Around North Central Idaho: Economic activity, February 2025

Posted on | updated:
Lisa Grigg, regional economist
Idaho Department of Labor
(208) 696-2256

Regional news

  • St. Mary’s Health and Clearwater Valley Health have obtained Stroke Level III and STEMI Level II Time Sensitive Emergency designations. Source: Idaho County Free Press

Nez Perce County

  • The A. Neil DeAtley Career Technical Education Center in Lewiston was awarded a $2.3 million grant from Idaho Career Ready students to add a space large enough for students to assemble larger projects such as tiny homes or jet boats. The new addition will also house lab areas and a dedicated space for information technology courses. Source: Lewiston Tribune
  • United Airlines flew out of the Lewiston Nez Perce County Airport for the last time Jan. 31st. The Skywest employees managing United’s daily flight between Lewiston and Denver will transfer to operating Delta flights. The airport will experience no layoffs. Source: Lewiston Tribune
  • McDonald’s in Lewiston completed a recent renovation providing new ordering kiosks, charging stations for cell phones and laptops, and an exclusive kitchen area for assembling take-out delivery orders. Source: Lewiston Tribune
  • Halme Construction of Spokane was awarded a $6.7 million contract to start rebuilding water infrastructure that directs water from the Clearwater River to the City of Lewiston’s water treatment plant. Total project cost is estimated to be around $16 million. Source: Lewiston Tribune
  • Beautiful Downtown Lewiston will merge operations with the Lewis-Clark Chamber of Commerce and plans to hire a part-time Main Street director to coordinate events in downtown Lewiston. Source: Lewiston Tribune
  • The Lewiston school board approved a plan to reset elementary school boundaries starting with the 2025-2026 school year. The process was needed to evenly distribute elementary school enrollment. Source: Lewiston School District
  • Snake River Community Clinic was awarded a $160,000 grant by the Direct Relief’s Fund for Health Equity. The grant will allow the free service clinic to extend operational hours, optimize its electronic health record system and establish new risk management policies. Source: KOZE
  • Lapwai High School will be added to Lewis-Clark State College’s TRIO Educational Talent Search program along with Timberline, Orofino, Kooskia, Grangeville and Kamiah. The program will provide academic advising, college and technical school information, college tours, tutoring and other educational assistance. Source: Lewis-Clark State College

Idaho County

  • Syringa Hospital completed renovation of the new Specialty Clinic in the Therapy Services building in Grangeville. Cardiologists at the clinic are offering cardio and vascular consultation services and simple diagnostics. Source: Idaho County Free Press
  • Completion of the new Idaho County jail is currently scheduled for October 2025. Source: Idaho County Free Press
  • The River Rock Café in Riggins is under new ownership and will begin operating as the Amigo Mexican Restaurant in March 2025. Source: Idaho County Free Press

Latah County

  • The University of Idaho and Idaho National Laboratory (INL) signed a five-year Strategic Understanding for Premier Education and Research agreement to produce collaborative research of nuclear materials and fuel cycle engineering, integrated energy systems and cybersecurity. The University of Idaho’s nuclear engineering program was founded in 1954 through a partnership with INL. Source: Daily Fly
  • The University of Idaho was designated an R1 research university in the 2025 Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education. An R1 classification requires at least $50 million in annual research expenses and graduate at least 70 research doctorates each year. This is the first university in Idaho to be given the designation. Source: The University of Idaho
  • Gritman Medical Center closed the Martin Wellness Center at the end of January due to elevated maintenance expenses. Source: Lewiston Tribune
  • CHS Primeland has hired Elder Demolition to demolish the Kendrick concrete grain elevator after it experienced an August 2024 rupture. The project is estimated to take six months to complete. Source: Lewiston Tribune
  • Smart Transit and Dial-A-Ride experienced a three-day pause in operations during the first week of February due to an external insurance issue. Source: Smart Transit
  • JoAnn Fabric and Crafts has announced plans to close its Moscow store at Palouse Place as part of bankruptcy proceedings. It will also be closing its Clarkston store across the river in Asotin County. Source: JoAnn Fabric and Crafts
  • Chick-fil-A is constructing a new building at the former Sangria restaurant location in Moscow. Construction is scheduled to begin in Spring 2025. Chick-fil-A currently operates on the University of Idaho campus. Source: Pullman Radio
  • Palouse Mall has been renamed Palouse Place. Source: Palouse Place

Lewis County

  • After merging operations with the Idaho County Free Press, the Clearwater Progress has closed its Kamiah office. The Upriver Youth Leadership Council recovery center and administrative operations will move into the former Clearwater Progress building in Kamiah. Source: Idaho County Free Press

Openings

  • Rite Coffee Co., Moscow
  • Judy Nearly New Boutique and More, Juliaetta
  • Amy’s restaurant, Cottonwood
  • NRH Construction, Grangeville
  • CNR Enterprises construction, Lewiston
  • Refuge Cigar Lounge, Moscow

Closings

  • Big Lots, Lewiston
  • Filling Station café, Troy

This Idaho Department of Labor project is funded by the U.S. Department of Labor for SFY25 as part of the Workforce Information grant (40%) and state/nonfederal funds (60%) totaling $885,703.

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