Tag Archives: Southwestern Idaho

Fall Canyon County hiring event features around 35 various employers

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Sept. 24, 2026
Media Contact: Will.Hoenike@labor.idaho.gov

The Idaho Department of Labor is hosting a hiring event Thursday, Oct. 1, from 3 to 6 p.m. at the department’s Caldwell office. The address is 4514 Thomas Jefferson St.

Employers attending include Bogus Basin, Caldwell Public Library, D&B Supply, Fred Meyer, HB Specialty Foods, Idaho Department of Correction, Idaho Housing and Finance Association, Panda Express, Piedmont Airlines, Rock Hard Granite, Treasure Valley Transit and more.

Open positions available include bus drivers, production managers, construction laborers, manufacturers, correctional officers, certified nursing assistants, store associates and others.

For a complete list of employers attending, visit the department’s calendar.

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Network with various employers at Treasure Valley hiring event

NEWS RELEASE

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

The Idaho Department of Labor is hosting a hiring event Tuesday, Sept. 15, at the State of Idaho Chinden Campus in Boise. The address is 11351 W. Chinden Blvd.

The event is from 9:30 a.m. to noon in the conference room of Building 6.

A variety of employers will be in attendance including Boise Mobile Equipment, Boise State University, City of Boise, Durham School Services, Fred Meyer, Idaho Housing and Finance Association, Idaho Power, Mattress Firm, West Ada School District and others.

Open positions available include electrical technicians, automotive painters, project cost estimators, electrical design engineers, building facility technicians, administrative assistants, business operations managers, sales representatives, airport operations specialists, business analysts and many more.

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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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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.

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Around Idaho: Economic activity, July 2026

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

  • The northern region reported 45 average weekly initial unemployment insurance claims and 382 average weekly continuing claims during June 2026. Initial claim volume decreased 14% from the previous month and 20.2% from the 56 average weekly initial claims filed in June 2025. Statewide, weekly initial claims increased 2.5% from May 2026 and decreased 21.7% from June 2025. Statewide continuing claims increased 1.9% from last month and decreased 7.8% from June 2025. Source: Idaho Department of Labor
  • Big Tree Construction is planning The Wilder – a new three-level mixed-use building in downtown Coeur d’Alene. The Wilder will comprise 3,000 square feet of commercial space on the main floor that will be leased to Ink and Easel Fine Art Gallery and one additional tenant. Source: Inland Northwest Business Watch
  • A open house event was held for the Hagadone Medical Clinic in Coeur d’Alene. Kootenai Health operates the clinic in partnership with the Hagadone Corporation and offers free health services for eligible Hagadone employees and their covered family members. Source: Coeur d’Alene Press
  • Lakeside Companies acquired The Highlands Golf Course in Post Falls. Source: Coeur d’Alene Press

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Department of Labor names new economist for southwestern Idaho

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: July 1, 2026
Media Contact: Samuel.Wolkenhauer@labor.idaho.gov

Knox Freedman headshotKnox Freedman is the new Idaho Department of Labor regional labor economist for southwestern Idaho, covering Ada, Adams, Boise, Canyon, Elmore, Gem, Owyhee, Payette, Valley and Washington counties. He replaces the previous economist, Jan Roeser.

Freedman earned two bachelor’s of business administration degrees in economics and finance from Idaho State University in 2022. After being in the workforce, he decided to return to school and earned a master’s degree in economics at Boise State University (BSU) in 2025.

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Around Idaho: Economic activity, June 2026

Map of IdahoInformation provided in these news updates is collected up until the end of June 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 52 average weekly initial unemployment insurance claims and 474 average weekly continuing claims during May 2026. Initial claim volume decreased 22% from the previous month and 9% from the 57 average weekly initial claims filed in May 2025. Continuing weekly claim volume in the northern region during May decreased 38% from April 2026 and 14% from the 550 average weekly claims in May 2025. Statewide, weekly initial claims decreased 2% from April 2026 and 25% from May 2025. Statewide continuing claims also decreased 19% from last month and 8% from May 2025. Source: Idaho Department of Labor
  • Encompass Health plans to build a 50-bed inpatient rehabilitation hospital in Post Falls. Construction is planned to be completed in 2028 and will be the second location in Idaho — along with Boise. Source: Encompass Health
  • Jacklin Northwest is developing Jacklin Ranch Retail Center in Post Falls with 12 leasable spaces covering 18,000 square feet. The groundbreaking is planned for fall 2026 with completion in 2027. Source: Spokane Journal of Business
  • Sunshine Silver Mining & Refining grossed over $300 million in proceeds after closing an initial public offering of 23 million shares of common stock. The Sunshine Mine is expected to restart silver and antimony operations in late 2028 with plans for a 24-year mine life. Source: Sunshine Silver Mining & Refining

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Nampa Public Library and Idaho Department of Labor hosts Third Annual Hiring and Resource Fair

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: June 18, 2026
Media Contact: Will.Hoenike@labor.idaho.gov

The Idaho Department of Labor is cohosting a hiring and resource fair with the Nampa Public Library on Thursday, June 25, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The event takes place at the Nampa Public Library located at 215 12th Ave. S.

Job seekers will have an opportunity to meet with many employers to discuss job openings including Autozone Auto Parts, City of Boise, City of Nampa, CS Beef Packers, Gem County, Idaho Air National Guard, Idaho Central Credit Union, Idaho Public Television, Lactalis American Group, Simplot and more.

The positions available range from excavation operators, skilled trade technicians, maintenance technicians, heavy equipment operators, certified nursing assistants, bus drivers, customer service specialists and others.

Community resources attending include Advocates Against Family Violence, Glocal Friend Partner, Icarus Wellness and Recovery, Nampa Family Personal Center, Valley Regional Transit and more.

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Around 25 employers will attend hiring event in Boise

NEWS RELEASE

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

The Idaho Department of Labor is hosting a hiring event Thursday, June 25, at the State of Idaho Chinden Campus in Boise. The address is 11351 W. Chinden Blvd.

The event is from 2 to 4:30 p.m. in the conference room of Building 6.

A variety of employers will be in attendance including the Ada County Highway District, Ada County Sheriff’s Office, BME Fire Trucks, Boise State University, City of Boise, Idaho Transportation Department, St. Luke’s Boise Medical Center, Victory EMS & Medical Transportation and others.

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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

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