Information provided in these news updates is collected up until the end of October 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
Regional labor market information
- Labor demand in northern Idaho remained stable in September, with a total of 1,860 unique job postings in the region – a slight decline from 1,923 in August. The unemployment rate decreased slightly this month from 4.9% to 4.8%, increasing by 0.7% from September 2023. Overall, total employment has increased slightly over the last year.
Regional news
Kootenai County
- Kootenai Health is constructing a new facility in Coeur d’Alene and upgrading its existing Women’s Imaging Center in Post Falls. The project will add additional mammography scanners, ultrasound machines and bone density scanners to provide better screening and increase capacity. Kootenai Health timed the announcement of the new investments to coincide with October’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month and plans to begin work on the new screening facility in 2025. Source: Coeur d’Alene Press
- The North Point Plaza commercial complex is under construction in north Post Falls and early tenants will begin opening for business in the coming months. A 7-Eleven gas station is slated to open in December, followed by a Grocery Outlet in early 2025. Four parcels remain available for future tenants. Source: Coeur d’ Alene Press
- Camkels Holdings, a north Idaho based development company, is planning a four-story mixed used building in Post Falls which will include 9,800 square feet of commercial space on the ground floor and 3,8000 square feet of combined residential space on its upper floors. The ground floor commercial space will have room for a total of seven tenants, while the residential floors will include a mix of 33 one and two-bedroom apartments. The project is slated for completion in 2026. Source: Journal of Business
- North Idaho College (NIC) hosted a site visit from accreditation evaluators, now awaiting their report results. NIC leadership hosted a team from the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities, who conducted the final site visit to NIC before the April 2025 decision on NIC’s accreditation status. The college has been under a show cause sanction since early 2023. Source: Coeur d’Alene Press
- The city of Coeur d’Alene approved a $2.3 million contract to begin improvements to Government Way. The new project will improve 10 different intersections on the busy north-south arterial, including improved pedestrian crossings, signals and synchronized lights to help traffic flow. Government Way has become one of the growing city’s most important corridors and has daily traffic in excess of 16,000 vehicles. Source: Coeur d’Alene Press
Sam.Wolkenhauer@labor.idaho.gov, regional economist
Idaho Department of Labor
(208) 696-2353
NORTH CENTRAL IDAHO
Clearwater, Idaho, Latah, Lewis and Nez Perce counties
Regional news
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- Both the University of Idaho and Lewis-Clark State College reported high enrollment for first-time freshman as the region’s public postsecondary schools, combined, welcomed more than 900 Idaho Launch scholarship recipients. Source: The University of Idaho, Lewis-Clark State College and Idaho Ed News
- Lewis-Clark State College announced recent developments that include: 1) A partnership with Idaho State University to offer an on-campus paramedic science education program. 2) Received approval from the U.S. Department of Education for its Prison Education Program. 3) Recipient of a $940,000 five-year SPARC grant to collaborate with the Lewiston school district to help students with disabilities, ages 18-21, gain skills such as independence and gaining employment.
- Following a year of construction, Lewiston High School debuted the new $10 million P1FCU Sports Complex stadium that will host school performances for football, track, soccer, cheerleading and marching band. The stadium includes artificial turf, a press box, seating for approximately 2,000 visitors, locker rooms and storage. Source: Lewiston Tribune
- Moscow City Council approved the annexation of 51 acres in south Moscow for the construction of a 15-lot business park. Source: Lewiston Tribune
- Idaho Department of Education has provided three years of funding for a school resource officer in five regional school districts including Genesee, Lapwai, Lewiston, Mountain View and Orofino. Source: The Idaho Department of Education
Lisa.Grigg@labor.idaho.gov, regional economist
Idaho Department of Labor
(208) 696-2256
SOUTHWESTERN IDAHO
Ada, Adams, Boise, Canyon, Elmore, Gem, Owyhee, Payette, Valley and Washington counties
Regional news
Ada County
- The University of Idaho opened a new research and outreach program funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture. The Western Rural Development Center (WRDC), originally affiliated with Utah State University, was started through Congress’ passage of the Rural Development Act of 1972 and began operation under the University of Idaho in September. The center’s goal is to link public universities’ science-based research and educational outreach with communities, local decision-makers, entrepreneurs, families, farmers and ranchers to address challenges in rural areas. Source: Emmett Messenger Index
Canyon County
- Marlay Partners LLC. purchased one of the three buildings comprising the Madison Logistics Center in Nampa. The 115,008 square foot building was sold for $21 million and is fully leased to UTZ Quality Foods and Carroll’s. Source: Idaho Business Review
Elmore County
- Ground was broken by state officials, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and leadership at the Mountain Home Air Force Base on a new water treatment facility. The 28,000 square foot treatment plant will provide a dedicated water source for airman and officers living and working at the base. Source: Mountain Home Air Force Base
Gem County
- Valor Health broke ground on a new urgent care facility for Emmett, particularly accessible for those residents living outside city limits. It has been in the works since 2017 and upon completion, will be called Valor Health Center. Source: Idaho Press
Jan.Roeser@labor.idaho.gov, regional economist
Idaho Department of Labor
(208) 696-2172
SOUTH CENTRAL IDAHO
Blaine, Camas, Cassia, Gooding, Jerome, Lincoln, Minidoka and Twin Falls counties
Regional labor market information
- Labor demand in south central Idaho remained stable in September with a total of 2,734 unique job postings, decreasing 1% the from 2,706 unique postings in August. The unemployment rate remained at 3.5% from last month, having increased 0.4% from September 2023. Total employment has increased 1.3% over the past year.
Regional news
Blaine County
- The Sun Valley based nonprofit Higher Ground will be able to expand its programming for veterans with disabilities thanks to a nearly $700,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Specifically, the grant will go towards sustaining regular mountain biking, fishing and ski trips for disabled veterans throughout the Wood River Valley. Source: Idaho Mountain Express
Minidoka County
- Mart Group has opened a new potato processing plant in Rupert. The plant will produce many different potato products, including a fully baked frozen potato called an OH!Tatoe, a very popular product in the Japanese market. The plant expects to add 80 jobs to the local economy and be fully functioning by the end of October. Source: KMVT
Twin Falls County
- The Center for Community Health, which provides resources and support for those in need, has opened in Twin Falls. The center helps community members apply for Medicaid, food stamps, the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children, as well as navigate housing and utility assistance. Overall, it will be a useful community resource for information and services. Source: KMVT
Seth.Harrington@labor.idaho.gov, regional economist
Idaho Department of Labor
(208) 696-2364
SOUTHEASTERN IDAHO
Bannock, Bear Lake, Bingham, Caribou, Franklin, Oneida and Power counties
Regional news
- Idaho firefighters battled three fires in Fort Hall, Bear Lake and Caribou counties. While there weren’t any evacuations, the fire risked damaging power lines and cell phone towers. Source: Idaho State Journal
Bannock County
- The National Institutes of Health awarded a $1.7 million grant to Idaho State University (ISU) to assist first-generation and low-income students. ISU has received over $18 million in donations in the 2024 fiscal year. Source: Idaho Business Review, KIFI News
- The Pocatello City Council voted to approve Pocatello’s new tagline “The One and Only” and logo. Additionally, the city contracted HUB Collective to prepare a new style guide for use with nametags, vehicles, building signs and other official media. Source: Idaho State Journal
- Pocatello held its annual ghost tour to showcase the city’s Historic Downtown as well as raise funds for projects. Source: Idaho State Journal
- Pocatello became the first city in Idaho to receive Google Fiber service, giving residents another choice of internet provider. Source: Idaho State Journal
Brandon.Duong@labor.idaho.gov, regional economist
Idaho Department of Labor
(208) 236-6715
EASTERN IDAHO
Bonneville, Butte, Clark, Custer, Fremont, Jefferson, Lemhi, Madison and Teton counties
Regional news
- The College of Eastern Idaho opened their new Workforce Training Professional Development Center offering education in many trades, such as welding and crane operation. Additionally, a Peace Officer Standards and Training program was also established. The college is a member of the Intermountain-West Nuclear Energy Corridor, the only nuclear designated technology hub in the nation. Source: East Idaho News
- U.S. Department of Agriculture and Idaho officials met with their Japanese counterparts in Idaho Falls for a Plant Health Bilateral Meeting to promote agricultural trade between the U.S. and foreign countries. The main objective of the meeting was to negotiate with Japan to begin importation of fresh Idaho potatoes. Trade efforts have been ongoing for 30 years. Idaho officials, including Gov. Brad Little, will travel to Japan and Taiwan in November for a trade mission. Source: Idaho Capital Sun
- Work is nearly complete on the first phase of the Teton Pass landslide repair. Crews are preparing the detour to carry traffic through the winter. The Wyoming Department of Transportation is not planning long-term closures of the pass unless necessitated by weather conditions or other unforeseen circumstances. Due to supply chain constraints and unpredictable weather from Teton Pass’ high elevations, project work will likely take place through spring 2025. Source: KIFI
- Idaho Falls Regional Airport will now have a larger Delta Air Lines aircraft to Salt Lake City International Airport. It offers up to 109 seats rather than regional 76-passenger jets. Source: East Idaho News
Ryan.Whitesides@labor.idaho.gov, regional economist
Idaho Department of Labor
(208) 696-2347
This Idaho Department of Labor project is funded by the U.S. Department of Labor for SFY25 as part of a Workforce Information grant (40%) and state/nonfederal funds (60%) totaling $885,703.
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