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
- The northern region reported 91 average weekly initial unemployment insurance (UI) claims and 1,245 average weekly continuing claims during March 2026. Initial claim volume decreased 32% from the previous month and 48% from the 175 average weekly initial claims filed in March 2025. Continuing weekly claim volume in the northern region decreased 22% from February 2026 and 30% from the 1,771 average weekly claims in March 2025. Overall, weekly volume for both initial and continuing claims decreased statewide compared to last month and March 2025. Source: Idaho Department of Labor
- The Herschend Family Entertainment Corporation completed the acquisition of Silverwood Theme Park. Silverwood is the largest theme park in the northwest and maintains a seasonal workforce of 1,200 employees. Source: Coeur d’Alene Press
- Kootenai Health and MultiCare celebrated the groundbreaking of their new collaborative Prairie Medical Campus. Phase one of the new 30-acre medical facility is expected to be completed in 2028 and will include a micro hospital and three-story office building. Source: Coeur d’Alene Press
- Advanced Thermoplastic Composites Inc (ATC) was awarded a $6.7 million contract by the Air Force Research Laboratory as part of a development collaboration with California based companies Anduril Industries and Toray Advanced Composites. The goal is to test continuous fiber thermoplastic composites for next generation defense aircraft. Source: Spokane Journal of Business
- The City of Kellogg will be completing approximately $2 million in infrastructure upgrades this summer. Upcoming projects include construction of a new city shop and scheduled road maintenance. Source: Coeur d’Alene Press
Read more developments from the northern region
Northern developments for April 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
- The north central region reported 27 average weekly initial unemployment insurance (UI) claims and 317 average weekly continuing claims during March 2026. Initial claim volume decreased 37% from the previous month and 39% from the 44 average weekly initial claims filed in March 2025. Continuing weekly claim volume in north central increased 2% from February 2026 and decreased 16% from the 379 average weekly claims in March 2025. Overall, weekly volume for both initial and continuing claims decreased statewide compared to last month and March 2025. Source: Idaho Department of Labor
- Lifepoint Health has agreed to acquire St. Joseph’s Regional Medical Center from ScionHealth. The transaction is expected to close prior to July 2026. The Lewiston-based community hospital is one of the top 10 employers in north central Idaho. Source: ScionHealth
- The University of Idaho held a grand opening for the 12,750 square foot Meat Science and Innovation Center, April 10, in Moscow. The newly expanded facility allows agricultural students to experience preparing meats for consumers through both classroom learning and on-the-job training. Source: Lewiston Tribune
- The nonprofit entity Confluence Fiber Corporation was established to oversee the construction and operation of Lewiston’s fiber broadband network created in partnership by the Port of Lewiston and Pivot-Tech Development. Source: Daily Fly
- The Nez Perce Tribe was awarded a $1.8 million Indian Housing Block Grant by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Source: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
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 College of Western Idaho’s new Micron Academic Building will not just add more classroom space but also expand programs and increase access to workforce training. The 100,000 square foot facility will support business, information technology, cybersecurity and adult education programs. Source: Idaho News 6
- New medical and office buildings, plus a concert venue will soon capstone the Eagle View Landing development in Meridian. The four-part plan starts with a 125,000 square foot corporate campus, the second part is a seven-acre medical campus that will house several buildings, part three is a three-story medical office building and part four is a concert venue. The medical and office buildings are planned to break ground in 2026, with plans to open in May or June of 2027. Source: Idaho Statesman
- Permits are in with the City of Boise for the 11th & Idaho retail and office project. The project will total 192,000 square feet of space, with retail tenants taking space on the ground floor, with offices above. The permit values the project at $27.7 million with plans to begin construction in August. The goal is to have the project completed by the end of 2027. Source: BoiseDev
- Plans for a mixed-use development called 1010 Jefferson St. will include 9,000 square feet of commercial spaces, a parking garage and a day care. Source: Idaho Press
Read more developments from the southwestern region
Southwestern developments for April were prepared by Labor Economist Seth Harrington.
Samuel.Wolkenhauer@labor.idaho.gov, regional economist
Idaho Department of Labor
208-696-2353
SOUTH CENTRAL IDAHO
Blaine, Camas, Cassia, Gooding, Jerome, Lincoln, Minidoka and Twin Falls counties
Regional news
- D&B Supply has opened its 58,000 square foot store in Jerome. Source: Magic Valley Times News
- A new office for the Bureau of Land Management is being constructed in Shoshone. The new office will house around 80 employees from multiple locations, consolidating them into one building. The new facility is expected to be finished in March 2027. Source: KMVT
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
- Extreme Rush arcade and go-kart racing opened in Pocatello. Owners Jason Hebdon and Sidney Davis desired to bring entertainment available elsewhere in Idaho to the southeastern region, raising $725,000 in private investment to make it a reality. The Italian produced go-karts and track provided extra fundraising opportunities as they are named after local sponsors. Other amenities include laser tag and a toddler interactive area. There are also plans to open a restaurant later in 2026. The facility currently employs 50 people, but the addition of the kitchen will grow the staff to an estimated 75 people. Source: Idaho State Journal
- LA Semiconductor began its first wave of layoffs. 342 workers will be laid off through May 1 as production ends for the facility. The layoffs come after an April 10 purchase deadline elapsed under the company’s ongoing receivership. Source: Idaho State Journal, Idaho State Journal
- SME Steel expanded into the former Petersen Inc. metal fabrication facility. Thanks to Portneuf Valley Development Corporation’s tax reimbursement incentive package, the plant is expected to hire 100 people. Source: Idaho State Journal
- Swire Coca-Cola announced it will be closing its facility in Pocatello in 2027. It is part of an initiative to close the two eastern Idaho plants in Idaho Falls and Pocatello. Rather, a new facility will be built on Jameston Road between Shelley and Idaho Falls. The current Pocatello and Idaho Falls location employ between 50 to 100 people between them. Source: East Idaho News
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
- As senior nuclear experts retire, the National Nuclear Security Administration’s Athena Initiative addresses a critical knowledge gap to safeguard the world from nuclear threats. Recently, the program retrieved uranium fuel abroad to support ongoing testing and workforce training. The program moves early-career scientists through progressively complex training environments, from cold surrogate models to live irradiated fuel processing in hot cells, while rotating them through national and international laboratories, including Idaho National Laboratory. Athena has hosted eight rotations covering fuel dissolution, solvent extraction and equipment operations. Source: Idaho National Laboratory
- The College of Eastern Idaho announced an inaugural eight-week Summer STEM Bridge Program for high school students. Participants will complete two college-level courses ― fundamentals of network security and college math ― to earn up to six credits. Classes will be taught by faculty and industry experts. Students will also participate in two field experiences at Idaho National Laboratory. Source: Idaho Business Review
- Six eastern Idahoans graduated from the Idaho Career Opportunities – Next in Construction (ICONIC) program. It is a collaboration between the Idaho Transportation Department and the Idaho Department of Labor that fast-tracks workers into heavy equipment operation careers through five weeks of simulator training, hands-on practice and industry-recognized certifications. Selected from 78 applicants, several graduates already have jobs lined up in civil and highway construction — a field facing a significant labor shortage accelerated by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act’s demand for skilled workers. Source: KIFI
- The College of Eastern Idaho has been named one of 10 national recipients of a Lumina Foundation grant through its Great Admissions Redesign initiative, investing more than $3.5 million to simplify college admissions and expand student access nationwide. Source: Post Register
- Texas-based Aalo Atomics unveiled the world’s first experimental extra modular nuclear reactor at Idaho National Laboratory, also the first reactor completed on U.S. Department of Energy property in 50 years. Built in just 40 days, four months ahead of schedule, the reactor will go online by July as part of a national Nuclear Reactor Pilot Program. It will generate up to 10 megawatts of electricity using liquid metal cooling that requires no water. Aalo Atomics has already signed a deal to supply 70 megawatts to Idaho Falls Power. Source: East Idaho News
- Idaho National Laboratory officially opened Demonstration of Microreactor Experiments (DOME) — the world’s first nuclear reactor test bed for privately developed microreactors — completing the facility a year ahead of schedule to meet growing U.S. energy demand. The National Reactor Innovation Center Test Bed can host experiments generating up to 20 megawatts of thermal energy, giving private developers a real-world environment to gather data for future licensing, while reducing the time and cost of bringing next-generation reactors to market. Radiant’s Kaleidos unit is set to become the first experiment this spring. The facility is already drawing private companies to Idaho Falls, with at least four developers opening local offices. Source: KIFI
- Snowpack drought conditions persist in eastern Idaho. April 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 58% – 74% of normal. Henry’s Fork Basin registered the lowest, while Big Wood basin had the highest. Reservoirs in the Upper Snake River Basin are at 76% capacity, Palisades Reservoir is at 61% capacity, Island Park is at 90% capacity and Henry’s Lake is at 96% capacity. Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture
- Over the year, Madison, Butte and Fremont counties are gaining momentum in residential home real estate with rising prices, faster sales and stronger activity of homes under contract. Bonneville County remains steady with balanced, gradually improving demand. Teton and Jefferson counties show tension between climbing prices and softening buyer engagement. Custer and Lemhi counties posted price declines and slower activity of homes under contract. Overall, regional demand strength is concentrated in mid-market counties. Higher-end and rural homes for sale are sitting on the market longer, while fewer buyers are under contract with prices remaining high. 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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