Monthly Archives: February 2025

Around Idaho: Economic activity, February 2025

Map of IdahoInformation provided in these news updates is collected up until the end of February and includes professional sources, news releases, weekly and daily newspapers, television and other media.

Northern Idaho
North central Idaho
Southwestern Idaho
South central Idaho
Southeastern Idaho
Eastern Idaho

NORTHERN IDAHO

Benewah, Bonner, Boundary, Kootenai and Shoshone counties

Regional news

  • Avista Utilities, a keystone provider of electric and natural gas utilities in the panhandle, has filed a proposal with the Idaho Public Utilities Commission that would raise rates for Idaho customers. As currently proposed, electric rates in Idaho would increase by 14% in September followed by a 5% increase in 2026, while natural gas would increase 10% and 1% in 2025 and 2026 respectively. Avista stated the proposed increases are intended to cover ongoing investment in infrastructure. Source: Journal of Business

Kootenai County

  • North Idaho College (NIC) received sanctions relief from its accrediting agency, with the college’s multi-year show cause sanction reduced to a probationary status. The move to probation grants a one-year extension for NIC to return to compliance, and a letter from the accrediting body noted improvement on a majority of the college’s noncompliance issues. Source: Coeur d’Alene Press
  • Work on the multi-year project to replace the State Highway 411 and Interstate 90 interchange in Post Falls is proceeding to the next phase, after a productive winter helped by relatively mild weather. The Idaho Transportation Department will close the current westbound off-ramp with detours and temporary rerouting as they move on to the next phase. Construction has been underway since 2022 and the new interchange is slated for completion in 2026. Source: Coeur d’Alene Press

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Jobs available at career fair in Caldwell, March 6

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Feb. 28, 2025
Media Contact: Darlene.Carnopis@labor.idaho.gov

A career fair for job seekers interested in working in the government sector, will be held Thursday, March 6, from 9 a.m. to noon at the Idaho Department of Labor Caldwell office, 4514 Thomas Jefferson St.

Employers planning to attend include the State of Idaho, the Transportation Security Administration, the Idaho Veterans Care Facility, Ada County Sheriff’s Office, U.S. Army and more.

A variety of open positions will be available including law enforcement, military and retirement care.

Continue reading →

Idaho sees increase in workplace fatalities in 2023

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Feb. 26, 2025
Media Contact: Therese.Schumacher@labor.idaho.gov

Idaho had 48 workplace fatalities in 2023 — a 23% increase from 2022 and the highest number of deaths in a single year in the past 10 years — according to the most recent Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI) report on 2023 data.

The annual CFOI report documents fatal on-the-job injuries for workers — it does not include illnesses or preexisting conditions that caused a worker to die without an injury, such as COVID or a heart attack. Continue reading →

Hands-on training in heavy equipment operation available in Boise

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Feb. 26, 2025
Media Contact: Darlene.Carnopis@labor.idaho.gov

Free training is available for Idahoans wanting to pursue a career in heavy equipment operation.

The Idaho Career Opportunities – Next in Construction (ICONIC) program is a path to a rewarding career in highway construction. Most graduates who participate in the program may go on to obtain their commercial driver’s license to operate heavy vehicles.

The five-week intensive course involves a mix of classroom and hands-on learning. The next training session takes place in Boise from April 7 to May 9.

Continue reading →

LAUNCH workshops are available for graduating students, Feb. 26, March 5 and 12 in eastern Idaho

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Feb. 24, 2025
Media Contact: Darlene.Carnopis@labor.idaho.gov

The Idaho Department of Labor is offering workshops in eastern Idaho to graduating students interested in applying to the LAUNCH career education grant program.

The open house workshops will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. at Labor’s Idaho Falls office on Feb. 26, March 5 and March 12. There will also be a workshop held at the Salmon Library on March 12.

The Idaho Falls office is located at 1515 E Lincoln Road and the Salmon Public Library is located at 300 Main St. Continue reading →

Multi-Employer job fair in Boise takes place Feb. 27

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Feb. 20, 2025
Media Contact: Darlene.Carnopis@labor.idaho.gov

A job fair will be held Thursday, Feb. 27, from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. at the State of Idaho Chinden Campus, 11351 W. Chinden Blvd. The job fair will be in the Les Bois Conference Room. This room is located between buildings 3 and 4, and is accessible through the Les Bois Café.

Employers planning to attend include Idaho Bankers Association, Home Instead, Idaho Department of Health and Welfare, Veterans Services, YMCA, City of Boise, Equus Workforce Solutions, Bogus Basin, Idaho Division of Occupational Licenses, Idaho Transportation Department, Dabella, Personnel Plus, CP Audio and more.

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Gov. Little appoints four new commissioners to Serve Idaho

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Feb. 19, 2025
Media Contact: Emily.Straubhar@labor.idaho.gov

Gov. Brad Little appointed four new commissioners to the Serve Idaho Commission, adding to the existing 20.

“The new commissioners bring a passion for volunteerism and AmeriCorps in their communities,” Program Manager Emily Straubhar said. “We are excited to welcome them to the commission to share their expertise in advancing service across Idaho.”

Continue reading →

Post Falls job fair offers many employment opportunities, Wednesday, Feb. 19

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Feb. 12, 2025
Media Contact: Darlene.Carnopis@labor.idaho.gov

A job fair will be held Wednesday, Feb. 19, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Idaho Department of Labor Post Falls office, 600 N. Thornton St.

Employers planning to attend include Ace Industrial Supply, Environmental Control, Coeur d’Alene Public Schools, Beyond Professionals and more.

A variety of open positions are available to job seekers including janitors, in-home caregivers, registered nurses, financial coaches, bus drivers and others.

Continue reading →

Port of Lewiston 50th anniversary to be highlighted in webinar, Feb. 18

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Feb. 11, 2025
Media Contact: Lisa.Grigg@labor.idaho.gov

Idaho Department of Labor Economist Lisa Grigg will talk at a webinar, Tuesday, Feb. 18 about employment created in north central Idaho by the Port of Lewiston.

Scott Corbitt, general manager of the Port of Lewiston, will be a guest speaker at the webinar to provide an inside perspective on its operations and future vision.

Topics will include historical key milestones for the port, multi-modal transportation options and how the port attracts businesses to create regional job opportunities.

Continue reading →

Idaho’s poverty rate 15th lowest in the country

Idaho’s poverty rate is at 10.6%, ranking 15th lowest among the 50 states, District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, according to the U.S. Census Bureau’s recently released 2019-2023 data. The state has dropped five percentage points from the prior (2014-2018) level of 15.6% improving from its previous 28th rank.

Nationally, the population earning below the poverty level has also declined over the past five years. The nation’s poverty rate is 12.4%, dropping 3.2 percentage points from the previous level of 15.6%. Continue reading →