Aug. 31 online seminar focuses on no-cost support for Idaho small businesses

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Aug. 25, 2022
Media Contact: Clinton.Renn@labor.idaho.gov

An overview of the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) is on the agenda for a free Zoom employer seminar Aug. 31 from 9 to 10 a.m. hosted by the Idaho Department of Labor’s Pocatello office.

The seminar will be led by Ann Swanson, regional director for the southeast Idaho SBDC in Pocatello. Her expertise includes business planning and strategy, financing, marketing plans, competitor analysis and cybersecurity. Continue reading →

Idaho’s July unemployment rate shows slight increase to 2.6%

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Aug. 19, 2022
Media Contact: Craig.Shaul@labor.idaho.gov or Karen.JarboeSingletary@labor.idaho.gov

Idaho’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 2.6% in July, up 0.1 percentage points from June.

Map: Idaho counties and July 2022 unemployment rateThe number of Idahoans employed or looking for work grew by 3,938 people (0.4%) to 952,500. Labor force participation increased by 0.1 percentage points between June and July to 62.6%. Idaho’s peak participation rate reached 71.4% in September 1998.

July’s labor force growth was caused by increases in both employed and unemployed persons. Total employment grew by 3,364 (0.4%) to 927,974 while total unemployment increased by 574 (2.4%) to 24,526.

According to Help Wanted Online, there were 63,010 online job postings in Idaho during July, equating to 2.6 job openings for every unemployed Idahoan looking for work.

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Idaho receives more than $3.9 million in funding for AmeriCorps programs

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Aug. 15, 2022
Media Contact: Renee.Bade@labor.idaho.gov

Nearly 345 AmeriCorps members will be supporting efforts to provide low-income access to health care, education and mental health services, and serving on environmental education and restoration projects throughout Idaho – all in the name of community service.

Logo: AmeriCorps IdahoIdaho’s AmeriCorps programs are funded by the federal agency AmeriCorps through Serve Idaho, the Governor’s Commission on Service and Volunteerism. Serve Idaho recently received a $3,930,459 grant to fund the AmeriCorps programs from 2022 to 2023. AmeriCorps members give a year of intensive service on a full-time or part-time basis. Continue reading →

Lewiston career event provides resources for job seekers to upgrade their skills for in-demand jobs

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Aug. 15, 2022
Media Contact: Lisa.Grigg@labor.idaho.gov and Stacey.Wendt@labor.idaho.gov

Job seekers who want to change careers and increase their earning potential will be able learn about jobs and training resources available at an Aug. 18 skilled trades career event focusing on welding, plumbing, electrical and HVAC industries. The event takes place from 4-6 p.m., at the Idaho Department of Labor Lewiston office, 1158 Idaho St.

Attendees will learn about pay scales, work positions and requirements for their specific field of interest from others who work in these trades.

“This event is for people who are not college bound or feel like they can’t afford the training necessary to work in their chosen field,” said Misti Sullivan, Lewiston Labor office manager.

Electricians, welders, plumbers and HVAC professionals in the Lewiston Metro Area currently get paid higher than their counterparts in other areas of the state. Electricians earn on average, an annual average wage of $77,000, welders average $52,000 annually and plumbers average $57,000 per year. Continue reading →

Governor Little appoints leaders from Shoshone and Clayton to Serve Idaho Commission

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Aug. 12, 2022
Media Contact: Renee.Bade@labor.idaho.gov

Gov. Brad Little appointed two new commissioners to Serve Idaho, the Governor’s Commission on Service and Volunteerism. The new commissioners are Karma Metzler Fitzgerald of Shoshone and Amanda Gardner of Clayton.

The two join the existing commission of 15 governor-appointed commissioners whose mission is “To inspire and recognize volunteers and empower communities through service and AmeriCorps to solve Idaho’s unmet needs.”

Photo: Karma Metzler Fitzgerald

Karma Metzler Fitzgerald

Photo: Amanda Gardner

Amanda Gardner

“Ms. Metzler Fitzgerald and Ms. Gardner bring a passion for volunteerism and AmeriCorps in their communities,” Serve Idaho Program Manager Renee Bade said. “We are excited to welcome them to the commission to share their expertise in advancing service across Idaho’s rural communities.”

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Multi-employer job fair set for Aug. 18 in Boise

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Aug. 12, 2022
Media Contact: Joe.Goitiandia@labor.idaho.gov

More than 30 Treasure Valley employers from several industries will be looking for workers at a job fair Thursday, Aug. 18, from 2 to 5 p.m. The event takes place at the Dick Eardley Senior Center, 690 N. Robbins Road, in Boise.

Participating employers include Amazon, Guerdon, City of Boise, Norco, St. Alphonsus, Darigold and many more.

Among the many open positions are paralegal, facility maintenance, operations supervisors, bus drivers, maintenance technicians, parks maintenance, financial analyst, housekeeping attendant, concierge, administrative assistant and marketing associate.

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Serve Idaho announces $375,000 in funding for AmeriCorps planning grants

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Aug. 5, 2022
Media Contact: Renee Bade, renee.bade@labor.idaho.gov

Idaho nonprofit, educational, community and faith-based organizations, Indian tribes and local governments are eligible to apply for federal funding through Serve Idaho, the Governor’s Commission on Service and Volunteerism.

A maximum of five organizations will receive funding up to $75,000 each for planning grants to explore the feasibility of operating an AmeriCorps program. These funds allow time and financial resources for organizations to determine how an AmeriCorps program and its members could help solve community problems. Priority will be given to organizations focusing on education, housing and serving rural communities, but all eligible applicants are encouraged to apply.

Interested organizations must file a notice of intent to apply for a grant by 4 p.m. MDT on Aug. 15. The intent to apply form can be found at https://serve.idaho.gov/grantsfunding/. A mandatory technical assistance call will be held Aug. 16 at 10 a.m. MDT.

The deadline to submit the grant application is Aug. 26 at 5 p.m. MDT.

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Around Idaho: Economic Activity in July 2022

Information provided in these news updates is from professional sources, news releases, weekly and daily newspapers, television and other media.

Northern Idaho
North Central Idaho
Southwestern Idaho
South Central Idaho
Southeastern
Eastern Idaho

 

NORTHERN IDAHO – Benewah, Bonner, Boundary, Kootenai & Shoshone counties

Kootenai County

  • Construction has begun on an 18-story, 60-unit luxury condominium tower in downtown Coeur d’Alene. The tower, to be named The Thomas George, has an estimated value of $45 million and will have units ranging in price from $800,000 to $4 million. Source: Journal of Business
  • The city of Post Falls annexed nearly 90 acres of agricultural land and approved zoning changes to lay the groundwork for the development of a new commercial corridor, as well as infrastructure improvements related to the construction of a new charter school. Construction of the planned Kootenai Classical Academy — the first charter school in Post Falls — is expected to begin this fall. Source: Journal of Business
  • The Coeur d’Alene City Council approved a $10 million water tank project to prevent water supply issues in the northeastern quadrant of the city. Urban growth has begun to stress existing water infrastructure, and city staff have assessed the need to accelerate water projects to avoid water supply issues. Source: Coeur d’Alene Press

Openings – Coeur d’Alene and Post Falls

  • Water World
  • Buck Wild Espresso
  • Engel & Völkers
  • Disaster Response
  • Bottle Joy Taphouse

Sam.Wolkenhauer@labor.idaho.gov, regional economist
(208) 457-8789 ext. 4451

Continue reading →

An analysis of Idaho’s home prices

The following is an executive summary from an analysis of why Idaho’s home prices have risen faster than the rest of the nation. Read the full report online.

Many economists view the housing market as one of the crucial indicators of the overall health of an economy. When the economy is approaching a recession, the real estate market is usually among the first sectors to slow down and among the first to recover during a boom. If this assessment is accurate, Idaho’s housing market prices during the past three years will be critical for future economic forecasts. The average value of single-family homes in the state has increased by about 173% since the third quarter of 2011, compared with nearly 80% nationally. Continue reading →

Idaho’s June unemployment rate remains at 2.5%

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: July 22, 2022
Media Contact: Craig.Shaul@labor.idaho.gov or Karen.JarboeSingletary@labor.idaho.gov

Idaho’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 2.5% in June, unchanged from May and remaining at a historic low.Idaho map-unemployment rates by county

The number of Idahoans employed or looking for work grew by 5,190 people (0.6%) to 948,576. Labor force participation increased by 0.1 percentage points between May and June to 62.5%. Idaho’s peak participation rate reached 71.4% in September 1998.

June’s labor force growth was caused by increases in both employed and unemployed persons. Total employment grew by 4,807 (0.5%) to 924,605 while total unemployment increased by 383 (1.6%) to 23,971.

Continue reading →