Monthly Archives: September 2025

Around Idaho: Economic activity, September 2025

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

  • Northern Idaho is currently in a drought at the highest ratings of severity, according to hydrologists with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Several years of below-normal snowpack, low rainfall totals and above-normal temperatures have created “extreme to exceptional” drought in the region. Recent data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration showed more than 50% of measured stream flow sites in the region are below normal. Source: Coeur d’Alene Press

Kootenai County

  • Local governments in Kootenai County are completing their budgetary approval processes for the 2025-2026 fiscal year. The Coeur d’Alene City Council approved a $151.9 million budget with an allowable 3% property tax increase, and Post Falls approved a $165 million budget with a 3% property tax increase. County commissioners approved a $144 million budget for Kootenai County, with a 2.5% tax increase. Source: Coeur d’Alene Press
  • Major changes are coming to the retail development on US 95 at Neider Avenue in Coeur d’Alene. Construction is underway on a Raising Cane’s chicken restaurant, with confirmed plans for additional businesses in the shopping center, including a Mexican restaurant called Cultura CDA and national chains like Jersey Mike’s Subs, Nothing Bundt Cakes and Sleep Number. The shopping center currently houses At Home, Tractor Supply and Safeway. Source: Coeur d’Alene Press

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Kick off your job search in Caldwell, Oct. 2

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Sept. 25, 2025
Media Contact: Will.Hoenike@labor.idaho.gov

The Idaho Department of Labor is hosting its fourth annual Fall Kickoff Hiring Event in Caldwell, Thursday, Oct. 2, from 3 to 6 p.m.

The event takes place at the department’s Caldwell office located at 4514 Thomas Jefferson St.

A variety of employers from the government and private sector will be in attendance including Amalgamated Sugar, Gem County, Idaho Division of Human Resources, Shore Lodge Whitetail Club, Franklin Building Supply, Bogus Basin and more.

Bring a resume and dress for success to interview for positions like assistant chief bakery engineer, physical therapist, electrical inspector and more.

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Learn how Idaho’s cost of living and affordability impact the labor force

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Sept. 23, 2025
Media Contact: Seth.Harrington@labor.idaho.gov

Idaho Department of Labor Economist Seth Harrington will share how Idaho’s cost of living is impacting the labor force at a webinar, Tuesday, Sept. 30.

According to United for Alice, four in 10 Idaho households can’t afford the basics of housing, food, child care and health care – even though many earn above the poverty line.

“While Idaho’s poverty rate is the 15th lowest in the nation and unemployment remains low, many Idahoans continue to struggle with the rising cost of living,” Harrington said. “Poverty and the rising costs of living have had significant impacts on the labor force, from reduced labor mobility to growing the urban and rural divide.”

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Idaho’s share of youth wanes despite overall population growth

Idaho’s youth population — those 19 years and younger — grew by 2.7% between 2020-2024, according to recent data from the U.S. Census Bureau. This was relatively low compared with the 65 and older category growing by 17.4% and the state’s total population growing by 8.2% or 152,204 people.

Of the total population growth seen between 2020-2024, Idaho’s youth contributed the smallest share among all census age categories at 9.3%. However, what is typically considered as “working age” — a combination of two census age categories covering those 20-64 years of age — contributed 56.3%, helping backfill retirements and exits to other occupations or industries (Figure 1). Continue reading →

Idaho’s unemployment rate remains at 3.7% in August

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Sept. 19, 2025
Media Contact: Craig.Shaul@labor.idaho.gov or Will.Hoenike@labor.idaho.gov

Idaho’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was unchanged between July and August, staying at 3.7%.

August’s labor force decreased by 627 (0.1%) people to 1,009,419 while the labor force participation rate – the percentage of people 16 years or older who are either employed or looking for work – decreased by 0.1 percentage point between July and August, down to 63.1%.

Total employment decreased by 778 (-0.1%) to 972,377 and unemployment increased by 151 (0.4%) to 37,042. Continue reading →

Meet around 30 hiring employers at Post Falls event

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Sept. 12, 2025
Media Contact: Will.Hoenike@labor.idaho.gov

Employers like Ace Industrial Supply, Buck Knives, and Coeur d’Alene Public Schools will be among more than 30 employers looking for workers at a hiring event in Post Falls next week.

The event will be held Wednesday, Sept. 17, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Idaho Department of Labor Post Falls office, 600 N. Thornton St.

All Ways Caring HomeCare, Behavior Health Group,  the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare, Equus Workforce Solutions, Hilton Grand Vacations, Idaho Division of Veterans Services, Inland Chess Academy and others will also attend this free event. Continue reading →

Idaho’s marginal labor force wants to work but sees potential barriers

Idaho’s marginal labor force — individuals who want to work but are not working currently and haven’t been looking for work recently — is relatively small in scale. However, this group of potential workers could be an important resource for employers needing to fill open positions.

The U.S.’s marginal labor force is estimated to be around 1-2% of the non-labor force but is comprised of those who are the most likely to accept employment if an opportunity arose.1 If Idaho’s patterns are similar, this would mean there is a marginally attached population of roughly 5,000-10,000 non-working people ready and willing to take on employment in addition to the approximately 37,000 unemployed people statewide who are actively seeking a job. Continue reading →

Hiring event gives networking opportunity to job seekers in the Treasure Valley

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Sept. 4, 2025
Media Contact: Will.Hoenike@labor.idaho.gov

The Idaho Department of Labor is hosting a hiring event Thursday, Sept. 11, from 9:30 a.m. to noon at the State of Idaho Chinden Campus, 11351 W. Chinden Blvd., in Boise.

Job seekers are expected to arrive at Building 6 in the conference room.

Employers planning to attend include Boise State University, Idaho Bankers Association, Idaho Transportation Department, Piedmont Airlines, Easterseals-Goodwill, Franklin Sensors, Dabella, Express Employment Professionals, Ada County Sheriff’s Office, Ada County Human Resources, Block 22, Ada County Highway District and more.

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Idaho’s small arms market anticipates more growth

In the 20 years following the end of the federal assault weapons ban in 2004, the employment growth rate of Idaho’s small arms manufacturing industry nearly tripled — greatly outpacing the nation’s rate of 60%. While the small arms market is currently experiencing a slowdown both nationally and in Idaho, new developments in 2025 regulations and legal cases might be the key to upcoming growth.

Idaho has become home to some of the most well-known small arms and small arms accessory companies in the world, including some that contract with the U.S.’s military and police departments, such as Nightforce Optics, Alien Gear Holsters, Seekins Precision and Federal/CCI ammunition. Idaho is also home to some more boutique and innovative manufacturers such as Nemo Arms, Primary Weapons Systems, Bishop Firearms and Foxtrot Mike. Businesses like these have brought Idaho’s number of small arms manufacturing businesses up from eight to 31 since 2004.

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