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(Idaho Department of Labor, December 29, 2023)
Region
- Labor force estimates for November 2023 from the Idaho Department of Labor’s Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS) program shows an employment increase and unemployment decrease in the seven-county southeastern region. Seasonally adjusted, November’s preliminary estimates have labor force participants increasing by 1,397 that month, with 1,447 more employed persons and 50 fewer unemployed persons. The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate fell to 3.1%, 0.4 percentage points higher than one year prior.
- There were 1,451 unique online job postings in the southeastern Idaho labor market area in November of 2023, down from 1,753 the prior month and down from 1,768 the previous November. The median post duration stood at 24 days, down from 30 days in October and down from 31 days in November 2022.
- The top occupational families by unique online job postings in southeastern Idaho continue to be technical and health care practitioners; professionals; sales and related; management; transportation and material moving; as well as health care support. Among specific occupations, registered nurses remain at the top of the list and are down 43% compared to the same time last year. Retail salespersons, first-line supervisors of retail sales workers, and customer service representatives continue to be in the top five of occupations by unique online job postings and with fairly stable numbers of job postings. Postings for heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers are down 47% year-over-year.
- Health care and social assistance jobs are back at the top of industries by unique online postings in November 2023 with 212, down from 38% from the prior November. A majority of all job postings remained in service-producing industries though manufacturing came in third with 191 postings and construction came in seventh with 63 postings.
- The single occupation with the longest median job posting duration was network and computer systems administrators at 55 days followed by secretaries and administrative assistants, except legal, medical, and executive (48 days); nursing assistants (45 days); licensed practical and vocational nurses (44 days); and construction laborers (40 days).
- Snowpack in the Willow-Blackfoot-Portneuf and Bear River basins is at or above expected values for this time of year after multiple snowfalls during the past month. While most southern Idaho basins are off to a good start, much of the rest of the state has snowpacks significantly below their expected seasonal values. Reservoirs on the Upper Snake River are at healthier levels than they were this time last year when much of the Mountain West was experiencing a multiyear drought and hydrologists are optimistic there will be carry-over through this winter season. Although the arrival of the El Nino system in the Pacific Ocean may bring a drier winter this season, the seasonal outlook remains drought free. Source: U.S. Drought Monitor
- Idaho State University’s (ISU) search committee selected five applicants as the top candidates to replace the departing President Satterlee. Candidates were present on the ISU campus this month to answer questions from faculty, students and staff. A decision is expected before the end of the year. Source: Idaho State Journal
- The East Idaho Forensic Pathology Center is back on track after multiple delays including issues finding a chief pathologist and locating it. The center will be built on Bannock County land and will entail a partnership between the county, Idaho State University and Portneuf Medical among others. Source: Idaho State Journal
Bannock County
- Portneuf Medical Center in Pocatello experienced a cybersecurity incident that disrupted operations and required emergency room patients to be diverted to other nearby hospitals. The ransomware attack is under investigation and software updates have been made to help prevent further incidents. Sources: Idaho State Journal and KIFI Local News 8
- A local franchise of the Korean BBQ chain, Cupbop, is soon opening at the former Idaho Central Credit Union branch on Benton Street and Fifth Avenue. Source: Idaho State Journal
- Pocatello-Chubbuck School District 25 continues to make progress on the renovations for the new Portneuf Valley Technical Education and Career Campus at the former Allstate call center in Chubbuck. At least $6.5 million of the estimated $7 million project is being paid for by a grant from the Idaho Career Ready Students program, and upon completion will house multiple CTE programs including culinary arts, welding, compute programming, fashion design and veterinary tech. Source: Idaho State Journal
- Plant and bookstore The Hygge Place opened in Historic Downtown Pocatello and offers customers a variety of genres in addition to assorted flora. Source: Idaho State Journal
- The East Fork Mink Creek Nordic Center opened a week earlier than expected for the 2023-2024 season. Trails for cross-country skiing are open 24/7 via season pass or daily trail pass purchase. Source: Idaho State Journal
- NeighborWorks Pocatello held a ribbon cutting and open house for its new Park Meadows Senior Apartments on Park Meadows Drive in south Pocatello, a 49-unit complex intended for people ages 55 and older with a low- or moderate-income level. Source: Idaho State Journal
- The Pebble Creek Ski Area fully opened for the 2023-2024 season (its 75th) after a soft opening of the Aspen lift a week earlier. This season brings a ADA-accessible restroom and a facelift to the ski patrol building. Source: Idaho State Journal
Bingham County
- The City of Aberdeen was awarded a $250,000 grant through the CARES Act for improvements to Wahlen Field with the assistance of the Southeastern Idaho Council of Governments. Improvements will include ADA-compliant restrooms, storage, a concession area and an announcer booth with construction beginning Spring 2024. Source: The Aberdeen Times
- The City of Blackfoot hosted a meeting to discuss and showcase multiple plans for downtown revitalization. The city has partnered with the Southeastern Council of Governments and Keller Associates Inc. to fund the design plans for the project. Among the issues they hope to address are improvements to sidewalks including ADA-compliant walkways, improved street lighting, more appealing storefronts and possibly a welcoming archway. Source: Idaho State Journal
Power County
- The Greater American Falls Area Chamber of Commerce held its Small Business Saturday over Thanksgiving weekend. The event included a raffle for patrons of local businesses, with a $1,500 travel voucher for a weekend in Las Vegas as the prize. Source: Power County Press
- After the announcement that Prosecuting Attorney Jason Mackrill is leaving his position with Power County, county commissioners are struggling to find a replacement. Commissioners initially sought to hire Pocatello firm May, Rammel & Wells but it was soon revealed that the firm also does defense work in the county, making them ineligible. This comes amidst a shortage of public attorneys in many rural counties given the pay disparities both between rural and urban areas as well as between public and private sectors. Source: Power County Press
