detectors. Source: Idaho State Journal

Bannock County

• Pocatello beverage shop Sodamix on Pole Line Road has changed ownership. Scott and Stephanie Merrill purchased the business from previous owner, Chanse Carter, and held a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate. Source: Idaho State Journal
• The City of Pocatello Water Department is replacing water main lines on East Chapel Road, Meadowbrook Lane and Hiline Road. Local traffic and parking will be disrupted while crews work on the six-week project. Source: Idaho State Journal
• Voters in the Marsh Valley School District approved a $2.2 million supplemental levy to support local teacher salaries as well as needed investments in curriculum. Source: Idaho State Journal
• The Pocatello-Chubbuck School District Board of Trustees released a timeline for the projected $45 million bond to renovate Highland High School after a fire damaged the school this past April. The bond will appear on the Nov. 7 ballot for approval by voters. Source: Idaho State Journal
• Academy Public Charter Schools had a grand opening for its Alpine Academy middle school in Chubbuck, located next to Connor Academy Public Charter School. Source: Idaho State Journal
• The Portneuf Valley Technical Education and Career Campus (PV-TEC) has been awarded a $6.5 million grant from the Idaho Career Ready Students program to help fund expansion of the PV-TEC facility. Source: Idaho State Journal

Bingham County

• The annual East Idaho State Fair returned to Blackfoot this year with a strong attendance reported. Source: Idaho State Journal, Post Register
• Voters in the Shelley Joint School District approved the renewal of a $725,000 per year, two-year supplemental levy to go towards district personnel and maintenance supplies. Source: Idaho State Journal

Power County

• A new Ridley’s supermarket is expected to open later this year on Pocatello Avenue, complete with an expansive produce section, a bakery, a full-service meat department, a pharmacy and an Arctic Circle. Source: Idaho State Journal
• Two new housing developments are taking shape in American Falls. Falls Investment Group’s townhomes are now open for lease on Hillcrest Avenue, offering three bedrooms and two-and-a-half bathrooms along with a garage and new appliances. Additionally, a brick building on Roosevelt Street purchased by BB&T Rental Properties is being renovated and converted into more than 30 apartment units. Source: Idaho State Journal
• Friends of the Children, a national children’s nonprofit, is opening a new chapter in American Falls and is looking to hire two paid mentors as well as an executive director. Source: Idaho State Journal
• The American Falls City Council approved utility fee increases to take effect Oct. 1. The increases include water, sewer and garbage utilities and will help to pay for a necessary water system improvement project. The fees for residential units are increasing from $105 to $120, while the business/commercial base fees are going up from $127 to $142. Source: Power County Press

Openings

• The former Implement Building on Center Street in McCammon is now home to four new businesses: HomeSpun Co., McNeEats and the Marsh Valley Farmers Market which collectively celebrated their one-year anniversaries, and The Dirt Road Fashionista. Source: Idaho State Journal
• The Thomas Mercantile building in Swan Lake has reopened under new ownership. Kaarin Engelmann bought the property from the Kim Thomas estate, and although it has been remodeled, it still retains some original aspects including the unsalted roasted peanuts. Source: Idaho State Journal
• New businesses are expected to open soon at the site of the former Idaho Central Credit Union in downtown Pocatello including a Starbucks, a Jersey Mike’s sandwich shop and Salt Lake-based Korean food chain Cupbop. Source: Idaho State Journal
• Pocatello-based beverage truck Lemon Smashers announced plans to expand elsewhere in Idaho as well as into Utah, Texas, Minnesota and Florida. Source: Idaho State Journal

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

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

Region News

Labor force estimates for August 2023 from the Idaho Department of Labor’s Local Area Unemployment Statistics program showed both the number of employed and unemployed persons increased in the nine-county eastern region. Seasonally adjusted, August’s preliminary estimates show labor force participants increased by 866 from July, with 37 additional unemployed and 829 additional employed. The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate rose to 2.8 percent, 0.4 percentage points higher than it was one year prior.

There were an estimated 2,530 unique job postings in the eastern Idaho labor market for August 2023, according to the Conference Board’s Help Wanted Online. (Note that this is regional job postings data and not necessarily job openings data.) The 2,530 postings are a decrease from 2,809 (-10%) the prior month and a decrease from 3,169 (-20%) year-over-year. Retail salespersons have maintained the lead in top occupations in the region with active job postings since last month. Registered nurses were no longer in the top five of in-demand occupations, replaced by freight/stock/material laborers. Managers and driver/sales workers replaced stockers/order fillers and merchandise displayers on the top-10 list since July. All other occupations listed carried over from the top 10 of the previous month. Job demand, from a job postings perspective, increased since July for retail sales supervisors (4%) and construction laborers (11%). Conversely, there was a decrease in postings for registered nurses (-22%), retail salespersons (-7%), customer service reps (-15%) and wholesale/manufacturing sales reps (-16%).

The professional, scientific and technical services industry assumed the lead over retail trade in the eastern Idaho region rankings of active job postings for August. The accommodation & food services industry emerged as new on the top industries by job postings list. Since July, there was an increase in job postings for the manufacturing and public administration industry categories. Conversely, there was a reduction in job postings in the categories of professional, scientific, and technical services; retail trade, health care and social assistance; construction and educational services.

August data from the Conference Board denotes the hardest-to-fill job postings by job title in eastern Idaho, in terms of time to fill and multiple job postings. These included mechanics, retail sales associates, delivery drivers and CDL-A truck drivers. Top job demand challenges in July by occupational family were transportation/material moving, sales/related, installation/maintenance/repair and healthcare practitioners. New to the August list of hardest-to-fill postings were stylist, mechanic, retail sales associate, delivery driver, OTR/CDL truck driver, ICU RN, personal banker and assistant store manager jobs. Regional truck drivers and postdoctoral research associates were carryovers from July on the top 10 list of hardest-to-fill job postings.

Region Developments

• Yellowstone National Park hosted 969,692 recreational visits in July 2023, a 63% increase from July 2022, with 596,562 recreational visits, and a 4% increase from July 2019, which saw 936,062 recreational visits. Year to date through July, Yellowstone has seen 2,463,202 recreational visits. That’s up 33% from the same time frame in 2022 (with 1,855,396 recreational visits) and up 7% from 2019 (with 2,294,691 recreational visits). Source: NPS news release
• The College of Eastern Idaho received its accreditation in its seventh year of enrollment by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities recognized by the United States Department of Education. CEI will remain accredited until the mid-cycle review in 2026 and a complete evaluation of institutional effectiveness in Spring 2030. Source: KIFI Local News 8
• Water levels across east Idaho remain above average in August. Most rivers and reservoirs are not at full capacity but are running between half and full capacity. Henry’s Lake has the greatest capacity covered at 96%. Island Park is abnormally dry, but still out of drought. The higher water levels are due to consistent rain showers. August has brought much more rainfall than average with most local towns doubling their average monthly rainfall by around an inch. A few have even experienced two or three inches. Average precipitation is predicted into the month of October. Source: KIFI Local News 8
• INL technologies clinched five R&D 100 Awards for 2023, bringing the lab’s total number of these awards since 2005 to 30. The following award-winning technologies were led by INL: Annotated Translated Disassembled Code; Cardinal: Accelerating Discovery in Fusion and Fission Energy; Cerberus; Ether-based Aqueous Separation & Extraction; and RAVEN. Source: Post Register
• The Greater Idaho Falls Chamber announced the rebranding and repurposing of the Eastern Idaho Visitors Center as the “Visit Idaho Falls Experience” to be the central hub for all tourism in the greater Idaho Falls area. Space has been created in the center for tourist partners to have a year-round physical presence in the store to engage and interact with the 30,000 visitors annually. Source: KIFI Local News 8

Bonneville County

• The Bonneville Joint School District 93 bond election approved a bond measure of $34.5 million to build a new elementary in the Iona area. Approximately $32 million of the funding will go toward the new school and the remainder will be used for school roof repairs in the district. Source: Post Register
• McNeil Development has announced adding more restaurants, residential complexes and shopping boutiques to Taylor’s Crossing in Idaho Falls in the next few years. Source: KIFI Local News 8
• Of the state’s top-10 longest waitlists of students waiting to enroll in charter schools, two Idaho Falls schools ranked 8th and 10th. Alturas International Academy has 377 students waiting and Taylor’s Crossing Charter School has 335. Idaho’s demand for public charter school education continues to outpace availability, even as the state sees additional schools opening this year. There were at least 10,711 students placed on charter school wait lists this school year statewide. Source: Idaho Education News
• Three Idaho Falls businesses made the “Inc 5000” list of the fastest-growing private companies in America: Blue Phoenix Branding powered by PROforma, Stukent and Outback Landscape. Source: Idaho Business Review
• Wackerli Subaru donated $10,000 and school supply kits to Dora Erickson Elementary in Idaho Falls. More than 630 Subaru retailers this year are adopting high-need classrooms, for Title 1 Schoolwide programs and/or for areas where 40% of the students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. Source: Post Register
• For August, the Bonneville County median home listing prices decreased both from last month to $442,000 (-2%) and from August 2022 prices (-2%). The county decreased in active home listings both month-over-month (-4%) and year-over-year (-29%). Median days on the market increased to 44 days (21%). New listings were down both from the month prior (-19%) and over the year (-39%). There were 140 homes in inventory with reduced listing prices in August (-13%). Source: Realtor.com
• Zillow’s housing economists have forecasted a 7.6% surge in home prices from July 2023 to July 2024 for Idaho Falls. While elevated mortgage rates deter potential buyers and constrain sellers, the upcoming price rise is primarily based on tight inventory conditions. Source: Zillow
• Idaho Falls School District 91’s Career & Technical Education Center has received grants totaling $133,134 from Idaho’s Department of Career Technical Education to be used to enhance the center’s welding, health sciences and industrial mechanics programs. Source: KIFI Local News 8

 Butte County

• For August, the Butte County median home listing prices decreased both from last month to $269,000 (-5%) and from August 2022 prices (-2%). The county increased in active home listings both month-over-month (37%) and year-over-year (28%). Median days on the market decreased to 52 days (-31%). New listings were down both from the month prior (-75%) and over the year (-67%). Six homes in inventory reduced their listing prices in August (50%). Source: Realtor.com

Clark County

• For August, the Clark County median home listing prices decreased both from last month to $250,000 (-52%) and from August 2022 prices (-78%). The county decreased in active home listings both month-over-month (-50%) and year-over-year (-50%). Median days on the market decreased to 12 days (-94%). There was no data available for either new listings from the month prior or over the year.  Homes that reduced their listing prices were not available either. Source: Realtor.com

Custer County

• Challis Middle School will soon be the site for Little Learners Preschool, located in the front office space. Source: Challis Messenger
• A staffing shortage at Stanley School was discussed at the Aug. 9 Challis school board meeting. Paraprofessional, bus driver and custodian positions still haven’t been filled. Source: Challis Messenger
• No firms responded to the Challis School District’s request for qualifications on the planned Stanley School construction project. School district officials are reaching out to two construction firms to see if either is interested in submitting a request for quote. In March 2022, Challis School Board members allocated up to $550,000 toward the Stanley School project. That money is part of the $1.07 million the school district received from the American Rescue Plan Act’s Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief and Learning Loss programs. Stanley residents committed to raising about another $500,000 for the project. An expanded library, a new gym, a new bus barn and larger classrooms are among the changes planned. Since the pandemic, enrollment at Stanley School for students K-8 has doubled and more space is needed. Source: Challis Messenger
• Imminent emptying of Mackay Reservoir to repair damaged gates prompted officials to order a fish salvage until Oct. 31. Water at the dam will be allowed to run out naturally until it is mostly empty. Two gates will be repaired that provide water from the dam to the river. Funding will come from a $2 million Idaho Water Resource Board grant, but will cost less than $2 million, leaving funds for other work needed at Mackay Dam and Reservoir. Source: Challis Messenger
• Land previously used for mining has been added to the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness. The Wilderness Land Trust transferred the 38-acre Surprise Lode property to public ownership. Source: Challis Messenger
• The city of Stanley is waiting for Congress to approve $4 million in workforce housing that would also fund transportation, urban development and related agencies. The city owns four acres on which to build and is working with another investor who would likely contribute to any workforce housing project, allowing for even more units to be built than the federal dollars would cover. The land is zoned for single- or multi-family units. The soonest projected start, pending approval, is possibly two years. The lack of housing for seasonal employees in Stanley has long existed and become a bigger problem in recent years. But some housing that had been available for summer employees to rent has been converted to short-term vacation rentals, reducing rental options. Source: Challis Messenger
• For August, the Custer County median home listing prices increased to $499,750 from July (11%) and decreased from August 2022 prices (-49%). The county exhibited a decrease in month-over-month active home listings (-9%), but an increase year-over-year (42%). Median days on the market increased to 76 days (26%). New listings decreased over the month (-50%) and reported no change over the year. There were eight homes in inventory with reduced listing prices in August (100%). Source: Realtor.com

Fremont County

• For August, the Fremont County median home listing prices marginally increased to $698,000 from July but decreased from August 2022 prices (-8%). The county showed a month-over-month increase in active home listings (13%), as well as year-over-year (20%). Median days on the market increased to 55 days (15%). New listings were down from the month prior (-17%). There were 42 homes in inventory with reduced listing prices in August (31%). Source: Realtor.com

Jefferson County

• The Jefferson County Board of Commissioners approved one preliminary plat in Rigby and withheld approval for two others. The preliminary plat approved was Pineview Estates, a 36-lot subdivision. Source: Jefferson Star
• Jefferson County Board of Commissioners deemed proposed impact fees too high and a possible deterrent to bringing in more local businesses. The board will reconvene on the matter. Source: Jefferson Star
• Planning and Zoning Commission recommendations for re-zoning and Hamer city limits changes have been approved. This includes property proposed as industrial that was changed to residential zoning. Other land had been zoned as Ag-10 but had also been requested as residential zoning. Source: Jefferson Star
• A 28,387-head concentrated animal feeding operation was approved for Jefferson County. The feedlot will be located at Kettle Butte Dairy. The operation will ultimately benefit the county through the promotion of agricultural development, the provision of high-quality organic matter to neighboring crop farmers, the limited impact to adjacent properties and potential job growth. Source: Jefferson Star
• For August, the Jefferson County median home listing prices marginally decreased to $555,000 month-over-month but increased from August 2022 (7%). The county also increased in active home listings both month-over-month (7%) and year-over-year (5%). Median days on the market increased to 45 days (11%). New listings decreased from the month prior (-13%). There were 54 homes in inventory with reduced listing prices in August (35%). Source: Realtor.com

Lemhi County

• The Salmon‐Challis National Forest has terminated the Hayden Fire closure and the land is now accessible to the public. Source: KIFI Local News 8
• Jervois personnel are preparing to begin a $2.4 million surface drilling effort at the Sunshine deposit adjacent to its Idaho cobalt operations. Their drilling costs are fully refundable under a $15 million agreement with the Department of Defense. Drilling should begin in early September, pending final approval from the Forest Service. Source: Challis Messenger
• For August, the Lemhi County median home listing prices increased both month-over-month to $725,000 (12%) and from August 2022 (20%). The county also increased in active home listings month-over-month (1%), as well as year-over-year (34%). Median days on the market decreased to 80 days (-29%). New listings decreased from the month prior (-38%). There were 14 homes in inventory with reduced listing prices in August (17%). Source: Realtor.com

 Madison County

• The Sugar City Area Historical Society Inc. is hoping for $50,000 in donations to serve as matching funds for much larger grants to build a museum. The city provides the historical organization $5,000 a year. Before applying for grants, the nonprofit needs to have a substantial amount of funds to show it’s fulfilling its share to help with the project. Source: Rexburg Standard Journal
• Several area businesses donated a 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer for a Sugar-Salem High School raffle. Proceeds from the fundraiser will go towards the school’s sports, clubs, activities and other educational opportunities. The school district in general doesn’t have a strong tax base for bonds or levies, according to the Sugar-Salem High vice-principal. Source: East Idaho News
•  BYU-Idaho will offer accelerated bachelor’s degrees online, beginning in April 2024. BYU-Idaho will offer 90 to 96 bachelor credit hours and by eliminating elective credits from degree requirements, students will be able to earn their degrees in only three years. Source: Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints release
• For August, Madison County median home listing prices marginally decreased to $417,963 but increased from August 2022 prices (5%). The county also decreased in active home listings both month-over-month (-6%) and year-over-year (-3%). Median days on the market increased to 57 days (10%). New listings increased from the month prior (19%). There were 32 homes in inventory with reduced listing prices in August (15%). Source: Realtor.com

 Teton County

• Teton County is asking residents to fill out a survey to gauge the community’s interest in historic preservation strategies to be used to help earn grant funding and craft a historic preservation plan. There will also be involvement from the Shoshone-Bannock tribe as they are an essential part of Teton County’s history. Idaho is embarking on a renewed effort to act on protecting historical landmarks and buildings throughout the county via its new Historic Preservation Commission. Source: Teton Valley News
• Driggs’ historic Spud Drive-In will be rebuilt by the theater’s new owner, MD Landscaping and Nursery. Last year, the 70-year old theater screen was toppled by winter winds. Source: KIFI Local News 8
• Four Sixty Inc., a commercial bakery serving restaurants and grocery stores near Driggs, has been awarded a U.S. Department of Agriculture grant among nine rural Idaho businesses. The grant is intended to make clean energy investments and improvements, funded through the Rural Energy for America Program and the Inflation Reduction Act. Source: Idaho Capital Sun
• For August, Teton County median home listing prices increased to $972,500 (8%) month-over-month, but decreased year-over-year (-18%). The county increased in active home listings both month-over-month (9%) and year-over-year (10%). Median days on the market increased to 64 days (22%). New listings decreased from the month prior (-8%). There were 38 homes in inventory with reduced listing prices in August (36%). Source: Realtor.com

 Openings

•  The Counseling Agency in Idaho Falls reopened under a new name after a remodel in July. Source: East Idaho News
• Honey Baked Hams is opening a permanent location in Idaho Falls in November. This will be the second Idaho location and an additional franchise to the 440 locations nationwide. Source: East Idaho News
• The owners of Sully’s Lunchbox food truck opened a brick-and-mortar restaurant in downtown Idaho Falls in August called Sully’s GastroPub. Source: East Idaho News
• Treasure’s Formal Bridal & Tux in Idaho Falls is closing its doors in October after 35 years. The building and business are both for sale. Source: East Idaho News
• The Greater Idaho Falls Chamber of Commerce announced ribbon cutting and groundbreaking ceremonies at Revive Aesthetics & Wellness Center, Signature Party & Events, Elevation Stations, Thirst Burst & Rubber Ducky Car Wash, Frontier Credit Union, Teton Overland Show and Exit Strategy Escape Rooms. These establishments met one of the following criteria: 1. Opened their doors within the past six months; 2. Moved to a new location due to expansion; or 3. Remodeled/expanded their current location. Source: Greater Idaho Falls Chamber of Commerce
• The Harp Shop opened in Rigby. The business offers harp lessons to groups and individuals and also sells and rents harps to customers. Source: East Idaho News
• Idaho Central Credit Union has opened a branch in Rigby and is the state’s largest credit union, operating 55 branches across 26 cities in two states. Source: Post Register
• Four pickleball courts are being constructed at Scotty’s South Park in Rigby. The Rigby Urban Renewal Agency has dedicated $544,000 to the project. Source: Jefferson Star
• A new Java Espress store opened in Rexburg. As an Idaho Falls-based company since 1993, this is its 14th store. Source: East Idaho News
• The Rexburg Goodwill Retail Store opened in September and is the fourth in southeastern Idaho. Source: Rexburg Standard Journal
• Whitefield Global Holdings, an industrial plant that processes locally grown hemp, recently opened in Thornton and is ready to begin production in the next several weeks. Source: East Idaho News

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

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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.