Tag Archives: Idaho Department of Labor

Around Idaho: Economic activity, May 2026

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

  • The northern region reported 67 average weekly initial unemployment insurance claims and 761 average weekly continuing claims during April 2026. Initial claim volume decreased 12% from the previous month and 6% from the 71 average weekly initial claims filed in April 2025. Continuing weekly claim volume in the region decreased 39% from March 2026 and 22% from the 978 average weekly claims in April 2025. Weekly volume for statewide initial claims decreased 15% from March 2026 and continuing claims also decreased 31% from April 2025. Source: Idaho Department of Labor
  • PNGC Power and Kindle Energy have agreed to jointly construct a combined-cycle natural gas power plant in Rathdrum. The construction and design period is estimated to take approximately six years to complete. Source: Coeur d’Alene Press
  • The Ponderay Planning and Zoning Commission approved a special use permit request by Avista Corporation for development of a six-acre substation on a 22-acre parcel on Bronx Road. The initial construction period is estimated to take 16 months. Source: Coeur d’Alene Press
  • The Idaho Department of Environmental Quality awarded over $40 million to the City of Sandpoint for wastewater infrastructure upgrades along with drinking water system improvements. Source: Idaho Department of Environmental Quality
  • Safariland LLC acquired Alien Gear Holsters for $10.3 million as part of a court-approved bankruptcy auction distributing the assets of Tedder Industries LLC. Court records indicate Alien Gear Holsters employs 108 workers with operations in a 70,000 square foot facility in Post Falls. Source: Spokane Journal of Business

Continue reading →

Idaho’s April unemployment rate remains at 3.6%

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: May 22, 2026
Media Contact: Samuel.Wolkenhauer@labor.idaho.gov or  Will.Hoenike@labor.idaho.gov

Idaho’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate did not change between March and April, remaining at 3.6%.

April’s labor force decreased by 2,350 (-0.2%) people to 1,003,496 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 March and April, down to 62.2%.

Total employment decreased by 2,290 (-0.2%) to 966,979 and unemployment decreased by 60 (-0.2%) to 36,517. Continue reading →

Idaho’s housing unit growth rate leads the nation in 2025

Idaho’s housing unit estimates increased by 2.1% in 2025 — the fastest growth rate out of all states for the second consecutive year — and added over 17,000 units. Since 2020, the state has held either the number one or number two ranking for annual housing unit growth (Figure 1).

The U.S. Census Bureau defines a housing unit as one that is intended for occupancy as its own separate living quarters with direct access either from the building’s exterior or through a common hall. Estimates include units that are both occupied and vacant. Continue reading →

Idaho veteran lands job after graduating ICONIC program

Delilah Wilson was one of 20 students that graduated from the ICONIC program in Boise, Thursday, May 14.

And this is her first week officially in the construction industry as a heavy equipment operator at Granite Excavation.

“To be able to have that training…being certified goes a long way. I think they (Granite Excavation) were willing to hire me because they heard great things from the program and because I have a lot of experience from just going out there — day one,” Wilson said.

Idaho Department of Labor Workforce Consultant Lester Ryan De Guzman and Program and Membership Coordinator Sandy Mitchell from Baker Technical Institute (BTI) stand next to Wilson while she holds her heavy equipment operation certification with pride on graduation day.

Idaho Department of Labor Workforce Consultant Lester Ryan De Guzman and Program and Membership Coordinator Sandy Mitchell from Baker Technical Institute (BTI) stand next to Wilson while she holds her heavy equipment operation certification with pride on graduation day.

Wilson was released from the U.S. Navy in July last year and decided to pursue a civilian life job where she could be active and “hands-on” in the work environment.

When the ICONIC program was discussed and presented by her dad’s coworker (who also participated in the program), she knew she had to invest and apply. Out of 200 applicants in Boise, she was chosen as a candidate.

Labor Workforce Consultant Sheri Phimmasone interviewed Wilson to see if she would be a great fit for the program and decided she should join the class.

Continue reading →

More than half of Idaho’s cities gain population in 2025

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: May 15, 2026
Media Contact: Will.Hoenike@labor.idaho.gov

Idaho’s statewide population increased 1.4% in 2025, led by gains of 1.8% in incorporated places (established cities) and 0.5% growth outside of these areas. Of Idaho’s 198 cities, 110 (56%) reported population growth — the remaining 88 cities (44%) either remained constant or declined compared with 2024.

From 2020-2025, nearly 91% (180 of 198) of Idaho’s cities experienced positive population growth. The state also claimed three of the top 100 U.S. cities by population growth rate over this time period — Star, Moyie Springs and Ponderay — with a cumulative growth exceeding 70% and a combined 10,000 net new residents. Continue reading →

Pursue a career in the trades at Caldwell hiring event

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: May 12, 2026
Media Contact: Will.Hoenike@labor.idaho.gov

The Idaho Department of Labor is hosting a hiring event Tuesday, May 19, at the department’s Caldwell office. The address is 4514 Thomas Jefferson St.

The event is from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

A variety of employers will be in attendance including the Admiral Beverage Company, Idaho Site Works LLC, Johnson Thermal Systems, Northwest Lineman College, Quality Trailer Services and Repair, Simplot, Terzo Enterprises, U.S. Army and others.

Continue reading →

Network with various employers at hiring event in Coeur d’Alene

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: May 7, 2026
Media Contact: Will.Hoenike@labor.idaho.gov

The Idaho Department of Labor is hosting a hiring event Wednesday, May 13, at the 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 Coeur d’Alene School District, Eden Home Health, Fire Systems West, Hilton Grand Vacations, The Home Depot, Kootenai County, North Idaho College, Paul Mitchell The School, United States Postal Service and more.

Continue reading →

Idaho sees growth in new startup births as failure rates decline in 2025

The amount of new startups and the reopening of existing establishments — known as “establishment births” —  in Idaho exceeded the number of business applications in 2025. Startup failure rates in the state also decreased over the year, with three out of four still in business after a year, according to recent U.S. Census data.

Business applications and private establishment births

Before the pandemic, Idaho’s startups were already growing quickly — business applications and new establishment births were both up about 30% from 2015-2019. The 2020-2021 period supercharged that growth — applications rose 31% and actual business births jumped nearly 49%. Continue reading →

Unemployment insurance workshop for employers takes place Thursday

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: May 4, 2026
Media Contact: Will.Hoenike@labor.idaho.gov

Idaho employers are invited to learn about unemployment insurance (UI) Thursday, May 7, from 10:30 a.m. to noon.

The workshop will take place at the Idaho Department of Labor’s Twin Falls office, 458 Parkview Loop.

UI Supervisor Vicki Raass and Workforce Consultant Oscar Escobedo 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 →

Idaho’s March unemployment rate decreases to 3.6%

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: May 4, 2026
Media Contact: Samuel.Wolkenhauer@labor.idaho.gov or  Will.Hoenike@labor.idaho.gov

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

March’s labor force decreased by 2,286 (-0.2%) people to 1,005,848 while the labor force participation rate – the percentage of people 16 years or older who are either employed or looking for work – decreased by 0.3 percentage points between February and March, down to 62.4%.

Total employment decreased by 1,921 (-0.2%) to 969,265 and unemployment decreased by 365 (-1.0%) to 36,583. Continue reading →