Bonneville, Butte, Clark, Custer, Fremont, Jefferson, Lemhi, Madison and Teton counties

Region

Labor force estimates for July 2024 from the Idaho Department of Labor’s Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS) have both total employment increasing and unemployment increasing in the nine-county eastern region. Seasonally adjusted, July’s preliminary estimates have labor force participants increasing by 1,754 people, with 1,578 more employed people and 176 more unemployed people. The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate is 3.1%, 0.1 percentage points higher than June 2024 and a half a percent higher than July 2023.

Figure 1.

There were an estimated 1,040 unique job postings in the eastern Idaho labor market for July 2024, according to the Conference Board: Help Wanted Online. (Note that this is regional online job postings data, and not necessarily job openings data.) The 1,040 postings are a 2% increase from 1,022 the prior month and an 24% decrease from 1,362 year-over-year. Registered nurses were the top occupation of unique (deduplicated) job postings in the region this month. The same occupations were in the top five by quantity of job postings since last month. Farm and nursery workers, pharmacy technicians and nursery assistants were new to the July top 10 list. Employer hiring demand from a job postings perspective increased 9% for customer service representatives and 35% for registered nurses. Conversely, job postings decreased 7% for retail salespersons, 16% for freight and material handlers, 38% for truck drivers and 14% for general and operations managers.

Retail trade replaced health care and social assistance at the top of eastern Idaho region rankings for industries by unique job postings in July. The same industries were in the top five by quantity of job postings this month. Employer hiring demand from a job postings perspective increased by 43% in retail, 18% in health care and social assistance and 28% in professional, scientific and technical service industries. Conversely, job postings decreased by 22% in construction, 4% in manufacturing, 42% in education services, 19% in public administration, 18% in accommodation and food service and 40% in finance and insurance industries.

July data from the Conference Board denotes the hardest-to-fill occupations in eastern Idaho, in terms of combination of time to fill (median job posting duration) and multiple unique job postings. These included cashiers, wholesale, manufacturing sales representatives, retail salespersons and retail sales supervisors. Hardest-to-fill job posting challenges in July by occupational family were business and financial operations, sales and related and health care. All occupations except retail salespersons and cashiers were new to this month’s hardest-to-fill jobs list.

Region news

• College of Eastern Idaho held a groundbreaking for the new Future Tech building to house cyber security, energy systems, mechatronics, nuclear technology, battery and solar technology programs. The 88,000-square-foot, 3-year project will cost $36 million via state funds and private donations. Source: East Idaho News
• Ririe Joint School District #252 secured a grant in conjunction with Sugar-Salem, Salmon, Clark and Challis School Districts to update technology for their high school classrooms. Each classroom will be equipped with two large televisions, one with a camera and on a roller system to move anywhere in the classroom. This technology will give teachers the ability to broadcast their class to other schools, or receive other classes into their classrooms, a program they hope to start by the 2025-26 academic year. Source: Jefferson Star
• Alturas Academy North is opening a third charter school campus that will serve K-8 students in the Jefferson, Madison, Ririe and Bonneville school districts. Source: Idaho Education News
• Intermountain-West Nuclear Energy Corridor Tech Hub, via the Idaho Advanced Energy Consortium, received a $465,000 Consortium Accelerator grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration. It will be used to implement tech hub strategy focused on advanced nuclear reactor deployments (small modular reactors and microreactors), technology advancements, workforce and supply chain development and fuel support for the domestic nuclear industry. The defined region includes Idaho Falls. Source: Idaho Business Review
• The Accelerating Deployment of Versatile, Advanced Nuclear for Clean Energy Act was signed into law in July and is aimed at creating more nuclear energy jobs — including at Idaho National Laboratory. It creates public-private partnerships with universities to bolster the nation’s lead in nuclear energy, industry and business. Source: Idaho State Journal

Bonneville County

• A new youth esports arena, XP League, opened in Idaho Falls. Source: East Idaho News
• iSource, an Apple authorized service provider, opened in Idaho Falls. Source: East Idaho News
• A new restaurant, Tamales Inc., opened in Idaho Falls. Source: East Idaho News
• Gustave A. Larson Company has leased a 21,826 square feet commercial property in Idaho Falls. Source: Idaho Business Review
• Healing Sanctuary, a medical clinic in Idaho Falls, is merging with Mountain View Hospital. Source: East Idaho News
• The U.S. Department of Transportation awarded $1.4 million in planning grants from the Federal Highway Administration Bridge Investment Program, including Bonneville County at $328,000. Source: Post Register
• About 10,000 people converged at the annual Ammon Days with over 150 local businesses and organizations, as well as 20 food trucks. Source: Post Register
• Idaho Falls Power Peaking Plant and Clean Energy Research Park broke ground in Idaho Falls. Idaho Falls Power is investing $36 million to build the power plant. Source: East Idaho News
• An African American Art & Cultural Center in Idaho Falls aims to open sometime this fall and is seeking sponsors. Source: East Idaho News
• Idaho Falls-Tokai Mura Sister Cities — a program which exchanges ideas, citizens and materials — is hosted contingent from Japan and took place in Idaho Falls. Since 1981 when the partnership started, the city’s friendship garden was opened in their honor. Source: East Idaho News
• Idaho Falls native, Payton McGriff, founder and CEO of Style Her Empowered was named a 2024 CNN Hero for her work creating sustainable education and women’s employment opportunities in Togo, Africa. Source: CNN
• The Eagle Rock Art Guild’s 69th annual Sidewalk Art Festival was held at the Idaho Falls Greenbelt Riverwalk with 50 artists and 41 booths. Source: East Idaho News
• The county is transferring its animal shelter services contract to Snake River Animal Shelter (SRAS), ending its agreement with the Idaho Falls Animal Shelter. SRAS currently holds the animal shelter service contracts for unincorporated Bonneville County, the cities of Ammon, Ucon and Iona. Source: East Idaho News
• The Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines awarded Idaho affordable housing nonprofits a $5.9 million grant. Among the beneficiaries are the Greater Idaho Falls Police Foundation. Source: KPVI
• Shari’s Restaurant in Idaho Falls has permanently closed. Source: KIFI
• Bonneville Joint School District 93 is building a new elementary school in the Ammon area.  Source: Bonneville Joint School District 93
• A $128,000 donation, raised through a community fundraiser, went to Idaho Falls nonprofit charity, Champs Heart. Source: KIFI
• The Greater Idaho Falls Chamber of Commerce announced ribbon cutting and/or groundbreaking ceremonies at Caribou Bark Park and The Little Play Hut. 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. Source: Greater Idaho Falls Chamber of Commerce
• The city of Idaho Falls’ 2025 budget is requesting a 6% increase from property taxes on new properties annexed or constructed. A 3% increase due to inflationary pressures of materials and staffing costs are reflected. Operating expenses for the city increased by 13% to $158.7 million, attributed to increases in costs of goods and services. Salaries and benefits for employees rose 7.9% reflecting raised benefit costs, market-based wage adjustments and step and grade increases. Source: Post Register
• Median home listing prices in Bonneville County in July decreased 3% to $473,725 month over month but increased 5% over the year. Active home listings increased 8% month-over-month and 6% year over year. Median days on the market increased by six days to 43. There were 13% fewer new listings over the month. Listing prices for 176 homes in inventory dropped in July, up 7% over the month. Source: Realtor.com

Butte County

• Median home listing prices in Butte County in July increased 8% to $277,250 over the month but decreased 2% over the year. Active home listings increased 7% month-over-month and 7% year over year. Median days on the market decreased by 16 days to 61. There were 50% more new listings than the month prior. Listing process for six homes in inventory dropped in July, up 50% over the month. Source: Realtor.com

Clark County

• The county received $181,477 from U.S. Department of Interior of payments in lieu of taxes to be used for infrastructural needs because of public land within county lines. This federal entitlement land includes national forests, national parks, Bureau of Land Management land, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Bureau of Reclamation water projects. Source: Jefferson Star
• Median home listing prices in Clark County in July decreased 2% from last month to $251,250 and 52% over the year. The county had no change in active home listings month-over-month or over the year. Median days on the market increased by 31 days to 129. There was no data reported for new listings. Two homes reduced their listing prices over the month. Source: Realtor.com

Custer County

• The human-caused Bench Lake Fire in the Sawtooth Wilderness necessitated the closure of Redfish Lake recreation complex, including the lodge, associated buildings, roads, trails, trailheads and campgrounds. The complex has since reopened. The fire has burned over 2,500 acres and 331 firefighting personnel were on site. Source: Post Register
• Custer County received $1,014,559 from U.S. Department of Interior of payments in lieu of taxes for 2,935,183 acres of public land and infrastructural needs. This federal entitlement land includes national forests, national parks, Bureau of Land Management land, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Bureau of Reclamation water projects. Source: Challis Messenger
• Median home listing prices in Custer County in July decreased 13% to $567,425 over the month and increased 26% over the year. The county increased 15% month- over-month and up 19% year over year in active home listings. Median days on the market decreased by two days to 70. New listings were up 200% over the month. Listing process for 12 homes in inventory dropped in July, up 50% over the month. Source: Realtor.com

Fremont County

• Applications are pending for a change in zoning to build a hotel, private airport and adjacent homes in Island Park by a Montana-based LLC. Source: East Idaho News
• The annual sand dune showdown raised funds for the county chapter of the Fraternal Order of Police. Donations help cover injured officer medical costs, family expenses and scholarships. $40,000 was raised last year. Source: East Idaho News
• Median home listing prices in Fremont County in July increased by 4% to $677,300 over the month but decreased 2% over the year. The county increased 16% month-over-month and 71% year over year with 170 active home listings. Median days on the market increased by 16 days to 62. New listings were down 8% over the month. Listing prices for 42 homes in inventory dropped in July, down 5% over the month. Source: Realtor.com

Jefferson County

• A preliminary plat for a 36-lot subdivision in Menan, Butte Subdivision by Ensign Homes, was approved by the City Council. Source: Jefferson Star
• The city of Roberts has received two Emerging Contaminants Grant awards from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for $4 million to study and mitigate contaminants in the drinking water. The city also received a series of grants for wastewater upgrades — the Community Development Block Grant for $500,000 and a State and Tribal Assistance Grant for $2 million. Source: Jefferson Star
• Ririe Joint School District #252 projects from the School Modernization Fund have been decided for the next 10 years, including school parking, fencing athletic field improvements, windows, heating and buses. Source: Jefferson Star
• The county received $636,736 from the U.S. Department of Interior of payments in lieu of taxes to be used for infrastructural needs because of public land within county lines. This federal entitlement land includes national forests, national parks, Bureau of Land Management land, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Bureau of Reclamation water projects. Source: Jefferson Star
• Jefferson County Board of Commissioners approved a grant application of $10,000 for the Rigby Lake Drive project and to match if necessary. The project would connect the areas between city and county that lead to a large recreational area, including a bike path, curb, gutter, lighting and road widening. Source: Jefferson Star
• Construction work on a new walking path in Rigby began, funded by their Child and Pedestrian Safety Grant. Source: Jefferson Star
• A bid was accepted for early-phase engineering of a new shop building for the city of Rigby. Source: Jefferson Star
• Five bridges in the county are approved for the Leading Idaho Local Bridge Program, including the crossings of Butte Market Lake Canal, Eagle Rock Canal, Farmers and Friend’s Canal and Camas Creek. The total cost is just under $7.9 million. Source: Jefferson Star
• Median home listing prices in Jefferson County in July decreased 2% over the month to $561,250 and had a marginal increase over the year. The county increased 12% in active home listings month over month but decreased 11% year over year. Median days on the market remained the same at 40. New listings increased 133% from the month prior. Listing prices for 22 homes in inventory dropped in June, down 39% over the month. Source: Realtor.com

Lemhi County

• The Thunder Fire in Salmon-Challis National Forest southwest of Salmon has consumed over 2,000 acres, closing national forest service lands, roads and trails. Williams Creek campground was also closed and the town of Williams Lake was in “set” status for evacuation. Source: InciWeb
• Median home listing prices in Lemhi County decreased 3% to $633,000 over the month and 3% over the year. Active home listings increased 11% month over month and had no change year over year. Median days on the market increased 14 days to 60. New listings were down 25% over the month. Listings prices for eight homes in inventory reduced their listing prices over the month. Source: Realtor.com

Madison County

• A new mocktail bar in Rexburg opened, called Fizz Rizz. Source: East Idaho News
• Sugarbeast, an ice cream parlor, opened in Rexburg. Source: East Idaho News
• Sparks Barbecue is moving their ghost kitchen from Pizza Pie Café and opening a stand-alone restaurant in Rexburg. Source: East Idaho News
• The Idaho Entrepreneur Center opened in Rexburg, to serve entrepreneurs, small businesses and municipalities. Source: East Idaho News
• H2 Venture Properties and Kuhn Properties have finalized a contract in Rexburg to build 50 townhomes and 120 apartments in the first phase of construction. There will be 410 total units. The development is pending city approval and should take about three years to complete. Source: East Idaho News
• After 75 years of operation, Teton Vu Drive-in movie theater in Rexburg announced it is permanently closing. Source: East Idaho News
• The Madison County Fairgrounds property has been sold. It is moving to the west side of U.S. Highway 20 near Thornton, purchased by ARPA grant funds, that is 50 acres larger. The new location will also have 250 more horse stalls, 200 more RV spots and a larger horse arena. Source: East Idaho News
• Madison County is requesting an additional $17,767 for their Teton River Flood Control Diversion Structures Project. In fiscal year 2023, the county was awarded $126,392 for the design and construction of a diversion structure on the Teton River that routes floodwater to the nearby Madison County gravel pit approximately half-a-mile northwest of the town of Teton. Awarded: $17,767. Total project cost: $35,535. Source: Idaho Business Review
• Sen. Jim Risch named Rexburg’s Millhollow, a restaurant, as Idaho’s July small business of the month, exemplifying values such as hard work, entrepreneurial spirit and exceptional commitment to their community. Millhollow will be recognized for this achievement in the Congressional Record of the U.S. Senate. Source: Rexburg Standard Journal
• The Rexburg Chamber of Commerce announced ribbon cuttings for Porter’s, Sterling Urgent Care, WaFd Bank, Denny’s, and FizzRizz. Source: Rexburg Chamber of Commerce
• Median home listing prices in Madison County in July marginally increased to $432,400 over the month and 3% over the year. The county increased 8% in active home listings month over month and 14% year over year. Median days on the market decreased by two days to 53. New listings decreased 5% over the month. Listing prices for 32 homes in inventory dropped in July, down 11% over the month. Source: Realtor.com

Teton County

• Furry Bellies Pet Boutique opened in Driggs. Source: Teton Valley News
• The $30 million Sherman Park Workforce Housing Development Agreement between the city of Victor and the developer was approved for a 90-unit complex. The state offered a $4 million subsidy to the developers, which allowed them to build in more 80% average median income units. Construction will begin by June 2025. The developer also offered $50,000 to the city to support a park bouldering project. Source: Teton Valley News
• LEAP Housing is teaming with Sustainable Trades + Housing Partners on an eight-home affordable housing development in Victor. The houses will be built by the homeowners themselves through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Mutual Self Help Program. Applicants must qualify at under 80% average median income. Source: Idaho Business Review
• Driggs city council approved a Grand Targhee Resort proposed rezone for the parcels on 5th Street to build higher density units for their employees. Rezone changed from RS-7 to RN-2 to allow any type of housing density to be built. Source: Teton Valley News
• County Commissioners and Teton Valley Health Care (TVHC), who has a county-owned lot and building, met about funding for $850,000 in upgrades. The aging facility is also taking in more patients as TVHC expands services to accommodate a growing population. TVHC hopes to get workforce housing on other lots the hospital utilizes and the county owns. Source: Teton Valley News
• A landowner has gifted a half-acre of land to the Valley of the Tetons Library for the construction of a new building in Driggs. Source: East Idaho News
• Median home listing prices in Teton County in July increased 16% to $749,000 over the month but decreased 17% year over year with 178 active listings. The county increased 18% in active home listings month over month and 40% year over year. Median days on the market increased by 17 days to 42. New listings decreased 9% from the month prior. Listing prices for 40 homes in inventory dropped in June, up 150% over the month. Source: Realtor.com

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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