Regional news

Regional labor market information

Figure 1.

Eastern Idaho, seasonally adjusted data	May-26 (P)	Apr-26 (R)	May-25 (B)
Civilian labor force	133,848	133,049	134,576
Total employment	129,068	128,494	130,351
Unemployment	4,780	4,555	4,225
Percentage of labor force unemployed	3.6%	3.4%	3.1%
Source: The Conference Board-Lightcast Help Wanted OnLine	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 nine-county eastern region. Seasonally adjusted, May preliminary estimates have labor force participants decreasing by 799 people, with 574 additional employed people and 225 additional unemployed people. The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for the region increased to 3.6% over the month, and half a percentage point greater than May 2025.

Figure 2.

Eastern Idaho job postings	May-26	May-25
Unique postings	4,488	2,913
Days posted	24	27
Number of employers	1,042	578
Average hourly wage	$22.49	$25.05
Percentage of postings with advertised wage	43%	41%
Source: The Conference Board-Lightcast Help Wanted OnLine

• There were an estimated 4,488 deduplicated job postings in the eastern Idaho labor market for May 2026 (regional online job postings data and not necessarily job openings data). The number of postings is a 7% decrease from 4,200 the prior month and a 54% increase from May 2025.

Figure 3.

Top 10 occupations by unique job postings in eastern Idaho	Postings, May-26	Postings, May-25
Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers	214	119
Retail Salespersons	161	118
Registered Nurses	160	85
Customer Service Representatives	96	44
First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers	85	80
Stockers and Order Fillers	69	33
Laborers and Freight, Stock and Movers, Hand	62	28
Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers	59	59
Personal Care Aides	56	36
Fast Food and Counter Workers	51	15
Source: The Conference Board-Lightcast Help Wanted OnLine

• Personal Care Aides and Fast Food and Counter Workers replaced Radiologic Technologists and Technicians and Project Management Specialists 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 Customer Service Representatives by 41%; Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers by 33%; and Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers by 13%. Employer hiring demand decreased for Stockers and Order Fillers by 7% and Registered Nurses by 5%.

Figure 4.

Top 10 industries by unique job postings in eastern Idaho	Postings, May-26	Postings, May-25
Healthcare and Social Assistance	663	422
Retail Trade	464	361
Professional, Scientific and Technical Services	284	319
Manufacturing	282	252
Construction	265	154
Accommodation and Food Services	224	94
Educational Services	221	296
Wholesale Trade	203	160
Finance and Insurance	147	71
Transportation and Warehousing	132	51
Source: The Conference Board-Lightcast Help Wanted OnLine

• Construction replaced Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services in the top five regional industries in May by quantity of job postings. Hiring demand based on total unique job postings increased 49% in Educational Services; 29% in Accommodation and Food Services; and 19% in Construction. There were decreases of 11% in Professional, Scientific and Technical Services and 3% in Finance and Insurance industries. 

Figure 5.

Top 10 hardest-to-fill occupations in eastern Idaho	Median duration (days), May-26	Unique postings, May-26
Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers	51	22
General and Operations Managers	48	32
Coaches and Scouts	47	38
Cashiers	43	51
Receptionists and Information Clerks	42	31
Stockers and Order Fillers	40	69
Maintenance and Repair Workers, General	34	45
Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners	33	46
Food Service Managers	33	41
Fast Food and Counter Workers	32	51
Source: The Conference Board-Lightcast Help Wanted OnLine

• Hardest-to-fill occupations in the eastern Idaho region for May (by highest median job posting duration and multiple unique job postings) included Stockers and Order Fillers followed by Cashiers.   

• Hardest-to-fill job posting challenges in May by occupational family were Office and Administrative Support; Management; and Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance. All occupations added to the hardest-to-fill jobs list in May were new, except Fast Food and Counter Workers.

Regional news

• The Idaho Community Foundation (ICF) awarded grants totaling $70,000 to Friends of the Children-Eastern Idaho, Tender Loving Care Inc., Idaho Falls Area Humanitarian Center, United Way of Idaho Falls and Bonneville County, Challis Joint School District No. 181 and Challis Public Library. These grants support a range of educational and youth-focused initiatives across their respective communities. ICF also awarded grants to the College of Eastern Idaho for $13,500 to help students facing unexpected financial emergencies stay enrolled and graduate, including assistance with tuition, housing, transportation or other essential needs. Source: Idaho Business Review

• Brigham Young University-Idaho’s spring enrollment increased for the second year in a row, reaching 17,326 students (an increase of 1.6%). On-campus enrollment increased 2.3%, while online and internship numbers decreased slightly. About 14,800 students currently live in Rexburg. Source: Idaho Education News

• The refurbished Idaho’s Experimental Breeder Reactor II (EBR-II) DOME at Idaho National Laboratory in Arco has reopened as the world’s first dedicated test site for fueled microreactors. The facility enables private companies to safely test advanced nuclear designs and is already attracting new businesses to Idaho Falls. The first reactor demonstrations are set to begin this summer. Source: KIFI

• Guidedwave and Sensible Photonics have been selected by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Center for Used Fuel Research to advance in a competition at Idaho National Laboratory, where they will demonstrate technologies for automated, continuous monitoring of used nuclear fuel storage canisters. After summer testing, one technology may be chosen for a larger demonstration in 2027, potentially leading to safer and more efficient fuel storage practices at nuclear plants nationwide. Source: Post Register

• The U.S. Department of Energy and Idaho National Laboratory announced a major milestone for America’s nuclear industry: Antares Nuclear’s advanced reactor (Mark-0) achieved its first self-sustaining fission chain reaction during a demonstration in Idaho Falls. This “zero-power criticality” test confirms the reactor’s safety and paves the way for electricity production from similar advanced reactors as soon as 2027. The Mark-0 is the first privately developed non-light-water reactor to reach this stage in over 40 years, marking a significant advance in small modular nuclear technology. Source: KIFI

• Yellowstone National Park set a new May visitation record in 2026, welcoming over 570,000 visitors — a 1% increase from last year and surpassing the previous record from 2021. Year-to-date, the park has seen 773,653 visits, an increase of 19% from 2021. Source: East Idaho News

• The U.S. House of Representatives passed the CLEAN Act, a bipartisan bill sponsored by Idaho Rep. Russ Fulcher, which could bring more geothermal energy projects to Lemhi and Clark counties. The legislation requires annual leasing opportunities for geothermal development on public lands, aiming to speed up renewable energy projects where the Bureau of Land Management recently reviewed a proposal covering over 100,000 acres. The bill is now moving to the Senate for consideration. Source: Idaho Capital Sun

• The over-the-year housing market across the eastern Idaho region is highly mixed, with some counties accelerating and others cooling. Home prices increased sharply in Teton, Fremont and Jefferson, while counties like Lemhi, Butte and Bonneville experienced notable declines. Days on the market increased in places such as Bonneville and Madison, indicating slower buyer activity, but decreased in Custer, Jefferson and Lemhi, showing improving market speed in those areas. Inventory dropped significantly in Fremont, contributing to upward price pressure, while Madison and Butte saw increases that signal softer conditions. Pending sales trended upward in most counties, particularly Jefferson, Teton and Butte, reflecting solid buyer demand. A few counties, including Lemhi and Madison, saw slight declines in homes under contract. Overall, the regional buyer demand remained generally steady despite contrasting conditions across counties. Source: Realtor.com Inventory Core Metrics

Butte County

• Mackay Joint School District passed a $200,000 two-year levy funding athletics at $50,000 per year, with remaining funds for classroom supplies, classified staff salaries and utilities. Source: Idaho Education News

Custer County

• GHm Architects has been selected to create a master plan for the Center for the Sawtooths in Obsidian, operated by the Sawtooth Interpretive and Historical Association. Plans include a visitor center, classroom, workforce housing and water and sewer upgrades. Source: Challis Messenger

• Jefferson County Commissioners accepted a $44,000 Emergency Management Performance Grant from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. This grant, awarded for over 20 years, requires a 50/50 county match and helps fund employee salaries, benefits and operational costs. The grant is managed by the Idaho Office of Emergency Management and funded by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Source: Jefferson Star

• West Jefferson High School won Idaho National Laboratory’s $15,000 Innovations in STEM grant, which will fund the Rural Idaho Innovation Lab. The lab is a regional initiative to expand hands-on STEM opportunities like coding, robotics and engineering for West Jefferson and neighboring rural schools. The grant will provide equipment and resources to support collaboration and enhance college and career readiness for rural students. Source: Jefferson Star

• The Jefferson County Board of Commissioners approved a zone change for 24 acres in the Lynnco Acres subdivision near Rigby from R-1 to a suburban neighborhood zone. The change allows for single-family homes on half-acre lots. Source: Jefferson Star

• An additional $12,500 in American Rescue Plan Act funds were awarded to Jefferson Central Ambulance District. Source: Jefferson Star

Madison County

• Madison Memorial Hospital secured $750,000 in federal funding to expand its radiology department. The funds will be used to purchase advanced imaging equipment and upgrade facilities as part of the 2027 House Appropriations Committee Bill. Source: Rexburg Standard Journal

• The historic Thornton Mercantile store, former post office and six other structures were destroyed by a fire. Source: Rexburg Standard Journal

• Northwest Restaurants Oregon, Inc. purchased over 17 acres on Yellowstone Highway in Rexburg. It is unknown at this time what businesses will be built there. Source: Idaho Business Review

Teton County

• Teton School District 401 received over $277,000 in grants supporting academic, career, STEM and wellness programs. Major contributions came from the Education Foundation of Teton Valley and various state and nonprofit partners, funding initiatives like hands-on career training, a portable planetarium, outdoor education and digital safety. The district has also approved a full-time grant writer to continue expanding opportunities for students. Source: Teton Valley News

• The Teton Ridge Ranch Foundation donated a 3.4-acre parcel in Driggs, valued at $385,000, to the Teton Valley Housing Commission. The land gives the commission flexibility for possible workforce housing or other community projects. Source: Teton Valley News

• The U.S. Forest Service has released a draft decision approving the expansion of Grand Targhee Resort. The expansion would increase the resort’s special use permit area by nearly 700 acres, totaling 3,000 acres, to support year-round recreation and local economic growth. Source: KIFI

• TR Lot Holdco LLC purchased the 160-acre “Driggs 160” parcel of Idaho state trust land for $5 million at auction. The new landowner pledged to keep the land undeveloped and will offer a continued grazing lease to a fifth-generation ranching family. Source: Jackson Hole News & Guide

• Teton Pass Trail construction began on a new non-motorized route, including highway underpass, along Route 22. The project aims to provide a safer corridor for recreation and transportation. Fundraising continues, with $265,000 needed for the next 2.5 miles and about $2 million more required to extend the trail to the Coal Creek — unlocking an additional $1 million in grant funds. Source: Teton Valley News

• The Teton County Board of Commissioners has approved a settlement allowing the 14-lot, 70-acre Centennial Estates subdivision near Driggs to begin development under land use rules as originally filed in 2021. Source: Teton Valley News

Regional openings

• Side By Side Outlet, a new UTV motorsports retailer, opened in Idaho Falls.

• Bounce City, an arcade and indoor bounce house park, opened in Idaho Falls.

• Chipotle Mexican Grill restaurant opened in Idaho Falls.

• A new Italian takeout restaurant, Babbo Sghetti’s, opened in Rexburg.

• Sug’r me sweet Confections, selling hand-dipped chocolates, art and local products, opened in Rigby.

• The Nook and Cranny, a bookstore and bakery, opened in Rigby.

• Lottie Pearls, a vintage clothing store relocated from Vermont, opened in Driggs.

• Haviland’s Old West Adventures opened in Harriman State Park and Island Park. It offers horseback and wagon rides, as well as kids horse camps.

• The Greater Idaho Falls Chamber of Commerce held ribbon cuttings at Rev Motorsports, Side By Side Outlet and Omega Technical Services. These establishments either opened their doors within the past six months, moved to a new location due to expansion, or have remodeled or expanded their current location.

• Rexburg Area Chamber of Commerce held ribbon cuttings for the following new establishments: Luxe Mobile Detailing, The Mac Shack, The Village Apartments, Builders FirstSource, Novaum Yoga Pilates + Wellness and Rori Permanent Jewelry.   

Regional closings

• Sermon Service and Electric in Idaho Falls has permanently closed.

• Teton Rock Gym in Driggs is closing.

• Duck Donuts in Ammon has permanently 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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