Information provided in these news updates is collected up until the end of June 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
- Coeur d’Alene Ironman was held on Sunday, June 22. The 70.3-mile triathlon, which has become a fixture summer event in Coeur d’Alene, drew more than 1,000 athletes to northern Idaho this year. Source: Coeur d’Alene Press
- A new retail center in Coeur d’Alene is nearing completion and has begun announcing tenants. A Five Guys restaurant and EyeMart Express will anchor the new Heritage Square on U.S. 95 in northern Coeur d’Alene. The property has additional retail spaces available, with Five Guys set to open in July. Source: Coeur d’Alene Press
- The Post Falls City Council approved a construction improvement agreement for a 148-lot subdivision in northern Post Falls. The project, dubbed Crown Reserve, will be located north of the Crown Pointe Subdivision and will require significant infrastructure improvements. No timeline has been published for construction. Source: Coeur d’Alene Press
- Lyon Living, a California based developer, is planning a $165 million luxury residential project at the Coeur d’Alene National Reserve, which is a private golf resort on Lake Coeur d’Alene. The developer plans to break ground this summer and build 55 homes. The first phase, named The Fairway Lodges, will consist of 24 three-bedroom homes along the 17th fairway of the Coeur d’Alene National Reserve course, with prices starting at $2 million. Source: Journal of Business
- North Idaho College is launching a new Culinary Arts Sous Chef apprenticeship, which will include classroom instruction and 4,000 hours of paid employment at local restaurants across six semesters. College representatives said that the “earn as you learn” apprenticeship model will not only help participants maintain employment while earning their credential but also help the local food service industry with pressing labor shortages. 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
- The Nez Perce Tribe has established the Department of Planning and Economic Development to guide the tribe’s long-term economic growth. Source: Nez Perce Tribe
Nez Perce County
- The Port of Lewiston is partnering with Pivot Tech Development Inc. to build a fiber optic network with open access architecture. Project construction will begin within the next few months and is expected to be completed by October 2025. Confluence Communications is a new nonprofit organization created to build, operate and maintain the Lewiston community fiber network. Source: Port of Lewiston
- Lewis-Clark State College’s hospitality management program was awarded the 2025 Idaho Division of Career Technical Education Exemplary Postsecondary Program. Source: Lewis-Clark State College
Latah County
- The University of Idaho (UI) officially terminated plans to acquire the University of Phoenix with the Idaho State Board of Education after a final deal could not be reached. UI has been pursuing acquiring the University of Phoenix since 2023. Source: Idaho State Board of Education
Clearwater County
- NightForce Optics received approval from the City of Orofino to convert a former U.S. Forest Service building into workforce housing comprised of six apartments. 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
- Micron announced it plans to build a second fabrication plant at its southeast Boise campus. Source: Micron and Idaho Business Review
Canyon County
- The Kroger Company announced plans to build a 155,000-square-foot Fred Meyer store in Caldwell. Source: Idaho Statesman
- The Gardner Group announced rebranding of the Nampa Gateway Center to the Sugar District, a nod to the nearby processing plant. The 65-acre development will look different with a new façade, updated landscaping, parking and lighting to start. Source: Idaho Statesman
Openings
- Johnson Thermal Systems, a Caldwell-based company, hosted a grand opening celebration for its second Idaho plant, this one in Nampa. 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
- Ketchum City Council has approved a $2.5 million purchase of an 11-unit property to be used as deed-restricted workforce housing. Source: Idaho Mountain Express
- Hailey nonprofit, Men’s Second Chance Living, has received $375,000 in grant funding to provide housing for men in addiction recovery. The grant funding will allow for an additional two-bedroom condominium. Source: Idaho Mountain Express
Jerome County
- Jerome County Jail on the main floor of the old courthouse, has been torn out and renovated to provide office space for the Department of Motor Vehicles and handicap bathrooms. An additional 15 new parking spaces will be added. The project will be complete in the next six weeks. Source: KMVT
Twin Falls County
- Over $450,000 in donations have provided a new St. Lukes mobile health clinic. This mobile health clinic will help increase access to mammogram screenings, as Idaho is one of the states with the lowest rate of screenings. 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
- Demolition of parts of the Pine Ridge Mall began as a part of the process to convert it into an open-air shopping plaza. Source: Idaho State Journal
- Greenacres Elementary School in Pocatello began construction for the East Oak Street Child Pedestrian Safety Improvements Project. This project was financed through a $250,000 grant from the Local Highway Technical Assistance Council appointed by the Idaho Legislature. Improvements include new asphalt in the parking lot, new sidewalks, curbs, gutters, bulb-outs, curb ramps and driveway access points. Source: East Idaho News
Bear Lake County
- Bear Lake High School opened a new medical career course to introduce students to a variety of medical professions. The class has a schedule of two days in class and two days job shadowing at institutions like Bear Lake Memorial Hospital. Source: The News Examiner
Caribou County
- Caribou Kids, a new day care, opened in Soda Springs. Caribou Medical Center backed the venture in an effort to alleviate the child care needs of their own employees and the broader community. Source: Idaho State Journal
Power County
- A budget increase for the American Falls Rural Fire Department narrowly passed by a single vote. This initiative increased its levying capacity by $200,000. Source: KIFI News
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 following programs or majors at Brigham Young University-Idaho (BYU) are under review for potential restructure: finance, visual and performing arts, human development and education. (Specifically special education and secondary education.) Changes to programs or majors will not affect current students. Source: BYU-Idaho Scroll
- Yellowstone National Park visitation for May shows an 8% increase compared to May 2024. May had the busiest on record, with 566,363 guests. Year to date, the park has hosted 762,672 visitors, an increase of 6% from last year and an increase of 17% from 2021. Source: National Park Service
- The University of Idaho (UI) Extension Forestry program made educational outreach and recruitment efforts in eastern Idaho to agriculture students and trained Future Farmers of America Forestry Competition teams. They also facilitated the Eastern Idaho Forestry Field Days for urban-wildland homeowners on how to protect their properties. A seminar was also given on logging, which was once central to the region’s economy, but few sawmills remain. Source: UI Extension
- Brigham Young University-Idaho (BYU-I) reported enrollment increases of 2.2% for fall, 5.5% for winter and 2% for spring semesters. Current total enrollment is over 17,000 campus-based students and an estimated 14,700 students living in Rexburg this semester. Source: BYU-Idaho
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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