AmeriCorps deploys team to Idaho Panhandle National Forests

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Feb. 17, 2026
Media Contact: Will.Hoenike@labor.idaho.gov

Serve Idaho — the Governor’s Commission on Service and Volunteerism — has announced the deployment of the AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC) Phoenix 1 team to complete reforestation work in the Idaho Panhandle National Forests from Feb. 15 to April 1.

“AmeriCorps NCCC has enjoyed a long and productive history of partnering with Serve Idaho and communities across the Gem State. With the recent addition of the Forest Corps program to our portfolio, we’re thrilled that our collaboration has now extended to serving and supporting national forests across Idaho,” said NCCC Director Ken Goodson. Continue reading →

Economic snapshot: A look at Idaho’s full-service restaurant industry

Full-Service Restaurants have a significant impact on Idaho’s economy. In 2025, the National Restaurant Association estimated that Idaho’s Full-Service Restaurants provided $2.76 billion in direct economic output and employs more than 28,500 people. This is 3% of Idaho’s overall employment.1

Full-Service Restaurants are restaurants with a waitstaff and offer a dining experience with table service, compared with Limited-Service Restaurants which customers generally take the food to go and there is no table service, such as a fast-food restaurant.

Full-Service Restaurant in Idaho experienced disproportionate employment drops during the pandemic compared with total employment. This was due to people not going out as much to eat. While the state’s overall total employment declined 10.2% from 2019 to 2020 due to the pandemic, Full-Service Restaurant employment declined by a larger 14.3%. Since then, the industry in Idaho stagnated from 2023-2024 (shown in Figure 1) and has not returned to the level it was before the pandemic.

Continue reading →

State requests public comments for modification of 2024-2027 state workforce plan

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Feb. 10, 2026
Media Contact: Will.Hoenike@labor.idaho.gov

The Idaho Department of Labor and the Workforce Development Council are requesting public comment on the proposed modification of Idaho’s 2024-2027 Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act Combined State Plan.

Idaho’s workforce development system is comprised of a network of state, regional, local agencies and organizations that provide a range of services. This includes employment, education, training and overall support to help all job-seekers secure good jobs while providing businesses with the skilled workers they need to compete in a global economy. Continue reading →

Meet a variety of employers at Coeur d’Alene hiring event, Feb. 11

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Feb. 5, 2026
Media Contact: Will.Hoenike@labor.idaho.gov

The Idaho Department of Labor is hosting a hiring event Wednesday, Feb. 11, from noon to 3 p.m. in Coeur d’Alene.

The event takes place at the Coeur d’Alene Public Library, 702 E. Front Ave.

Employers attending include Ace Industrial Supply, Advanced Pest Control Inc., Gozzer Ranch, North Idaho College, Paul Mitchell The School Coeur d’Alene, Spokane Vet Center and more.

Continue reading →

Discover how Idaho’s labor market relies on international export partnerships

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Feb. 3, 2026
Media Contact: Ryan.Whitesides@labor.idaho.gov

Idaho Department of Labor Economist Ryan Whitesides will be presenting with a panel of state and federal government representatives, discussing Idaho’s labor market reliance on international export partnerships at a webinar, Tuesday, Feb. 10.

Representatives from Idaho Commerce, the Idaho State Department of Agriculture and the U.S. International Trade Administration will be in attendance.

Idaho’s foreign trade portfolio comprises over 205 nations who consume the state’s exported goods and services. Of these total exports, over 80% are manufactured products. This webinar will explore what these particular goods and services are and the jobs they support.

Continue reading →

Idaho Department of Labor Twin Falls office moves to Parkview Loop beginning Monday

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Jan. 30, 2026
Media Contact: Will.Hoenike@labor.idaho.gov

The department’s Twin Falls office is moving to a new location at 458 Parkview Loop, beginning Monday.

The office will be open to customers Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Customers will get assistance with resume writing, job applications, interview preparation, job training opportunities, community resources and filing for unemployment insurance benefits that was available at the previous location. Continue reading →

Idaho’s population growth rate second in nation for 2025

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Jan. 30, 2026
Media Contact: Will.Hoenike@labor.idaho.gov

Idaho’s population continued its pattern of growth in 2025 with an over-the-year growth rate of 1.4%, ranking second nationally, according to the U.S. Census Bureau’s recent population estimate data. From April 1, 2020, to July 1, 2025, Idaho grew the fastest in the nation at 10.4% growth, adding 190,610 new residents for a total of 2,029,733 people.

Idaho’s over-the-year population growth rate has bounced between 1.4% and 1.5% over the past three years, significantly lower than the growth rates seen in 2021 and 2022 (3% and 2% respectively). However, the state’s growth in 2025 was still higher than the nation’s growth of 0.5% and that of its contiguous states, including:

  • Utah (1%)
  • Nevada (0.9%)
  • Washington (0.9%)
  • Montana (0.6%)
  • Wyoming (0.3%)
  • Oregon (0.2%)

Continue reading →

Around Idaho: Economic activity, January 2026

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

  • Amid the warmest winter on record, snowpack across northern Idaho is far below normal, creating what a hydrologist at the Idaho Department of Water Resources have called a “snow drought.” Precipitation levels have been normal, but high temperatures have led to more rain than snow, allowing high runoff. The low snowpack makes it likely that northern Idaho will continue to see drought conditions for the fourth consecutive year. Source: Bonner County Daily Bee
  • Heritage Health is breaking ground on Phase 2 of their Center for Healthy Living. When the new phase is completed, it will consolidate a variety of services in a single facility, including medical, dental, pediatric and behavioral health services. The Phase 2 facility will cost $4 million and is expected to be completed in the fall of 2026. Source: Coeur d’Alene Press
  • An 85,000 square foot, $5 million indoor pickleball facility is under construction in Post Falls. Slated for opening in June, The Flying Pickle is the first northern Idaho franchise for the Meridian-based company. The facility will include 24 indoor courts. Source: Coeur d’Alene Press

Continue reading →

Idaho’s December unemployment rate decreases to 3.6%

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Jan. 23, 2026
Media Contact: Craig.Shaul@labor.idaho.gov or  Will.Hoenike@labor.idaho.gov

Idaho’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate decreased between November and December, from 3.7% to 3.6%.

December’s labor force increased by 1,628 (0.2%) people to 1,013,141 while the labor force participation rate – the percentage of people 16 years or older who are either employed or looking for work – was unchanged between November and December, remaining at 62.9%.

Total employment increased by 1,755 (0.2%) to 976,258 and unemployment decreased by 127 (-0.3%) to 36,883. Continue reading →

Idaho resident finds opportunity in ICONIC program

Johnny Soumie has one word he associates with his experience — opportunity. He was born in France and was eight years old when his family moved from Guana to Idaho. Soumie said it has been a great journey moving to the United States and becoming a U.S. citizen. That journey led him to the Idaho Department of Labor and the ICONIC program.

Soumie’s career path hasn’t been linear, with career changes due to events happening in his life.

Johnny Soumie stands proudly at Land Lab Day in November.

Johnny Soumie stands proudly at Land Lab Day in November.

Continue reading →