News

Regional labor market information

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

Regional news

Ada County

• The Idaho Department of Labor’s Boise local office hosted a hiring event at the State of Idaho’s Chinden Campus. It was well attended with 23 employers and 232 job seekers. Source: Idaho Department of Labor

• Micron announced it plans to build a second fabrication plant at its southeast Boise campus. The company is currently constructing its research and development plant alongside a water treatment plant. It is purported that the bare ground between the existing campus and the new construction will be filled with buildings and parking structures developed to handle the R&D production process and workforce. The company expects the second Boise fab to come online before the first New York fabrication plant commonly referred to as a ‘megafab’ based on its output. The company expects to create an estimated 90,000 indirect and direct jobs across the U.S. Source: Micron and Idaho Business Review

• Pivot Pointe is a new subdivision in Meridian with homes priced lower than normal. It was developed by national builder KB Homes and is offering single-family residences significantly below Ada County’s May median sales price of $579,500. Its starting price point is $380,000 for a 1,570 square foot home with the caveat that prices are an estimate as some carry fees. Homes are under construction in other KB subdivisions in Meridian and in Nampa. Source: Idaho Business Review

Boise County

• Bogus Basin officially opened its summer operations with offerings such as the Glade Runner Mountain Coaster, the bike park and the Mineshaft Challenge Course. The chairlift transports people seeking thrills on the mountain bike trails, as well as those seeking hiking opportunities, scenic vistas and photo opportunities. Bogus Basin is also collaborating with the Duck Club that created Treefort Music Fest to offer a series of live music events throughout the summer. Details can be found here. Source: Idaho Press and Bogus Basin

• Horseshoe Bend is experiencing issues with its source of potable water, the Payette River. Residents are asked to conserve water which has been treated and stored in the city water tank. Mudslides upriver turned the water dark brown, stopping it from being treated. The conservation is expected to be temporary as the river will clear up. Source: Idaho News 6

Canyon County

• Salvador Alamilla, the owner of  Amano, is the second Idaho chef to win a James Beard Award for the Mountain region. The award was presented in Chicago, competing against chefs in Idaho, Colorado, Utah, Wyoming and Montana. The win comes after four years of repeated nominations. The restaurant has been open for approximately six years, having recently moved to a different location in Caldwell. Source: Idaho Statesman

• The Kroger Company announced plans to build a 155,000-square-foot Fred Meyer store in Caldwell. The store will employ 250 workers with the company expecting to break ground in the spring of 2026 and open in 2026 or 2027. Source: Idaho Statesman

• The Gardner Group announced rebranding of the Nampa Gateway Center to the Sugar District, a nod to the nearby processing plant. The 65-acre development will look different with a new façade, updated landscaping, parking and lighting to start. A 112-room TownePlace Suites Hotel will open in late July while a second Flying Pickle indoor pickleball club will open during the fall. Nampa Gateway Center originally opened in 2007 with J.C. Penney as its anchor. Sports Authority and Macy’s opened in 2009, then the Regal Edwards Nampa Gateway movie theater opened in 2010. Except for J.C. Penney, the ensuing businesses have all shuttered. Apartments and townhomes are part of the larger development plan but still in the design stage. A block party was held in June to celebrate the rebranding of the Sugar District with giveaways, food and Bus Bar Idaho which served mocktails. Source: Idaho Statesman

Gem County

• The 90th annual Cherry Festival was held in Emmett with growers reporting the warm days and nights leading up to the second week of June produced a crop of cherries. It is estimated that an average of 55,000 visitors went to Emmett to enjoy at least one of the four days of activities and cherry picking options in the orchards. Source: Idaho Press

Valley County

• Both Brundage and Tamarack ski resorts are operating their chair lifts for summer recreation such as hiking and mountain biking. Brundage offers an event center coined Bluebird Pavilion. Both hills feature live music, bike races or fun runs and yoga on the mountain. Tamarack’s Osprey Meadows Golf Course is newly open, offering 18-holes with a 19th Gambler’s Hole. Source: The Star-News

New construction projects

• Northwest Nazarene University broke ground on its new indoor athletics training facility. The 22,000-square-foot building is named after the donor of the steel for the building — Rob Roberts of R&M Steel. The focus is on activity, health and wellness but the university emphasized it will be one of the top training centers for golf in the Northwest. Source: Idaho Business Review

• Construction is underway on an 11,384-square-foot administrative building and equipment yard as the Ada County Highway District’s maintenance and operations facility moves from Garden City to a site on South Apple and Federal Way. Source: Ada County Highway District and BoiseDev

• A new retail strip mall is under construction in southeast Boise with Master Lee’s Taekwondo as the anchor tenant, moving from around the block. Source: BoiseDev and City of Boise Planning

Openings

• Johnson Thermal Systems, a Caldwell-based company, hosted a grand opening celebration for its second Idaho plant, this one in Nampa. The company manufactures generators that keep data centers in operation during power outages. The cost of the 172,000 square foot facility is $55 million and allows the company to double its manufacturing capacity, according to the company president. The new plant is in the process of hiring 140 workers, mentioning there may be a need for another Nampa plant in the future. Source: Idaho Statesman

• Tacos Loteria opened in Meridian at the former Von’s Chicken space, moving from its two-year-old food truck to a brick-and-mortar restaurant. Source: Idaho Statesman

• A second Treasure Valley Wienerschnitzel restaurant opened in Nampa complete with a grand opening celebration. The fast-food franchise was founded in 1961 with a hot dog cart in southern California. Source: KTVB News

• El Molcajete Mexican restaurant opened in Meridian at the former Biscuits & Hogs and Sunrise Café sites. Source: Idaho Statesman

• State Street Food Truck Lot opened in Boise on a lot that was formerly used for outdoor auto storage. It is home to Pop’s Treasure Valley Taqueria, The Hood and Anzalone Pizza. There will be rotations throughout the summer. The area is complete with yard games, portable restrooms, picnic tables and shade umbrellas. Source: Idaho Statesman

• The 26-story apartment tower named Arthur, after Arthur Oppenheimer who founded Oppenheimer Development Corporation, opened in Boise’s downtown area. It is billed as the tallest residential building with 298 luxury units, a rooftop pool, a 24-hour concierge and barista services, 327 covered parking spots and 8,800 square feet of retail. Source: Idaho Business Review

• A new farmers’ market opened in Boise called the West Bench Farmers Market operating on Thursday evenings from 5 to 9 p.m. It offers food and craft vendors. Global Gardens, an Idaho Office for Refugees program, received a U.S. Department of Agriculture grant to establish the new market offering a fresh-food resource to the community. At the same time, it is creating economic opportunities for small-scale producers of ethnic goods and fresh garden produce. Global Lounge is focused on cultural preservation, education, integration and the promotion of cultural awareness for individual and community development. Other partners include the neighborhood association, Boise Bicycle Project, City of Good and radio station Tropico FM. Source: Capital Press

Closings

• Shige’s Sushi Express in Meridian is closing after 14 years. Shige founded downtown Boise’s first sushi restaurant in 1992, it closed 26 years later. Source: Idaho Statesman

• The Stuffed Olive closed in Eagle. Source: Idaho Statesman

• Vons Chicken closed its restaurant in a Meridian strip mall. It was known for its popular Korean fried chicken. The company is headquartered in South Korea with locations in the U.S., Guam, China, Vietnam, Guatemala and Cambodia. Source: Idaho Statesman

• Sushi Joy Asian Cuisine near downtown Boise closed after 14 years. Umai Sushi Burrito claims it will open within a month offering sushi burritos, poke bowls, noodle soups and teriyaki plates. Source: Idaho Statesman

• The Rite Aid stores in McCall and Caldwell have shuttered. This is part of the bankruptcy proceedings with the company commenting that many of its stores will be sold to CVS Pharmacy. 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 – 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.