March 5, 2024 (Idaho Department of Labor, March 4, 2024)
Region
- The BLS Annual Benchmarking process means the Idaho Department of Labor will not have updated figures from the Local Area Unemployment Statistics program this month. The substate numbers for the first quarter of 2024 will be available in April.
- In January 2024 there were 1,386 unique online job postings in the southeastern Idaho labor market area, up from 1,282 the prior month and up from 1,295 the previous January. The median posting duration stood at 27 days, down from 30 days in December and up from 24 days in January 2023.
- Health care practitioners and technical, sales and related, transportation and material moving, office and administrative support, and management continue to be the top occupational families by unique online job postings in southeastern Idaho. Among specific occupations, registered nurses remain at the top of the list with 67 unique online postings followed by retail salespersons (59 postings), heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers (48 postings), first-line supervisors of retail sales workers (39 postings) and customer service representatives (35 postings).
- Health care and social assistance were back at the top of broadly defined industries by unique online job postings in January 2024 followed by retail trade, manufacturing, professional, scientific and technical services as well as finance and insurance. Looking at specific industries, general medical and surgical hospitals had the most unique job postings while employment placement services jumped 253% year-over-year to put it in second place.
- Judging by the median number of days an occupational job posting is up, hiring is proving to be difficult for several occupations. Managerial openings stood out in January with medical and health service managers (59 days), general and operations managers (51 days) and all other (47 days) among the top 10 by posting duration. Among the notable occupations were construction laborers at 35 days, up more than three-fold since the previous January.
- Snowpack in the Willow-Blackfoot-Portneuf and Bear River basins is at or above expected values for this time of year. While most southern Idaho water basins are sitting with healthy snowpacks, much of the rest of the state has snowpacks significantly below their typical seasonal values. Reservoirs on the Upper Snake River remain at healthier levels than they were this time last year when much of the Mountain West was experiencing a multiyear drought. As a result, hydrologists are optimistic there will be ample carry-over through this winter season. The seasonal water outlook remains drought free for most of the southern Snake River basins. Sources: USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service and U.S. Drought Monitor
- Idaho State University does not anticipate layoffs despite a projected structural budget deficit of $15.5 million. The deficit has been a result of nearly a decade of enrollment declines, several years in which tuition and fees were held flat, high inflation, and the intentional spending of surplus reserves to invest in infrastructure as well as student recruitment and retention. Source: Idaho State Journal
- Idaho State University reported a 4.7% increase in total student enrollment this spring semester compared to the prior year with undergraduate students up 6.6% and graduate students down 1.4%. Enrollment numbers for the spring semester are the highest they have been since 2018. Source: Idaho State University
- Leaders of the Northwestern Band of the Shoshone Nation along with community members held a memorial on the 161st Anniversary of the Bear River Massacre near Preston. The memorial included a drum group, honor song and public speakers. The Northwestern Band of the Shoshone Nation has been working to restore the massacre site since 2013. Source: Idaho State Journal and The Preston Citizen
Bannock County
- The new owner and operator of Pocatello-based 5th Street Bagelry, David Raisch, is eyeing an expansion into other cities including Chubbuck, Idaho Falls and Twin Falls. He is currently searching for a Chubbuck location and is aiming for an opening perhaps as soon as this summer or fall. Source: Idaho State Journal
- Bannock County Commissioners unanimously voted to send a proposed ordinance on local solar projects back to the Planning and Development Council, specifically asking the latter to ban any large-scale solar and wind energy projects within the county. However, the proposal would still allow residential or personal solar use. This came amidst local opposition to large solar projects being eyed in the Downey area. Source: Idaho State Journal
- Longtime Pocatello restaurant Jeri’s Jumbo Café came under new ownership earlier this year. Manager Heidi Hunsaker purchased the business from her parents, continuing the family legacy of the establishment first opened by her grandmother in 1966. Source: Idaho State Journal
- The Center Street underpass beneath the Union Pacific railyard in downtown Pocatello will remain closed for six months while it receives significant renovations. The project will include the replacement of the underpass’ retaining walls, sidewalks and handrails. Drivers are advised to use the Benton Street and Gould Street overpasses. Source: Idaho State Journal
- Idaho Postpartum Haven, the first postpartum recovery and support center in southeastern Idaho, opened in Pocatello. The center offers services including a two-bedroom apartment, support, nutritious meals, and relaxation sessions, as well as being staffed by an infant care specialist, massage therapist and a dietitian. Source: Idaho State Journal
- Local concerned citizens continue to ask questions regarding the future of the Pocatello Regional Airport amidst financial revelations obtained by public record requests. Since March 2022 the City of Pocatello has paid roughly $1.8 million in subsidies to maintain twice daily service between the regional airport and Salt Lake City. The most recent subsidy was for up to $500,000 to guarantee revenues between September 2023 and March 2024, an amount soon reached in the first two months of that contract period. Source: Idaho State Journal
- Pocatello-Chubbuck School District 25 has postponed another bond to fund rebuilding Highland High School after last April’s devastating fire and one failed bond vote. The Board of Trustees is waiting to see if House Bill 521 progresses this legislative session, a bill that would provide significant state investment in school facilities. Source: Idaho State Journal
- The Chubbuck Denny’s location announced it was closing permanently, months after the Idaho Falls location closed its doors. Source: Idaho State Journal
Bingham County
- The City of Blackfoot is seeking feedback on a proposed recreation area between the Snake River, West Bridge Street and Interstate 15. Mayor Marc Carroll proposed using urban renewal funds to develop the unused land into a park with boating and fishing access, and an open house was held to allow the public an opportunity to participate in the planning process. Source: Idaho State Journal
- Sagebrush Steppe Land Trust completed a conservation easement for 1,182 acres of ranchland, open space and wildlife habitat in Bingham County. The easement permanently protects open space and ranchland within the Willow Creek drainage and was made possible through a collaborative project with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service. Source: Idaho State Journal
- The City of Blackfoot used its remaining American Rescue Plan Act funds to remedy chronic storm water flooding in the Champions Gate subdivision, install ratio meters on all water meters and upgrade downtown Blackfoot’s sewer system. Source: Idaho State Journal
- Melina’s Mexican Restaurant has opened at a new location on Northwest Main Street (the former Stan’s Restaurant) after selling their old building to developers looking to build a Maverick. Source: Idaho State Journal
Caribou County
- Soda Springs High School won a $370,000 Idaho Career Ready Students grant to expand the school’s Career Technical Education programs. Project plans include a brand new 90-by-40-foot building featuring a two-bay auto shop, 16 welding booths and a dedicated woodshop (a first for the school). Construction is set to begin later this spring and the new building will hopefully be operational by the spring of 2025. Source: Idaho State Journal
Franklin County
- Preston pizzeria, The Slice, has re-opened under new ownership and rebranded as the Hangout. Owners Courtney Coon and Alexzandriah Tolman held a grand opening right after New Year’s. Source: The Preston Citizen.
Power County
- The City of American Falls is pursuing a pedestrian tunnel under the Highway 39 bypass to provide a safer crossing. Mayor Rebekah Sorensen said that the plan would include connecting the marina with businesses, schools, churches and neighborhoods. The project is currently in the engineering and design process, and the public is being asked for input. Source: Power County Press
