Monthly Archives: November 2024

Around Idaho: Economic activity, November 2024

Map of IdahoInformation provided in these news updates is collected up until the end of November 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 news

Kootenai County

  • The North Point Plaza development is under construction on Highway 41 north of Post Falls. Early tenants will include a 7-Eleven opening December and a Grocery Outlet store in early 2025. Four additional parcels are available for tenants. Source: Coeur d’Alene Press
  • A new Indigo Urgent Care is under construction in Hayden. Indigo currently operates a network of Urgent Cares across the inland northwest, including in Coeur d’Alene. Source: Coeur d’Alene Press
  • A mixed used building named the “Nonna” building is under development in Post Falls, with commercial space on the ground floor and 33 apartments on the upper three floors. Source: Coeur d’Alene Press

Continue reading →

AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC) teams respond to Idaho fires

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Nov. 26, 2024
Media Contact: Micaela.deLoyola-Carkin@labor.idaho.gov

Three AmeriCorps NCCC forest teams deployed to Idaho to assist the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forest, the Sawtooth National Forest and the Boise National Forest in wildfire risk reduction.

“I am infinitely grateful to AmeriCorps, the U.S. Forest Service and the state of Idaho for the opportunity to serve on my first wildfire in the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forest,” Lily Liebowitz, AmeriCorps NCCC forest team, Delta 2 member said. “I had the wonderful chance to meet, network and learn from wildland firefighters from all over the country and across agencies.”

Continue reading →

Governor Little proclaims apprenticeship week, Nov. 17-23

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Nov. 22, 2024
Media Contact: Darlene.Carnopis@labor.idaho.gov

Gov. Brad Little signed a proclamation today formally declaring Nov. 17-23 as Apprenticeship Week in Idaho, coinciding with the U.S. Department of Labor’s 10th annual National Apprenticeship Week.

Pictured from left: Chair of the Workforce Development Council Deni Hoehne, Gov. Brad Little, St. Luke’s Medical Assistant Apprentice James Hamilton-Vail and Idaho Department of Labor Director Jani Revier. Continue reading →

Idaho’s smallest businesses fuel post-pandemic employer growth

A man working at a bicycle shop

Over the past few years, Idaho has reported one of the highest growth rates for both population and employment. The state has also seen high levels of business startups, driven by a historically large increase in small employer establishments, those with fewer than five employees on payroll.

Idaho employer establishments with fewer than five employees accounted for 73% of all employment establishments in 2023 and comprised 86% of total employer establishment growth over the past five-year period from 2018-2023. These small employers had both the fastest establishment growth rate statewide of all firm sizes and also increased their contribution of statewide covered employment from 8% in 2018 to 10% in 2023.

Continue reading →

Idaho Smart Growth approved for AmeriCorps VISTA resources

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Nov. 21, 2024
Media Contact: Micaela.deLoyola-Carkin@labor.idaho.gov or Crispin@idahosmartgrowth.org

Serve Idaho, the Governor’s Commission on Service and Volunteerism, approved Idaho Smart Growth to host two AmeriCorps VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America) members in 2025.

Idaho Smart Growth is a statewide nonprofit committed to alleviating poverty. The organization works with government, private sector and neighborhood leaders to apply smart growth strategies and ensure towns of all sizes maximize community benefits while reducing public costs. Continue reading →

Apprenticeship Idaho distributes over 3,000 books to schools across the state

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Nov. 18, 2024
Media Contact: Renee.Bade@labor.idaho.gov

Author Elaine Zabriskie with her dog and star of the book, Booper.

Over 3,000 free children’s books about the value of apprenticeships were distributed by the Idaho Department of Labor and Apprenticeship Idaho to elementary school classrooms across the state in September.

Designed for K-5 students, “Booper Dreams Big: An Almost True Story of Apprenticeship” follows the journey of Booper the dog and his apprenticeship as a satellite technician.

Apprenticeship Idaho originally published the book in 2022, becoming one of the first U.S. government agencies to produce a children’s book about apprenticeship. Continue reading →

Idaho retail industry navigates fast-approaching holiday season

With the holiday season approaching, many Idahoans wonder what recent trends in retail might impact spending and employment this year. Historically, retail has been an enormous revenue source for the U.S. economy.

In 2023, retail sales made up 5.9% of U.S. gross domestic product (GDP) [5]. The National Retail Federation (NRF) predicts holiday retail sales for the U.S. will increase between 2.5% and 3.5% or about $979 to $989 billion. The importance of holiday purchases for Idaho, cannot be understated as retail accounted for 8% of its gross regional product at $9 billion according to Lightcast data.

For Idaho and the U.S., there is a close relationship between inflation and sales, both of which have slowed down. Notably, recent trends indicate a slowdown in employment within the retail sector. A detailed examination of sales reveals these interconnections.

Continue reading →

Idaho’s October unemployment rate increases to 3.7%

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Nov. 15, 2024
Media Contact: William.Winkle@labor.idaho.gov or Craig.Shaul@labor.idaho.gov

Idaho’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 3.7% in October, up from 3.6% in September.

The state’s labor force increased by 3,738 people (0.4%) to 993,428 while the labor force participation rate — the percentage of people 16 years of age or older who are either employed or looking for work — increased from 63.2% to 63.3% between September and October.

Total employment increased by 3,037 (0.3%) to 956,960 as unemployment increased by 701 (2%) to 36,468.

Continue reading →

Post Falls hiring event takes place Wednesday, Nov. 20

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Nov. 13, 2024
Media Contact: Jaquetta.Banks@labor.idaho.gov

Several employers will connect with job seekers at a hiring event Wednesday, Nov. 20, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Idaho Department of Labor’s Post Falls office. The address is 600 N. Thornton St.

Employers planning to attend include Environmental Control, Fred Meyer, Genesis Prep Academy, H&R Block, Home Helpers, the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare, Sunshine Minting, Inland Chess Academy and many more.

Continue reading →

Labor economists to discuss 2024 Idaho Business Climate survey results during Nov. 12 webinar

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Nov. 6, 2024
Media Contact: Craig.Shaul@labor.idaho.gov

Labor Economists Seth Harrington, Lisa Grigg and Brandon Duong will be joined by Research Supervisor Craig Shaul to discuss results from the second annual Idaho Business Climate survey, Tuesday, Nov. 12, from 11 a.m. to noon MT via Zoom.

Idaho Department of Labor economists developed this survey to obtain “real-time” data within the state. Broad measures of national employment data are readily available and released quickly, but statewide data, if available, often lags by as long as one to three years.

Continue reading →