Information provided in these news updates is collected up until the end of March 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
- Kootenai Health and MultiCare have announced plans to develop a new 30-acre medical campus, called Prairie Medical Campus, on the Highway 41 corridor in Post Falls. Phase 1 will include a micro-hospital with an emergency department and imaging, along with a multi-story facility for ambulatory surgery, laboratory services and clinic offices. Development will begin in 2025 with a 24-to-36-month completion timetable for the first phase. Source: MultiCare Newsroom
- The first phase of construction at the Millworx development has been completed, with over 200 residential units, including townhouses and multifamily residences, completed. In addition, a four-story mixed-use building has been completed with residential space available on the ground floors and residential units now available on upper levels. A 151-room hotel is still under construction and is expected to be completed by year-end. Source: Journal of Business
- The City of Coeur d’Alene’s Planning and Zoning Commission moved forward with approval for the proposed Coeur Terre development. Coeur Terre calls for a 438-acre development with up to 2,800 housing units, retail and restaurants, 18 acres of parks, and land for a new police substation and two public schools. Source: Coeur d’Alene Press
- The Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) is beginning the next phase of construction work on the major interchange rework at Interstate 90 and State Highway 41. After relatively mild weather allowed progress to continue throughout the winter, ITD crews have closed the westbound off-ramp and have begun construction of new ramps. Construction began in 2022 and is slated for completion in 2026. Source: Coeur d’Alene Press
Samuel.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
- Both Lewis-Clark State College and the University of Idaho reported strong enrollment numbers for the Spring 2025 semester. Compared to Spring 2024, Lewis-Clark State College reported more than 300 additional students while the University of Idaho reported over 400 more enrollments. Source: Lewiston Tribune
- Mary’s Health and Clearwater Valley Health have launched a new 3D mobile mammography program. The mobile unit will rotate between clinic locations in Cottonwood, Grangeville, Orofino and Kamiah. Source: Idaho County Free Press
Latah County
- Latah County Commissioners signed an emergency disaster declaration in early March following flooding events during the last week of February. The combination of frozen ground, elevated temperatures, melting snow and high levels of precipitation washed out roadways. It also flooded parks and neighborhoods. Source: Lewiston Tribune
- The National Science Foundation awarded a $4.5 million grant to the University of Idaho to develop open-source artificial intelligence (AI) tools to help institutions manage grants and contracts more effectively. If successful, the program will complete monotonous and time-consuming administrative tasks while staff is better able to focus resources on strategic responsibilities. The project will initially partner with the University of Idaho and the University of Southern Utah, with plans to expand to additional data-drive research institutions. Source: National Science Foundation
Clearwater County
- The Orofino City Council approved spending $350,000 for portions A and C of the Cured-In-Place Pipe project that will be completed by C&L Water Solutions. The project will address the city’s aging sanitary sewer lines. Source: Clearwater Tribune
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
- Seven Idaho companies were included on the Forbes Best Employers List. Of the 701 large companies on the list, Treasure Valley entities included: Winco Foods ranked No. 67, St. Alphonsus Health Care System ranked No. 187 and The J.R. Simplot Company No. 292. On the midsize employers list, Treasure Valley businesses included: Jackson Foods ranked No. 170, Scentsy ranked No. 292 and Norco ranked No. 370. Source: Idaho Business Review
Canyon County
- The College of Idaho in Caldwell announced a reorganization of its executive leadership and new programming that will replace its Professional, Ethical, Articulate and Knowledgeable curriculum that provides a framework for students to graduate with a major and three minors. Source: Idaho Press
Valley County
- The Payette Lakes Recreational Sewer and Water District is seeking a $7 million bond to repair its sewer system. Source: The Star-News
Closures
- Wells Fargo announced it will close its Collister branch and its Vista branch in Boise. In addition, a Boise bench branch will move to a nearby location in May. The bank closed a branch in Meridian over a year ago. Finally, its Enterprise Complaint Center, a call center located in Boise, has laid off 55 employees which was expected after earlier announcements by Wells Fargo. Source: Idaho Statesman
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 news
Blaine County
- Bellevue was awarded a $85,000 community project grant to improve outdoor public space at Memorial Park. The grant includes funds to provide technical assistance to the city of Bellevue. The grant was provided by The Blue Cross of Idaho Foundation for Health. Source: Idaho Mountain Express
Jerome County
- D&B Supply has broken ground in a 58,000 square foot store in Jerome that is expected to be in operation in spring 2026. Source: Magic Valley Times News
Twin Falls County
- The Twin Falls Fire Department has opened a regional fire training center that allows for firefighters to get hands on training at a dedicated training facility. Source: Magic Valley Times News
- Chobani has announced a $500 million dollar and 500,000 square feet expansion at the Twin Falls plant. High protein yogurt products have been growing in demand in recent years and the new expansion will allow for an increased production in high-protein products. The expansion is expected to be an 18-month project that is estimated to add 200 technical jobs. Source: Magic Valley Times News
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
Bannock County
- Bannock Development Corporation announced the Convention, Recreation, Entertainment, Sports and Travel Pocatello Project. The project is intended to build a stadium between the Pocatello Regional Airport and the Interstate. Source: KPVI News
- Delta airlines will be cancelling one of its two nonstop flights out of Pocatello Regional Airport due to low passenger numbers. Delta had been subsidized by the city of Pocatello for $500,000 to keep the flight. Source: Idaho State Journal
- School District 25 of Pocatello and Chubbuck announced its plan to begin rebuilding Highland Highschool in two phases. Phase one focuses on the gym, kitchen, cafeteria and new classrooms. Phase two will focus on restoring the performing arts center and the courtyard. Phases are slated to complete in January and July of 2027. Source: Idaho State Journal
Bingham County
- A new country store, The Merc, opened in Shelley aiming to provide fresh produce, snacks, art and seeds in a similar vein to the former King’s variety store that closed years ago. Source: East Idaho News
Oneida County
- The Malad Stake Family Search Center received a new book scanner to assist in its archiving efforts. It is currently digitizing all of the Malad High School yearbooks. Source: The Idaho Enterprise
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’s new program for law enforcement — Peace Officer Standards and Training — has received official approval from the state. The program will launch two academies — detention and patrol — starting April 28. Source: The Post Register
- An Education Superhighway event will be held June 4 – 6. This event will help students and job seekers learn about career pathways in the region and how to access training. Partners include the following:
- Idaho State University – Idaho Falls campus industry programs.
- Idaho National Laboratory – cybersecurity and energy industries.
- Teton Toyota – automotive industry.
- College of Eastern Idaho – medical, skilled trade and law enforcement industries.
Source: The Idaho Department of Labor
- The Art Museum of Eastern Idaho in Idaho Falls is partnering with the J.R. Simplot Company to fund facility expansion. It will include a new state-of-the-art education center, additional gallery space and a riverfront gathering area. Source: KIFI
- According to Natural Resources Conservation Services mountain data from SNOTEL, the six runoff basins that comprise eastern Idaho have an average year-to-date snow water equivalent of nearly 100% of median and average year-to-date precipitation of 91% of median. The seasonal outlook forecasts drought conditions to persist in the Salmon River basin over the next three months. Upper Snake basin reservoir system storage is 77% of capacity and 111% of normal as of March 1. The forecast calls for 103% of normal runoff April to July at Upper Snake basin. The Big Lost and Little Lost river basins show slight potential for a shortage of irrigation water. Source: Natural Resources Conservation Services
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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