Tag Archives: Sam Wolkenhauer

Around Idaho: Economic Activity, August 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

  • The city of Coeur d’Alene is evaluating proposals to strengthen laws against short-term rentals, including civil penalties and dedicated enforcement. The city’s general services and public works committee cites the city’s well established housing crisis and severe shortage of available for-rent and for-sale homes as the need for these proposals. The committee seeks to curb the conversion of long-term rental properties to short-term rentals to combat the housing shortage. Source: Coeur d’Alene Press
  • Work has begun on a major Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) project to replace and upgrade the interchange between Interstate 90 and State Highway 41 in Post Falls. The current interchange, which includes three different traffic signals and intersections, has become a major traffic bottleneck as Post Falls has grown. The interchange will be replaced by a single intersection, which ITD believes will dramatically increase efficiency. Construction will be underway in phases until the summer of 2025. Source: Idaho Transportation Department
  • Kootenai Health has begun work on a $40 million expansion to its Heart Center, operating rooms and Kootenai Outpatient Surgery facilities. The expansion will add 37,000 square feet to the heart center, new laboratories and more patient rooms, which will allow the hospital to provide more same-day surgeries. The project is scheduled for completion in fall 2023. Source: Coeur d’Alene Press

Openings
Coeur d’Alene

  • Sebastian’s Coffee and Pastries
  • The Burger Dock
  • Vantage Point Brewing
  • Bare Root Skin Essentials

Region

  • Burke’s Restoration, Post Falls
  • Club Pilates, Hayden
  • Gracie Barra Jiu-Jitsu Studio, Hayden

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

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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 →

Around Idaho: Economic Activity in June 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

Bonner County

  • Schweitzer Mountain Resort has begun construction on resort improvements to create more efficient access to the mountain, including new roadways, 1,400 additional parking spaces and a new chairlift. This will be followed by future developments expanding the resort’s skiable terrain. Source: Bonner County Daily Bee

Kootenai County

  • The 50-acre Millworx location in Post Falls is now under development and will include a 60-unit mixed use building — with both multi-family residential units and commercial spaces — 61 townhomes, a hotel and several commercial buildings. The development, formerly home to the Idaho Veneer Mill, is slated for completion in 2023. Source: Coeur d’Alene Press
  • Construction has begun on the planned 18-story Thomas George building in Coeur d’Alene. The building will eventually include 60 luxury condominiums and retail spaces on the ground floor. It is scheduled for completion in March 2024. Source: Coeur d’Alene Press
  • The Kootenai Humane Society has begun construction on a new 20,000-square-foot shelter in Hayden. The new facility is expected to be completed by year-end. Source: Journal of Business

Openings

Coeur d’Alene

    • Toro Viejo & Barracho
    • ECJ Billiards
    • Bottle Joy Taphouse
    • Memory Lane Gems
    • Grace & Joy
    • Pearl and Tin

Region

    • Klein Chiropractic, Hayden
    • Advanced Personal Protection, Hayden
    • Paddler’s Alehouse, Sandpoint

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

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Around Idaho: Economic Activity in May 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

  • The nonprofit urban planning and community development organization, CDA 2030, published a new “Vision and Implementation Plan” for the greater Coeur d’Alene community. The plan outlines 134 actions and recommendations related to housing, park space, conservation and other quality-of-life items for the area. Source: Coeur d’Alene Press
  • North Idaho College received a $524,000 grant from the Idaho Workforce Development Training Fund to support its Workforce Training Center. The grant will fund apprenticeship programs for tradespeople and heavy equipment operators in the construction industry. The goal is to help meet the region’s enormous need for construction labor. Source: Coeur d’Alene Press

Openings – Coeur d’Alene

  • Capriotti’s Sandwich Shop
  • CDA Pet Market
  • Stylus Wine & Vinyl Bar
  • Integrity Mental Health
  • CaterCDA
  • Lake City Deluxe Barbershop
  • Brandon Cope Massage
  • Patriot Hangout
  • Sarah Hamilton FACE

Post Falls

  • Auto Paint Plus
  • North Idaho Urology
  • St Joseph’s Ear, Nose, Throat & Allergy Clinic

Hayden

  • Open Arms

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

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Idaho population projected to top 2 million by 2031

Recent population projections from the Idaho Department of Labor anticipate Idaho will continue its record of rapid growth, with the total statewide population crossing over 2 million for the first time by 2031.

The 2020 Census revealed the Gem State was the second-fastest growing state in the nation over the decade from 2010 to 2020, and single-year population estimates have ranked Idaho as the fastest-growing state for the past five years.

Idaho’s Labor Department’s latest projections anticipate a statewide growth rate of 1.1% per year over the 10-year period from 2021 to 2031, adding a total of 227,880 new residents to the state. This will raise Idaho’s population from 1,888,533 in 2021 to 2,116,413 in 2031.

All six of Idaho’s substate regions are expected to grow over the coming decade, with southwestern Idaho leading at 16.3% projected growth, followed by northern Idaho at 13%. These two regions together are expected to account for more than three quarters of the state’s total growth.

TABLE 1: Projected population growth by region

Projected Population Growth by Idaho Region

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Around Idaho: Economic Activity in April 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

  • A new program designed to match senior homeowners with extra space with tenants is being launched in Kootenai County in response to the severe local housing shortage. The project, called HomeShare Kootenai County, aims to create additional rental inventory by leveraging seniors who have extra space or who maintain multiple residences and vacate their Idaho homes in the winter. Source: Journal of Business
  • The Idaho Department of Transportation is beginning work on the next phase of improvements to State Route 41, connecting Post Falls and Rathdrum. The highway improvements will facilitate the new commercial and residential development occurring on the prairie in north Post Falls. The state route improvements are scheduled to be completed this year. ITD plans to begin preparations for the replacement of the current interchange between the SR41 and I-90. Source: Journal of Business
  • After tourism recovered in 2021 and the area experienced a resurgent demand for lodging, Kootenai County now has two new hotels planned – one in Coeur d’Alene and one in Post Falls. A TownePlace Suites hotel by Marriott is under construction in Coeur d’Alene, which will include 89 rooms, while in Post Falls plans are in place for a 154-room hotel, though the brand has not yet been specified. Both hotels are expected to be finished this year. Source: Journal of Business

Openings – Coeur d’Alene

  • Reignite Health Northwest
  • Edgy Veggie Salad
  • Inspired Nail Spa
  • F45 Training
  • Rakes Mediation
  • Water World
  • Dixie & Co.
  • The Goat Lounge
  • Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices

Hayden

  • Hayden Furniture Depot

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

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Around Idaho: Economic Activity in March 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

  • Work is nearly complete on a new water tower in Hayden, which will store 2 million gallons of water. This will increase the city’s water pumping capacity 26 times over, not only meeting higher demand from the area’s rapid population growth, but also meeting the next 20 years of projected water demand growth. Source: Coeur d’Alene Press
  • Work is underway on a mixed-use development located on the former Idaho Veneer mill site in Post Falls. The new development will include more than 120 residential units in a mix of multifamily and townhomes, as well as a dual brand hotel. Source: Journal of Business

Openings
Coeur d’Alene

  • Anchored Coffee
  • Align Yoga Studio
  • Lakeside Integrative Headache Center
  • Runway Salon
  • CenterWell Home Health
  • Memory Lane Gems
  • Manna
  • Lakeside Lox
  • European Wax Center
  • Local Market at Atlas
  • Heirloom Bridal

Region

  • Metro Express Car Wash, Post Falls
  • Post Falls RV Campground, Post Falls
  • Heart of Hope Health, Hayden
  • Dollar General, Athol
  • Ultimate Concrete Coatings, Rathdrum

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

Continue reading →

Around Idaho: Economic Activity in February 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

  • The Regional Housing and Growth Issues Partnership completed a multi-month study on housing shortages in northern Idaho and is preparing to present its recommendations for local housing policy. The study, recently published on the organization’s website, concluded that a lack of affordable housing cost over $220 million in gross regional product by reducing the available workforce. Source: Coeur d’Alene Press

 Openings – Coeur d’Alene

  • Sportsman and Ski Haus
  • Garnet Café
  • Good N Baked
  • Lyfe Coffee
  • Schmidty’s Burgers
  • Aunt Stephanie’s Child Care
  • Soda Love

Openings – Hayden

  • Dairy Queen
  • Lone Mountain Farms & Brewery Taphouse


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

Continue reading →

Idaho’s Long-term Employment Forecast Shows Steady Growth Through 2030

Idaho’s labor market is expected to continue its robust expansion through the end of the decade, according to new long-term employment projections from the Idaho Department of Labor.

The new estimates, which cover the period from 2020 to 2030, project an employment growth rate for Idaho of 1.5% per year, bringing total employment to 933,563 in 2030. This forecast is consistent with Idaho’s record of strong job creation in recent years – which includes rapid growth from 2010 to 2020, and an economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic that was among the strongest in the nation.

Idaho’s long-term projected growth rate of 1.5% is significantly higher than the national forecast. The most recent projections from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics anticipate a national growth rate of approximately 0.7% annually – less than half the projected growth rate for Idaho. This is consistent with recent experience; Idaho has consistently been among the leaders in job growth among the states, and the growth rate in Idaho has exceeded the national rate nine years in a row, starting in 2012.

Figure 1: Annual Employment Growth, US and Idaho line chart

Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Idaho Department of Labor Continue reading →

Around Idaho: Economic Activity in January 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

  • A mixed-used development including more than120 residential units is being planned for the former site of the Idaho Veneer mill. The development will include a mixture of townhomes and multifamily units, in addition to plans for a hotel and commercial space. Source: Journal of Business
  • Developer Measom Holdings LLC is building a development of luxury townhomes in Coeur d’Alene. The project, named the Nest, will feature five high end townhomes on Lakeside Drive, valued at nearly $5 million. Source: Journal of Business
  • Kootenai Health has begun construction of a $37.3 million expansion to its heart center on the main hospital campus. The expansion will add additional operating rooms and bed space in addition to providing vacant space to accommodate future needs. The hospital is expanding capacity to respond to increased demand for procedures from the county’s growing population. Source: Journal of Business

 Openings – Coeur d’Alene

  • Crossfit CDA
  • Aunt Stephanie’s Child Care
  • Takara, a Japanese restaurant
  • Say Yes Bridal Boutique
  • Thunder Games
  • Lake Coeur d’Alene Inn
  • Inland Kava and Botanicals

Openings – Hayden

  • Kaffee Meister
  • Dairy Queen
  • T-Mobile


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

Continue reading →