North Central
- The Nez Perce Tribe was awarded a $37 million Climate Pollution Reduction Grant by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to install solar power infrastructure, improve residential weatherization, complete wood stove replacements and electric vehicle networks. Source: KOZE, EPA, Lewiston Tribune
- Gwen Fire Summary: The U.S. Forest Service reported a lightning bust on July 24th with over 3,000 lightning strikes that ignited 69 known wildfires throughout north central Idaho. 30-40 miles per hour wind gusts on July 25th resulted in the Gwen Fire quickly raging through nearly 29,000 acres of Nez Perce and Latah counties. Over 160 structures, including 38 primary residences, were destroyed. The fire closed parts of both Highway 3 and Highway 12 for over three days and resulted in an evacuation order for the entire City of Juliaetta.
- Lewis-Clark State College will offer an online master’s degree in Cyberaccounting starting in Spring 2025. The program includes classes focused on data analytics, fraud examination, forensic accounting and accounting information systems. This immediately follows the launch of their first online master’s degree, the Master of Science in Nursing, that is being offered starting in Fall 2024. Source: Lewis-Clark State College
- Freedom Munitions closed its Peck operations and will continue producing at its new state of the art Lewiston facility. In 2014, the Lewiston Tribune reported that the Peck facility disassembled rounds of ammunition that were either expired or didn’t meet quality specifications. Source: Idaho Department of Labor, Lewiston Tribune
- The Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests will begin vacating their leased offices in Grangeville beginning in October 2024 and will redistribute employees to Kamiah, Slate Creek, Elk City and Kooskia. Source: Big Country News
- The Idaho Travel Council awarded $401,000 through the Idaho Regional Travel and Convention Grant Program to three non-profit local and regional tourism development organizations in north central Idaho. The grants awarded to the region were down 5% from 2023’s level of $422,000 and were awarded to:
- 1) Visit Lewis Clark Valley for $165,000 (-6% over $175,000 in 2023)2) North Central Idaho Travel Association for $72,143 (-1% over $72,143 in 2022)
- 3) Moscow Chamber of Commerce for $165,000 (-6% over 175,000 in 2022)
Nez Perce County
- Lewis-Clark State College has partnered with Gritman Medical Center to open the Warrior Health on-campus student health services clinic. Warrior Health officially opened during the last week of July and is available for appointment and walk-in services. Source: Gritman Medical Center
- The Nez Perce Tribe expects to complete construction of a 16-bed assisted living facility by the end of 2024 and open in Spring 2025. Source: Lewiston Tribune
Idaho County
- Cloninger’s received approval from the Kooskia city council for a setback for three additions to the grocery store and to build a fuel station in the parking lot. Cloninger’s acquired the Kooskia grocery store in 2009. Source: Idaho County Free Press, Lewiston Tribune
- The Steelhead Market plans to open in Stites around mid-October. Source: Clearwater Progress
- Grangeville Planning and Zoning Commission approved a request from Grangeville Church of the Nazarene to add 9-12 grade classes at Cornerstone Christian Learning Center in addition to its current education in Pre-K through 8th grade. One secondary grade level will be added per year. CCLC has current enrollment of 36 and room for 100. Source: Lewiston Tribune
Latah County
- The Genesee School District is one of 11 Idaho school districts to be awarded Blue Cross of Idaho Foundation for Health grants to launch or expand early education and preschool programs Source: Blue Cross of Idaho
- A CHS Primeland concrete grain silo in Kendrick ruptured on August 1st and may be demolished if a structural engineer deems it unsafe. Source: KOZE
- The Moscow City Council approved a one-year licensing agreement with Spin for up to 150 shared-use electric scooters. The 2023 Shared Micromobility State of the Industry report found that the average micromobility e-scooter device trip lasted an average of 11-12 minutes with $6 average one-way fees. In Boise, Spin competitor Lime currently charges a $1 standard unlock rate and $0.36/minute of e-scooter use. Source: Lewiston Tribune, National Association of City Transportation Officials, Lime Boise
Clearwater County
- The BPC (Battle Ridge, Pleasant Valley, Clearwater) Volunteer Rural Fire Department plans to soon break ground on a new service building on Battle Ridge Road. The building will house three of the 7 firefighting vehicles at the Clearwater Fire Station and reduce response times to the immediate area. Source: Clearwater Progress
- Clearwater County Ambulance District launched its Advanced Life Support 911 service in early August. Source: Lewiston Tribune
- Dent Acres Campground at Dworshak will be closed through October due to repaving in August and September along with the removal of 1,400 truck loads of logs that will be removed to improve forest health and reduce wildfire fuels. Source: KOZE
Openings
- Divine Alchemy Yoga Studio, Lewiston
- Sno-Zone under new ownership, Lewiston
- Dirty Critters Mobile Dog Grooming, Moscow
- Salt Hydration and Wellness, Lewiston
- The Garden Gate in Orofino is under new ownership and has been renamed The Summer Garden Gate
- The Butcher Shop, Deary
- Unique Antler Designs under new ownership, Riggins
- River Arts Kamiah nonprofit art organization, Kamiah
- The Health Food Store in Grangeville moved to a new location
- Brewed Bliss coffee shop, Orofino
Closings
- Colter’s Creek Winery due to wildfire, Juliaetta
- It’s So Clean cleaning service, Grangeville
- Mad Greek restaurant, Moscow
- Shari’s restaurant, Moscow
- Rudolph’s Auto Services, Lewiston
Lisa.Grigg@labor.idaho.gov, regional economist
Idaho Department of Labor
(208) 696-2256
This Idaho Department of Labor project is funded by the U.S. Department of Labor for SFY24 as part of the Workforce Information grant (48%) and state/nonfederal (52%) totaling $704,259.
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