Tag Archives: Idaho Department of Labor

Around Idaho: Economic activity, August 2026

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

  • Averill Hospitality has revised its plans for a resort hotel at the current site of the Best Western Edgewater Resort. The company now intends to renovate the existing structure and construct a new five‑story south wing that will include 27 condominiums. The reopened hotel at 56 Bridge St. will feature a lobby bar, coffee venue, retail space, outdoor dining areas, a pool and spa, lawn and terrace space for events and a new restaurant. Source: Sandpoint Reader
  • Hayden-based Viking Construction Inc. has started installing the infrastructure for a 52-acre development in Rathdrum. The development will consist of 164 single-family homes, 192 apartments in eight three-story buildings and several commercial buildings. Source: Spokane Journal of Business
  • The Post Falls City Council approved the construction of 17 cottage homes. In addition to the homes, the developers plan to build extra parking, a recreational space and an outlet road for the new development area. Source: Coeur d’Alene Press
  • The Idaho Economic Advisory Council recently recommended Shoshone County (Kellogg, Smelterville and Wardner) for consideration under the federal Opportunity Zone designation. Opportunity Zones are federally designated census tracts created to encourage investment in economically distressed communities. Source: Shoshone News-Press

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Idaho’s July unemployment rate decreases to 3.6%

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Aug. 21, 2026
Media Contact: Craig.Shaul@labor.idaho.gov or Will.Hoenike@labor.idaho.gov

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

July’s labor force decreased by 1,523 (-0.2%) people to 998,870 while the labor force participation rate – the percentage of people 16 years or older who are either employed or looking for work – decreased by 0.2 percentage points between June and July to 61.6%.

Total employment decreased by 1,007 (-0.1%) to 962,626 and unemployment decreased by 516 (-1.4%) to 36,244. Continue reading →

Unemployment insurance workshop happening Aug. 27 for employers

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Aug. 19, 2026
Media Contact: Will.Hoenike@labor.idaho.gov

Idaho employers are invited to learn about unemployment insurance (UI) Thursday, Aug. 27, from 10:30 a.m. to noon.

The workshop will take place at the Idaho Department of Labor’s Caldwell office, 4515 Thomas Jefferson St.

UI Supervisor Vicki Raass will discuss in detail the different employee separations (laid off, discharged or quit), separation documentation, investigating unemployment claims, determining claim outcomes, chargeability and liability, claimant eligibility, employer attachment and using E-services.

Continue reading →

Unemployment insurance (UI) claimants must thoroughly document work search actions

NEWS RELEASE

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

The Idaho Department of Labor has identified an increase in UI claimants being denied benefits as a result of insufficient work search documentation.

Claimants must prove they are actively searching for work by completing five work search actions a week. Details and contact information for the action are then submitted by the claimant in their weekly certification. If the information provided cannot be verified by the department, benefits may be denied and overpayments may be established. Continue reading →

Idaho’s population younger than national average, metro areas growing quickly

Idaho ranked second in the nation for population growth from 2024-2025, behind only South Carolina, according to recently released estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau. The state’s total population rose by 28,861, or 1.4%, to 2,029,733 people during this time.

Now at the halfway point between the decennial censuses of 2020 and 2030, the 2025 population and age characteristic estimates provide an opportunity to take the pulse of Idaho’s demographic growth over the decade so far.

Since 2020, Idaho has been the fastest growing state on aggregate with a net growth of 9.8%, followed by Florida and South Carolina in second and third place respectively. Continue reading →

First two teacher apprentices complete Registered Apprenticeship program in Idaho

The Idaho State Board of Education created the Teacher Apprenticeship program in 2024 as an alternative pathway for people to become certified teachers, with an intent to fill job openings across the state. Two years later, a few apprentices have completed the program and are ready to continue their career as certified teachers with nationally recognized credentials from the U.S. Department of Labor. They both have intentions to stay and teach in rural areas of Idaho.

Julie Goff

Goff has been working at Castleford School District for a number of years. She started as a substitute teacher, then worked with maintenance staff and kitchen staff and lastly became a paraprofessional for seven years. Her principal approached her with the Registered Apprenticeship opportunity to become a teacher and she said, “let’s do this.” She knew she was ready to continue the upward trajectory of her career.

“I didn’t want to step away to do the next thing. It made a lot of sense to say, ‘hey this program allows you to step up and help out more and provides more help at a home that you built,’” Goff said. “Rather than, quit your job and go get a four-year degree.”

Apprentices are required to complete 6,000 hours to become a certified teacher with a combination of school work from a college and in-classroom teaching during the span of the program. However, with Goff’s previous experience as a paraprofessional, she only had to complete 2,000 hours.

Continue reading →

Connect with employers at hiring event in Coeur d’Alene

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Aug. 6, 2026
Media Contact: Will.Hoenike@labor.idaho.gov

The Idaho Department of Labor is hosting a hiring event Wednesday, Aug. 12, at Coeur d’Alene Public Library. The address is 702 E. Front Ave.

The event is from noon to 3 p.m.

A variety of employers will be in attendance including AccraFab Inc., Apex Masonry, Buck Knives, Coeur d’Alene Resort, Coeur d’Alene Public Schools, Discount Tire, Fresenius Medical Care, North Idaho College, Silverlake Automotive and more.

Continue reading →

Outreach connects farmworkers to essential services

Jorge Alcaraz isn’t one to be tied to a desk in an office.

Workforce consultant Jorge Alcaraz

Twin Falls workforce consultant Jorge Alcaraz

Alcaraz has spent the past three years serving as a workforce consultant for the Idaho Department of Labor in Twin Falls, helping customers from across the Magic Valley find answers to their employment questions. Recently Alcaraz has taken on additional duties working with the area’s migrant farm-worker population.

“I was always curious about farmworker rights and compliance work,” said Alcaraz. “I wanted to make a difference in our community by educating workers on their rights, and by spotting potential violations. I wanted to provide farmworkers with local resources as well as build relationships with growers, contractors and community partners.” Continue reading →

Labor economists to present webinar on how Idaho’s hiring demand has evolved

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Aug. 4, 2026
Media Contact: Brandon.Duong@labor.idaho.gov or Ryan.Whitesides@labor.idaho.gov

Idaho Department of Labor Economists Brandon Duong and Ryan Whitesides will be discussing Idaho’s hiring landscape from pre‑pandemic years to today at a webinar, Tuesday, Aug. 11.

This webinar breaks down where employers are struggling and where opportunities are opening up.

“Understanding how long jobs sit open and which industries are tightening isn’t just an economic story, but it affects the everyday experience of finding or filling a job,” Whitesides said.

Continue reading →

Labor adds third mobile location in south central Idaho

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: July 28, 2026
Media Contact: Will.Hoenike@labor.idaho.gov

A new Idaho Department of Labor mobile location is open in Rupert in south central Idaho. The location is at Rupert City Hall — making 22 mobile locations available across the state.

The expansion provides more options for residents to use Labor’s services in the south central region, such as helping with writing resumes, applying for jobs, prepping for interviews and filing for unemployment insurance benefits. Additionally, job training and other community resources are available.

Services for businesses are also available. This includes helping businesses with listing jobs, recruiting employees, organizing hiring events and providing access to job training programs.

Continue reading →