Around Idaho: Economic activity, March 2026

Map of IdahoInformation 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 Health will take over management of the Hagadone Medical Clinic effective July 1, 2026. The clinic serves to provide primary patient care to Hagadone Corporation health plan members and their covered dependents. Source: Coeur d’Alene Press
  • Selkirk Sport received a $30 million investment from private equity firm Bluestone Equity Partners. Selkirk Sport produces pickleball paddles, shoes and accessories. Source: Spokane Journal of Business
  • Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers opened in Coeur d’Alene in mid-March and hired 135 employees ahead of opening day. Source: Coeur d’Alene Press
  • Knight Construction and Supply was awarded a $20 million contract by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to replace all 11 spillway gates at Albeni Falls Dam in Oldtown. The first replacement gate will arrive in 2027 and construction will be completed during the early 2030s. Source: Coeur d’Alene Press
  • North Idaho Classical Academy in Bonners Ferry continues to make progress on construction of the new charter school. It will initially open to 240 students in grades K-7 in August 2026. Source: Bonners Ferry Herald

Read more developments from the northern region

Northern developments for March were prepared by Labor Economist Lisa Grigg.

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

  • During February 2026, north central Idaho averaged 47 initial weekly unemployment insurance (UI) claims (a 7% increase from the 44 in February 2025) and 310 weekly continuing claims (a decrease of 18% from the 379 in February 2025). Statewide average weekly initial UI claims decreased 34% from January and decreased 32% from February 2025. Statewide average weekly continuing claims decreased 3% from January and have also decreased 6% from February 2025. Source: Idaho Department of Labor UI Claims
  • Spring 2026 enrollment for the University of Idaho increased 2.8% compared to Spring 2025 and increased by 8% for Lewis-Clark State College. Source: University of Idaho and Lewis-Clark State College
  • The Lewiston Orchards Irrigation District will receive $30 million from a federal water infrastructure package to support a new water intake and conveyance system from the Clearwater River. Source: Daily Fly
  • The new Chick-fil-A in Moscow had a grand opening on March 12. The restaurant may employ up to 115 people at full staff. Source: Chick-fil-A
  • Clearwater County declared a state of emergency resulting from flooding and rock slides in mid-March. Source: Clearwater Tribune

Read more developments from the north central region

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

  • The Treasure Valley Family YMCA received a $2 million donation from the J.A. and Kathryn Albertson Family Foundation to assist with the construction of the Kissler Family Early Education Center. Source: Idaho Business Review
  • The Ada County Jail has initiated an educational program for inmates called IGNITE. Source: KTVB News
  • Hewlett Packard announced plans to permanently exit its Boise operation. Source: KTVB News
  • The Emmett School District trustees opted to present a $2.3 million, two-year supplemental levy before the voters in May. Source: Idaho News 6
  • Fred Meyer broke ground on its first store in Caldwell. Source: Idaho Press

Read more developments from the southwestern region

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

  • Simplot Grower Solutions has completed a new fertilizer storage facility in Rupert. The new facility can load a truck in seven to 14 minutes, compared to the previous 60 to 90 minutes. This new facility will help bolster agriculture production in the Magic Valley. Source: KMVT
  • Breeze Airways is expanding service to the Twin Falls airport, providing a flight to Las Vegas beginning in November. Source: Magic Valley Times News

Read more developments from the south central region

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

  • Spudnik in Blackfoot conducted layoffs to address shrinking demand for agricultural equipment. Spudnik expects 2026 will be difficult for the industry and is slowing production. Source: Idaho State Journal
  • Inkom is getting new high-speed internet through Optix, a subsidiary of Direct Communications. This is part of an initiative to connect more rural communities, including Rexburg. The company said future candidates might reside in Grace, Aberdeen and Blackfoot. Source: East Idaho News
  • The former Grace Theater on Main Street is being renovated. The space will be converted into a multi-use building. The stage and seating areas will be converted into a warehouse for the owner’s construction business while the entry room will be converted into a clinic for Nature’s Grace Precision Health. There will also be classrooms for rent and the upstairs of the building will be converted into an Airbnb. Source: The News Examiner

Read more developments from the southeastern region

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 Idaho National Laboratory launched the Molten Salt Thermophysical Examination Capability (MSTEC) facility, designed to advance molten salt reactor technology. After five years and $15 million invested, MSTEC will provide critical data to help commercialize safer and more efficient nuclear reactors using liquid fuel salts, supporting industry and research partnerships nationwide. Source: Post Register
  • Brigham Young University–Idaho reported continued growth for winter 2026, with on-campus enrollment increasing 5% to 23,708 students and approximately 21,500 living in Rexburg. Including online programs, total enrollment has reached over 50,000 students this semester. Source: East Idaho News
  • The College of Eastern Idaho eliminated eight staff positions and reduced three programs due to budget cuts. Source: East Idaho News
  • Despite a snow drought in the lower valleys, February precipitation, as reported by Idaho SNOTEL, has snow water equivalent in the Lost, Wood, Henry’s Fork-Teton and Snake (above Palisades) basins ranging from 71%-110% of normal. Henry’s Fork Basin registered the lowest, while Big Lost Basin had the highest. Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture
  • The active inventory of homes for sale in eastern Idaho has decreased by 9% over the year. Regionwide home prices have decreased by 2% since this time last year. The quantity of homes under contract is slightly behind where it was last year. Homes for sale regionwide are also staying on the market 22 days longer than they did last year at this time. Many homeowners are opting not to sell presently, and those that choose to sell are having to reduce their asking prices, while waiting longer on buyers to accept offers and go under contract. Source: Realtor.com Inventory Core Metrics

Read more developments from the eastern region

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 SFY26 as part of a Workforce Information grant (41%) and state/nonfederal funds (59%) totaling $860,595.

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