Regional news

Southwestern developments for June were prepared by Labor Economist Ryan Whitesides.

Regional labor market information

Figure 1.

Southwestern Idaho, seasonally adjusted data	May-26 (P)	Apr-26 (R)	May-25 (B)
Civilian labor force	490,998	486,790	492,956
Total employment	473,223	469,338	475,608
Unemployment	17,775	17,452	17,348
Percentage of labor force unemployed	3.6%	3.6%	3.5%
Source: Idaho Department of Labor	P – Preliminary	R – Revised	B – Benchmarked

• Labor force estimates for May 2026 from the Idaho Department of Labor’s Local Area Unemployment Statistics have both total over-the-month employment and unemployment increasing in the 10-county southwestern region. Seasonally adjusted, May preliminary estimates have labor force participants increasing by 4,208 people, with 3,885 additional employed people and 323 additional unemployed people. The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for the region remained unchanged at 3.6% over the month and 0.1 percentage points greater than May 2025.

Figure 2.

Southwestern Idaho job postings	May-26	May-25
Unique postings	30,923	25,744
Days posted	23	23
Number of employers	4,431	3,893
Median hourly wage	$29.51	$26.89
Percentage of postings with advertised wage	51%	57%
Source: The Conference Board-Lightcast Help Wanted OnLine

• There were an estimated 30,923 deduplicated job postings in the southwestern Idaho labor market for May 2026 (regional online job postings data and not necessarily job openings data). The number of postings is a 10% increase from 28,057 the prior month and a 20% increase from 3,165 year over year.

Figure 3.

Top 10 occupations by unique job postings in southwestern Idaho	Postings, May-26	Postings, May-25
Registered Nurses	780	892
Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers	747	498
Retail Salespersons	734	742
Software Developers	655	496
Customer Service Representatives	604	510
Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products	499	436
First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers	431	405
Medical and Health Services Managers	420	401
Project Management Specialists	411	302
Maintenance and Repair Workers, General	406	300
Source: The Conference Board-Lightcast Help Wanted OnLine

• Project Management Specialists replaced Computer Occupations, All Other in the top 10 regional occupations by unique job postings for May. Employer hiring demand (based on quantity of job postings) increased over the month in occupations such as Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers by 37% and Retail Salespersons by 15%. The only decrease was for Registered Nurses by 4%.

Figure 4.

Top 10 industries by unique job postings in southwestern Idaho	Postings, May-26	Postings, May-25
Healthcare and Social Assistance	4,285	3,560
Manufacturing	3,074	2,153
Professional, Scientific and Technical Services	2,930	2,357
Retail Trade	2,597	2,589
Finance and Insurance	1,720	2,340
Accommodation and Food Services	1,336	1,126
Construction	1,219	1,006
Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services	1,135	909
Wholesale Trade	1,089	1,027
Educational Services	989	1,163
Source: The Conference Board-Lightcast Help Wanted OnLine

• The top five regional industries in May by quantity of job postings remained unchanged over the month. Hiring demand based on total unique job postings increased 43% in Manufacturing; 24% in Professional, Scientific and Technical Services; and 21% in Construction. There was a decrease by 15% in Educational Services industries. 

Figure 5.

Top 10 hardest-to-fill occupations in southwestern Idaho	Median duration, May-26 (days)	Unique postings, May-26
Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers	37	183
Fast Food and Counter Workers	37	177
Food Preparation Workers	34	177
Cooks, Restaurant	34	173
Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners	32	205
Electrical Engineers	32	177
Production Workers, All Other	32	165
Cashiers	33	279
Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers	33	167
Personal Care Aides	31	271
Source: The Conference Board-Lightcast Help Wanted OnLine

• Hardest-to-fill occupations in the southwestern Idaho region for May (by highest median job posting duration and multiple unique job postings) included Cashiers, Personal Care Aides, Food Preparation Workers and Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners.

• Hardest-to-fill job posting challenges in May by occupational family were Food Preparation and Serving Related. All occupations added to the hardest-to-fill jobs list in May were new, except Fast Food and Counter Workers; Food Preparation Workers; and Cooks, Restaurant.

Regional news

• Boise Airport was awarded nearly $9 million in federal grants from the Federal Aviation Administration Airport Terminal Program to support infrastructure improvements and accessibility upgrades. These include expansion of the airport’s electrical capacity, new central utility plant and new ADA-compliant elevators and escalators. These projects are part of future Concourse A, which will add up to 10 gates to accommodate rapidly increasing passenger traffic. Source: Idaho Business Review

• Boise State University will lead a new nine-state partnership, the Pacific Intermountain Network for Education in Semiconductors (PINES), aimed at addressing the projected 157,000 workforce shortage in the U.S. semiconductor and microelectronics sectors by 2030. Supported by $20 million in federal CHIPS Act funding, PINES brings together colleges and universities from Colorado to Hawaii to share curriculum, faculty and hands-on industry experiences. The partnership also aims to build pathways for high-tech careers starting with pre-college programs. The initiative includes traditional students, veterans and others seeking career changers. Source: Idaho Education News

• Northwest Nazarene University (NNU) is joining the nationwide initiative to address the projected semiconductor workforce shortage by 2030. With $80,000 in initial funding, NNU will support student research, host a semiconductor camp for local high schoolers and develop educational resources as part of a regional effort led by Boise State University. This program, funded by the U.S. National Science Foundation and U.S. Department of Commerce, connects education and industry to prepare students for careers in the growing semiconductor sector. Source: CBS2

• Star and Middleton fire districts approved two separate temporary levies, giving the departments new funding tools as they face rapid population growth and rising emergency calls across Ada, Canyon and Gem counties. Source: KIVI

• The Idaho Community Foundation awarded grants to the Boise State University Foundation for $14,500 and The College of Western Idaho Foundation for $13,500. The funding helps students facing unexpected financial emergencies stay enrolled and graduate, including assistance with tuition, housing, transportation or other essential needs. Source: Idaho Business Review

• Saint Alphonsus Health System has broken ground on the North Meridian Health Plaza. The 80,000-square-foot facility will offer primary and specialty care, imaging, cardiology, urgent care, women’s health and outpatient rehab services. It is scheduled to be open by spring 2028. Source: KIVI

• The Idaho Community Foundation awarded grants totaling $92,000 to organizations in the southwestern region, including Giraffe Laugh Learning Center, Meridian Library Foundation, The Cabin, The Salvation Army – Boise Corps, Vallivue High School, Fruitland Elementary School, Payette Lakes Community Association and Roots Forest School. These grants support a range of educational and youth-focused initiatives. Source: Idaho Business Review

• Home prices across the southwestern region show a wide range of year‑over‑year movement, with counties like Adams, Elmore and Gem posting meaningful gains while Boise, Owyhee, Payette, Valley and Washington are experiencing noticeable declines. Ada County remained flat, showing almost no change. Days on the market generally increased in counties such as Adams, Boise, Elmore and Washington, signaling slower absorption, while Canyon, Gem, Owyhee, Payette and Valley saw modest improvements in market speed. Inventory trends were mixed as well, with strong growth in Adams, Elmore, Owyhee, Valley and Washington, contrasted by shrinking supply in Ada, Boise, Canyon, Gem and Payette. Pending sales were broadly positive, especially in Ada, Elmore, Owyhee, Valley and Washington, suggesting solid underlying buyer activity despite inventory and price volatility. A few counties, like Canyon and Gem, saw little to no change in pending transactions. Overall, the region reflects a varied and highly localized market, with some counties warming and others cooling. Source: Realtor.com Inventory Core Metrics

• Treasure Valley Community College is expanding career-technical education with a new Advanced Energy and Trades Center in Ontario, Oregon. Two new associate of science degrees — Advanced Energy Systems and Facilities Maintenance Specialist —were introduced. The center was funded by the Oregon Higher Education Coordinating Commission and regional employers like PacifiCorp. Source: Idaho Education News

Ada County

• Developers are transforming southeast Boise into a major industrial hub, with proximity to Interstate 84 and Micron’s expanding facility. Kenworth plans to build a $33 million, two-story dealership, warehouse and service center on the former Boise Factory Outlets site, quadrupling its Boise footprint and bringing in about 90 new jobs with average salaries of $90,000. Since 2022, the Boise metro area has added around 8 million square feet of industrial space, with another 8 million under construction. Source: Idaho Statesman

• The owners of Goodwood Barbeque Company are developing Woodstone at the Flats in Eagle to host community events and live entertainment. The project will feature two restaurants, retail, event spaces and flexible venues. Source: BoiseDev

• Preliminary plans have been filed for Catalina Commons, a proposed neighborhood in south Meridian, that could add 420 homes on 123 acres. The design features both high and low-density areas, with 56 large lots and 364 smaller lots. The project will require official city approval and annexation before moving forward. Source: BoiseDev

• A new 250-unit housing development, Emblem Meridian, is being proposed. Plans are for a mix of apartments and town homes, along with amenities like a clubhouse, pool, dog park and green space. Lennar-backed developer Quarterra is funding the project and must now complete the city’s approval process. Source: BoiseDev

• The City of Boise plans to buy a two-acre property near Boise Towne Square for $1.5 million to develop affordable housing using Housing and Community Development funds. The site was previously approved for 71 micro apartments. Source: BoiseDev

• Meridian City Council approved Assemble Management’s revised plan for a 200-unit apartment complex with about 20,000 square feet of ground-floor commercial space. Source: BoiseDev

• Garden City is developing Heron Commons Specific Area Plan for 34 acres of open space and mixed-used infrastructure improvements. Source: BoiseDev

• Zoo Boise opened its new education campus, a $5.6 million project focused on maximizing conservation efforts through programs, camps and classes. Source: KIVI

• A developer, Kal Pacific & Associates Inc, is proposing a six-story, 224-unit building with retail space near Boise Towne Square. It replaces a previous design for 136 units, using new city zoning that allows taller, denser buildings. The project would offer a mix of studios, one, two and three-bedroom apartments, plus 254 parking spaces. Source: Idaho Statesman

• LEAP Housing has completed phase one of Sycamore Commons, transforming the former Good Samaritan retirement home in Boise into 53 affordable apartments for residents ages 55 and older, with 30 more units planned. The $9.8 million project retrofitted the former nursing facility, using tax-credit financing and donations, and opened ahead of schedule. The mixed-income complex offers studio and one-bedroom units. Phase two construction will begin soon. Source: Idaho Statesman

• Boise developer Roundhouse is advancing The Victory, a 300-unit garden style apartment complex, featuring 15 buildings and a central clubhouse. The Victory is part of a broader wave of residential development in Boise’s Vista neighborhood, with the nearby Vista Point project set to add 800 more units. Construction on The Victory is scheduled to begin this fall. Source: Idaho Statesman

• Boise’s Harris Ranch subdivision developers have replaced a previously planned large village green with a series of smaller open plazas and event lawns, while the northernmost block is now being developed as townhomes. The two southern blocks will feature commercial, retail, hotel and restaurant spaces. Source: BoiseDev

• With the new Idaho 16 and Ustick Road interchange opening in 2027, Meridian Planning and Zoning Commission recently approved two developments for the area. McUstick, a four-acre commercial project, will feature a gas station, convenience store, coffee kiosk and automotive retailer. The other development is Durango, a 36-acre development with 127 single-family homes and six office buildings. Both projects now await a final decision from the City Council in July. Source: Idaho Statesman

Adams County

• Brundage Mountain Ski Resort is expanding mountain bike shuttle service this summer, adding a new Goose Creek Trail route. The enhanced program offers riders easier access to McCall’s backcountry singletrack. The resort also features over 30 miles of lift-served trails, rentals, lessons and a full summer event lineup, including the Ladies AllRide MTB Camp, Brundage Short Track Race Series, Twisted Turtle Racing Weekend and NICA youth races. Source: Big Country News

Canyon County

• The city of Caldwell approved the Silverleaf development, a mixed-use subdivision that will bring nearly 1,000 homes and more than 47 acres of commercial development over the next five to 10 years. Source: KIVI

• The city of Caldwell’s “Envision Central Caldwell 2050” plan lays out a 25-year vision for city improvements. Highlights include the Indian Creek Promenade — a multi-use pathway with parks and amenities — a whitewater park along the Boise River, as well as a new parking garage, hotels and conference space in the Plaza District. The Garden District would see neighborhood upgrades and community spaces, while the Stockyard District would focus on event space and big-box retail near the fairgrounds. Source: BoiseDev

Elmore County

• A mixed-use development project, Peregrine, will begin construction later this year near Mayfield. It will feature over 900 acres of commercial, industrial and residential components. The project will also connect with a proposed Sho-Pai Casino and Resort currently awaiting federal approval. Source: BoiseDev

Gem County

• The Gem Community Economic Development Foundation completed its Downtown Emmett Revitalization Project, funded by a 2025 AARP Community Challenge Grant. The project added new benches, ADA-accessible sidewalks and angled parking, supporting local businesses and economic development. Source: AARP

• Valor Health has added board-certified orthopedics and sports medicine surgeons, as well as certified physician assistants to its Orthopedics and Sports Medicine program. They also introduced new equipment and surgical capabilities aimed at expanding orthopedic care options. Source: Emmett Messenger Index

• The Gem County Planning and Zoning Commission approved a special use permit for the future Flying Thunderbolt Ranch airstrip, a private grass runway in Emmett. Source: KIVI

Valley County

• Brundage Mountain Ski Resort opened a new year-round community daycare inside its Mountain Adventure Center, becoming the first ski resort in Idaho to participate in the Idaho Child Care Program. Source: McCall Star-News

• A $10 million bond passed to finance improvements and upgrades to the City of McCall’s water system, including increased treatment, storage capacity and service line replacement. Source: KIVI

• Perpetua Resources secured a $2.9 billion federal loan to fund construction of the Stibnite Gold Project near Yellow Pine, ID. While the mine was approved in 2025 and aims to extract gold, silver and antimony, its construction timeline is uncertain due to an ongoing lawsuit. The mine’s main access road, Burntlog Route, is also part of the contested development. Source: Valley Lookout

Washington County

• Cambridge Midvale Goodrich Senior Center will undergo several improvements after an award from the Idaho Community Development Block Grant. Source: Idaho Press

• County commissioners voted to move forward with building permits for the first multi-parcel development on the former Sunnyside Fruit Tract in Weiser. Source: Weiser Signal American

• A local developer, Riverbend, received approval to build a small apartment building in downtown Weiser. Source: Weiser Signal American

Regional openings

• Semics America Inc., specializing in advanced semiconductor wafer probing equipment and related technologies, is opening an office in Boise.

• Bluebird Social, a new outdoor event venue, opened along the Boise River Greenbelt. It features concerts, food trucks and community spaces for games and jam sessions.

• The Boise Post, a new restaurant, opened on the top floor of the 15-story AC/Element Hotel in Boise.

• Cactus Southwest Kitchen + Bar is planning to open its first Idaho location later this fall in downtown Boise.

• Pandora Karaoke, a private-suite karaoke establishment with a location in San Francisco, is opening in downtown Boise.

• Black Bear Diner, a restaurant chain, is opening a location in Boise.

• Sunrise Digger Zone, a new construction-themed indoor sandbox and café, is opening in Boise.

• Wellness in Motion LLC, opened in the Riverline Apartments building in Boise.

• Limitless Lifestyles LLC, a consulting company, is opening in the Family Center at Federal Way in Boise.

• Thirsty Shack is opening a store in Boise.

• Hayes Street Counseling is opening an office in Boise.

• Silverstone Home Care is opening an office in Boise.

• McClendon Engineering Inc. is opening an office in Boise.

• Colledge Bar is opening in Boise.

• The historic Trolley House in Boise’s East End will be home to a new restaurant.

• Amanda’s European Café opened on the Boise Bench.

• Lost River Tavern, a new family-style pizza restaurant and tavern, is opening on the Boise Bench.

• A Polynesian-themed frozen yogurt shop, Yogurt Beach, is opening in south Boise.

• Zao Asian Grill is opening another location in Boise.

• Branded Bear is opening an office in Boise.

• Miss A, a makeup and jewelry store, is opening at the Boise Towne Square.

• Clayful Creations LLC is opening at Vista Village shopping center in Boise. The pottery-based establishment will specialize in slip casting.

• Chingu Eats, a takeout Korean food truck, opened in Boise.

• Idaho Speech and Swallow Services is opening an office in Boise.

• Natura Pest Services is opening in Boise.

• Elysiam Health is opening a retail store in Boise.

• Limetree Labs is opening an office in Boise.

• Earth Bound Yoga is opening a studio in Boise.

• Treasure Valley Care Partners is opening an office in Boise.

• Infinity HX is opening an industrial space in Boise.

• Cascade Energy is opening an office in Boise.

• Hardee Scarlett, PLLC is opening an office in Boise.

• Schnitzel Fritz, a German deli, opened in downtown Boise.

• Spud Daddy, potato restaurant, opened in downtown Boise.

• Great Harvest Bread Company is opening another bakery location, this time in southeast Boise.

• A new café, The Crowded Table, is opening in Boise’s north end.

• Liberty Cabinetry LLC, is opening an industrial space in Caldwell.

• A new women’s clothing and accessories retailer, Beyond 208 Boutique, opened in Caldwell.

• Sage Hen Enterprises LLC is opening an industrial space in Garden City.

• Culinary Dropout, a gastropub, is opening a location in The Village at Meridian.

• Karuna Kava, a non-alcoholic bar, is opening a second location in Meridian.

• Cafe + Play, a Korean-inspired coffee shop, opened in Meridian.

• Geosynctec Consultants is opening an office in Meridian.

• El Pollo Loco restaurant is opening in Meridian.

• A new restaurant, The Foundry, is opening in Meridian.

• Concentra Health is opening a clinic in Meridian.

• HBS of Meridian LLC is opening a medical office in Meridian.

• Parlor Doughnuts is opening at Orchard Park in Meridian.

• Mo’ Bettahs Hawaiian Style Food is opening in Meridian.

• Sizzling Wings is opening a new restaurant location in Meridian.

• Meridian RV Storage will open a new facility in Meridian.

• RYR Construction LLC, is moving into an industrial space in Meridian.

• Emerald Specialty Pharmacy is opening an industrial space in Meridian.

• Papaya Holistic is opening a retail store in Meridian.

• Keys Counseling solutions is opening an office in Meridian.

• Rhino Coatings is opening an industrial space in Meridian.

• Boran Coffee Lounge is opening in Meridian.

• DOT Physicals Boise is opening an office in Meridian.

• Capriotti’s Sandwich Shop is opening another Idaho location in Meridian.

• A new indoor golf training facility, Tee Box, is opening in Meridian.

• The following new businesses are opening at The Village in Meridian: 7th Avenue, Vuori, Alo, Apple, Gorjnan, Kendra Scott, Pottery Barn, Tecovas, Tempur-Pedic, The Capital Grille, Culinary Dropout, Flower Child, Salt and Straw, Solidcore and Paris Baguett.

• Mountain Gem Nurse Consultants are opening an office in Nampa.

• The Barber Collective is opening a shop in Nampa.

• Revved Up Motorsports is opening in Nampa.

• Hearthstone Companion Care Inc. is opening an office in Nampa.

• First Link Safety Outfitters is opening in Nampa.

• Domino’s Pizza is opening another location in Nampa.

• SiteOne Landscape Supply is opening an industrial space in Nampa.

• International Minute Press is opening an industrial space in Nampa.

• Schmerer, Corbridge & Co. CPAs are opening an office in Nampa.

• Fashion Floors & Interiors Inc. is opening in Nampa.

• Despite nationwide closures, a new Grocery Outlet opened in Kuna.

• Zeppe’s Italian Ice and Frozen Custard chain is opening a location in Star.

• Utah-based Vessel Kitchen is opening its first Idaho location in downtown Eagle.

• Freedom Academy is opening in Eagle.

• Soft Landing is opening a second ice cream shop in Eagle.

• A new hardware store, D&B Supply, is opening retail locations in McCall and Homedale.

• Forever Learning Tutoring opened in Emmett.

Regional closings

• S2 Pickleball & Racquet Club LLC in Boise permanently closed.

• The Gas Lantern Drinking Company in Boise permanently closed.

• Clubhound, a dog park and bar in Garden City, permanently closed.

• Asana Climbing Gym in Garden City has announced it will be closing this fall.

• Lucky C’zzz smoke shop in Marsing is closed.

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This Idaho Department of Labor project is funded by the U.S. Department of Labor for SFY26 as part of the Workforce Information grant (41%) and state/nonfederal funds (59%) totaling $860,595.

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