Information provided in these news updates is collected up until the end of April 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
- Hagadone Hospitality broke ground on the new Sherman Tower, which will be a 15-story expansion of the Coeur d’Alene Resort. The tower will feature 139 guest rooms in addition to nearly 10,000 square feet of restaurant, retail and office space. The opening is scheduled for the spring of 2027. Source: Coeur d’Alene Press
- Two new hotels are under construction in Kootenai County. In Coeur d’Alene, a Marriott-branded AC Hotel is now under construction, which will have 126 guest rooms and open in 2027. Work was previously underway on a 151-room Hyatt Place Hotel in Post Falls, which will open in December. Source: Journal of Business
- The developers of the new Thomas George luxury high-rise condominium tower in Coeur d’Alene announced that construction is scheduled for completion this year, with residents moving in by years’ end. The top floors of the 80-unit, 18 story tower have been poured. Source: Journal of Business
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
- House Bill 425 was signed into law during the 2025 legislative session that appropriates Division of Public Works funds during fiscal year 2026. Approved projects within north central Idaho include $5.5 million in funding for construction of a new Idaho State Police District 2 facility and $8 million to construct a Joint Military Science and Veterans’ Assistance Center at the University of Idaho. Source: Idaho Legislature
Nez Perce County
- The State Board of Education approved a request from Lewis-Clark State College to change its name to Lewis-Clark State University. The name change will then be considered by the Idaho Legislature and the college’s accrediting body and could become official by Spring 2026. Lewis-Clark State College’s academic programs range from professional certificates to graduate degrees. Source: Lewis-Clark State College
Idaho County
- The Animal Rescue Foundation opened a Resale Store in Grangeville featuring gently used clothing, accessories, jewelry and housewares. All proceeds will be used for local rescue programs as well as going toward the construction of the new animal shelter. Source: Idaho County Free Press
Latah County
- The United States Department of Agriculture cancelled a five-year, $59 million Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities grant awarded to University of Idaho for its Innovative Agriculture and Marketing Partnership project. The program’s focus was to reduce climate impact within the production of Idaho’s top commodities – potatoes, sugar beets, wheat, barley, hops, chickpeas and beef. The cancellation was a result of the revision of rules now stating that at least 65% of grant funds must go directly to producers compared to a requirement of at least 50% when the grant was awarded. University of Idaho will be reimbursed for all grant related expenses incurred through April 13 and the university is eligible to reapply to the grant program through June 20. Source: University of Idaho
Clearwater County
- Nearly 400 students from regional school districts attended the north central Idaho Workforce Exploration Day in Orofino. The event highlights careers that support local families and the natural resources within north central Idaho. 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
- The College of Western Idaho (CWI) is partnering with a local developer to build a downtown Boise campus. The programs offered at the Boise campus will include computer science, cybersecurity and business. Source: Idaho Business Review
Canyon County
- The Caldwell School Board approved a memorandum of understanding with St. Luke’s Healthcare System for a traveling pediatric clinic to provide care at four of its elementary schools. Source: Idaho Press
Elmore County
- A new casino has been proposed by the Duck Valley Shoshone-Paiute tribe on land with ancestral ties. The development off I-84 between Mountain Home and Boise must first be approved by the Bureau of Indian Affairs and the State of Idaho. Source: Idaho Statesman
Owyhee County
- A new mining company out of Canada is considering restarting an open pit gold and silver mine in Silver City. Integra aka DeLamar Mining Company submitted a revised mine plan to the Bureau of Land Management. 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
- A 33,500 square foot Karl Malone Ford dealership has begun construction in Bellevue. Additionally, a Maverik gas station and convenience store is being built next to the dealership. Source: Idaho Mountain Express
Jerome County
- St. Luke’s Jerome Medical Center has expanded its ability to serve a larger population. Four patient rooms have been added to the center, increasing the maximum capacity from 10 to 15 patients. 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
Bannock County
- Idaho Central Credit Union held a groundbreaking for its Union Field House at the Mountain View Event Center. The fieldhouse will be a place for people to practice indoor soccer, baseball or lacrosse thanks to a $4,000,000 grant from the credit union. Source: Idaho State Journal
- Idaho State University (ISU) continued its third year in a row for enrollment growth as it experienced a 2.9% increase year over year for its spring semester at 11,000 students. This is the largest undergraduate enrollment increase since Spring 2016. Source: ISU News
Bear Lake County
- The Grounded Goat, a goat yoga studio, will be opening in Bear Lake Valley. Owner, Shelly Longfellow, will offer patrons the chance to experience yoga among goats — a viral internet trend. Source: The News Examiner
Caribou County
- Work is progressing at the Caribou County Event Center. The $3,800,000 project will not only serve as a showroom during the county fair, but will also serve as a youth development, emergency medical services and firefighter hub during the off season. Source: East Idaho News
Oneida County
- The Nell J. Redfield Memorial Hospital hosted an Evening of the Arts fundraiser. Bidding opened for baskets assembled by local businesses to finance renovations and equipment for the hospital. Ahead of the event, Rocky Mountain Power gave a $5,000 grant for a new freezer for the hospital kitchen. 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
- Yellowstone National Park saw an increase in recreation visits in 2024, making it the second busiest year on record since 1904. Over 4.7 million people visited the park in 2024, a 5.4% increase from 2023. Source: National Park Service
- Idaho National Laboratory partnered with Idaho Power, which operates 17 hydroelectric projects, to analyze the economic and environmental impacts of integrating hydrogen production with hydropower plants. The project is funded by the Department of Energy’s Water Power Technology Office. Source: Idaho National Laboratory
- According to Natural Resources Conservation Services mountain data from SNOTEL, the six runoff basins that comprise eastern Idaho have an average year-to-date mountain snow water equivalent of 107% of median and average year-to-date precipitation of 91% of median. The forecast calls for 94% of average runoff April – July at Upper Snake basin. The entire Upper Snake River reservoir system is at 82% of capacity, which prompted Palisades Reservoir flood-control releases of excess water due to above-normal snowpack. Source: Natural Resources Conservation Services, U.S. Bureau of Reclamation
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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