Information provided in these news updates is collected up until the end of June 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

Region

• Family Promise of North Idaho was awarded a $15,000 grant from Clayton and Family Promise National to help families facing homelessness stay in their homes and work toward stability. Source: the Coeur d’Alene Press
• The Innovia Foundation awarded $330,000 to 34 northern Idaho organizations to assist with local opportunities for education and youth development, health, well-being and arts and culture. Benewah County received three awards, Bonner received 12, Boundary received three, Kootenai received 12 and Shoshone received four. Source: Innovia Foundation

• The U.S. Department of Agriculture designated Kootenai and Benewah Counties as primary natural disaster areas for drought. The designation allows the agency to extend emergency credit to producers. The adjacent Idaho counties of Bonner, Latah and Shoshone are also eligible for assistance. Source: the U.S. Department of Agriculture

Benewah County

• Benewah County Commissioners awarded the airport taxi lane construction project to Selland Construction. The commissioners also plan to move forward with building an ambulance shed in Emida. Source: St. Maries Gazette Record
• Shadowy St. Joe Campground has reopened after closing in 2023 for renovations. Recent upgrades include new picnic tables, fire rings, bathrooms, extra electricity and new accessible facilities. Source: St. Maries Gazette Record
• The Idaho Department of Environmental Quality awarded $1.5 million to the Fernwood Water and Sewer District for installation of a new well and for the connection to the existing infrastructure. Source: the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality
• The Plummer-Worley School District may be facing staffing and athletic cuts for the 2024-2025 school year after a levy failed to pass in May 2024. An additional levy is expected to be voted on in November. Source: St. Maries Gazette Record

Bonner County

• A one-year $4.6 million levy for West Bonner School District failed to pass for the second year in a row. The levy funding would have been put toward salaries, security, building maintenance, technology, athletics and extracurricular budgets. The school board plans to close Priest River Junior High during the 2024-25 school year and keep the high school and all three elementary schools open. The elementary schools will serve grades K-6 and seventh. Eighth grade junior high students will be transferred to the high school campus. The Innovia Foundation is establishing a charity fund of over $900,000 for the district. Source: Spokesman Review, Bonner County Daily Bee and KREM2
• Bonner County Solid Waste opened its newly renovated waste transfer station in Colburn. Source: Bonner County Daily Bee
• Due to a shortage of personnel, the city of Sandpoint will not have lifeguards located at City Beach for the 2024 summer season and will instead focus efforts on providing aquatics-based classes and supervised free swim opportunities. The city of Sandpoint is currently recruiting instructors and counselors for the programs in July and August. Source: Sandpoint Reader
• After being awarded a three-year grant, the Bonner County Prosecutor’s Office plans to hire an additional felony victim witness coordinator with benefits being provided by Bonner County. Source: Bonner County Daily Bee
• The city of Ponderay and North Idaho Ice partnered together to provide a 130-by-80 foot outdoor chilled ice rink for the 2024-25 winter season at the Field of Dreams on the corner of Highway 200 and Kootenai Cutoff. A $25,000 deposit has been paid towards the rink, a Zamboni, a chiller and 300 pairs of rental skates. The remaining balance of $135,000 is due in May 2025 along with an estimated additional $40,000 for on-site preparation. Source: North Idaho Ice
• A groundbreaking ceremony was held for phase two of the Travers skatepark expansion in Sandpoint. The skatepark will double in size as a new street skate area is constructed. Completion is scheduled for early September. The Sandpoint City Council has recently accepted a bid from Ginno Construction for a 20,000-square-foot playground with more than a dozen play structures, splash pad and art sculptures. The project will be completed in Fall 2024 – 2025. The James E. Russell Center is nearing completion and will house 14 indoor pickleball courts and be completed by November 2024. Source: Sandpoint Reader
• The Sandpoint Post Office completed temporary repairs to remain open after a vehicle crashed into the building. Source: Bonner County Daily Bee
• The Gardenia Center Rainbow Soup Kitchen has moved to the First Presbyterian Church in Sandpoint and will be open Wednesdays from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The Gardenia Center closed May 2024. Source: Bonner County Daily Bee
• The new Dover Post Office will be constructed on the former site where the previous building has been demolished. Construction began with site preparation by Dardan Enterprises and is estimated to be completed in Spring 2025. Source: City of Dover
• Effective July 1, the Sandpoint Fire Department will no longer be part of the Selkirk Fire Service and will become an official independent entity with nine crew members. The Sagle and Westside fire districts will continue to jointly operate as Selkirk Fire. Source: Sandpoint Reader

Boundary County

• Moyie Springs extended its emergency order for an additional 60 days after a landslide in March damaged the city’s waterline. Until repairs can be made, Moyie Springs has been purchasing water from the Three Mile Water District and outdoor watering is prohibited. An easement with the Idaho Forestry Group must be finalized and approved from the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality before work begins to install the new waterline. The U.S. Census Bureau’s annual population estimates show the population of Moyie Springs increased by 104 in 2023 and by 248 over the last three years from 2020-2023. Source: Bonners Ferry Herald and the U.S. Census Bureau’s Annual Population Estimates
• Bizarre Bazaar will move to a new location at the end of August. Source: Sandpoint Reader

Kootenai County

• The Coeur d’Alene City Council approved a zone change at 15th and Best Streets to allow for the development of a gas station, mini-market and quick serve restaurant. Source: the Coeur d’Alene Press
• McEwen Mining of Toronto, Canada, will acquire Timberline Resources Corp of Hayden. Timberline currently has four employees in Kootenai County, but it is uncertain whether it will continue to have a presence in the county following the transaction. The majority of Timberline’s gold-silver operations are located in Nevada. Source: Spokane Journal of Business
• Cherry Hill Park in Coeur d’Alene will convert four of the six existing tennis courts to 12 permanent outdoor pickleball courts and rename it the Parker Subaru Pickleball Courts. Total conversion cost is estimated to be close to $180,000. The new facility will host the Coeur d’Alene Classic in July with more than 400 people signed up from 20 states. Source: Spokesman Review
• Heritage Health will be opening a Center for Healthy Living in Fall 2024 covering behavioral health, medical and dental services. Source: Heritage Health
• 7-Eleven and Grocery Outlet are under construction at North Point Plaza in Coeur d’Alene with completion estimated as early as December 2024. Source: Corhaven Properties
• Orthopedic Surgery and Sports Medicine Institute (OSSM) and Orthopedic Physical Therapy Institute (OPTI) have opened a second orthopedic walk-in urgent care location in Post Falls in addition to Coeur d’Alene. OPTI also recently opened a new physical therapy facility in Hayden. Source: the Coeur d’Alene Press and OSSM
• The Coeur d’Alene Goodwill plans to have a grand reopening July 8 for the retail store, donation center, and new workforce and family services office. Source: Goodwill Industries of the Inland Northwest
• Cascadia Pizza Company has a grand opening scheduled for its Rathdrum location, July 15. This quickly follows the grand opening at the Coeur d’Alene location in April 2024. The company now has two locations in northern Idaho and four locations in western Washington. Source: Cascadia Pizza Company
• East Sherman Food Trucks has started construction on a 10-truck food court in Coeur d’Alene. The food destination project may be completed by September and is currently accepting applications from businesses wishing to participate. Source: the Coeur d’Alene Press
• A police support building in Coeur d’Alene was destroyed by a fire on June 9. The building was used for code enforcement, animal control, the police department’s information technology team and specialized SWAT equipment. Source: the Coeur d’Alene Press
• Old Hickory Sheds moved from Coeur d’Alene to State Line. Source: the Coeur d’Alene Press
• Post Falls ER and Hospital will open in a new building on Beck Road in July. Services include clinical care, pediatrics, radiology imaging and lab services with 12 emergency department rooms and five inpatient suites. Nutex Health, the hospital’s owner, also operates Boise ER and Hospital along with 21 micro hospitals throughout nine states. Source: the Coeur d’Alene Press and Nutex Health
• The Coeur d’Alene School District plans to eliminate 56 positions and reduce school building budgets by 5% in fiscal year 2025. These moves, along with closing Borah Elementary, is in hopes to create a balanced budget. Source: Coeur d’Alene Press
• The Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office plans to be fully moved into its new facility in Hayden (formerly Kootenai Electric Cooperative) by Fall 2024. The move will allow the sheriff’s office to consolidate administrative, patrol, records and the detective bureau divisions. Jail administrative staff will fill the existing building. Source: Coeur d’Alene Press
• Kootenai County Fire and Rescue had a grand opening for Station 4 that will serve Dalton Gardens and the eastern district areas. Source: Kootenai Journal
• The Garnet Café in Coeur d’Alene has reopened after experiencing an electrical fire in September 2023. Source: Garnet Café
• Post Falls City Commissioners approved the North Place East Subdivision application. The project by Schneidmiller Brothers and Greenstone Homes will develop 1,125 lots on 238 acres. Multifamily units are restricted to under 20% of the acreage and commercial will be under 10% of the total acreage. Senior housing may make up roughly a third of total units. The subdivision may add 3,000-4,000 new Post Falls residents over the next 15-25 years. Source: the Coeur d’Alene Press
• The Local Markets company will open two new locations in 2025 in Coeur d’Alene and Post Falls, with a focus on produce, fresh flowers, coffee and local products.
• Hayden Lake Physical Therapy opened its brand-new, state-of-the-art location in Post Falls with 9,000 square feet and a large therapy pool. They now have locations in Hayden, Coeur d’Alene and Post Falls. Source: Inland NW Business

Shoshone County

• Two Mile Bridge in Osburn and Bunker Avenue Bridge in Kellogg are on schedule to be replaced beginning March of 2025. Silver Bridge on the North Fork of the Coeur d’Alene River will be replaced August 2026. Source: Shoshone News Press
• Shoshone County Commissioners will transition the county’s recycling contract to KP Auto Salvage. MCE Garbage has provided recycling services for Shoshone County since 2018. Source: Shoshone News Press
• A presidential disaster declaration was approved for Shoshone County that resulted in flooding, landslides and mudslides in mid-April. The approval provides federal funding to be directed to state, local, and tribal governments to complete emergency operations and to replace damaged facilities. Source: KREM2

Openings

• Wild Child Board and Groom is now Amigos Dog Boarding, Naples.
• Packsaddle Meat Processing, Athol.
• The Forge Artisan Pizza, Sandpoint.
• TownPlace Suites by Marriott hotel, Coeur d’Alene.
• Copow Foods market, Coeur d’Alene.
• Upgrade Labs, Coeur d’Alene.
• Madd Chicken, Coeur d’Alene.
• North Idaho Cheesecakes is moving to a permanent retail location, Coeur d’Alene.
• It’s a Love Story books and café, Hayden.
• The Foodie Truck and Spill the Tea, Post Falls Pavilion.
• Big Red’s Barn is under new ownership, Dalton Gardens.
• T-Blue Boutique opened a menswear location next to their downtown Coeur d’Alene store.
• ID Plant That plant spa at Sculpt Studio Med Spa in Post Falls.
• Amazing Lash Studio, Coeur d’Alene.
• Paws N Brews dog day care and brewery, Post Falls.
• Nocturn wine bar and retail art, Kellogg.
• Bluebird Creations, St. Maries.
• North Idaho Pet Stop is in a new location, Coeur d’Alene.
• Treehouse Bar and Grill, Coeur d’Alene.
• Hayden Lake Physical Therapy, Post Falls.

Closings

• Daybreak Center senior day program for dementia, Sandpoint.
• North Idaho Rock School, Coeur d’Alene.
• DCR Company, St. Maries.

Sam.Wolkenhauer@labor.idaho.gov, regional economist
Idaho Department of Labor
(208) 696-2353

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

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NORTH CENTRAL IDAHO

Clearwater, Idaho, Latah, Lewis and Nez Perce counties

Region

• The Innovia Foundation awarded $114,617 to 14 north central Idaho organizations to assist with local opportunities for education and youth development. This included health, well-being, and arts and culture. Clearwater County received two awards, Latah County received five, Lewis County received one, and three went to Nez Perce County. Source: Innovia Foundation
• A presidential disaster declaration was approved for Idaho and Lewis counties that resulted in flooding, landslides and mudslides in mid-April. The approval provides federal funding to be directed to state, local and tribal governments. The funding is used to complete emergency operations and to replace damaged facilities. Source: KREM2

Nez Perce County

• L-C Valley Habitat for Humanity purchased the Clark Communications building in Lewiston to consolidate its administrative office operations which are currently carried out in Clarkston, Washington. It will also house a restore retail store, currently in downtown Lewiston, within a single location. Source: Lewiston Tribune 
• The Nez Perce National Historical Park Visitor Center celebrated its grand reopening with new exhibits. The visitor center has been closed since December 2023 to provide time for a significant remodel and update. Source: Lewiston Tribune
• Lucidity Photography Gallery and Gift opened a permanent retail location in Newberry Square in Lewiston at Vine 46’s former space. Source: Lucidity Photography
• The Nez Perce Tribal Housing Authority was granted $233,000 by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Resident Opportunity and Self-Sufficiency Service Coordinator Program. The program provides funding to hire and maintain service coordinators to help identify needs and coordinate community resources. Source: KOZE

Idaho County

• Concept Construction of Winchester was awarded the bid from the Cottonwood School District for completion of the elementary breezeway enclosure. Source: Cottonwood Chronicle
• Jackson’s Food Stores in Riggins is building a new store and is temporarily closed. The building will be demolished, and a new one will be constructed by January 2025. Source: Idaho County Free Press
• Crump’s Tires, Auto Service, Repair Service has moved to a new location south of Riggins. Source: Idaho County Free Press
• Grangeville’s Pioneer Park will begin construction of a $138,000 performance pavilion in late August 2024 and will soon go out to bid. It will replace the current pavilion and utilize the existing footprint while having better acoustics and improved lighting. Construction is tentatively scheduled to be complete by the middle of November. Source: Idaho County Free Press

Latah County

• The Moscow City Council and Moscow School District will jointly fund a study to potentially build a new elementary school on 44 acres of city-owned property on West Palouse River Drive. The study is expected to be complete within six to nine months and cost up to $50,000. Source: Lewiston Tribune
• Terracotta Pullman pottery studio is opening a second location in Moscow. Source: The Daily Evergreen
• Moscow’s Oxford House sober living recovery center for men reopened June 15 after suffering a fire in March 2023. The Latah Recovery Center plans to open an Oxford House for women and women with children in the near future. Source: Lewiston Tribune
• The National Science Foundation’s Biology Integration Institute awarded $15 million in funding to the University of Idaho for a six-year project to create the Embedding Molecular Biology in Ecosystem Research (EMBER) Institute. The research will focus on how drought and wildfire stress affect forest ecosystem health and recovery. EMBER will partner with the Coeur d’Alene Tribe, the Bonneville Environmental Foundation, the McClure Center for Public Policy Research and RepublicEN. Source: The University of Idaho
• The Idaho State Board of Education approved requests for the University of Idaho to establish the School of Health and Medical Professions and expand the Huckabay Medical Education Building on the Moscow campus. The new school will include three new departments including medicine, clinical medicine and nursing. Six new graduate programs will also be added including clinical psychology, nursing, physician assistant studies and gerontology. The school will be located within the medical education building and anatomy lab with an annual budget of $1.18 million. The $4.5 million Huckabay building project will add more classrooms and faculty office space within the WWAMI medical education program. The current space serves up to 120 students. Source: Idaho State Board of Education, Lewiston Tribune and The University of Idaho
• The city of Troy recently received a handful of grants in 2024, including:
  • $250,000 by the Local Highway Technical Assistance Council to build sidewalks and other walking paths along Big Meadow Road.
  • $212,000 by the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation to upgrade public restrooms, gazebos and play structure at the RV park.
  • $20,000 by the Idaho Out-of-School Network and $7,500 from the Lewis-Clark Valley Healthcare Foundation for the summer youth program.
• Kendrick received $6.1 million from the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality to upgrade its wastewater treatment from a lagoon system to a mechanical treatment system. Source: Idaho Department of Environmental Quality
• The Palouse Habitat for Humanity ReStore in Moscow celebrated a grand opening for its expansion from 3,600 square feet to 8,000 square feet. Source: Lewiston Tribune
• Viking Veterinary Hospital of Nampa plans to open a clinic in Moscow by winter 2024. Source: Viking Veterinary Hospital

Lewis County

• The Nez Perce Tribe celebrated the opening of their Kamiah Boys and Girls clubhouse to serve youth ages 5-18 (grades K-12). Nez Perce Tribe youth are currently served in a facility in Lapwai along with outreach operations in Culdesac. With the new clubhouse in Kamiah, the Boys and Girls Club of the Nez Perce Tribe will also be offering outreach services to Kooskia. Source: Nez Perce Tribe

Openings

• Partee Golf and Games, Lewiston
• Snake River Saddlery is now Miramontes Leather, Lewiston
• Grangeville Bar and Grill at the Grangeville Golf and Country Club
• Twisted Poppy Salon moved to a new downtown location in Lewiston
• Olde Towne Tavern, Kendrick
• Riggins One Stop is under new ownership
• Craigmont Thrift, Craigmont
• Everhot Mongolian Hot Pot, Moscow
• Sassy-Squatch Ice Cream and Deli, Kamiah
• Main Squeeze custom lemonade, Grangeville
• D’coneshak ice cream machine rental, Orofino
• Bebe’s Nail Salon, Lewiston
• Rachel Knudsen State Farm Insurance, Grangeville
• Bud’s Butcher Shop, Culdesac

Closings

• Canyon House gifts, White Bird
• Shari’s family restaurant, Lewiston
• Eddie Bauer, Lewiston
• Shiznits Bar and Grill at the Grangeville Golf and Country Club
• Allen Willis State Farm Insurance, Grangeville

Lisa.Grigg@labor.idaho.gov, regional economist
Idaho Department of Labor
(208) 696-2256

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SOUTHWESTERN IDAHO

Ada, Adams, Boise, Canyon, Elmore, Gem, Owyhee, Payette, Valley and Washington counties

Region

Figure 1. Southwestern Idaho’s single-family home sales — May 2023 and 2024 data

 

 

Figure 2 and 3. Southwestern job postings

 

 

Ada County

• West Ada School District started remodeling the interior of Lake Hazel Middle School during the summer hiatus. Five new classrooms will eventually be created, bathrooms will be remodeled, and hallways and flooring will be upgraded throughout the school. The project is expected to take three to four years to complete as the school has not been remodeled since it opened in 1980. Source: Idaho News 6
• Interfaith Sanctuary has secured an $8.1 million construction loan to build its homeless shelter in Boise. The plan is to open September 2025, providing day and night shelter services to 200 residents. The staff and community are raising private funds to pay off the construction loan rather than apply for a takeout, long-term loan. Source: Idaho Press
• Boise School District announced it would hike teacher’s pay by 3.25% over the upcoming academic year. Beginning salaries in the district will be $48,588 and the highest paid teacher will earn $89,553. Substitute teachers will also receive a raise which has not yet been released. Source: Idaho Education News
• Alaska Airlines hit pause on its thrice weekly flights to Las Vegas for the summer. In addition, it halted flights to Pullman-Moscow Regional Airport and Austin, Texas, with plans for both to resume in August. Source: Idaho Statesman

Canyon County

• After 64 years of contracting with Brown Bus Company, the Nampa School District chose First Student as its new transportation provider. Brown Bus Company increased its bid by 21% and was still the lowest bid in the process, although both bids fell within the $8 million budget. School district trustees cited an incomplete bid proposal as the impetus for shifting the contract. Source: Idaho Press
• After voters declined to approve a $4.1 million supplemental levy in May, Caldwell School District announced it would close Lincoln Elementary School, assigning students to the other five elementary schools. Staff can transfer to open positions. Other cost-cutting measures include:
  •  Middle schools will be reconfigured this fall with fifth and sixth graders attending Jefferson Middle School and seventh and eighth graders attending Syringa Middle School.
  • Staff reductions will occur in the district office, technology and maintenance departments.
  • There will be fees for activities, athletic programs, transportation and field trips.
  • There will be a reduction of school resource officers and safety-school aides. Source: Idaho Education News

Elmore County

• Bruneau Dunes State Park was recently certified as a Dark Sky Park. The paperwork for this designation was started back in 2015. The site has two of the most powerful telescopes available to the public in Idaho and puts on various programs throughout the year. Source: CBS2 News

Groundbreakings

• The City of Boise hosted a groundbreaking event to commemorate the start of construction on the new clubhouse at Warm Springs Golf Course. The new building will include a restaurant, event space and a pro shop. Construction is expected to be finished this summer. Source: Idaho News 6

Openings

• Hotel Renegade, in downtown Boise, opened its boutique hotel offering 122 rooms, 22 larger suites and a luxury suite purported to rent for $3,000 nightly. The Baraboo Supper Club, Blue Collar Coffee Shop and Highlander Rooftop Bar are part of the array of offerings. Source: Idaho Press
• Jug Junior opened its par three golf course at Jug Mountain Ranch. The six-hole course is designed for young and beginner golfers with more affordable rounds and tee times on a first-come, first-serve basis. Construction began on the course in 2022. It had the same course designer as the Jug Mountain Ranch Golf Course. Source: The Star-News
• Sunshine Spice Bakery and Café opened an eatery in downtown Boise. This is its second location. Its first, also in Boise, was nominated for a James Beard award in the Outstanding Baker category. This led to Guy Fieri featuring the café on an episode of ‘Diners, Drive-ins and Dives.’ Source: Idaho Statesman
• A new Chipotle restaurant opened in Meridian, making it the city’s third Chipotle and Idaho’s tenth. It has a drive-thru for digital order pickups coined a ‘Chipotlane’. The franchise offers many benefits for employees including a bonus that can total an extra paycheck each year and a debt-free college program. Source: Idaho Press
• Susina opened in a Boise Bench spot offering intimate and leisurely European dining of four-course meals. The restaurant is open Thursday through Saturday and the menu changes seasonally based on local offerings. Source: Idaho Statesman
• Rustica is opening in the former Juniper spot in downtown Boise. It will have a rustic Italian menu with Spanish and French influence. It is offering a late-night service complemented by its second happy hour. The happy hour includes small plates and 30% discounts. Source: Idaho Statesman
• The Sick Stag opened months ago in downtown Nampa. They opted to throw a three-week-long grand opening offering discounts and craft cocktails that came with a story — the name is derived from Aesop’s Fables. Source: Idaho Statesman
• Paddles Up Poke held a ribbon-cutting ceremony with festivities at its latest restaurant in Eagle. It has four other locations in the Treasure Valley. Source: Idaho Statesman
• Negranti Creamery opened an ice cream and coffee shop in Eagle. It offers sheep’s milk ice cream, along with traditional cow’s milk ice cream and vegan sorbets. The company has another location in downtown Boise and makes ice cream for wholesale distribution. Source: Idaho Statesman
• Dave’s Hot Chicken opened a new restaurant in Nampa, its second location after opening in Meridian 18 months prior. The chain started seven years ago in Los Angeles, earning the 2023 designation of fastest-growing restaurant chain by Technomic when it increased sales by 156%. Source: Idaho Statesman
• 8 Horses Lounge opened in the former vault space of the Boise City National Building in downtown Boise, offering a wine bar and craft cocktails. It is directly below the Fork restaurant and owned by the same proprietors. The name draws on history when “it took a team of eight horses to cart 14,000-pound sandstone blocks from the Table Rock Quarry to build its entire five-story facade.” Source: Idaho Statesman
• Umi Japanese Shabu opened in Meridian. It is a hot pot, cook-at-your-table, all-you-can-eat experience. Sushi will eventually be added to the menu. Source: Idaho Statesman
• Sid’s Garage opened its third restaurant in the Treasure Valley in southeast Boise. Source: Idaho Statesman
• Pyrrhic Indoor Sports opened its doors to the Nampa community in the former Reel Theatre space. The 30-year-old theater has been repurposed for games that include airsoft, laser tag, nerf wars and a virtual reality space. Source: KTVB News
• The Chicken Shanty moved to Meridian from its short-time Boise location. The new space has a dining room versus solely a drive-thru in Boise. The second location is in Coeur d’Alene. Source: Idaho Statesman
• Stoltz Marketing Group held a ribbon cutting for its new location in Boise. The company is woman-owned and women-led, operating for almost 27 years. Source: Idaho Business Review
• Osprey Meadows Golf Course, at Tamarack Resort, opened its nine-hole course for the season. It was closed in 2015 and renovated in 2022, officially opening last year. The next 10-holes of the course will officially open after its renovation later this summer. Source: The Star-News

Closings

• A Family Dollar store and a Dollar Tree store, both in northwest Boise, have shuttered. Dollar Tree acquired Family Dollar in 2015 and recently announced that about 1,000 stores will be closed nationally. These closures are the only ones announced for the Treasure Valley so far. Source: Idaho Statesman
• Par Terre Winery, located in Garden City, announced it would close its operation and dissolve the brand. Source: CBS2 News
• Koko Bell, a Korean street food restaurant, closed its doors with plans to reopen in a larger space. The space has been taken over by Tommy’s Italian Restaurant. Source: Idaho Statesman
• Dunia Marketplace, located in downtown Boise for 29 years, closed its doors after a rent increase. An online store continues to operate, offering an outlet for the artisans. Source: Idaho Business Review

Jan.Roeser@labor.idaho.gov, regional economist
Idaho Department of Labor
(208) 696-2172

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SOUTH CENTRAL IDAHO

Blaine, Camas, Cassia, Gooding, Jerome, Lincoln, Minidoka and Twin Falls counties

Figure 1.

Figure 2.

Figure 3.

Blaine County

• Sun Valley Resort has officially secured its spot for the 2024-2025 international ski racing circuit as the expected host of the Alpine Cup World Finals. The process won’t be officially confirmed until a site visit to ensure the work that was promised has been completed. Source: Idaho Mountain Express

Twin Falls County

• In-N-Out is planning to expand into Twin Falls in the near future. The current proposed location would replace the Outback Steakhouse; however, with some residents concerned about the traffic, the final location is still to be determined. Source: KMVT

Seth.Harrington@labor.idaho.gov, regional economist
Idaho Department of Labor
(208) 696-2364

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SOUTHEASTERN IDAHO

Bannock, Bear Lake, Bingham, Caribou, Franklin, Oneida and Power counties

Region

• Figure 1 denotes labor force estimates for May 2024 from the Idaho Department of Labor’s Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS) program had total employment decrease and total unemployment increase in the seven-county southeastern region. Seasonally adjusted, May’s preliminary estimates have labor force participants decreasing by 637 people, with 846 fewer employed and 209 more unemployed. The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate is 3.5%, 0.3 percentage points higher than April 2024 and half a percentage point higher than May 2023.

Figure 1.

 

• Looking at Figure 2, there were 870 unique online job postings in the southeastern Idaho labor market area in May, up 20% from the prior month at 699, but down from 1% over the year at 883. The median job posting duration is still nine days, no change from April, but down from 23 days in May 2023.

Figure 2.

• The top occupational families by unique online job postings in southeastern Idaho for May are health care practitioners and technical, sales and related, and transportation and material moving. Figure 2 shows among specific occupations, registered nurses are at the top of the list with 38 unique online postings, followed by retail salespersons (28), customer service representatives (28), secondary school teachers (21) and retail supervisors (18).

Figure 3.

• Financial operations, public administration, professional and business services, education and health services, as well as other services are at the top of broadly defined industries by unique online job postings in May. Figure 3 shows the specific industries with general medical and surgical hospitals once again having the most unique job postings. There were year-over-year increases in other industries as well, including government support, up by 72%, employment placement and temporary help, up by 54%, supermarkets and grocery retailers, up by 33%, department stores, up by 47% and commercial banking, up by 56%.

Figure 4.

• As shown in Figure 4, transportation, warehousing and manufacturing industries stood out in May for the median number of days an occupational job posting is listed. Production managers and workers had the greatest duration with 28 days, followed by driver and sales workers with 21 days, and transportation and distribution managers with 15 days. All occupations were new to May’s hardest-to-fill occupations list.

Region News

• Basins south of the Snake River Plain, including Willow-Blackfoot-Portneuf and Bear, accumulated a substantial amount of water for the second consecutive year. Through April in the Upper Snake, excess water was used for groundwater recharge in the Eastern Snake River Plain Aquifer. Source: Natural Resources Conservation Service

Bannock County

• SimonCRE officially closed on the purchase of the Pine Ridge Mall property to convert the 2.5 million-square-foot space into an open-air retail complex and draw in multiple large retailers, including Kohl’s. The redevelopment project includes construction of several outparcel retail pad sites. Source: Idaho State Journal
• Hares and Hatters bookshop opened a store inside Station Square in Pocatello. Source: Idaho State Journal
• Cache Coffee opened in Pocatello. They also offer a safe storage program for guns. Source: KPVI
• Melted Magic, a boba tea and sandwich food truck, opened in Pocatello. Source: Idaho State Journal
• Jeri’s Jumbo’s Cafe opened at Ross Park Aquatic Complex in Pocatello. Source: Idaho State Journal
• All Season Aqua Pros Pool and Spa opened in Pocatello. Source: Idaho State Journal
• The Idaho Business & Technology Incubation Center opened inside the Museum of Clean in Pocatello. It will focus on facilitating mentorship, development, collaboration and assistance for entrepreneurs or anyone looking to grow a business or concept. Source: Idaho State Journal
• Dr. Robert Wagner, Idaho State University president, reported to the State Board of Education the school’s positive retention numbers, a current record-breaking 74% and up 11% since 2019. Overall graduation rates have been stagnant, not exceeding 40% for the last four years. He also reported raising $24 million in scholarships, above their goal of $20 million. About $27 million was also dedicated to new commitments. Source: Rexburg Standard Journal
• OK Ward Park splash pad opened in Pocatello. Source: KPVI
• Portneuf Valley Technical Education and Career Campus was awarded a $6.5 million grant to expand the space by 20,000 square feet and to finish the interior. The campus also plans to increase enrollment from 600 high school career technical education students to 800 per day. Source: KPVI
• Both the South Bannock Library District Levy and Pocatello Valley Fire Levy passed. Source: KIFI Local News 8
• A new library is officially coming to Inkom with the passage of the Special Plant Facilities Reserve Fund Levy. Source: East Idaho News
• The Shoshone-Bannock Tribes swore in two new Tribal Business Council members. Source: Idaho State Journal
• The City of Pocatello is annexing 488 acres of land located around South Fifth Avenue in Bannock County. Source: Idaho State Journal
• Pocatello Parks and Recreation received a $20,000 grant for completing the Community Health Academy, a Blue Cross of Idaho Foundation for Health program, that provides training and funding for health initiatives. Source: Idaho State Journal
• Marsh Valley School District employs 75 teachers, but receives state funding for only 68, and enrollment is on the decline. The district temporarily rescinded its reduction-in-force decision by not filling two teacher vacancies and eliminating a business teacher position. The district has hired an assistant superintendent in the meantime. Source: Idaho Education News
• Phil Meador Subaru in Pocatello raised $17,500 from every vehicle sold in a 45-day period and donated it to the Idaho Foodbank. Source: KPVI
• The third annual Rally in the Alley charity bowling event raised a record $7,500 for Family Services Alliance in Pocatello. Source: KPVI
• The Eastern Idaho State Fair announced six 4-H and Future Farmers of America scholarships in southeastern Idaho worth $1,000 to each winner. Source: East Idaho News
• Meadowlark Music Festival brought over 50 bands from across the region to Historic Downtown Pocatello for a four-day music festival. Source: Idaho State Journal
• The Pocatello-Chubbuck Chamber of Commerce announced ribbon cuttings for H2O Adventures, Rentown, American Staffing Inc., The Laundry Barn, 1-Hour Auto, A&E Engineering Inc. and the Pocatello Community Recreation Center. Source: Pocatello-Chubbuck Chamber of Commerce
• Median home listing prices in Bannock County in May increased 13% from last month to $429,800 but decreased 8% over the year. Active home listings increased 10% month-over-month and 40% year-over-year. Median days on the market decreased by 17 days to 37. New listings were up 48% from the month prior. Listing prices for 94 homes in inventory dropped in May, up 62% over the month. Source: Realtor.com

Bear Lake County

• Bear Lake Antiques opened in Bloomington. Source: Idaho State Journal
• Bear Lake School District’s $3 million supplemental levy passed. Source: East Idaho News
  
• Bear Lake High School is pioneering movie production classes. One class brings together students from the life skills program, while the other merges special education students with their peers from regular education classes. Students from diverse backgrounds collaborate on writing, acting in and producing movies. Source: News-Examiner
• The Bear Lake High School graduating class of 2024 was recently awarded over $3.3 million in scholarships. Source: News-Examiner
• Median home listing prices in Bannock County in May increased 9% from last month to $692,500 and 63% from this time last year. Active home listings increased 13% month-over-month and 49% year-over-year. Median days on the market decreased by 19 days to 74.  New listings were up 86% from the month prior. Listing prices for 12 homes in inventory dropped in May, up 50% over the month. Source: Realtor.com

Bingham County

• Aberdeen School District’s $1.9 million supplemental levy passed. Source: East Idaho News
• Snake River School District’s $1.4 million supplemental levy passed. Source: East Idaho News
• The Bureau of Land Management approved Burns Industries’ Plan of Operation to mine limestone in Wolverine Canyon and transport it to their concrete batch plant in Idaho Falls. Burns Industries owns 262 acres. After each phase of the Burnstone Quarry project, it plans to reclaim the land. There will also be 51 acres of permanent facilities, roads, storage, processing areas, loading areas and laydown yards. Source: Idaho State Journal
• Clearway Energy Group hosted a ribbon cutting for a 152-megawatt wind farm in Goshen expected to generate enough electricity to power 62,000 homes annually. It’s already sending power to the local grid. Source: Post Register
• Every employee with Aberdeen School District will reportedly receive a pay raise starting the 2024-25 school year. Source: Aberdeen Times
• Blackfoot Animal Shelter and Rescue broke ground on a new animal shelter that will replace the existing facility. Source: East Idaho News
• The first Movers for Moms event initiated by Two Men and a Truck yielded 725 items for the Bingham Crisis Center in Blackfoot. Source: Idaho State Journal
• Median home listing prices in Bingham County in May decreased 2% from last month to $404,625 and 9% over the year. The county increased 10% in active home listings month-over-month and 25% year-over-year. Median days on the market decreased two days to 53. New listings were up 67% from the month prior. Listing prices for 30 homes in inventory dropped in May, up 7% over the month. Source: Realtor.com

Caribou County

• Grace School District’s $1 million supplemental levy passed. Source: East Idaho News
• Soda Springs School District’s $993,000 supplemental levy passed. Source: East Idaho News
• Through a donation by Nutrien, the city of Soda Springs acquired Ledger Creek, a 608-acre wetlands conservation property, including 200 acres of wetlands, 400 acres of upland habitat and associated water rights valued at $1.52 million. Nutrien also donated $150,000 to offset short-term city costs and will provide property maintenance for the next three years. The city’s plans are an expansion and development of a multiuse trail system. Examples include walking, biking and Nordic skiing. Source: Idaho State Journal
• Johnson Farms, in Grace, are now using a TOMRA sorter to sort and grade size potatoes, identifying, then removing the defected ones. It also mitigates line efficiencies, diminishes labor costs and improves the clean ratio of crops being stored or planted. Source: News-Examiner
• Median home listings in Caribou County in May marginally decreased from last month to $353,750 and increased 6% from this time last year. Active home listings decreased 57% month-over-month and 2% year-over-year. Median days on the market decreased by 58 days to 24. New listings were up 100% from the month prior. Listing prices for eight homes in inventory dropped in May, down 33% over the month Source: Realtor.com

Franklin County

• Preston Joint School District’s $2 million supplemental levy passed. Source: East Idaho News
• New businesses in Preston include TD Contracting LLC., Hala Kahiki Shaved Ice, Steve Clark Construction LLC., Finding Yoga Studio and Utah BioAgriculture LLC. Source: Preston Citizen
• Preston opened its first official Preston Farmer’s Market with 40 vendors and 600 patrons. Source: Preston Citizen
• Borderline Grill reopened in Franklin. Source: Preston Citizen
• A walking path at Craner Field in Preston is under construction. Source: Preston Citizen
• Franklin County Commissioners are looking for a way to match the firefighter pay and hopefully encourage more people to volunteer. Two ambulances are now being built and are scheduled to arrive this summer. They are working on grants for a third ambulance and auto-load cots. Source: Preston Citizen
• The Little Butte Class II subdivision in the Treasureton area off Highway 34 was approved. Source: Preston Citizen
• The Paris Tabernacle, built in 1889, is partially closing through Summer of 2025 for renovations, including a new roof and new parking lot. Twelve thousand tourists visited the tabernacle last year. Source: News-Examiner
• Median home listings for Franklin County in May increased 7% from last month to $504,875 and 6% from this time last year. Active home listings increased 10% month-over-month and 80% year-over-year. Median days on the market decreased by two days to 39. New listings were down 25% from the month prior. There were 10 homes in inventory that reduced their listing prices, no change over the month. Source: Realtor.com

Oneida County

• Median home listing prices for Oneida County increased 11% over the month to $319,500 and negligibly over the year. The county increased 41% in active home listings month-over- month and 24% year-over-year. Median days on the market increased by 14 days to 41. New listings were down 100% from the month prior. There was no report of reduced listing prices over the month. Source: Realtor.com

Power County

• American Falls School District’s $5.5 million supplemental levy passed. Source: East Idaho News
• Power County Hospital District broke ground on a new therapy services building (physical, occupational and speech services) in American Falls. Funds from the MJ Murdock Charitable Trust ($310,000) will be used for the project. The facility will take the place of the district annex building being demolished. A new occupational therapist has also been hired. Source: Aberdeen Times
• Fifty-one American Falls students received Idaho LAUNCH grants totaling $214,000. Twenty-seven students were awarded Opportunity Scholarships totaling $94,500 and 81 students were awarded $119,000 in Gear Up Scholarships. Source: Power County Press
• The American Falls Lions Club raised $3,000 for college scholarships which they awarded to three graduating seniors. Source: Power County Press
• A $1,000 scholarship was awarded to a graduating student from Power County Highway District and the Idaho Association of Highway Districts. Source: Power County Press
• Median home listing prices in Power County decreased 10% from last month to $363,225 and 11% over the year. The county increased 21% in active home listings month-over- month but decreased 31% year-over-year. Median days on the market decreased by 21 days to 52. New listings were down 50% over the month. Listing prices for two homes in inventory dropped in May, down 75% over the month. Source: Realtor.com

Ryan.Whitesides@labor.idaho.gov, regional economist
Idaho Department of Labor
(208) 696-2347

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EASTERN IDAHO

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

Region

• Figure 1 denotes labor force estimates for May 2024 from the Idaho Department of Labor’s Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS) show total employment decreasing but total unemployment increasing in the nine-county eastern region. Seasonally adjusted, May’s preliminary estimates have labor force participants decreasing by 413 people, with 591 fewer employed and 178 more unemployed. The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate is 2.9%, 0.1 percentage points higher than April 2024 and 0.3% higher than May 2023.

Figure 1.

• Looking at Figure 2, there were an estimated 1,135 unique job postings in the eastern Idaho labor market for May 2024, according to the Conference Board: Help Wanted Online. (Note: This is regional online job postings data and not necessarily job openings data.) Postings increased 1% from 1,122 the prior month but decreased 13% from 1,309 year over year. Heavy and tractor trailer drivers lead the top occupations of unique (deduplicated) job postings in the region for May. General and operations managers replaced magnetic resonance imaging technicians in the top five job postings since last month. Cashiers, secretaries, administrative assistants and construction laborers replaced drivers and sales workers, radiologic technicians and education administrators on the top 10 list. Employer hiring demand from a job postings perspective was down 30% for retail salespersons, 19% for registered nurses, 19% for licensed practical nurses and 26% for retail supervisors. Conversely, job postings increased 10% for heavy truck drivers and 35% for customer service representatives.

Figure 2.

• Figure 3 shows professional, scientific and technical services just edged out retail in the top ten for May in eastern Idaho regional rankings of industries by unique job postings. Retail trade swapped with health care and social assistance in the rankings. Public administration and construction replaced manufacturing and education services in the top five industry postings this month. Retail trade, construction, public administration and accommodation and food service industries all increased in job postings. Conversely, professional, scientific and technical services, health care and social services, manufacturing, education services, finance and insurance and transportation and material handling industries decreased in job postings.

Figure 3.

• As shown in Figure 4, May data from the Conference Board identifies 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 construction laborers, heavy truck drivers, operating engineers, cashiers and medical sonographers. Hardest-to-fill job posting challenges in May by occupational family were health care practitioners, technical and construction and extraction. All occupations except sales representatives, medical sonographers and software developers were new this month to the hardest-to-fill jobs list.

Figure 4.

Region news

• The Idaho National Laboratory is helping to design the Fission Surface Power Project for the Artemis Base Camp, where astronauts will live and work on the moon for future exploration of Mars. It includes building a nuclear power plant on the moon by 2027 for a 2030 launch. Source: Idaho National Laboratory
• Teton Pass is closed indefinitely from a landslide beneath the highway, causing a collapse of the roadway and leaving a gaping chasm. The closure affects a well-traveled commuter link between small towns in eastern Idaho. It’s also a vital artery for tourists and commuters from Idaho to Jackson and Grand Teton National Park. An alternate route between Jackson, Wyoming, and Victor, Idaho, goes more than 60 miles out of the way and adds to the commute time. Crews are creating a short temporary detour in Teton Pass to mitigate a long reconstruction delay. Source: The Associated Press
• A water curtailment order has been lifted by the Idaho Department of Water Resources for non-compliant eastern Idaho farmers and other water users who hold much of the 6,400 statewide groundwater rights. Curtailment — or shutting off the water — was being threatened because of a predicted water shortfall this year, affecting an estimated 500,000 acres of farmland. Source: East Idaho News
• Irrigators can expect an average snowpack and a normal natural water flow this year. The Upper Snake River System has reached 87% of capacity for May, with nearly all reservoirs showing a 90% fill rate or higher. However, Jackson Lake is at 82% and Palisades is at 70% capacity. The lakes have only increased storage by 1% since March. Source: Post Register
• Over 3,500 beer fans, brewers and volunteers participated in the 29th Annual Mountain Brewers’ Beer Fest of the North American Brewers Association. It was staffed by hundreds of recipient charities’ volunteers at Sandy Downs in Idaho Falls. Since the first event was held in 1995, over $2.1 million has been donated, not including this year’s total. Source: Post Register
• Forty students participated in the Upper Valley Music Teachers Association annual scholarship competition where $3,000 in total awards were given. Source: Post Register

Bonneville County

• Bingham Healthcare opened its new 1st Choice Urgent Care in Idaho Falls. Source: East Idaho News
• House of Hackle, an angling retail shop, opened in Idaho Falls. Source: Post Register
• A new dog training business, Idaho K9 Academy, opened in Idaho Falls. Source: Rexburg Standard Journal
• Rue 21, a mall retailer in Idaho Falls, has permanently closed. Source: Idaho Department of Labor
• Backlight Gamez in Idaho Falls is temporarily closed due to a structure fire. Source: East Idaho News
• Mountain Top Snow Bikes leased 8,000 square feet of industrial space at the Heyrend Business Park in Idaho Falls. Source: Idaho Business Review
• Groundwater Conservation Park opened in Ammon and is designed to promote water conservation at a city well and pump station. The city of Ammon received a $250,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Energy to landscape and build the park. Source: East Idaho News
• Gov. Brad Little visited Bonneville School District 93 to personally present them with a $51.8 million check. He also visited Idaho Falls School District 91 with a $42 million check. These financial awards were made possible by House Bill 521, helping school districts replace and/or update aging facilities. Source: Rexburg Standard Journal
• The Idaho Falls Planning Commission approved the preliminary plat and planned unit development for Petersen Place, a new community project that will be developed by Idaho Falls Habitat for Humanity. The 11.5-acre property was annexed into the city in July 2022 and the goal of the project is to construct affordable homes for low-income residents. Source: Post Register
• The city of Idaho Falls ordered an armored Lenco BearCat G3 vehicle for the Idaho Falls Police Department after a rise in violent crimes in the city. It will cost $411,000 from American Rescue Plan Act funds and department budget. Source: Post Register
• The Idaho Housing and Finance Association’s Family Self-Sufficiency program reports that in Idaho Falls, 95 participating families are receiving one-on-one case work. Two participating families completed the program successfully in May toward homeownership and financial self-sufficiency. Source: Idaho Housing and Finance Association
• The Greater Idaho Falls Chamber of Commerce announced ribbon cuttings and/or groundbreaking ceremonies at GP Tools, Mountain America Credit Union and Two Men and a Truck. 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: Greater Idaho Falls Chamber of Commerce
• The May Bonneville County median home listing prices marginally increased to $482,500 from last month and 6% over the year. Active home listings increased 15% month over month and 8% year over year. Median days on the market decreased by five to 33. New listings didn’t change over the month. Listing prices for 136 homes in inventory increased in May, up 45% over the month. Source: Realtor.com

Butte County

• Butte County School District’s $206,000 plant levy passed. Source: East Idaho News
• The May Butte County median home listing prices decreased 12% to $227,250 over the month and 11% over the year. Active home listings decreased 9% month over month, but increased 48% year over year. Median days on the market increased by 17 days to 84. There were 67% fewer new listings reported than the month prior. Listing prices for two homes in inventory dropped in May, down 50% over the month. Source: Realtor.com

Clark County

• May’s 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 increased by 27 days to 74. There was no data reported for new listings and no homes that reduced their listing prices over the month. Source: Realtor.com

Custer County

• The May Custer County median home listing prices increased 14% to $618,675 over the month and increased 29% year over year. Active home listings increased 38% month over month and 43% year over year. Median days on the market increased by 36 days to 127. New listings were up 100% over the month. There were no homes that reduced their listing prices over the month. Source: Realtor.com

Fremont County

• Playmill Theatre broke ground in Island Park on a 22,000-square-foot facility with a capacity for 480 people. It will also include The Play Grill and Mill Creek Mercantile gift shop. Source: East Idaho News
• The Historic Silver Horseshoe Inn in St. Anthony is undergoing renovation. Source: East Idaho News
• May’s Fremont County median home listing prices decreased 2% to $671,000 over the month and 2% over the year. Active home listings increased 36% month over month and 89% year over year. Median days on the market decreased by 24 days to 54. New listings were up 120% over the month. Listing prices for 20 homes in inventory dropped in May, down 100% over the month. Source: Realtor.com

Jefferson County

• The Community Council of Idaho opened a new Community Family Clinic in Rigby. Source: Community Council of Idaho
• Newton Plumbing is opening a storefront in Ririe. Source: Jefferson Star
• Gov. Brad Little visited Jefferson School District 251 to personally present them with a $28 million check. This financial award was made possible by House Bill 521, helping school districts replace/or update aging facilities. Source: Jefferson Star
• Ririe School District’s $1.5 million bond passed to finance the cost of facility repairs, as well as equipment and furnishings at the elementary, junior and senior high school buildings. Source: Jefferson Star
• Three local bars in Rigby raised over $2,500 for school lunch debt. Source: Jefferson Star
• The May Jefferson County median home listing prices decreased 4% to $539,000 from last month and 2% over the year. Active home listings increased 2% month over month but decreased 7% year over year. Median days on the market increased by three days to 46. New listings increased 75% from the month prior. Listing prices for 14 homes in inventory dropped in May, down 13% over the month. Source: Realtor.com

Lemhi County

• The Lemhi School District 291 bond passed. Source: KIFI Local News 8
• After 12 previous attempts on the ballot were voted down, Salmon School District’s $20 million bond passed. Source: East Idaho News
• The May Lemhi County median home listing prices decreased 16% to $639,500 month over month and 13% over the year. Active home listings increased 22% month over month and 8% year over year. Median days on the market decreased by 42 days to 47. New listings were up 17% over the month. Listing prices for four homes in inventory dropped in May, down 100% over the month.  Source: Realtor.com

Madison County

• Porter’s Office Products is opening a new furniture showroom in Rexburg. Source: East Idaho News
• Madison School District’s $3.99 million supplemental levy passed. Source: East Idaho News
• Sugar-Salem School District’s $1.2 million supplemental levy passed. Source: East Idaho News
• Gov. Brad Little visited Madison School District to personally present them with a $23.8 million check made possible by House Bill 521, helping school districts replace/or update aging facilities. Source: Rexburg Standard Journal
• Brigham Young University-Idaho (BYU) reports 14,500 students are living in Rexburg during the spring 2024 semester with a total enrollment of 17,195 campus-based students, higher than a year ago. BYU has 18,720 online students who are taught in partnership with BYU-Pathway Worldwide, with a total of 35,915 enrolled. Source: BYU
• The May Madison County median home listing prices increased 4% to $449,250 over the month and 5% over the year. The county increased 8% in active home listings month over month and 19% year over year. Median days on the market increased by nine days to 51. New listings increased 12% over the month. There were no homes in inventory that reduced their listing prices over the month. Source: Realtor.com

Teton County

• Teton Valley Health held its grand opening and will serve out-patient physical therapy, speech language pathology and occupational therapy patients. Source: Teton Valley News
• A new bookstore, Violet Volumes, opened in Victor. Source: Teton Valley News
• Valley of the Teton Library Makerspace reopened in Driggs. It’s a free and accessible place for people to explore and create with crafting stations, sewing machines, audio studio, kitchen, a glowforge laser printer, robots, computers and more. Source: Teton Valley Library
• Valley of the Teton Library opened a Tetonia branch. Source: Teton Valley News
• The city of Victor has the following projects underway, near completion or pending starts through grants and loans:
  • • Lift Station No. 2 is partially funded through a $650,000 loan from Altura to replace part of the wastewater system.
    • Calderwood Bridge erosion mitigation from a $27,500 Water Resources Board grant to strengthen the footings.
    • Crystal Bridge reconstruction from a state grant for $973,000.
    • Highway 31 final leg pathway connection from a state grant for $496,582.
    • New pathway and crossing to the elementary school and southeast section of the city.
    • A $1.4 million financing package for the new Public Works Building and new stop signs. Source: Teton Valley News
• The Teton County Sheriff’s Office reported call volume and traffic are well above average so far this year. Though they have a full staff, it will be months before they will be at full capacity since it requires a minimum of six months of training before a deputy is sworn in. They are just now getting all the positions filled. The Sherriff’s office employs 15 sworn deputies for a population of 13,000 people in the county. Teton County reportedly has a lower sworn officer rate per 1,000 residents than the state: around 1.15 deputies per 1,000, while the statewide average is 1.59. Source: Teton Valley News
• The number of people served annually by the Mental Health Coalition in Teton Valley, grew from 280 in 2022 to 360 in 2023, necessitated hiring a new staff member — a client services coordinator. Source: Teton Valley News
• A stop work order was issued to the Teton Canal Company on Dry Creek due to no floodplain permit. For floodplain insurance, the county is required to protect the waterways from work that would increase the likelihood of a flood. Dry Creek is on the floodplain map. Source: Teton Valley News
• The May Teton County median home listing prices increased 6% to $921,000 month over month and 6% year over year. Active home listings increased 29% month over month and decreased 2% year over year. Median days on the market decreased by two days to 50. New listings increased 27% from the month prior. Listing prices for 18 homes in inventory increased in May, up 200% over the month. Source: Realtor.com

Ryan.Whitesides@labor.idaho.gov, regional economist
Idaho Department of Labor
(208) 696-2347

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This Idaho Department of Labor project is funded by the U.S. Department of Labor for SFY24 as part of a Workforce Information grant (48%) and state/nonfederal funds (52%) totaling $704,259.