Information provided in these news updates is collected up until the end of April 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 Idaho
Eastern Idaho

 

 

 

NORTHERN IDAHO

Benewah, Bonner, Boundary, Kootenai and Shoshone counties

Benewah County

• Construction is underway on a new addition to the St. Maries Public Library. Source: Gazette Record

Bonner County

• The Bonner County Planning Commission recently held a public hearing for a proposed mountain bike park, Panhandle Bike Ranch, in Sagle. If the conditional use permit is approved, the development will build a bike park with multiple trails and shuttle access on what is currently 170-acres of undeveloped land zoned Rural R10. Construction is planned for May 2024 and the park would open to the public in spring of 2025. Source: Sandpoint Reader

Boundary County

• The Boundary County School District administrative office moved to Valley View Elementary after a vehicle struck the former school district building in 2023. Source: Bonners Ferry Herald
• The Bonners Ferry Senior Hospitality Center has temporarily closed during investigations of financial claim regarding its nonprofit status, insurance filing and taxes. Food boxes and meal delivery to local seniors will continue through the closure. Source: Bonners Ferry Herald
• Moyie Springs experienced a mudslide when the city’s main water line broke at the end of March. Moyie Springs has temporarily joined the Three-Mile Water District and is working with the Idaho Forest Group on a new easement that will provide access to the city’s water wells via a different route. Source: Bonners Ferry Herald

Kootenai County

• Budget shortfalls, enrollment declines and increasing costs are causing the Coeur d’Alene School District to consider cost-saving options, including the layoff of around 65 positions, or approximately 6% of the workforce. Other steps include temporarily closing Borah Elementary School and operating on either a four-day school week or an alternating four and five-day school week. Over the past two years, the school district’s enrollment has declined by 5%, with 2023-2024 enrollment at its lowest since 2003-2004. Enrollment over the next two school years is expected to decline due to lower birthrates and alternative education choices. Coeur d’Alene is the eighth largest school district in Idaho with nearly 10,000 enrollments and more than 1,000 employees. The final decision regarding the $6 million 2024-2025 budget shortfall is scheduled for the school board meeting on May 13. Source: Coeur d’Alene School District and The Idaho Department of Education
• The Kootenai Technical Education Campus hosted more than 400 high school students for a skilled trades career day called Hard Hats, Hammers and Hot Dogs. Source: Coeur d’Alene Press
• The Coeur d’Alene Police Department held a groundbreaking ceremony for a $6 million expansion and remodel to increase available space for personnel and an emergency operations center. The project is scheduled to be completed March 2025. Source: KXLY
• Alliance Insurance Services acquired the employee-benefits agency Advanced Benefits of Coeur d’Alene. Source: Spokane and Kootenai Journal of Business
• The brunch manor Ten/6 has scheduled their grand reopening for May 1. Source: Ten/6
• Hayden Lake Physical Therapy is opening a third location in Post Falls on May 1. The new location is in addition to clinics located in Coeur d’Alene and Hayden. Source: Hayden Lake Physical Therapy
• Eats on Spokane St. is building a pavilion for up to eight food trucks in Post Falls. The new facility will be located next to Post Falls Brewing and is expected to open in summer 2024. Source: Coeur d’Alene Press

Shoshone County

• Wallace City Council approved a $3.7 million bid from Apollo General Contracting to replace the 6th Street Bridge. The six-month project is expected to begin immediately and may result in traffic delays. Source: Shoshone News Press
• A major rockslide will cause a delay for the seasonal opening of Moon Pass. An alternative opening date has not yet been determined. The estimated project cost is up to $200,000 to clear the nearly 8,000 cubic yards of rock. Source: Shoshone News Press
• Shoshone County commissioners approved a mountain overlay district for unincorporated areas around Wallace. Single-family homes will be restricted to one for every 50 acres and permits and evaluations are required for any site alterations. Source: Shoshone News Press

Openings

• Cascadia Pizza Co, Coeur d’Alene
• Soulcial Motion Group Fitness Studio, Coeur d’Alene
• Gesa Credit Union, Post Falls
• ROJO Ink, Post Falls
• Nailz Galore by JB, St. Maries

Closings

• Shoshone County Community Concert Association
• Memory Lane Gems, Coeur d’Alene

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

*Northern developments for April were submitted by Labor Economist Lisa Grigg.

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NORTH CENTRAL IDAHO

Clearwater, Idaho, Latah, Lewis and Nez Perce counties

Region

• American Cruise Lines has acquired the American Empress paddle wheeler, along with three additional river cruise ships, via auction from bankrupt American Queen Voyages. American Cruise Lines has entered a private-public partnership with the Port of Lewiston to construct the only cruise dock in Idaho starting in the spring of 2025. The cruise lines have also announced plans to increase the number of vessels in its lineup. Source: Cruise Hive and the Idaho Department of Commerce
• The Idaho Broadband Advisory Board awarded a total of $500,000 in broadband planning grants to 15 nonprofit entities in 10 Idaho counties, four cities and one library district. North central recipients included $36,500 to Idaho County and $35,000 to Clearwater County. Source: the Idaho Department of Commerce

Nez Perce County

• Lewis-Clark State College’s spring enrollment is up 2.1% over 2023. Enrollment growth was captured in technical and industrial, business and computer science, nursing and health sciences and social sciences. The college plans to add a full master’s degree in nursing by the fall of 2024. Source: Lewis-Clark State College
• Supreme Power Sports is a certified Segway Power Sports dealer and maintenance provider for the company’s side-by-side and all-terrain vehicles. Supreme Power Sports locations in Lewiston and Potlatch will expand the Segway brand beyond existing Idaho dealers in Hayden and Sandpoint. Segway products include all-terrain vehicles, robotics, go-carts, self-balancing scooters and kick scooters. Source: Daily Fly
• Phoenix Radiology of Lewiston has partnered with TriState Health in Clarkston to replace Twin Cities Radiology in providing radiology reading services. Phoenix Radiology currently serves as interpreting radiologists for St. Joseph Regional Medical Center, Valley Medical Center and Syringa General Hospital. Source: Lewiston Tribune
• Northwest Fourslide is scheduled to open its new manufacturing plant at the Port of Lewiston in May. Northwest Fourslide is a metal products manufacturer relocating from Tualatin, Oregon. The company plans to employ around 40 workers, with about half being existing employees relocating from Oregon and half hired from the local region. Northwest Fourslide is actively hiring tool and die makers, machinists, lead operators, quality managers and technicians. Source: Lewiston Tribune
• The Nimiipuu Community Development Fund is accepting architectural concept proposals to construct a new combination business incubator and office building within Lapwai city limits. Source: Nimiipuu Community Development Fund
• Lewiston’s Starbucks on 21st St. will temporarily close in early May for about eight weeks for renovation. Source: Lewiston Tribune

Idaho County

• Idaho County commissioners awarded a $12.7 million bid to Kenaston Corp of Lewiston to build a new 48-bed jail unit. Construction is expected to be completed by summer 2025. The current jail is designed for 11 inmates but currently houses 19. Source: Lewiston Tribune
• Grangeville High School will use grant funds from the Idaho Department of Education to construct a pole barn that will house a portable sawmill to produce lumber for the wood shop and potentially fill custom lumber requests. Source: Idaho County Free Press
• Fogleman Construction is completing construction of the new Hilltop eatery in Grangeville. The new building should be open for business within the next few months. Source: Idaho County Free Press

Latah County

• The Moscow school board voted to close Russell Elementary at the conclusion of the 2023-2024 school year as a result of declining enrollment and forthcoming capital expenses of potentially needing to construct a new high school. Many of Russell’s students will be transferred to West Park Elementary. Source: Lewiston Tribune
• A Jersey Mike’s Subs sandwich shop is expected to open in Moscow’s Palouse Mall by late June, with possible plans to open another location in Lewiston once a suitable spot has been found. Jersey Mike’s Subs currently has 13 Idaho locations throughout southern and eastern Idaho. Source: Lewiston Tribune, Jersey Mike’s Subs
• The Latah County Sheriff’s Office will be upgrading their digital evidence system through grant funds. The system includes software, body cameras and vehicle cameras. The upgrades will enable the county to seamlessly share videos with the State Attorney’s Offices, media outlets and for the purposes of responding to public records requests. Source: Latah County Sheriff’s Office
• The University of Idaho received $11 million from the National Institutes of Health to create a biomedical center with a research focus on women’s health and nutrition. The initial five-year grant through 2028 can be extended for up to two additional 5-year periods. Source: The University of Idaho

Clearwater County

• A groundbreaking ceremony was held for a new, permanent three-story dormitory building at the Idaho Youth Challenge Academy. When finished, the building will accommodate 180 cadets as well as necessary staff. The quasi-military academy was established in 2014 to help at-risk teens earn an education and learn job skills. There are currently 151 cadets enrolled in the program. More than 2,000 youth have completed the program since inception. A proposal to expand the academy with a workforce training center is being considered in either Lewiston or Wilder to enable cadets that graduate from the academy to receive additional vocational certification through a 10 to 20-week program. Source: Lewiston Tribune

Openings

• Serengeti Care home health services, Lewiston
• Lish Consignment Boutique, Lewiston
• Chili Blues food truck, Lewiston
• Keuterville Pub and Grub is under new ownership
• Hair Heartbeat hair extensions, Lewiston
• The Hangout is under new ownership, Cottonwood
• Riggins One Stop is under new ownership
• Flour Petal Cookie Co, Grangeville
• Forty Two Bar and Kitchen, Moscow
• Bea You Yoga, Lewiston

Closings

• Whipple’s Feed and Country Store, Orofino
• Divots Golf, Lewiston
• The Print Shop, Grangeville

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 and Washington counties

Region

Figure 1. Southwestern Idaho’s public community college and university spring enrollment data.

Figure 2. Southwestern Idaho’s single-family home – March 2023 and 2024 data

Figure 3 and 4. Southwestern Idaho’s job posting analytics

 

Ada County

• St. Alphonsus acquired three Saltzer Health clinics after Treasure Valley Saltzer Health closed all 11 of its locations. Two of the three clinics provide urgent care services and are temporarily closed for information technology equipment updates and installation of St. Alphonsus’s electronic medical record system. The Ten Mile Ambulatory Surgery Center continues uninterrupted service under St. Alphonsus ownership. Source: Idaho News 6

Canyon County

• The College of Western Idaho is expanding its Nampa campus with three new buildings. The Health and Science building is a 50,000-square-foot facility that will be home to health and science programs. The building will provide space for students to learn and collaborate. The Horticulture and Agricultural Science building is located on a 40-acre site. It will have 38,000 square feet of classrooms, a lab, greenhouse and shop spaces. The Student Learning Hub will be 35,000 square feet in a central location for use by both students and staff. It will house several resources to support student success. It will be completed by the fall of 2026. The two science buildings will be completed by the summer of 2025. Source: KTVB News
• Nampa School District trustees approved a four-day school week. It is the largest Idaho school district to initiate the shorter schedule. The Nampa School District has already closed or repurposed four schools and moved away from a more labor-heavy A/B block schedule to tighten purse strings. The four-day school week is appealing to many teachers and can be viewed as a recruitment tool. There are 94 other school districts and charter schools that have moved to a four-day week. Source: Idaho Press
• The College of Idaho announced the launch of its first doctoral degree program this summer. A new group of students will begin the program every three months and will obtain a Doctor of Medical Science degree. The program will be 100% online, mentored by doctoral-level physician assistants along with faculty and will carry affordable tuition and fees. Source: Idaho News 6

Valley County

• The McCall City Council awarded a $147,000 contract to Challenger Companies of Nampa to repair a sewer pumping station. The pumping station failed numerous times in 2023, causing the golf course restaurant to close. Source: The Star-News

Openings

• Scheels Sporting Goods hosted a daylong grand opening of its 240,000 square foot store in Meridian. It celebrated its 65’ Ferris wheel and the 16,000-gallon saltwater aquarium located in the middle of the store. The store also hired 250 team members. Source: Scheels.com and Idaho Press
• The City of Boise’s Housing Land Trust opened its first affordable apartment complex for leasing. The Franklin, with 184 apartments offering one-bedroom units, two-bedroom units and three-bedroom units is located on Boise’s bench. Boise city partnered with developers to create a subsidy by donating the land. The collaboration provides the community with housing rates at better than market prices for people earning 60% of the median household income or less. Source: Idaho Statesman
• Coa Del Mar, located in Eagle, is a new sister restaurant to Barbacoa and Coa De Jima. Both restaurants are located in Boise. The 10,000-square-foot restaurant has the capacity to hold 400 people with indoor and outdoor dining near the water, with an enclosed patio during the winter. The Latin fusion restaurant will employ around 250 people. Source: Idaho Statesman
• Amazon held a grand opening for its new delivery station in Meridian. The company reported the new operation will create 200 jobs. Source: KTVB News
• Carrington College held a ribbon cutting at its new campus located on the Boise bench. Source: Idaho Press

Closings

• Freshie’s Lobster Co. located in the Boise Warehouse Food Hall shuttered its operations. 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 and Twin Falls counties

Figure 1. Top 10 occupations by unique job posting

Figure 2. Top 10 industries by unique job posting

Figure 3. Top 10 hardest-to-fill occupations

Cassia County

• Dot Foods announced it will make a $22 million investment at its Burley distribution center. The investment will add 24,400 square feet of frozen warehouse space, 8,700 square feet of cooler space and 14,700 square feet of dry warehouse space. The company will also hire eight new employees. Dot Foods plans to have the construction finished by summer of 2025. Source: Magic Valley Times-News

Lincoln County

• The cities of Richfield and Dietrich are receiving fiber internet connectivity through a $4 million grant provided through the Capital Projects Fund for Broadband Infrastructure through the state of Idaho. The project is expected to take around two years to be completed. Source: KMVT
• Lincoln County is opening a day care center for ages zero to three with a $450,000 grant from the Idaho Workforce Development Council. The daycare is hoping to open by the end of 2024 and will have space for 30 kids. Source: KMVT

Twin Falls County

• The College of Southern Idaho has broken ground on a new transportation technology center. The new center will house heavy equipment technology and diesel technology for agriculture. It will also host workforce training for the transportation sector. Construction is expected to be completed by October of 2025 with classes in the building planned for spring of 2026. Source: KMVT

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 and Power counties

Region

• Labor force estimates for March 2024 from the Idaho Department of Labor’s Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS) show employment and unemployment increases in the seven-county southeastern region. Seasonally adjusted, March’s preliminary estimates had labor force participants increasing by 365 people, with 354 more employed and 11 more unemployed. The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate held at 3.2%, 0.3% points higher than it was in March 2023.

Figure 1.

• In March 2024, there were 828 unique online job postings in Idaho’s southeastern labor market area, down 37% from 1,317 the prior month and down 3% from 851 over the year. The median job posting duration was five days, both down from 19 in February and 22 in March 2023.

Figure 2.

• The top occupational families by unique online job postings in southeastern Idaho continue to be sales and related, health care practitioners and technical, and transportation and material moving. Among specific occupations, retail salespersons are again at the top of the list with 46 unique online postings followed by registered nurses (33), retail sales supervisors (27), wholesale and manufacturing sales representatives (28), and medical and health service managers (24).

Figure 3.

• Health care and social assistance remained at the top of broadly defined industries by unique online job postings in March 2024, followed by retail trade, and finance and insurance. Looking at specific industries, general medical and surgical hospitals had the most unique job postings while there were also year-over-year increases in employment placement agencies by 69%, real estate and lessors by 68%, and health insurance carriers by 75%.

• Professional, scientific and technical service occupations stood out in March for the median number of days an occupational job posting is listed. Industrial engineering technicians had the greatest duration at 19 days, followed by computer engineers with 18 days and human resources specialists with 17 days. All occupations are new to March’s hardest-to-fill occupations list.

Region News

• Idaho State University’s spring 2024 enrollment is up 1.3%, or 142 students, over the year. Source: The Idaho State Board of Education
• Proposed passenger train routes, running from Pocatello to several locations in the northwest, are aiming to reopen passenger services using existing railroads — including in eastern Idaho. It’s part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law’s $66 billion investment in passenger rails. Source: KIFI Local News 8
• A new religious radio station, Salt & Light Radio, is planning to construct two transmitters in the Arco Desert, north of Pocatello, allowing transmission throughout much of southeastern Idaho on 88.3 FM. Source: Idaho State Journal

Bannock County

• The U.S. Department of Transportation awarded the city of Pocatello an $8.5 million Reconnecting Communities and Neighborhoods Grant to improve connections between the city’s core neighborhoods. The city’s Terry First Connection project will improve bicycle and pedestrian access across the Union Pacific Railroad via the Benton St. overpass, making it safer. The complete corridor with updated infrastructure will improve community connectivity including mobility, access and economic development. Source: East Idaho News
• The Bannock County Commission voted down the $3.5 million construction of a forensic pathology center due to taxpayer costs for construction and autopsies. Source: East Idaho News
• The City of McCammon is starting construction on a new fire station, which will also house city hall departments and Emergency Medical Services personnel. Bannock County will be funding the project. Source: KIFI Local News 8
• Idaho State University received state funding for repaving and resurfacing, adding additional parking spaces and more trees to the parking lot adjacent to the Pond Student Union building. University officials plan to start working on the swimming pool and The College of Pharmacy building is also on track to be completed. Source: KIFI Local News 8
• A new splash pad at O.K. Ward Park in Pocatello is expected to be completed by early June. It is fully funded by Idaho Central Credit Union. Source: East Idaho News
• The Boys & Girls Club of Southeast Idaho now offers after-school programs at Syringa and Indian Hills Elementary Schools in Pocatello, serving about 100 students. The club is preparing for another summer program and is close to becoming its own independent charter with a $200,000 anonymous donation and another $204,000 raised. Source: Idaho State Journal
• The expansion of the Pocatello Community Recreation Center is underway and expected to be completed in September. Source: Idaho State Journal
• The Bannock County Commission voted to ban large-scale solar and wind projects via an ordinance.  Source: East Idaho News
• More than 50 small businesses were present for the Spring Soiree event at Pine Ridge Mall in Chubbuck to promote local establishments. Source: East Idaho News
• Core members have been selected for the Pocatello-Chubbuck School District 25 Highland High School Rebuild and Design Committee from a pool of parent and community representatives. Source: KIFI Local News 8
• House Bill 521 is projected to provide $43 million to the Pocatello-Chubbuck School District to fund facility construction. A bond election will no longer be needed. The board of trustees discussed earmarking approximately $31-$33 million of the funding for the reconstruction of the fire-damaged Highland High School. The new fund reapportions the $11-$12 million the district anticipated receiving over the next ten years from lottery funds. Source: Idaho State Journal
• Meals on Wheels costs have reportedly gone up 30% for the Southeast Idaho Community Action Agency. They rely on grants, donations and fundraisers, and currently face a $30,000 budget deficit. Source: KPVI
• Funding for the renovation of the veterans’ home in Pocatello was approved before May 2022, however new regulations increased the project cost by an estimated $30 million, or 28% of the estimated budget. Source: KSL
• The Pocatello-Chubbuck Chamber of Commerce announced ribbon cuttings for Dude’s Public Market, Poulsen Professional, Little Free Pantry, Health West Pharmacy and the Pocatello Community Recreation Center. Source: Pocatello-Chubbuck Chamber of Commerce
• Median home listing prices in Bannock County for March increased 2% from last month to $399,900 but dropped 5% from this time last year. Active home listings both increased 8% month-over-month and 23% year-over-year. Median days on the market decreased by 16 days to 59. New listings were up from the month prior by 2%. Listing prices for 40 homes in inventory fell in March, down 29%. Source: Realtor.com

Bear Lake County

•  A $2.5 million Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation purchase added 28 acres to Bear Lake State Park and 1,200 feet of new shoreline. Development of the land as a park unit is planned over several years. Possible improvements include beach day use, paved parking, picnic shelters, a few cabins or camping access. Source: News-Examiner
• Samson’s Island Grill opened in Montpelier. Source: News-Examiner
• Domino’s pizza restaurant is set to open by June in Montpelier. Source: News-Examiner
• Health West officially expanded its services into Montpelier, including the acquisition of Bear Lake Community Health Centers. Source: Idaho State Journal
• The Idaho Broadband Advisory Board has awarded a $36,000 Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment Regional Coordination and Planning grant to Bear Lake County for the support and development of its Broadband Action Teams and Coalitions. Source: the Idaho Department of Commerce
• Median home listing prices in Bear Lake County increased 4% from last month to $599,999 and 25% from this time last year. Active home listings increased 2% month-over-month and 63% year-over-year. Median days on the market increased by 13 days to 115. New listings were down 200% from the month prior. Listing prices for four homes in inventory dropped in March, unchanged over the month. Source: Realtor.com

Bingham County

• Clearway Energy Group’s first project in Idaho, Cedar Creek Wind, has reached commercial operations. The 152-megawatt wind farm, east of Firth, will generate enough electricity to annually power 41,000 homes. Source: Clearway Energy Group
• One Beat Wellness Studio for yoga and high fitness classes opened in Blackfoot. Source: Idaho State Journal
• The Center for HOPE, a nonprofit peer community recovery center, opened in Blackfoot. Source: East Idaho News
• The city of Blackfoot is breaking ground on a new animal shelter. Source: KIFI Local News 8
• A former Pocatello handcrafted items shop, Poky Dot Boutique, recently reopened in Blackfoot. Source: Idaho State Journal
• RememberMe, a new business to help people share the memories of their deceased loved ones, opened in Blackfoot. Source: Idaho State Journal
• Through the Community Project Funding in the Fiscal Year 2024 Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill, $4.3 million has been allocated for a new fire station for the Shelley-Firth Fire District in Firth. Source: Idaho State Journal
• Aberdeen School District won a National Park Trust-Kids to Park Day School Grant matched by the Idaho National Laboratory. They also won the Idaho Out-of-School Network Grant for after school and summer activities. Source: Aberdeen Times
• Riverbend Elementary School in Blackfoot is nearing completion and will open this fall. Source: KIFI Local News 8
• Median home listing prices for March in Bingham County increased 3% from last month to $412,000 but decreased 6% over the year. Active home listings decreased 8% month-over-month but increased 20% year-over-year. Median days on the market decreased 16 days to 55. New listings were down 37% from the month prior. Listing prices for 28 homes in inventory dropped in March, up 56% over the month. Source: Realtor.com

Caribou County

• Median home listing prices in March for Caribou County increased 1% from last month to $345,000 and 12% from this time last year. Active home listings increased 3% month-over-month but decreased 2% year-over-year. Median days on the market increased by 37 days to 131. New listings were up 100% from the month prior. Listing prices for four homes in inventory dropped in March, unchanged over the month. Source: Realtor.com

Franklin County

• New establishments Chloe Cuisine Co., JP Nets, Resolute Home Builders LLC., A-Nails & Spa, Wash Away, Aprikat, House of Pop, Ranch Queen LLC., Soul Deep Yoga, Brahma Group Inc., Atomic Financial Group and The Vape Shop opened in Preston. Source: Preston Citizen
• A new floral shop is to be constructed on Depot St. in Preston. Source: Preston Citizen
• A nonprofit, Southeastern Idaho Constituent of Justice, was approved by the city council. Source: Preston Citizen
• Bear Lake Memorial Hospital hired several new doctors in recent months, including a new emergency response medical director, OB-GYN and family practice physician. The hospital’s on-site urgent care center will soon be remodeled, and the hospital will open a new urgent care location and family practice in the fall. Bear Lake Memorial recently purchased land in Montpelier to build clinic offices. Source: News-Examiner
• Preston City needs volunteer ambulance Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT). Training is paid for by ambulance administration and a stipend is given for each call attended. The number of EMTs serving as on-call ambulance volunteers in the county has dropped to 12, which is not enough for the growth in the county. Source: Preston Citizen
• Median home listing prices for March in Franklin County marginally decreased from last month to $472,000 but increased 4% from this time last year. Active home listings increased 17% month-over-month and 8% year-over-year. Median days on the market increased by 23 days to 58. New listings were up 100% from the month prior. Listing prices for four homes in inventory dropped over the month. Source: Realtor.com

Onedia County

• Median home listing prices for March in Oneida County both increased 120% over the month to $504,950 and 60% over the year. Active home listings decreased 25% month- over-month and 64% year-over-year. Median days on the market decreased by 22 days to 24. New listings were up 300% from the month prior. There were no homes in inventory that reduced their listing prices over the month. Source: Realtor.com

Power County

• A Recreation Boating Safety grant for $16,751 was accepted by the county to encourage greater participation and uniformity in boating safety. Source: Power County Press
• Lamb Weston donated $10,000 in ammonia kits to the Power County Fire Department. Source: Power County Press
• Stotz Equipment in American Falls donated $7,502 to Music in the Park, a nonprofit that provides weekly music, food and vendors to the community. Source: Power County Press
• Median home listing prices for March in Power County marginally increased from last month to $380,000 but marginally decreased over the year. Active home listings decreased 4% month-over-month and 39% year-over-year. Median days on the market increased by 27 days to 101. New listings decreased 100% over the month. There were no homes in inventory that reduced their listing prices, down 100% over the month. Source: Realtor.com

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

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• EASTERN IDAHO

  Bonneville, Butte, Clark, Custer, Fremont, Jefferson, Lemhi, Madison and Teton counties

Region

• Labor force estimates for March 2024 from the Idaho Department of Labor’s Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS) showed total employment increased and unemployment decreased in the nine-county eastern region. Seasonally adjusted, March’s preliminary estimates showed labor force participants increased by 794 people, with 820 more employed people and 26 fewer unemployed people. The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate decreased to 2.8% which was 0.2 percentage points higher than it was March 2023.

Figure 1.

• There were an estimated 1,006 unique job postings in the eastern Idaho labor market for March 2024, according to the Conference Board: Help Wanted Online. (Note that this is regional online job postings data and not necessarily job openings data). The 1,006 postings are down 42% from 1,739 the prior month and down 10% from 1,115 year-over-year. Retail salespersons again lead the top occupations by unique (deduplicated) job postings in the region for March. Wholesale and manufacturing sales representatives and registered nurses replaced customer service representatives. Those occupations also replaced farmworkers, crop, nursery and greenhouse laborers in the top five since last month. Secretaries, administrative assistants, tellers, cashiers and driver sales workers replaced construction laborers; freight, stock and material movers; and stocker and order fillers in the top 10.
  Employer hiring demand from a job postings perspective was down 28% for retail salespersons, down 9% for registered nurses, down 61% for retail supervisors and down 61% for heavy truck drivers. Conversely, there was an increase in postings for wholesale and manufacturing sales representatives at 14%.

Figure 2.

• Retail trade swapped with professional, scientific and technology services in the eastern Idaho region rankings of March top industries by unique job postings. The same industries remained in the top five since last month. Every industry decreased in industry job postings. The finance and insurance industry were added to the top 10 list, replacing transportation and material handling.

Figure 3.

• March data from the Conference Board denotes the hardest-to-fill occupations in eastern Idaho, in terms of combination of time to fill (median job posting duration) and multiple unique job postings. These included registered nurses, health technologists, light truck drivers, human resource specialists and software developers. Hardest-to-fill job posting challenges in March by occupational family were health care practitioners, technical, construction, extraction, transportation, material moving and office and administrative support. All occupations were added to the hardest-to-fill jobs list.

Figure 4.

Region News

• The Idaho Broadband Advisory Board awarded funding from the State’s Broadband, Equity Access and Deployment Regional Coordination and Planning grant to the following communities in the region. These communities helped support and develop Broadband Action Teams and Coalitions: Madison County ($36,000), the City of Teton ($30,250) and the City of Ammon ($25,000). Source: the Idaho Department of Commerce
• The Idaho Advanced Energy Consortium (IAEC) is focused on supporting the deployment of clean energy technologies such as enhanced electrolysis for bulk hydrogen production, new generation efficiencies in hydropower and commercializing advanced nuclear technologies, including small modular reactors and microreactors. To prepare for new technological deployments, the consortium is addressing the evolving supply chain, workforce, infrastructure and security needs. One of IAEC’s biggest accomplishments to date is the creation of the Intermountain-West Nuclear Energy Corridor Tech Hub, a two-state partnership between Idaho and Wyoming in response to the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Association’s funding opportunity for Technology Hubs. The Economic Development Association has designated this energy corridor as the only nuclear energy-focused Tech Hub in the nation, solidifying the region as the epicenter of the nation’s energy transition. Source: KMVT
• The College of Eastern Idaho will offer a new mechatronics program fall semester 2024. The arrival of a FANUC 200iD Robot was part of the Leading Idaho 2.0 grant, which gave the college a total of $1,120,721 for secondary career technical education. Of those funds, the school’s welding program received $111,840. The new robot will help students prepare for careers in advanced manufacturing and other industrial sectors. Source: East Idaho News
• The College of Eastern Idaho spring 2024 enrollment is up 187 students over the year at 10%. Source: The Office of the Idaho State Board of Education
• Senate Bill 1341 passed and gives the Idaho Division of Water Resources a process to expand the boundary of the Eastern Snake Plain Aquifer area of common groundwater supply. Senior water users who have the oldest water rights will receive priority in times of water shortages. Source: Idaho Business Review
• Some 46 vendors descended upon the East Idaho Fly Tying and Fly Fishing Expo, hosted by the Snake River Cutthroats, for two days at the Mountain America Center. Source: East Idaho News
• Early February storms increased snow water equivalent in the Lost, Salmon, Wood and Boise basins, which range from 87 to 98% of normal. The Salmon basin saw a significant bump to 84% of normal, the Little Wood basin received 244% of normal precipitation in February, the River basin received 179% of normal precipitation and the Salmon River basin received 150% of normal precipitation in February. The Wood and Lost basins range from 87 to 102% of normal. Mackay Reservoir is at 69% of capacity. The Salmon River streamflow forecast is significantly below normal. Source: Challis Messenger

Bonneville County

• An electronic auto racing business, Yellowstone Grand Prix Racing Center, opened in Idaho Falls. Source: East Idaho News
• Downtown Bridal & Dress Shop opened in Idaho Falls. Source: East Idaho News
• A beverage shop, Boba Luv, opened in Idaho Falls. Source: East Idaho News
• The Chicken Shanty, is slated to open in June in Idaho Falls. Source: East Idaho News
• North 40 Adventures, a women’s clothing, home décor, boutique items, electric bikes, athletic apparel and other outdoor recreational equipment shop, launched online and will open a storefront this summer in Idaho Falls. Source: East Idaho News
• Teton Cleaners & Laundry, including a new pickup and delivery service, opened in Idaho Falls. Source: East Idaho News
• A new business, Unified Wholesale, selling pallets of merchandise from online retailers, opened in Idaho Falls. Source: East Idaho News
• Kicks & Fades Barbering Co. opened inside Teton Village in Idaho Falls. Source: East Idaho News
• A retail store, Attic Salt, is permanently closing in Idaho Falls. Source: the Idaho Department of Labor
• The 14-acre Heritage Park on the Snake River in Idaho Falls entered phase two of the master plan, including irrigation and landscaping. The next phases include adding trails, water gardens and an event amphitheater. Source: KIFI Local News 8
• The Idaho Falls School District 91 Board of Trustees voted to implement $4,325,190 in budget cuts. No teachers in the district will be losing their jobs. However, the cuts include 20 full-time personnel positions which will remain unfilled after regular attrition. The overall reduction in full-time employees will save $1.5 million. Even so, the district still anticipates teacher job openings this fall. Source: East Idaho News
• A new sixth to twelfth grade career technical charter school, Elevate Academy, is opening in Idaho Falls in fall 2024. It has local industry partnerships in construction, welding, manufacturing, business, marketing, graphic design and more. Source: KIFI Local News 8
• Idaho Fish and Game, together with the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, have announced a 328-acre expansion of the Tex Creek Wildlife Management Area west of Idaho Falls. Source: Media Decision
• The playgrounds in South Capital Park and 20th Street Park will have new equipment replaced by Idaho Falls Parks and Recreation. Source: KIFI Local News
• The City of Idaho Falls is installing the first elevator in its City Hall’s 94-year history. Source: KIFI Local News
• Over 56 Idaho schools participated during Scratch for Schools with the Idaho Lottery. Tiebreaker Elementary won $777 and Fox Hollow Elementary won $302. Source: Post Register
• The Greater Idaho Falls Chamber of Commerce announced ribbon cuttings and groundbreaking ceremonies at The Nest Pregnancy & Care Center and Stukent and Home Helpers. These establishments met one of the following criteria including opening their doors within the past six months, moving to a new location due to expansion or have remodeled or expanded their current location. Source: the Greater Idaho Falls Chamber of Commerce
• The March Bonneville County median home listing prices increased 6% from last month to $460,000 but decreased 1% from this time last year. The county increased 2% in active home listings month-over-month but decreased 13% year-over-year. Median days on the market decreased by 17 days to 37. New listings were up 25% from the month prior. There were 44 homes in inventory that reduced their listing prices over the month by 31%. Source: Realtor.com

Butte County

• Pickle’s Place restaurant in Arco reopened after electrical system renovations. Source: KPVI
• The March Butte County median home listing prices increased 2% to $240,000 over the month but decreased 19% from this time last year. The county increased 7% in active home listings both month-over-month and year-over-year at 17%. Median days on the market increased by 24 days to 136. There were no new listings reported from the month prior nor over the year. There were four homes in inventory that reduced their listing prices over the month. Source: Realtor.com

Clark County

• The March Clark County median home listing prices reported no change from last month at $240,000 but decreased 54% over the year. The county reported no change in active home listings month-over-month but decreased 50% over the year. Median days on the market decreased to 15 days. There was no data reported for new listings nor homes that reduced their listing prices over the month. Source: Realtor.com

Custer County

• The city of Stanley will receive $4 million from the community project funding program administered by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to build new housing units. Source: Challis Messenger
• A shortage of bus drivers in Challis School District is currently affecting travel for school athletics. Source: Challis Messenger
• The March Custer County median home listing prices decreased 18% to $487,000 over the month and decreased 11% year-over-year. The county decreased 4% in month-over-month active home listings but increased 19% year-over-year. Median days on the market increased by 27 days to 149. There were no new listings nor homes that reduced their listing prices over the month. Source: Realtor.com

Fremont County

• Island Park Charter School students raised $11,195 to assist a local disabled veteran to help pay off his accessible vehicle. Source: KIFI Local News 8
• Seventeen St. Anthony families were displaced from structure fire smoke damage. The fire started in the La Mexicana store but didn’t spread to the apartments above. Source: East Idaho News
• Fremont County Sheriff’s Office has a new jail facility in St. Anthony. Source: KIFI Local News 8

Jefferson County

• A new restaurant at 7N Ranch, Farmhouse Table, opened in Ririe where there will also be an ice cream parlor, soda bar and office space. Source: East Idaho News
• Last year Lewisville was awarded a $250,000 Child Pedestrian Safety Grant from the Local Highway Technical Assistance Council for the installation of a walking path that recently began to get walkers and bike riders off the main roads. Source: Jefferson Star
• Work on the wastewater treatment plant upgrade in Rigby is expected to reach completion in August. The project uses funds from the Idaho Department of Commerce. It was a $26.6 million undertaking for the city and also funded in part by a $500,000 Community Block grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Source: Jefferson Star
• Ririe School Board approved a $177,000 track replacement at Ririe High School from the Wind Energy fund. Source: Jefferson Star
• The March Jefferson County median home listing prices increased 10% to $562,000 month-over-month and increased 3% over the year. The county increased 3% in active home listings month-over-month but decreased 11% year-over-year. Median days on the market decreased by 14 days to 43. New listings decreased 25% from the month prior. There were 16 homes in inventory that reduced their listing price, up over the month by 14%. Source: Realtor.com

Lemhi County

• The Mule Deer Foundation awarded the State of Idaho $312,922 to improve fencing along the Highway 28 wildlife migration route. The state will match funds of $300,000 for a total of $617,922 toward upgrades. Source: the U.S. Department of Interior
• The March Lemhi County median home listing prices increased 6% to $679,00 month-over-month but decreased 2% and over the year. The county decreased 3% in home listings month-over-month and decreased 8% year-over-year. Median days on the market increased by 19 days to 151. New listings were down 50% over the month. There were four homes in inventory that reduced their listing prices, up over the month. Source: Realtor.com\

Madison County

• The Center for HOPE, a nonprofit peer community recovery center, opened in Rexburg. Source: East Idaho News
• Pick Me Up drink shop opened in Rexburg. Source: East Idaho News
• After over 100 years, Sugar City Furniture and Hardware Co. is closing and will be replaced by a new establishment in Sugar City — Rocknaks Hardware Plus. Source: Rexburg Standard Journal
• An automotive shop, McRae Repair in Rexburg, is considered a total loss after a fire. Source: East Idaho News
• Beehive Credit Union opened a branch in Rexburg. Source: Rexburg Standard Journal
• Mo’ Bettahs, a chain restaurant, opened in Rexburg. Source: Teton Valley News
• Rexburg City Council received a $2 million Reconnecting Communities Grant for transportation projects such as overpasses over Highway 20. Source: Rexburg Standard Journal
• Sugar City will be in contract with Fybercom after having agreed to join the countywide broadband fiber project. Source: Rexburg Standard Journal
• Sugar-Salem School District tennis courts will be constructed at the junior high school with total bids at $1.5 million. Source: Rexburg Standard Journal
• The Madison County Sheriff’s Department opened the region’s second-largest dispatch center located in Rexburg. Source: East Idaho News
• The March Madison County median home listing prices increased 11% to $417,000 over the month but decreased 6% over the year. The county increased 6% in active home listings month-over-month and increased 10% year-over-year. Median days on the market decreased by 17 days to 56. New listings increased 33% over the month. There were 20 homes in inventory that reduced their listing prices, up over the month by 43%. Source: Realtor.com

Teton County

• Italian food truck, Mama Fla, opened in the Driggs Plaza and now has a station inside Broulim’s Fresh Food. Source: Teton Valley News
• Forage Bistro opened its new location at the airport. Source: Teton Valley News
• A grant from the Education Foundation of Teton Valley funded the recent STEM Olympics for 75 school-age competitors. Source: Teton Valley News
• Teton Valley Collaborative for Early Learning officially became a nonprofit as a support system for the education of young children. They have resources and opportunities for training. Source: Teton Valley News
• The March Teton County median home listing prices decreased 2% to $843,500 month-over-month and decreased 5% year-over-year. The county decreased 14% in active home listings month-over-month and 19% year-over-year. Median days on the market decreased by 88 days to 61. All new listings increased from the month prior. There were four homes in inventory that reduced their listing prices, down over the month by 50%. Source: Realtor.com

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.