News

Regional labor market information

Southwestern Idaho’s single-family home sales – April 2024 and 2025

Regional news

Educational bonds and levies

• Middleton School District’s $19.9 million bond achieved 53% of the voters’ support but did not meet the super majority of required votes — nearly 67%. This is the 7th failed bond for the school district that has two of its three elementary schools over capacity while the third is at 90%. Voter turnout was low at 11% of registered voters. Leadership indicated the need is not going away. In 2024, Middleton was the 8th fastest growing city in Idaho, with an average growth rate of 5% over the last four years. Source: Vintage 2024 Population Estimates Program, U.S. Census Bureau, Idaho Education News

• Fruitland voters passed a $1.8 million, two-year levy with 56% support — a simple majority was required. Fruitland High School will gain a new math curriculum, security enhancements, adding air conditioning, renovations to the gym and its track and field facilities. The middle school will also gain necessary air conditioning. The levy costs taxpayers $40 per $100,000 assessed property value after state property tax relief. Source: Idaho Education News

• Horseshoe Bend passed a $600,000, two-year levy, with 61% approval. This funding will be utilized across the school district for needs that include a preschool program, facilities updates and maintenance, technology, curriculum and a school resource officer among other requisites. The levy costs $68 per $100,000 assessed property value before state property tax relief. Source: Idaho Education News

• New Plymouth passed a $700,000, two-year levy with 72% support from voters. The levy pays for teachers and support staff, along with a new school bus, instructional and athletic supplies. It will cost taxpayers $39 per $100,000 assessed value before state property tax relief. Source: Idaho Education News

• Parma School District passed a $1.3 million, two-year levy with 65% of voter approval. The funding covers two new school buses, staff salaries, teacher salaries, coaching stipends, a school resource officer, counselor, heating, ventilation and air conditioning repairs and extracurricular transportation. Source: Idaho Education News

• Vallivue School District patrons approved a $14 million, two-year levy with 62% support. The largest impact from the levy is for teacher and staff salaries. Other funding goes toward enhancement programs, transportation, technology, devices support and classroom curriculum. The levy costs the taxpayer $65 per $100,000 of assessed property value before the state property tax relief. Source: Idaho Education News                   

Municipal levies

• Fire district levies failed in the combined district serving the Middleton and Star communities, both ballots were for $2.23 million towards permanent override levies for each community. Both communities voted while neither the requisite super majority of 66.67% for the third time with Middleton garnering 51.1% support and Star receiving 54.7% support. The Middleton levy would have resulted in a $61.72 increase per $100,000 of assessed property value. The Star increase would have resulted in an additional $44.79 per $100,000 of assessed property value. The permanent override levies will likely be presented to the voters again with a new fire station nearing completion of construction and a new fire truck. Yet, the district has no funding to hire 9 to12 firefighters. Source: Idaho Press

• Canyon County voters passed a temporary override levy of $7.9 million to fund the Canyon County Ambulance District requiring a simple majority achieved with 58.1% approval. This comes after two attempts to pass permanent override levies failed in 2024 when a super majority was not achieved. Funds will go towards building a new station or renovation in partnership with St. Alphonsus Health System. It will fund the hiring of seven paramedics, purchasing a new ambulance, replacing outdated medical equipment and more. The levy adds $18.62 per $100,000 assessed property value. The temporary status of the levy means it will return to the voters every two years. Source: Idaho Press

Ada County

• A celebration was held in honor of the Italian consulate office opening in Boise. The Honorary Consul of Italy in Idaho was introduced along with other dignitaries staffing the consul in San Francisco. The office will work towards advancing business interests between Italy and Boise. It will also provide visa, passport and fingerprinting services for travelers. Source: Idaho Press

Canyon County

• Northwest Nazarene University (NNU) received a grant award of $337,000 from the M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust to establish a training and mentorship program between NNU faculty and local high school science teachers. The impact will cover four years and will liaison eight faculty members in disciplines such as biology, chemistry and engineering with nine high school science teachers. Two sets of three teachers will participate in two consecutive summers of research sessions with the NNU faculty. The teachers will have an opportunity to present their work at future academic conferences and to apply for supply grants worth up to $5,000. Source: Idaho Business Review

• The Caldwell Night Rodeo is investing $7 million over three years for an upgraded facility. The first phase will be completed in time for the rodeo this summer with the installation of a Jumbotron screen, new speakers and a new announcer’s box. The second phase will be incorporated next summer with double-faced skyboxes that allow spectators to take in a College of Idaho football game on an adjacent field. The third phase will add an additional 500 seats for the public. Source: KTVB News

• A new family medicine residency program is starting this summer at St. Alphonsus Hospital in Nampa. After years of planning, six resident physicians will begin training with the hope of retaining these residents after completion of the program. Based on research findings, most residents settle within 100 miles of where they trained. Idaho is usually towards the bottom of most studies showing physician concentrations. Source: Idaho Business Review

• The Idaho Department of Labor hosted a trade industry fair for employers seeking workers across a variety of occupations including electricians, painters, linemen, wastewater engineers and construction workers. Source: Idaho Capital Sun

Gem County

• The Emmett School District announced the launch of an online school option for its students. It offers three learning formats coined fully online instruction, hybrid learning and home-based education support. The school already has an online option for sixth through12th grade, but this new academy will include elementary students. Emmett School District has already received 70 inquiries into the program including existing homeschooling families. Source: KTVB News

Valley County

• The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers issued the discharge permit to Perpetua Resources Corporation for its Stibnite Gold Project. This does not authorize the mining operations yet as there is at least one lawsuit filed against the previous U.S. Forest Service approval but also the federal agency must approve the plan of operations. The CEO estimates the mine would generate over $1 billion in economic impact for Valley County. Source: KTVB News

• The Idaho Transportation Department announced maintenance work on Highway 55’s Rainbow Bridge spanning the Payette River. The project will continue throughout the summer with one lane travel, except for holiday weekends when the two lanes will be reinstated, although with much narrower lanes. There will also be flaggers on the river for the safety of those rafting beneath the bridge. Source: Idaho News 6

Openings

• La Catracha opened its Central American food restaurant in Boise. Source: Idaho Statesman

• North Italia opened in The Village at Meridian. It is in the former Twig’s space and is a company owned by The Cheesecake Factory. It has 45 other locations nationwide. Source: Idaho Statesman

• Zullee Mediterranean opened a second Idaho restaurant in Nampa in a space formerly occupied by QDOBA Mexican Eats. It moved its corporate office from Washington to Boise after achieving success with its first restaurant in The Village at Meridian. Source: Idaho Statesman

• First Watch, a new ‘favorite’ brunch restaurant opened in Meridian. A second Meridian restaurant is planned for later this year. Source: Idaho Statesman

• Hemlock opened in Boise’s Inn at 500. It is defined as a non-traditional steakhouse. The dress code is casual, come-as-you-are and the table-prepared sides will be a new experience for Boise diners. The restauranter also operates Spitfire Tacos + Tequila in Eagle. Source: Idaho Business Review

• Candela Viva moved from a food truck to its space in the Boise Town Square Mall’s food court. It offers Columbian cuisine and is found in the former Good Burger spot. Source: Idaho Statesman

• The Ada County Landfill hosted a ribbon cutting for its new renewable natural gas facility. It was developed and will be operated by Texas-based Biogas Development as it pulls the methane gas from the landfill, keeping it out of the atmosphere. Methane gas is naturally produced by the decomposition of organic materials. It is piped into the new facility and cleaned to pipeline quality gas with production expected to provide natural gas for 15,000-20,000 homes. The county will receive an estimated $1 million in royalties from Biogas Development. Source: KTVB News 

Closures

• Lucky Perk Coffee closed its second to last coffee shop in Meridian after 22 years, originally branded as Moxie Java then relabeling in 2013. At its peak, there were six Lucky Perks across the Treasure Valley and Mountain Home. The remaining shop and trailer are in Meridian. Source: Idaho Statesman

• Deli George is closing temporarily as it moves to a new location — the former Woodland Empire Brewery in downtown Boise. The move was precipitated by a significant hike in the lease price. The restaurant had been at its location for 28 years. Source: Idaho Statesman

• Zeppole Café & Espresso Bar officially shuttered allowing the owner/operator to focus on the other restaurant that is larger and has more foot traffic, as well as the wholesale commercial bakery located in southeast Boise. The STIL announced it will fill the small space with its novelty ice cream products later this summer. Source: Idaho Statesman

• Bosnia Express announced it will close its combo sandwich shop and grocery store. It has been doing business for 20 years in Boise. Source: Idaho Statesman

Layoffs

• Earlier this year, Clearwater Analytics, a Boise based software firm, acquired Enfusion in a $1.5 billion purchase. Both companies provide software support for investment managers, while Enfusion emphasized hedge fund reporting. The company stated at the time of purchase “with the acquisition, there will be staffing efficiencies achieved amounting to about $20 million in savings, to be delivered over two and a half years.” According to the company, there have been organizational changes to position the company for long-term growth but will not confirm the type or number of layoffs. Source: Idaho Statesman

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.

This workforce product was funded by a grant awarded by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration. The product was created by the recipient and does not necessarily reflect the official position of the U.S. Department of Labor. The U.S. Department of Labor makes no guarantees, warranties, or assurances of any kind, express or implied, with respect to such information, including any information on linked sites and including, but not limited to, accuracy of the information or its completeness, timeliness, usefulness, adequacy, continued availability, or ownership. This product is copyrighted by the institution that created it. Internal use by an organization and/or personal use by an individual for non-commercial purposes is permissible. All other uses require the prior authorization of the copyright owner.

Regional labor market information

Southwestern Idaho’s single-family home sales – March 2024 and 2025

Regional news

• On April 1, Lucky Peak Reservoir began filling its 45-mile canal system that feeds irrigation water to approximately 165,000 acres of Treasure Valley farms, serving five irrigation districts. Producers were able to tap into the full system starting mid-April. The Boise River basin shows the reservoir storage volume was 95% of normal capacity. The Payette system was 93% of its normal capacity. According to the USDA National Resources Conservation Service, hydrologists are optimistic that many irrigators across the state will have sufficient water this growing season. The Southern Snake River basins are at 100-120% of normal capacity, with the Owyhee basin at 185% of normal capacity.

• Idaho Power has filed with the Public Utility Commission requesting a 5.89% rate cut for all Idaho customers and a 5.87% rate cut for irrigators. This reduction is based on anticipation of a good water year resulting in more low-cost hydroelectricity. The New York Canal has started an $81.5 million rehabilitation project affecting a six-mile stretch. The project will be completed by 2030 with $50 million of American Rescue Plan Act monies shortening the original timeframe. The water depth will be restored to its original depth, dirt will be compacted and a polyester liner with a 50-year life will be installed. Source: Capital Press and KTVB News

• Both Tamarack and Brundage ski hills closed for the season per the terms of its lease with the Forest Service in mid-April. Bogus Basin extended its season by a week because it continued to have groomed runs. It received tremendous snowfall this past season — an estimated 297 inches. Its base depth is 358% of its average for this time of year. Source: Idaho News 6

Ada County

• The College of Western Idaho (CWI) is partnering with a local developer to build a downtown Boise campus. The programs offered at the Boise campus will include computer science, cybersecurity and business. The mixed-use development will include housing, hotel and retail mingled with the college building. The completion date is estimated to be fall 2027. The new campus will free up some funds that were directed at leasing multiple space in Nampa. The CWI component is about 101,000 square feet. Source: Idaho Business Review

• Idaho Power agreed to pay a settlement of $800,000 towards mitigating the impact of the Valley Fire in Boise’s eastern foothills last fall. A power line touched the dry ground, causing the fire which burned 9,904 acres, including part of the Boise River Wildlife Management Area. It is home to more than 300 species of animals, is a migratory path for elk and deer between summer and winter seasons, along with an important winter range protected from nearby development. The money will go towards repairing and replanting habitat by the Idaho Department of Fish and Game, which does not have a budget line item for wildfire reparations. Source: Idaho Capital Sun

• The family of Dallas and Alta Harris donated its geothermal water rights to the city of Boise. There are four systems serving Boise including: one at the statehouse, the world’s first geothermal system in 1892 that continues to feed the mansions along Warm Springs Avenue, the Boise VA Medical Center has its own smaller system and a system that provides energy to 100 downtown Boise buildings. The city currently pumps 385 million gallons annually, so with the new donation output will increase to 1.5 billion gallons annually. The family donated 7.2 cubic feet per second of geothermal water and kept .2 cubic feet for personal use. The water is delivered at 170 degrees and the city’s system currently covers 6.5 million square feet. It is pumped out of deep wells at Military Reserve. Source: Idaho Statesman

• Boise State University President Marlene Tromp accepted the presidency position at University of Vermont where she will be the 28th president. She has been at Boise State University since the summer of 2019 and faced many challenges with the COVID-19 pandemic. The State Board of Education begins the task of searching nationally for a replacement. Source: KTVB News

• The Idaho Air National Guard deployed 300 Airmen to Jordan from the 124th Fighter Wing. The group is tasked with supporting combat and peacekeeping operations. The wing’s airplane is an A-10 Thunderbolt II. The wing commander mentioned the large number of young people that were pilots, maintenance personnel and other support personnel headed for their first deployment – the group has a scheduled return within 180 days. Source: KTVB News

• West Ada School District announced the hiring of 17 deans to track students’ academic progress, effectively reducing strain on principals with primary leadership duties requiring their attention. There had been temporary interns relieving some of the strain on principals. Those positions will be replaced with the permanent administrators and the budget will be redirected to enhance recruitment of the higher skilled administrators. Source: Idaho Education News

Canyon County

• Caldwell’s airport will soon have a 116-foot control tower. The city applied for funding from the Federal Aviation Administration requesting $21 million toward the control tower. Caldwell’s airport is the largest in terms of aircraft landings and takeoffs without a control tower. The airport handles nearly 150,000 flights in and out annually. The city will need to contribute 10% of the cost. Source: Idaho News 6

• Nampa School District is starting to assess its transition to a four-day school week. This first year has seen many changes, including a new student transportation provider after 64 years with Brown Bus Company. First Student, the new bus company, was initially criticized for getting students to school late and for students not getting on the correct bus after school, resulting in frequent late home arrivals. The shorter week is compensated for by longer days which is being reconsidered for the elementary students who start school at 8:51 a.m. with dismissal at 4:21 p.m. Scores improved last fall with the Idaho Reading Indicator moving from 59% to 61%. The spring scores for standardized testing have not been released. Source: Idaho Education News

• The Caldwell School Board approved a memorandum of understanding with St. Luke’s Healthcare System for a traveling pediatric clinic to provide care at four of its elementary schools. The clinic is funded by a five-year United Way Treasure Valley Rural Expansion Grant. The clinic will take appointments and provide access to pre-school siblings of existing students. The schools include Lewis and Clark, Sacajawea, Washington and Wilson elementary schools. The clinic is not free,  running visits through parents’ insurance. Still, there is an assistance fund for those in need. Offering these services at the schools is a national trend that is on the rise. Boise and Nampa have mobile clinics, also. Momentum grew after a sample survey of parents identified a 25% interest in these services. Source: Idaho Press

• The Church of Latter-day Saints announced they will build a temple in Caldwell, making it the third temple in the Treasure Valley. Idaho’s total number of temples with the Caldwell addition brings its total to 11. Source: Idaho Press

Elmore County

• A new casino has been proposed by the Duck Valley Shoshone-Paiute tribe on land with ancestral ties. The development off I-84 between Mountain Home and Boise must first be approved by the Bureau of Indian Affairs and the State of Idaho. The Sho-Pai formed a partnership with the Coeur d’Alene tribe who purchased the 561 acres of ground and agreed to give it to the Sho-Pai. They will collaborate in design, operations and funding. The Tribe’s reservation is located on the state line between Idaho and Nevada. Its members have experienced high levels of poverty and unemployment with housing and infrastructure lacking or in need of repair. The tribal leadership believes tribal gaming will provide jobs along with funding for infrastructure. It will fend off the persistent poverty as has occurred with other tribes in Idaho and across the nation. Source: Idaho Statesman

Owyhee County

• A new mining company out of Canada is considering restarting an open pit gold and silver mine in Silver City. Integra aka DeLamar Mining Company submitted a revised mine plan to the Bureau of Land Management. The process for environmental review can take several years. Other mining projects in the region include: CuMo copper mine that has received approval to drill exploratorily near Idaho City and Perpetua near Yellow Pine is hoping to revive a gold and antimony open pit adjacent to the former Stibnite Mine. Source: Idaho Statesman

Valley County

• The city of Cascade plans to offer a geothermal water system to its residents. The new system would be called the Cascade Geothermal Heating and Cooling District Planning Project. Cascade currently has seven wells that access naturally heated water ranging between 50 and 90 degrees. The existing wells have the capacity to heat or cool the entire city. It is the infrastructure to distribute the water that needs additional funding beyond the $8.8 million block grant awarded to Cascade. The city plans to offer incentives to purchase heating pumps that will decrease costs over the long-term with the geothermal water reducing costs by two-thirds compared to electricity and propane heat. The final plan is scheduled for September 2026. Source: The Star-News

• Legacy Park will not offer rental boat operations onsite at Payette Lake this summer — the first time in years. The city council is reviewing whether a commercial operation should be allowed to earn money at a city park. The previous concessioner was Cheap Thrills Rentals with a permit dated from 2008-2024. Source: The Star-News

• The Roughnecks junior hockey team based out of Bakersfield, California, is moving to McCall and rebranding to the McCall Smokejumpers. The competitive junior hockey season starts in September. Previously, the Junior Steelheads played in McCall for nine years between 2009 and 2017. They called themselves the Idaho Ice Cats their final year. The league is established for players aged 16-20 who want to eventually play for a college team or professionally. Source: The Star-News

• Highway 95 from Council to New Meadows has re-opened one lane for use following repairs following a landslide. The Idaho Transportation Department has authorized two crews to work daily to expedite the process, which is expected to be fully completed this summer. Source: Idaho News 6

Groundbreakings

• The Middleton School District broke ground on its new building dedicated to Career Technical Education. The facility is located behind Middleton Middle School and is branded the Middleton Career Campus Construction Building. It will offer courses in construction and cabinetry combined with math and English courses adapted to careers in the trades. Completion is expected this fall. Source: CBS2 News

Openings

• The Idaho Air National Guard has opened a new medical training facility at Gowen Field. The $8 million clinic supports about 1,300 airmen while providing training to medics that assist with the care in Boise and while on missions. A federal Community Project Funding grant helped build the 10,550 square foot facility. Source: KTVB News

• Black Dog Bar opened in the former New Colony Beer Co. space and is operated by the former Piper Pub owner. It is open to both dogs and their dog owners. There are plans to eventually offer food. Source: Idaho Statesman

• Grand Canyon University opened its 16-month, accelerated Bachelor of Nursing program in Meridian. It is partnering with St. Alphonsus Health System to give students clinical experience. It is a private Christian institution based out of Phoenix. Source: Idaho Statesman

• Happy Teriyaki opened in the former Dickey’s Barbeque Pit location in Garden City. Source: Idaho Statesman

• Corso’s Italian Steak House opened in Boise at the site of many former restaurants including Murphy’s Seafood & Steakhouse, Tilted Kilt Pub & Eatery, Tap & Cask, Jalapeno’s Bar & Grill and back in the ‘80’s — The Ram. Source: Idaho Statesman

• Abercrombie and Fitch opened at the Village in Meridian. Source: BoiseDev

Closures

• Green’s Deli is closing its sandwich shop to focus more on its Green Acres Food Truck Park. Anesso’s will take over the space in May offering Italian sandwiches and salads. Its bread is sourced to its sister operation, Black Moon Pastries & Pizza restaurant which is located in Garden City. Source: Idaho Statesman

• Lemon Tree Co. closed its restaurant in southeast Boise due to staffing issues. It shared space with The STIL. It is continuing with its downtown sandwich shop and its rebranded café, The Grove by Lemon Tree Co. Source: Idaho Statesman

• The discount air carrier, Avelo Airlines, is ending its Boise commercial flights after winning a contract with the federal government’s Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency to fly deportees out of the country via Phoenix. The airline had a direct flight from Boise to the Sonoma County Airport. Source: Idaho Statesman

Layoffs

• The Meridian-based Scentsy, a multi-level marketing company offering direct mail wax warmers and candles, announced that it laid off 116 workers, about 11% of its total staff. Its news release commented the company had experienced an annual doubling of its sales during one of the pandemic years, which resulted in the hiring of 1,000 additional workers. Compensation packages were distributed based on years of service. Source: Idaho News 6

• Blue Cross of Idaho announced layoffs of 135 employees after losing a contract to cover dual enrollees of those eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid coverage. The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare chose to end its decade-long contract with Blue Cross of Idaho a year earlier than planned. The contract was awarded to United Healthcare and Molina Healthcare, both out-of-state insurers. The separations will start June 6 and wrap up by Oct. 1. Those losing their jobs include 40 clinical care coordinators, 36 care coordinators/operations specialists/care managers, 12 claims examiners/clinical support supervisors and others. Source: Idaho Press

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.

This workforce product was funded by a grant awarded by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration. The product was created by the recipient and does not necessarily reflect the official position of the U.S. Department of Labor. The U.S. Department of Labor makes no guarantees, warranties, or assurances of any kind, express or implied, with respect to such information, including any information on linked sites and including, but not limited to, accuracy of the information or its completeness, timeliness, usefulness, adequacy, continued availability, or ownership. This product is copyrighted by the institution that created it. Internal use by an organization and/or personal use by an individual for non-commercial purposes is permissible. All other uses require the prior authorization of the copyright owner.