Tag Archives: Idaho Department of Labor

Idaho’s small arms market anticipates more growth

In the 20 years following the end of the federal assault weapons ban in 2004, the employment growth rate of Idaho’s small arms manufacturing industry nearly tripled — greatly outpacing the nation’s rate of 60%. While the small arms market is currently experiencing a slowdown both nationally and in Idaho, new developments in 2025 regulations and legal cases might be the key to upcoming growth.

Idaho has become home to some of the most well-known small arms and small arms accessory companies in the world, including some that contract with the U.S.’s military and police departments, such as Nightforce Optics, Alien Gear Holsters, Seekins Precision and Federal/CCI ammunition. Idaho is also home to some more boutique and innovative manufacturers such as Nemo Arms, Primary Weapons Systems, Bishop Firearms and Foxtrot Mike. Businesses like these have brought Idaho’s number of small arms manufacturing businesses up from eight to 31 since 2004.

Continue reading →

Governor recognizes Oakley volunteer for contributions

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Aug. 29, 2025
Media Contact: Will.Hoenike@labor.idaho.gov

A volunteer from Oakley received recognition for his service at the Idaho Capital for a Day event hosted by Gov. Brad Little, Thursday Aug. 28.

Serve Idaho, the Governor’s Commission on Service and Volunteerism, proudly recognized Blake Matthews with the Idaho’s Brightest Star Award for his exceptional volunteer service.

Matthews’ volunteer commitment is rooted in family tradition, beginning with his grandfather’s involvement in the Oakley Vigilantes. This year, when leadership was unavailable, he stepped forward to lead Oakley Pioneer Days, a community celebration dating back to the late 1800s. Continue reading →

Around Idaho: Economic activity, August 2025

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

Bonner County

  • The ongoing Sunset Fire northeast of Athol has burned more than 3,200 acres. Due to the fire, the U.S. Forest Service announced a closure order for the Idaho Panhandle National Forests. Source: KHQ News

Kootenai County

  • The North Idaho State Fair opened Aug. 15 for its annual 10-day run at the Kootenai County fairgrounds. The 2025 theme was “Keeping Tradition Alive,” and the fair featured hundreds of attractions and vendors. Source: Coeur d’Alene Press
  • The Coeur d’Alene City Council has proposed a $152.6 million budget for the 2025-2026 fiscal year which includes a 3% property tax increase, which will generate $835,702 in additional revenue. The city council held public hearings concerning the proposed budget in August. Source: Coeur d’Alene Press
  • Home prices edged further upward in Kootenai County according to the latest market snapshot from Coeur d’Alene Regional Realtors. The median home price increased to $545,000, which was a 3.3% increase year over year. Active listings and single-family home sales in Kootenai County have both increased slightly year over year, while average days on market has declined slightly. Source: Journal of Business

Continue reading →

Idaho’s average hourly wage increases 5.1% in 2024

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Aug. 25, 2025
Media Contact: Will.Hoenike@labor.idaho.gov

Idaho’s average wage for all occupations in 2024 was $28.10 per hour, according to recently released data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Occupational Employment and Wages Statistics (OEWS) program. This amounts to an increase of 5.1%, or $1.35 per hour, from 2023.

The median wage, representing the midpoint between lowest and highest earners, also rose from $21.27 per hour in 2023 to $22.34 per hour in 2024 — a 5% increase over the year.

Six out of seven Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs) in Idaho had average and median wage increases in 2024. The Pocatello MSA experienced the largest increase with both average and median hourly wage growing by over $2 per hour. Continue reading →

Idaho’s unemployment rate increases to 3.7% in July

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Aug. 15, 2025
Media Contact: John.Panter@labor.idaho.gov or Will.Hoenike@labor.idaho.gov

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

July’s labor force decreased by 451 people to 1,010,133 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, down to 63.2%.

Total employment decreased by 643 (-0.1%) to 973,241 and unemployment increased by 192 (0.5%) to 36,892. Continue reading →

Labor economist to analyze Idaho’s marginal labor force at August webinar

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Aug. 12, 2025
Media Contact: Lisa.Grigg@labor.idaho.gov

Idaho Department of Labor Economist Lisa Grigg will discuss the subsections of Idaho’s population that are potentially overlooked and underutilized within the labor force at a webinar, Tuesday, Aug. 19.

“Labor force numbers show Idaho’s trends in both employment and unemployment, but there is a large portion of the population that it misses. If someone wants a job, but is not actively sending out resumes or contacting employers – they are not considered part of the labor force,” Grigg said. “This webinar is meant to try to help employers understand the main reasons job seekers may drop out of the labor force – even if they would prefer to be employed.”

Continue reading →

Governor recognizes Orofino volunteer for contributions

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: July 30, 2025
Media Contact: Will.Hoenike@labor.idaho.gov

Pictured above: Jo Moore (left) and Susan Jacobson (right).

A volunteer from Orofino received recognition for her service at the Idaho Capital for a Day event hosted by Gov. Brad Little, Thursday July 24.

Serve Idaho, the Governor’s Commission on Service and Volunteerism, recognized Jo Moore with the Idaho’s Brightest Star Award for her exceptional volunteer service.

Moore was nominated by Susan Jacobson, president of the Clearwater Community Complex, for her dedication and commitment to ensuring a public aquatic facility is built. She has raised funds, gathered community input and support and provided weekly updates to the local paper on the progress of the project. Continue reading →

Hiring event brings job opportunities to Coeur d’Alene

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: July 30, 2025
Media Contact: Will.Hoenike@labor.idaho.gov

A hiring event will be held Wednesday, Aug. 6, from noon to 3 p.m. at the Coeur d’Alene Public Library, 702 E. Front Ave.

Employers planning to attend include All Ways Caring HomeCare, Buck Knives, Coeur d’Alene School District, Easterseals-Goodwill, Equus Workforce Solutions, Hilton Grand Vacations, Inland Chess Club, North Idaho Dental Group, PotlatchDeltic and more.

Jobs available include sales representatives, caregivers, certified nursing assistants, night janitorial staff, instructors, agents and others.

Continue reading →

Idaho’s agricultural landowners are getting older

The population of those 65 and over continues to increase in the counties of Idaho that contain a large amount of agricultural land. As a result, older Idahoans who own this land are at a crossroads of whether to pass it to a successor or sell it when they can no longer tend to it themselves.

Idaho’s landownership

The seven largest private commercial landowning organizations or individuals in the state account for 6% of the total private land, with an estimated 1.8 million total acres in land usage for farming, ranching or logging [1]. The other 70.4% is public land. Continue reading →

Around Idaho: Economic activity, July 2025

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

Kootenai County

  • Construction is underway on a large new mixed-use project in Post Falls. Named ‘Nonna,’ the project includes a 50,000 square-foot building with four stories, including commercial space on the ground floor and 33 apartment units on the upper three levels. Commercial tenants will include a ground-floor brunch restaurant. Source: Coeur d’Alene Press
  • A new food truck court, called Eats On Spokane Street, is open in Post Falls. The location includes a new open-air building which houses MelFit Healthy Kitchen and Nachos Cantina, with four food trucks including Charcuteria, Angel’s Eats and Treats, Woody’s Smoked Salmon and Taco Works. There are three remaining spaces for additional food trucks. Source: Coeur d’Alene Press

Continue reading →