Around Idaho: Economic activity, February 2024

Information provided in these news updates is collected up until the end of February and includes 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 and Kootenai counties

Region

Labor demand in northern Idaho rose last month, with the number of open jobs increasing by nearly 40%. In total, there were 1,799 job postings in January 2024, according to data from the Conference Board, of which 1,474 were posted in Kootenai County. Registered nurses were the most in-demand occupation, followed by retail salespersons.

Northern Idaho Job Postings for January 2024

Kootenai County

  • Trader Joe’s is building a new $2.7 million store in Coeur d’Alene. This will be the third Trader Joe’s in Idaho and the first outside the Treasure Valley. No anticipated opening date has been announced. Source: Coeur d’Alene Press
  • Two Marriott Hotel projects are underway in Coeur d’Alene. The first is a Townplace Suites which is currently under construction near I-90 and the second is a Marriott coming to downtown Coeur d’Alene. TownePlace Suites will offer 83 guest rooms, while the six-story Marriott will include 131 guest rooms and on-site parking in an underground facility. Source: Coeur d’Alene Press

Shoshone County

  • Three bridge replacement projects have been approved in Shoshone County according to the Local Highway Technical Assistance Council. The projects, totaling $11.2 million, will replace bridges in Kellogg, near the town of Osburn and near Albert’s Landing. The projects are funded through a 2022 piece of Idaho Legislation that allocated money to replace load restricted bridges around the state. Source: Coeur d’Alene Press

Openings

  • Hula Pot Restaurant (Coeur d’Alene)
  • Bodhicitta Counseling (Coeur d’Alene)
  • Diversified Diver Specialties (Coeur d’Alene)
  • Transworld Business Advisors (Post Falls)
  • The Chicken Shanty (Coeur d’Alene)
  • Kitty G’s Fine Meats and Cheese (Post Falls)
  • Sculpt Studios Med Spa (Post Falls)
  • Healing Leaf Apothecary (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

  • The Nez Perce Tribe will use a $1.3 million Wildfire Smoke Preparedness in Community Buildings grant from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to focus on smoke readiness planning. In addition to outreach and training, the funds will be used to upgrade heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems and portable air cleaners. As a result, three community centers, nine public libraries and four youth centers will have access to cleaner air space during wildfire smoke events. Source: EPA
  • The Avista Utilities Foundation has awarded grants to organizations in Idaho, Washington and Oregon that support arts, culture and the environment. North central Idaho recipients include $12,000 to the Orofino Maniac Booster Club, $3,500 to the Latah County Historical Society and $3,000 to APOD Productions of Moscow. Source: Avista Utilities Foundation
  • A United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Technology Improvement Grant will allow the Idaho Department of Education to award funds to two schools and districts in north central Idaho for add technology solutions to improve data, performance and capacity to existing nutrition programs. Awardees include:
    • Orofino School District, $24,000 for software, laptops/monitors
    • Kamiah School District, $5,885 for computers with double screens, printers and software
  • Three of Idaho’s 50 awardees for the inaugural 2023 Rural Nursing Loan Repayment Program are employed as registered nurses in north central Idaho. The Rural Nursing Loan Repayment Program was established by the Idaho Legislature in 2023 to offer qualified nurses working in rural areas of Idaho up to $25,000 in educational debt forgiveness over a three-year period. Source: the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare
  • Based on data from the 2022 USDA Census of Agriculture, 56% of Idaho’s 22,877 farms were under 50 acres and 25% of all Idaho farms have hired farm labor. Of the farms that had hired labor, two-thirds hired between one to four workers. North central Idaho reported 2,592 farms, with 40% being under 50 acres and 22% with hired farm labor. There are approximately 2,000 hired farm workers in north central Idaho. In 2022, the region had more than half of the statewide acreage planted in the following field and grass seed crops: Austrian winter peas, canola, chickpeas, dry edible peas, lentils, fescue and Kentucky bluegrass. Source: 2022 USDA Census of Agriculture

County chart for Lewiston

Nez Perce County

  • The Idaho Water Resource Board approved spending $1.2 million on a 30% design plan for the Lewiston Orchard Irrigation District. The plan could determine the potential to divert water currently drawn from the Craig Mountain aquifer to drawing instead from the Clearwater River. The Craig Mountain aquifer has been a contentious issue due to its potential harm to federally protected wild steelhead. The irrigation system was built within the boundaries of the Nez Perce Tribe Reservation in the early 1900s. While the irrigation system is currently managed by the Lewiston Orchard Irrigation District, the Bureau of Reclamation has owned the system since the 1940s. Source: the Idaho Water Resource Board and Lewiston Tribune
  • Following a petition from local business owners, Lewiston will dissolve its business improvement district. The business improvement district was established in fall of 2020 to provide funding for projects to promote and develop the downtown business district, recruit new business, assist in property redevelopment, and participate in other necessary and desirable downtown commercial activities. Source: Lewiston Tribune and the City of Lewiston

Idaho County

  • The Twin Bridges Campground near Whitebird is temporarily closed to overnight camping while the Idaho Department of Fish and Game takes actions to control chronic wasting disease involving the deer population in Slate Creek. Day use activities are still permitted while overnight camping is prohibited. This is the second consecutive winter Fish and Game staff have worked to reduce deer density and test animals for chronic wasting disease in the region. Meat processed from animals that test negative will be donated to families in need and local food banks. Source: Idaho County Free Press and KOZE

Latah County

  • The University of Idaho will use a $550,000 grant from the M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust for a chemical ionization mass spectrometer. The spectrometer will be used for deep soil research at the Ecoflux lab in Moscow. Source: MJ Murdock

Clearwater County

  • The Clearwater County Planning and Zoning Board recommended approval of a proposal by Harmoni Towers to build a new telecommunications tower in Elk River. Source: Clearwater Tribune

Lewis County

  • A fire over President’s Day weekend in Kamiah completely burned up the Roadside Bar and Grill. It also damaged the neighboring Airbridge Broadband office and the Nez Perce Tribal Police building. Source: Lewiston Tribune

Openings

  • Salmon River Drifters, fishing charter, Riggins.
  • Salmon River Builders, Riggins.
  • Me and My Truck handyman services, in Potlatch, is under new ownership and changed its name to The Window Broz.
  • Mikey’s Gyros in Moscow is under new ownership.
  • Southway Pizzeria and Deli will be opening a second location in the former Riccardo’s Italian Pizzeria location in Lewiston.
  • Vault Physical Therapy in Lewiston.

Closings

  • Stomping Grounds in Genesee.
  • Reading Royalty of Lewiston.
  • Retro on Main in Lewiston is closing temporarily due to water damage from burst pipes.
  • Moana’s Island Kitchen restaurant in Lapwai.
  • Dog Bark Park Bed and Breakfast in Cottonwood.

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 and Washington counties

Regional Idaho housing data – January 2024Housing data for southwestern Idaho

 Regional job posting analytics

Unique Postings in southwestern Idaho

Occupations by job postings in southwestern Idaho

Ada County

  • Kuna School District trustees voted to float a $5.3 million levy on the May ballot. The levy would be collected over a two-year period and pay for maintenance repairs, retaining teachers, curriculum and maintaining safety throughout the district. In March 2023, a $111.4 million bond failed at the polls with less than the super majority necessary to pass. The bond would have added a new elementary school, renovations to Fremont and Kuna middle schools, a classroom wing and athletic facilities at Swan Falls High School. Kuna is ranked as the 13th largest city in Idaho at 27,229 residents, based on the 2022 population estimates released by the U.S. Census Bureau. It ranked 9th in numerical growth over the same period, adding 616 new residents over the year from July 2021 to July 2022. Source: Idaho Education News and the U.S. Census Bureau
  • A partially constructed steel frame for a stand-alone hangar next to the Jackson Jet Center at the Boise Airport collapsed. The project’s cost was estimated at $6.2 million. Three workers lost their lives and another nine were injured, some critically. Source: Idaho Statesman

Canyon County

  • The Nampa School District is changing its class schedule, moving from an A/B block schedule to a trimester with six class periods daily. This came amid formidable opposition from parents and students. The schedule change will allow for a reduction of 20 full-time teaching positions, saving an average of $75,000, or $1.5 million annually. In a survey sent to parents and students, the trimester was the least favored option at 20% while semesters were first with 45% support. No other Treasure Valley schools operate under a trimester schedule. However, on the other side of the state, both Bonneville and Pocatello/Chubbuck school districts run their classes on a trimester. Source: Idaho Press 
  • Valley Regional Transit recommended two new fixed routes for Caldwell residents and funding assistance from the city of Caldwell. Both routes will run a full 12 hours starting at 6 a.m. on the weekdays, circulating every 30 minutes. The first route, coined Route 56, would run from the Caldwell Event Center to Happy Day Transit Center, with stops in downtown Caldwell, the College of Idaho and Walmart. The second is Route 58 connecting south Caldwell to Nampa with stops at the Caldwell Library, West Valley Medical Center and the YMCA. Source: Idaho News 6

Owyhee County

  • Homedale’s city council approved annexation of a 25-acre site in its area of impact. The site will be improved with a mixed-use project headed up by developers Chad Packer and Todd Ostrom aka POW WOW LLC. The mix consists of 10 acres commercially zoned for self-storage units and 15 acres residential with a minimum lot size of 7,500 square feet. An estimated 50 new homes will be built on the parcel. Source: The Owyhee Avalanche

Openings

  • St. Luke’s held a grand opening for its new Center for Orthopedics and Sports Medicine in Boise. The four-story, 230,000-square-foot facility provides orthopedic clinic space, a surgery center with 12 operating rooms, indoor and outdoor rehabilitation and physical therapy services, advanced imaging, a retail pharmacy, lab draw services, community-based education, meeting space and a parking garage. Source: Idaho Press
  • Key Bank held a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate its newest location in Meridian named the Spurwing Branch. At the ceremony, KeyBank donated $3,000 to the Boys and Girls Club of Ada County. Source: Idaho Business Review
  • The University of Idaho hosted a grand opening for its 9,600-square-foot research and development building in Parma. The Idaho Center for Plant and Soil Health at the Parma Research and Extension Center is now home to state-of-the-art laboratories for research into specialty fields such as nematology, pomology, plant pathology, microbiology and hop quality. The $12.1 investment was a collaboration between the university, the State of Idaho and donors that pitched in $3 million. Source: Idaho Press
  • Sterling Urgent Care, an employee-owned multi-practice physician group, opened a location in four Treasure Valley cities: Boise, Garden City, Meridian and Nampa. For patients without insurance, there is a $60 monthly cost for individual memberships and $120 for families, up to four people. The medical group is based out of Idaho Falls and provides a range of services including urgent care, primary care, telemedicine, services for both genders’ health and specialized programs for weight loss and IV infusions. Source: Idaho Statesman
  • The Boise Veteran’s Administration hosted an open house at its new outpatient clinic in Caldwell. The newly remodeled clinic expanded from 9,000 square feet at a different location to 21,000 square feet with space for an additional 150 patients. The number of additional patients could grow based on staff levels to an estimate closer to 1,800. The larger exam rooms allow for wheelchairs and the large conference room supports group mental health sessions. Other services include expanded physical therapy, audiology and additional eye clinic services. The former Caldwell clinic was unable to accept new patients due to its tight quarters. This truncates trips to Boise, with the clinic expanding its offerings. Source: Idaho Press
  • Homedale city officials and the local chamber of commerce hosted a ribbon cutting for a new restaurant in Homedale — The Breakfast Café. The restaurant offers breakfast and lunch items seven days a week. Source: The Owyhee Avalanche
  • Mountain Mike’s opened its second Idaho restaurant in Star, Idaho. The pizza franchise originated in Palo Alto, California and now has over 300 locations across the U.S. The first location opened in Meridian with three more planned within the Treasure Valley. Source: Idaho Business Review

Closings

  • Little Caesar’s restaurant in Boise closed with plans for a new restaurant to open within the next six months. The franchise has two other locations still open in Boise. Source: Idaho Statesman
  • Trailside Bakery Café announced it will close its bakery, coffee shop and gift store located next door. Source: Idaho Statesman
  • Juniper, a downtown Boise restaurant and bar, closed after 10 years of operations. Source: Idaho Statesman
  • Cucina di Paolo is closing its doors at the end of April after serving the city of Boise for over 20 years as a stand-alone Italian restaurant and another 14 years as a caterer. The family will sell the restaurant and its iconic mechanical signage featuring Betty the Washerwoman, a bonus for the next owner. 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 and Twin Falls counties

Blaine County

  • North Blaine County Fire District provided four first responder and firefighter houses at the North Blaine County Fire Station. The onsite homes provide affordable workforce housing and facilitate critical first responder times. Source: KMVT
  • The Bellevue Planning and Zoning Commission approved a $6 million-dollar, 6,581-square-foot expansion to the Mountain Rides bus garage and maintenance facility in Bellevue. The expansion will almost double the size of the facility. Construction is expected to begin in late April. Source: Idaho Mountain Express
  • The Bellevue City Council approved a $1.64 million engineering contract to improve the drinking water collection system and replace 1,250 feet of undersized water mains on main street. Source: Idaho Mountain Express

Jerome County

  • Flat Iron Public Market in Jerome will be a food hall that will contain multiple food vendors and restaurants under one roof with the goal of highlighting the Idaho food scene. The location is at Crossroads Point on Highway 93 and construction is planned to start in the next few months. Source: KMVT

Twin Falls County

  • Twin Falls’ public transit program, Ride TFT, is now a permanent city program after its resounding success. The program was launched on July 1, 2023, with expectations of 2,000 riders a month. However, 3,200 riders were served the first month and almost reached 6,000 in December. Due to the success of the program, Ride TFT is looking at expanding their fleet later in the year. Source: KMVT

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 and Power counties

Region

  • The BLS Annual Benchmarking process means the Idaho Department of Labor will not have updated figures from the Local Area Unemployment Statistics program this month. The substate numbers for the first quarter of 2024 will be available in April.
  • In January 2024 there were 1,386 unique online job postings in the southeastern Idaho labor market area, up from 1,282 the prior month and up from 1,295 the previous January. The median posting duration stood at 27 days, down from 30 days in December and up from 24 days in January 2023.
  • Health care practitioners and technical, sales and related, transportation and material moving, office and administrative support, and management continue to be the top occupational families by unique online job postings in southeastern Idaho. Among specific occupations, registered nurses remain at the top of the list with 67 unique online postings followed by retail salespersons (59 postings), heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers (48 postings), first-line supervisors of retail sales workers (39 postings) and customer service representatives (35 postings).

Unique job postings in southeastern Idaho

  • Health care and social assistance were back at the top of broadly defined industries by unique online job postings in January 2024 followed by retail trade, manufacturing, professional, scientific and technical services as well as finance and insurance. Looking at specific industries, general medical and surgical hospitals had the most unique job postings while employment placement services jumped 253% year-over-year to put it in second place.

Hardest to fill occupations in southeastern Idaho

  • Judging by the median number of days an occupational job posting is up, hiring is proving to be difficult for several occupations. Managerial openings stood out in January with medical and health service managers (59 days), general and operations managers (51 days) and all other (47 days) among the top 10 by posting duration. Among the notable occupations were construction laborers at 35 days, up more than three-fold since the previous January.
  • Snowpack in the Willow-Blackfoot-Portneuf and Bear River basins is at or above expected values for this time of year. While most southern Idaho water basins are sitting with healthy snowpacks, much of the rest of the state has snowpacks significantly below their typical seasonal values. Reservoirs on the Upper Snake River remain at healthier levels than they were this time last year when much of the Mountain West was experiencing a multiyear drought. As a result, hydrologists are optimistic there will be ample carry-over through this winter season. The seasonal water outlook remains drought free for most of the southern Snake River basins. Sources: USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service and U.S. Drought Monitor
  • Idaho State University does not anticipate layoffs despite a projected structural budget deficit of $15.5 million. The deficit has been a result of nearly a decade of enrollment declines, several years in which tuition and fees were held flat, high inflation, and the intentional spending of surplus reserves to invest in infrastructure as well as student recruitment and retention. Source: Idaho State Journal
  • Idaho State University reported a 4.7% increase in total student enrollment this spring semester compared to the prior year with undergraduate students up 6.6% and graduate students down 1.4%. Enrollment numbers for the spring semester are the highest they have been since 2018. Source: Idaho State University
  • Leaders of the Northwestern Band of the Shoshone Nation along with community members held a memorial on the 161st Anniversary of the Bear River Massacre near Preston. The memorial included a drum group, honor song and public speakers. The Northwestern Band of the Shoshone Nation has been working to restore the massacre site since 2013. Source: Idaho State Journal and The Preston Citizen

Bannock County

  • The new owner and operator of Pocatello-based 5th Street Bagelry, David Raisch, is eyeing an expansion into other cities including Chubbuck, Idaho Falls and Twin Falls. He is currently searching for a Chubbuck location and is aiming for an opening perhaps as soon as this summer or fall. Source: Idaho State Journal
  • Bannock County Commissioners unanimously voted to send a proposed ordinance on local solar projects back to the Planning and Development Council, specifically asking the latter to ban any large-scale solar and wind energy projects within the county. However, the proposal would still allow residential or personal solar use. This came amidst local opposition to large solar projects being eyed in the Downey area. Source: Idaho State Journal
  • Longtime Pocatello restaurant Jeri’s Jumbo Café came under new ownership earlier this year. Manager Heidi Hunsaker purchased the business from her parents, continuing the family legacy of the establishment first opened by her grandmother in 1966. Source: Idaho State Journal
  • The Center Street underpass beneath the Union Pacific railyard in downtown Pocatello will remain closed for six months while it receives significant renovations. The project will include the replacement of the underpass’ retaining walls, sidewalks and handrails. Drivers are advised to use the Benton Street and Gould Street overpasses. Source: Idaho State Journal
  • Idaho Postpartum Haven, the first postpartum recovery and support center in southeastern Idaho, opened in Pocatello. The center offers services including a two-bedroom apartment, support, nutritious meals, and relaxation sessions, as well as being staffed by an infant care specialist, massage therapist and a dietitian. Source: Idaho State Journal
  • Local concerned citizens continue to ask questions regarding the future of the Pocatello Regional Airport amidst financial revelations obtained by public record requests. Since March 2022 the City of Pocatello has paid roughly $1.8 million in subsidies to maintain twice daily service between the regional airport and Salt Lake City. The most recent subsidy was for up to $500,000 to guarantee revenues between September 2023 and March 2024, an amount soon reached in the first two months of that contract period. Source: Idaho State Journal
  • Pocatello-Chubbuck School District 25 has postponed another bond to fund rebuilding Highland High School after last April’s devastating fire and one failed bond vote. The Board of Trustees is waiting to see if House Bill 521 progresses this legislative session, a bill that would provide significant state investment in school facilities. Source: Idaho State Journal
  • The Chubbuck Denny’s location announced it was closing permanently, months after the Idaho Falls location closed its doors. Source: Idaho State Journal

Bingham County

  • The City of Blackfoot is seeking feedback on a proposed recreation area between the Snake River, West Bridge Street and Interstate 15. Mayor Marc Carroll proposed using urban renewal funds to develop the unused land into a park with boating and fishing access, and an open house was held to allow the public an opportunity to participate in the planning process. Source: Idaho State Journal
  • Sagebrush Steppe Land Trust completed a conservation easement for 1,182 acres of ranchland, open space and wildlife habitat in Bingham County. The easement permanently protects open space and ranchland within the Willow Creek drainage and was made possible through a collaborative project with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service. Source: Idaho State Journal
  • The City of Blackfoot used its remaining American Rescue Plan Act funds to remedy chronic storm water flooding in the Champions Gate subdivision, install ratio meters on all water meters and upgrade downtown Blackfoot’s sewer system. Source: Idaho State Journal
  • Melina’s Mexican Restaurant has opened at a new location on Northwest Main Street (the former Stan’s Restaurant) after selling their old building to developers looking to build a Maverick. Source: Idaho State Journal

Caribou County

  • Soda Springs High School won a $370,000 Idaho Career Ready Students grant to expand the school’s Career Technical Education programs. Project plans include a brand new 90-by-40-foot building featuring a two-bay auto shop, 16 welding booths and a dedicated woodshop (a first for the school). Construction is set to begin later this spring and the new building will hopefully be operational by the spring of 2025. Source: Idaho State Journal

Franklin County

  • Preston pizzeria, The Slice, has re-opened under new ownership and rebranded as the Hangout. Owners Courtney Coon and Alexzandriah Tolman held a grand opening right after New Year’s. Source: The Preston Citizen.

Power County

  • The City of American Falls is pursuing a pedestrian tunnel under the Highway 39 bypass to provide a safer crossing. Mayor Rebekah Sorensen said that the plan would include connecting the marina with businesses, schools, churches and neighborhoods. The project is currently in the engineering and design process, and the public is being asked for input. Source: Power County Press

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 and Teton counties

Region

  • There were an estimated 1,810 unique job postings in the eastern Idaho labor market for January 2024, according to the Conference Board: Help Wanted Online. (Note this is regional job postings data and not necessarily job opening data). The 1,810 postings are up from 1,704 (6%) the prior month but down from 2,111 (-14%) year-over-year. Retail salespersons lead the top occupations by unique (deduplicated) job postings in the region for January. Registered nurses surpassed retail sales supervisors, ranking 2nd in occupations by unique job postings. Managers have replaced driver/sales workers in the top five since last month. Software developers, managers and fast-food workers replaced cashiers, maintenance/repair workers and driver/sales workers in the top 10. All other occupations listed carried over from January’s list. Employer job demand from a job postings perspective increased for registered nurses (52%), customer service reps (6%) and wholesale/manufacturing sales reps (6%). Conversely, there were notable decreases in postings for tractor trailer drivers (-32%) and retail salespersons (-12%).

occupations by unique job postings in eastern Idaho

  • Professional, scientific and technology services swapped with retail trade for the top spot for eastern Idaho regional rankings of top industries by unique job postings in January. Education services moved up four spots and public administration two spots in the rankings. There was an increase in professional, scientific and technology services (8%); education services (70%); manufacturing (19%); public administration (66%); and accommodation and food service (13%) job postings. Retail trade (-9%) and construction (-28%) were top industries on the list that recorded a reduction in job postings.

Top industries in eastern Idaho

  • January data from the Conference Board denotes the hardest-to-fill occupations in eastern Idaho include fast-food workers, managers, light truck drivers and production workers. Hardest-to-fill job postings by occupation were health care practitioners/technical, production, food prep/serving, transportation and material moving. Fast-food workers and light truck drivers were the only carryovers from the prior month.

Hardest to fill occupations in eastern Idaho

Region News

  • The Idaho National Laboratory and the Colorado School of Mines are collaborating on energy storage, next-generation mining, high-temperature fuel cells, geothermal energy systems, nuclear fuel cycle and reactor engineering as well as environmental science projects. Source: Idaho Business Review
  • The Idaho National Laboratory received a shipment of 25 used nuclear fuel rods to begin researching and testing experimental power that could potentially help reduce long-term energy costs for consumers. Source: KTVB
  • FAA grants of $40 million dollars have been approved for terminal expansion at Idaho Falls Regional Airport, which will fund 93.75% of the project. The rest would come from airport revenue. The master plan’s aviation forecast shows exponential growth at the airport since the 2020 shutdown. Aircraft operations, or aircrafts that land, take off or conduct a touch-and-go procedure, are expected to double from 20,000 in 2020 to 40,000 by 2041. The number of people boarding a commercial flight is expected to more than triple in that time and air cargo is projected to grow two and a half times compared to 2020. The proposal for the terminal project includes an 18,000-square-foot expansion east of the main runway. It is slated to happen in three phases over the next four years. Expansions to the baggage handling area of the terminal will get underway soon and are expected to be completed in 2026. Source: East Idaho News
  • The Career Technical and Education Center in Idaho Falls is one of 15 in the state providing programs to students from multiple high school boundaries, including Idaho Falls and Ririe School Districts. The centers reported being unable to add another career technical education program because there is no room. Source: Idaho Business Review
  • The College of Eastern Idaho’s practical nursing program was deemed the top-ranking program in Idaho by Practicalnursing.org, recently ranking all of Idaho’s eight approved licensed practical nurse schools with an overall score of 99. The success is attributed to its 100% first-time National Council Licensure Examination pass rate over the past five years. Source: Post Register
  • Fall River Propane completed an installation of an additional 60,000 gallons of bulk propane storage, with 30,000 gallons in Driggs and another 30 thousand in Ashton. This brings total storage to nearly 400,000 gallons. Fall River Propane just completed its most successful year in the history of the company, delivering 11% more gallons than the year before and 24% greater gallon delivery than in 2022. It resulted in a $1.5 million dollar rebate to the owner-members of Fall River Electric Cooperative, the parent company. Source: Rexburg Standard Journal
  • The Idaho Water Resource Board approved $7.7 million in Aging Infrastructure Grants for water infrastructure upgrades for much needed fixes for projects such as:
    • The conversion of the Moore open canal to an enclosed pipeline (Butte County).
    • Crosscut Canal modernization project (Fremont County).
    • Mud Lake, canal lining and pump station reconstruction and the Rexburg the canal lining project (Madison County).
    • Converting the Driggs open canal to pipeline (Teton County).

Bonneville County

  • Delphia Vegan Cajun, a meal-delivery service inside Grandpa’s Southern BBQ, opened in Idaho Falls. Source: East Idaho News
  • Reed’s Dairy production facility in Idaho Falls was deemed a multi-million-dollar total loss due to a structure fire. Source: East Idaho News
  • Idaho Falls Power is contracting with ESI Construction to build a new $36 million generation plant. The 17.5-megawatt peaking plant will provide dispatchable, on-demand energy for the community during summer and winter peak energy usage periods. Residential customers currently pay 6.9 cents per kilowatt hour. This is half of the national average of 14 cents per kilowatt hour. Source: East Idaho News
  • The Ammon City Council approved a design review for the new Blackrock subdivision, which will have four apartment buildings with 76 dwelling units. It will also contain a two-story commercial building with rental offices and suites. Source: Post Register
  • Gem Prep charter school is planning to break ground on a new building, September in Ammon. The 45,000-square-foot building is slated for completion in July 2025. There are seven locations throughout Idaho. Source: East Idaho News
  • Schools, districts and childcare organizations in Idaho Falls will implement innovative technology solutions through the Idaho Department of Education and USDA’s FY 2021 Technology Improvement Grant funds. The third and final total grant awards are over $171,000. Small World Child Care Center will receive $5,700 and American Heritage Charter School will receive $13,600. Source: the Idaho State Department of Education
  • The Idaho Falls Career Technical and Education Center raffle to win a modified school bus camper brought in $34,700 from 694 raffle tickets sold. The money raised will be used for scholarships for the students who helped build the bus. Source: Post Register
  • A $5,000 grant from the Rocky Mountain Power Foundation helped provide improvements to the Bonneville County Library District’s Ammon branch. Source: East Idaho News
  • Idaho Falls took the title of “America’s Best-Performing Small City” for the second straight year and the third time in four years by the Milken Institute based on 13 indicators that cover labor market conditions, high-tech impact and access to economic opportunities. Source: Post Register
  • A proposed annexation of the Township 1 North and 49th South to the City of Idaho Falls Planning and Zoning Commission is delayed and pending citizen petition. Annexation and initial zoning of R2 and R3A for 28 acres is being requested for limited rezoning to R1 single family residential for 59 of the lots, R2 multi-family for 18 of the lots and R3A for another three lots, with three lots non-buildable. Area citizens are concerned about rapidly accelerating housing density, limited infrastructure, limited 49th South traffic expansion capacity and lack of pedestrian walkways. Source: The Idaho Department of Labor
  • Snake River Animal Shelter construction is under way on a 1,200-square-foot dog training facility for the shelter’s Idaho K9 Academy program. Source: East Idaho News
  • Contractors in Idaho Falls will be installing a multi-use path along the Meppen Canal between the Idaho Canal and 25th East. The project will also install bridges across the Meppen and Idaho canals. The Canal Trail is part of the City of Idaho Falls’ efforts to improve accessibility to pedestrians and cyclists in the community. The Connecting our Community Plan provides a comprehensive look at connecting not only Idaho Falls but the communities of Ammon, Iona, Ucon and the Bonneville Metropolitan Planning Organization service area. Source: East Idaho News
  • The Greater Idaho Falls Chamber of Commerce held ribbon-cutting and groundbreaking ceremonies at Honey Baked Ham and Bricks and Minifigs. 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 or expanded their current location. Source: Greater Idaho Falls Chamber of Commerce
  • Mayor Casper’s State of the City address noted a few 2023 accomplishments:
    • Milken Institute named Idaho Falls the best-performing small city in America for the second time.
    • The area’s economy has been bolstered by tourism and by a period of expansion at the Idaho National Laboratory.
    • Area leader strength and support for workforce development and smart talent pipelines for youth. An example being the College of Eastern Idaho.
    • The city’s fiber-to-the-home initiative achieved approximately 95% coverage, a $21,414,998 direct investment.
    • Improvements to the city’s power infrastructure in downtown alleyways.
    • The first all-inclusive, stand-alone police facility on Northgate Mile.
    • The mayor also mentioned city challenges with mental health and opioid abuse. Source: Post Register
  • Idaho Falls Parks and Recreation’s outdoor ice rinks in Tautphaus Park and cross-country ski trails at Sage Lakes Golf Course were closed in January due to the warmer weather and lack of snow. Source: KIFI Local News
  • Nineteen grants were approved to help Idaho’s aging water infrastructure on Jan. 19. The Idaho Water Resource Board approved $7.7 million in funding to target necessary fixes including New Sweden Irrigation District, Idaho Falls, Martin Flume relocation/expansion, $672,891; and Aging Infrastructure Grants totaling $2 million. Source: Idaho Business Review
  • Over 1,000 Idaho Falls School District 91 students met with 85 potential employers at the third annual Career Exploration Fair at the Mountain America Center. Source: Post Register
  • Ammon has 13 recyclable material bins at its public works building. Since Idaho Falls residents no longer have access to recycle bins, some are taking their recyclables to Ammon, which doesn’t have a contract or a formal recycling program like Idaho Falls had at one time. There may not be capacity to contain the recent increase in recyclables and other garbage dropped off at public works. The city bought the bins and Western Recycling, which collects, has not yet started charging a fee for pick-up service. Source: Post Register
  • The Idaho Falls Senior Citizens’ Community Center can no longer offer free weekend meals to people without insurance. The center offers home-delivered meals to about 195 senior citizens on weekends, but due to rising costs and decreasing funding, 130 households are no longer receiving weekend meals. To bridge the gap, Eastern Idaho Community Action Partnership awarded a grant that gave the center $15,000 through 2023. Source: Post Register
  • The January Bonneville County median home prices increased to $431,950 (3%) and decreased from this time last year (-3%). The county decreased in active home listings both month-over-month (-17%) and year-over-year (-16%). Median days on the market increased by 11 days to 72. New listings were up from the month prior (14%) and down over the year (-25%). There were 82 homes in inventory that reduced their listing prices in January (21%). Source: Realtor.com

Butte County 

  • The January Butte County median home listing prices decreased to $237,000 over the month (-4%) and from this time last year (-20%). Active home listings decreased month-over-month (-14%), but increased year-over-year (20%). Median days on the market increased by four days to 94. There was no data reported for new listings for the month prior, and there was a decrease over the year (-100%). Four homes in inventory reduced their listing prices in January. Source: Realtor.com

Clark County

  • The January Clark County median home listing prices remained the same from last month at $240,000 but decreased over the year (-79%). The county had no change in active home listings month-over-month but decreased year-over-year (-50%). Median days on the market increased by 25 days to 156. There was no data reported for new listings nor homes that reduced their listing prices in January. Source: Realtor.com

Custer County

  • The Custer County courthouse annex construction project is scheduled to be completed in 2024. Construction began last fall and was halted due to weather conditions. The new $600,000, one-story 58×94-foot annex will house a courtroom, judges’ chambers, a jury room, clerks offices, evidence vaults and restrooms. The court is moving services into a ground-floor building to be ADA-compliant. Source: Challis Messenger
  • A Meridian firm, Engineered Structures Inc., has been awarded a $4.6 million contract to expand and improve the Challis water system. Source: Challis Messenger
  • The January Custer County median home listing prices increased to $630,000 both last month (10%), and year-over-year (26%). Active home listings dropped (-10%) month-over-month, but increased year-over-year (13%). Median days on the market increased by six days to 109. There were two new listings and no data for homes that reduced their listing prices in January. Source: Realtor.com

Fremont County

  • Director Boxing and Training, a boxing gym, is providing individual multi-sport training and opened in Chester. Source: East Idaho News
  • Fremont County School District 215 announced a new superintendent, Dr. Brandon Farris, who starts in July. Source: KIFI Local News 8
  • The South Fremont Education Foundation received a generous donation from the late Theodore Siddoway. The money is to be used by each school as an annual scholarship for graduating seniors. Source: Rexburg Standard Journal
  • Fremont County median home listing prices marginally increased to $699,225 over the month and over the year (5%). Active home listings dropped month over month (-23%) but increased year-over-year (14%). Median days on the market increased by 14 days to 117. New listings are up from the month prior (125%). There were two homes in inventory that reduced their listing prices in January (-50%). Source: Realtor.com

Jefferson County

  • Jefferson County Board of Commissioners approved a zone change for 23 acres of Ag-40 land near 900 North and 2800 E to Ag-10 to ensure the remaining parcel created after a clustering would still be considered buildable. The second approved zone change is to R-1 for a parcel near Rigby since much of the surrounding land had similar zoning. Also, a short plat was approved for Summerville Acres, a six-lot subdivision located off 200 N in an R-5 zone. Source: Jefferson Star News
  • The new ALS ambulance arrived at the Central Fire District in Rigby. ARPA funds of about $350,000 allocated to CFD by the county in May of 2022 were used to purchase a brand-new ambulance. Source: Jefferson Star News
  • Nurses at Jefferson Joint School District #251 were awarded $3,426 in medical emergency training kits for student and faculty education by the Idaho Lottery as part of the Classroom Wishlist Program. Source: Jefferson Star News
  • Jefferson County median home listing prices decreased to $486,250 both month-over-month (-2%) and over the year (-10%) in January. Active home listings also dropped month-over-month (-17%) and year-over-year (-16%). Median days on the market increased by five days to 83. New listings increased from the month prior (67%). There were 22 homes in inventory that reduced their listing prices in January (38%). Source: Realtor.com

Lemhi County

  • About 360 locations in Lemhi County will gain access to high-speed broadband in the next three years. A major expansion of Custer Telephone’s high-speed service lines is planned based on a $3.4 million grant from the Idaho Broadband Advisory Board’s capital projects fund. The co-op will invest about $1.6 million of additional money into the three-year project and will provide high-speed internet service to about 360 locations north and southeast of Salmon. Source: Challis Messenger
  • Lemhi County median home listing prices increased to $626,000 both month-over-month (4%) and over the year (3%) in January. Active home listings dropped month-over-month (-25%), but increased year-over-year (-9%). Median days on the market increased by two days to 123. New listings increased from the month prior (100%). There were no homes in inventory that reduced their listing prices in January. Source: Realtor.com

Madison County

  • Sparks Barbeque opened a ghost kitchen at Pizza Pie Cafe in Rexburg. A ghost kitchen serves customers by delivery and pick-up, based on ordering online or on the phone. Source: East Idaho News
  • Chocolate Plunge, a frozen treat and chocolate fountain shop, opened in Rexburg. Source: East Idaho News
  • SodaVine, a retro-style soda and sweets shop in Rexburg, is officially closed. Fixxology will be taking over all SodaVine locations. Source: KIFI Local News 8
  • Rexburg is one of 20 cities across the U.S. selected for a grant to help with plowing snow. Domino’s launched its Plowing for Pizza initiative, which provides $500,000 to be divided among the top 20 most nominated cities. Rexburg was ranked No. 5 on the list and was offered $25,000. Source: East Idaho News
  • Sugar City Council approved the fiber request for potential high-speed internet options with companies and contractors already interested in developing. Source: Rexburg Standard Journal
  • According to BYU-Idaho President Alvin Meredith, the university is at 74% capacity. Actions such as new scholarships, collaborating with BYU-Provo admissions and local junior colleges, refreshing communication strategies and more, are all a part of the effort to bring BYU-Idaho to full enrollment. The university is down 220 students from last winter and more than 1,060 students from last fall.  Application fees for admission have recently been removed. Source: Rexburg Standard Journal
  • Diverging diamond interchanges will be built by the Idaho Department of Transportation this summer in Rexburg. Construction is scheduled to begin March 8 with estimated completion by Oct. 31. Source: Rexburg Standard Journal
  • The Madison Education Foundation has received a generous donation from the late Theodore Siddoway. The money is to be used by each school as an annual scholarship for graduating seniors. Source: Rexburg Standard Journal
  • The January Madison County median home listing prices were unchanged at $379,900 over the month but decreased over the year (-5%). The county decreased in active home listings month-over-month (-18%) but increased year-over-year (14%). Median days on the market increased by 16 days to 70. New listings decreased over the month (-40%). There were 16 homes in inventory that reduced their listing prices in January (100%). Source: Realtor.com

Teton County

  • The current state of water for this year beginning Oct. 1, 2023 is below the historical average. While precipitation in the Henry’s Fork drainage (which includes the Teton river) is 82% of average as of Jan. 11, the snow water equivalent for the watershed is only 60%. After a solid snowstorm in early December, it will be difficult for the snowpack to build up to a seasonal average. The Teton River has relatively little dependence on groundwater and is almost all driven by snowmelt with average water supply in 2023. Poor snowpack will hurt the Teton River more than it’s going to hurt the Fall River and the upper Henry’s Fork, which retain a little bit of the groundwater from 2023. Source: Teton Valley News
  • Teton County Fire District acquired a new vehicle to increase the speed of their response team. The new truck replaces a 1988 second-hand truck. Source: Teton Valley News
  • Driggs City Council and nonprofit Teton Valley Aquatics reviewed the draft conceptual design for a year-round aquatics center, which would be located on property that was donated to the city in 2020. It would be a six-lane lap pool, a recreation pool, an outdoor spa with seating and an event space. The site plan lays out parking, a future indoor athletics area and possible future hot springs pools. The construction cost is now estimated at between $17 million and $29 million. Source: Teton Valley News
  • Representatives from Teton Valley Health Care (TVHC) initiated possible solutions to their struggles with cash flow, workforce housing and an aging hospital facility. The last fiscal year saw a cash decline of over $3 million, due to a combination of labor cost increases, inflation in the cost of supplies and equipment and investments in specialty offerings such as orthopedics. The aging hospital hasn’t been remodeled since the 1990s. TVHC recently worked with the architecture firm JJCA to lay out short and long-term improvements to the hospital, the resulting 14-phase facility master plan would cost $175 million over the next decade. Source: Teton Valley News
  • The Valley of the Tetons Library in Driggs hired RATIO, an architectural team based in Denver, to conduct a community needs assessment – from physical space to community programs. There are over 200 members of Teton Valley including library members and non-members. The Driggs Branch and the adjoining makerspace locations are rented. Rent increased over 67% in the past two years. Currently, the library has over 6,000 library card holders, which is about 52% of Teton Valley’s population. In addition, 3,222 participants attended library programs in 2023, which is a 44% increase from last year. Source: Teton Valley News
  • Natural Resource Overlay dictates planning and zoning to help balance development with the conservation of habitat, stream corridors, wetlands and floodplains. The Natural Resource Overlay map will revert to the 2006 version until a new map is presented and formally adopted by the BoCC in compliance with Idaho Code. The county did not notify the public of 18 meetings centered around the Natural Resource Overlay map, which the Teton County Wildlife and Teton County Waterway and Recreation advisory committees recommended. Source: East Idaho News
  • The Teton County median home listing prices increased to $822,000 month-over-month (27%) but decreased year-over-year (-7%) in January. The county decreased in active home listings both month-over-month (-19%) and year-over-year (-9%). Median days on the market increased by 44 days to 134. New listings decreased from the month prior (-60%). There were four homes in inventory that reduced their listing prices in January (-67%). Source: Realtor.com

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.