AGP Executive Report

Micron’s Idaho Investments: As its $50 billion Boise expansion ramps up, Micron announced more than $67 million in new Idaho community investments for transportation, housing and children, including a $2.5 million gift for geothermal heating in affordable Boise housing. Workforce Development: College of Western Idaho’s “Powering the Treasure Valley” campaign raised $33 million from nearly 1,000 donors to support facilities, scholarships and job skills for the region’s workforce. Mining Growth: Idaho is drawing renewed attention for tungsten as U.S. buyers seek supply beyond China, while Bunker Hill Mine is ramping up production. Business Expansion: Walmart plans its first Emmett store along Highway 16, and a new grocery store is planned for a Nampa shopping center. Aviation: Boise-based Western Aircraft marked its 300th Pilatus PC-12 delivery and 30 years as the aircraft maker’s dealer.

Retail Expansion: Walmart plans its first Emmett store, buying nearly 20 acres along Highway 16 for a site that would anchor a larger commercial development with a fuel station and other retail lots. Mining Investment: Liberty Gold has begun detailed engineering at its Black Pine gold project in southeastern Idaho and ordered long-lead electrical and gold-recovery equipment. Perpetua Resources also secured up to $40 million in U.S. Army funding, matched by the company, to assess tungsten production at its Stibnite project. Manufacturing: Clearwater Paper narrowed its third-quarter loss to $1.6 million, though sales fell and disruptions at its Augusta mill continued. Data Centers: The Bureau of Land Management is evaluating a proposal for a second data center on public land in Idaho, amid growing demand for power and development sites. Housing and Jobs: Micron’s expansion is expected to ripple across Treasure Valley real estate, while North Idaho faces a challenge keeping pace with projected growth in skilled-trades demand.

Data Center Plans: The Bureau of Land Management is reviewing an early pitch from California’s Copia Power for a 3,700-acre data center on public land north of Twin Falls. The proposal is still far from a formal filing, as AI demand drives interest in Idaho sites and power infrastructure. Local Business: Post Falls merchants hope the newly completed I-90–Highway 41 interchange will restore sales after four years of construction; one gas station said sales fell by more than half during the work. Fraud Prevention: Gov. Brad Little is forming a statewide working group to coordinate responses to financial fraud. Idaho reported $88.7 million in losses in 2025, up 75% from 2023. Workforce and Growth: Idaho’s skilled trades are expected to expand, raising questions about whether North Idaho can meet demand. Micron’s expansion is also expected to affect real estate across the Treasure Valley. Fuel Costs: Idaho’s average gas price fell 13 cents in a week to $4.67 a gallon, but rising crude prices could reverse the decline.

Mining: Resolution Minerals says drilling at its Horse Heaven project in Idaho has confirmed a gold zone at least 500 metres long, with broad near-surface intercepts and more assays pending. Workforce: Idaho is projected to have the nation’s second-fastest growth in skilled-trades workers over the next decade, while North Idaho builders already report trouble finding carpenters, tile workers and concrete crews. Energy Infrastructure: Williams is seeking permits for an 88-mile pipeline linking existing lines in Idaho and Nevada, a proposal that could increase natural-gas deliveries to the Northwest by up to 275 million cubic feet a day. Business Growth: Premier Technology celebrated a new facility in Blackfoot, while Micron’s expansion is expected to ripple through Treasure Valley real estate. Nuclear Investment: Idaho is among six states selected as finalists for a federal nuclear innovation campus, a prospect tied to potential jobs and private investment but also spent-fuel storage.

Energy Infrastructure: Williams is seeking permits for an 88-mile pipeline linking existing lines in Idaho and Nevada, with capacity to deliver up to 275 million cubic feet of gas daily to the Northwest. The company cites rising electricity demand; environmental groups say data centers are driving much of the growth. Mining: Resolution Minerals says new drilling at its Horse Heaven project extends an open-ended gold zone at least 500 metres long and 200 metres wide, with more results expected. Local Business: Premier Technology celebrated the opening of a new facility in Blackfoot, while Idaho National Laboratory software for optimizing farm equipment is moving toward commercial use. Wildfire Costs: Nearly every wildfire on Idaho state land was human-caused, with the bill reaching $47 million.

North Idaho Expansion: Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories is moving into a 240,000-square-foot Post Falls facility for specialized electronics manufacturing, expanding its Idaho operations. Micron’s Reach: Micron’s expansion is expected to affect every sector of Treasure Valley real estate, while Idaho’s housing market remains strong despite economic challenges. New Investment: Premier Technology marked the opening of a new facility in Blackfoot. Workforce: Idaho’s September unemployment rate held at 3.6%. Emerging Energy: A Twin Falls panel on Oct. 27 will examine Idaho’s prospects for small modular reactors as the technology nears deployment.

Manufacturing: Premier Technology marked the opening of a new facility in Blackfoot, while Chobani’s Greek yogurt made in Twin Falls can now carry Fair Trade USA’s label. The program provides financial premiums to qualifying dairy farmers and workers. Nuclear Energy: Antares cleared a key federal safety-design review for its Mark-1 microreactor, opening the way for construction and testing at Idaho National Laboratory; a full-power test is planned for 2027. Jobs and Growth: Idaho’s September unemployment rate held at 3.6%. Micron’s planned expansion is also expected to affect Treasure Valley real estate across sectors, as the region’s housing market remains strong despite economic challenges.

Manufacturing: Premier Technology opened a 36,000-square-foot Blackfoot facility equipped for large-scale machining. The expansion is expected to add 50 jobs and new manufacturing capacity in Southeast Idaho. Agriculture & Food: Chobani’s Greek yogurt made in Twin Falls can now carry Fair Trade USA’s label, tied to premiums for dairy farmers and workers who meet sustainability standards. Micron’s Economic Reach: The company’s $50 billion Boise expansion, projected to create nearly 18,000 jobs, is driving demand across Treasure Valley real estate, from housing and retail to industrial space. Business Technology: Boise-based Albertsons is betting on AI to sharpen product, pricing and promotion decisions, improve store staffing and streamline its supply chain. Energy: Idaho’s prospects for small modular nuclear reactors are drawing attention, with a Twin Falls panel planned for Oct. 27.

Micron’s Real Estate Ripple: Colliers says Micron’s planned $50 billion Boise expansion, projected to create nearly 18,000 jobs, is driving demand across industrial property and could reshape housing and retail markets as suppliers move in. Business Climate: Washington’s NFIB director says some small-business owners are considering moving to Idaho after Washington enacted an income tax, though the number considering a move is unclear. Albertsons’ AI Push: The Boise-based grocer is investing in AI to guide product selection, pricing, labor allocation and supply-chain planning, aiming to improve stock availability and control costs. Nuclear Energy: A Twin Falls panel explored small modular reactors as a potential source of power for Idaho industry and data centers, while acknowledging deployment challenges. Small-Business Growth: Idaho ranked second nationally in a study measuring growth from 2021 to 2022, adding 1,595 businesses.

Business Services: Boise-based DOXA Talent made Inc.’s Power Partners list for a fourth straight year, recognized for supporting small and midsize businesses with global teams. Retail Growth: Walmart plans a nearly 20-acre Emmett supercenter with a gas station and additional retail sites. Workforce: Idaho business and nonprofit leaders say AI is changing hiring needs, while youth unemployment stands at 13% for ages 16–19. Family Business: Kellogg’s Hoffman Boots has passed into its fifth generation of family ownership, continuing a manufacturing legacy that includes work and hunting boots. Downtown Boise: Wisconsin workspace operator Irontek is preparing a 7,500-square-foot flexible office site in the historic Owyhee building. Economic Conditions: Idaho’s September unemployment rate held at 3.6%.

Retail: Dunkin’ has withdrawn its Boise application, halting plans to bring the chain to Idaho. Eastern Idaho Economy: Regional Economic Development for Eastern Idaho will close Oct. 31 after dwindling public- and private-sector funding made its operating model unsustainable. Mining Investment: Hercules Metals raised $30 million through a share offering to advance its Idaho project and support general corporate needs. Banking: Glacier Bancorp reported record third-quarter net income of $105 million, up 54% from a year earlier, as loans and deposits grew. Caldwell Growth: Fred Meyer plans a second store in south Caldwell, adding to local retail investment.

Mining Investment: Liberty Gold says new drilling at its Black Pine project in southeast Idaho extended oxide gold mineralization north and identified 25 million to 35 million tonnes of material for possible resource upgrades. Idaho Copper’s updated study for its CuMo project projects a $1.88 billion after-tax value, based on assumed metal prices, with a first-phase capital cost of $1.17 billion. Jobs and Growth: Idaho’s September unemployment rate held at 3.6%. CWI students are pursuing jobs tied to Micron’s Boise expansion, which is expected to create thousands of openings. Local Business: Fred Meyer announced a second Caldwell location, while a proposed Middleton development aims to add shops. The Greater Idaho Falls Chamber’s new CEO says business connections will be central to her vision. Travel Infrastructure: Boise Airport is upgrading parking with mobile payments and license-plate recognition.

Idaho Jobs: The state’s unemployment rate held at 3.6% in September, while nonfarm employment added 700 jobs. Finance and insurance, professional services and natural resources posted some of the strongest gains. Retail Investment: Fred Meyer plans a second Caldwell store, part of a development investment topping $100 million; the store is expected to open in 2028. Micron: The company reached a deal with one Taiwan union, but a separate union’s planned strike remains a concern. Meanwhile, Boise-area students are preparing for job openings tied to Micron’s local expansion. Farm Costs: Cherry Hill Farms says labor costs have climbed 60% to 70%, making U-pick sales and community events important to its business. Business Services: New Greater Idaho Falls Chamber CEO Carrie Athay is centering her vision on advocacy, education and networking. Travel: Boise Airport is installing mobile payment and license-plate recognition to speed up parking exits by mid-November.

Semiconductors: Micron reached a labor agreement with its Taichung union, ending scheduled mediation, but a separate Taoyuan union strike over bonuses and profit-sharing still looms. In Boise, CWI students are preparing for jobs tied to Micron’s expansion, which is expected to create thousands of openings. Energy and Growth: Idaho utilities say costs and permitting remain barriers to nuclear-powered electricity, as the state studies solar planning to meet rising demand. Jobs and Exports: Idaho added 700 nonfarm jobs while unemployment held steady; the state also received a $329,000 federal grant to help small businesses boost exports. Local Investment: Fred Meyer plans a second store in south Caldwell, while the National Baseball Resort near Tetonia pushed its opening to 2028 as annexation takes longer than expected. Small Business: A Meridian home bakery has expanded to three Treasure Valley sales locations after a city-code dispute prompted its owner to rethink the business.

Energy Investment: Idaho utility officials say nuclear power could diversify the state’s electricity supply, but steep construction costs and permitting that can take a decade or more make projects hard to justify. Agriculture: Sun-Glo of Idaho processes about 2 million pounds of potatoes a day, linking eastern Idaho farms to local food businesses such as Ole’s Diner. Meanwhile, a new federal program will make $8 billion available to farmers facing high diesel costs; Idaho’s average diesel price was $6.47 a gallon. Local Finances: The State Land Board approved a Grangeville property exchange for potential wildfire operations, despite city concerns about losing nearly $23,000 in annual property-tax revenue. Jobs and Exports: Idaho added 700 nonfarm jobs while its unemployment rate held steady, and the state received a $329,000 federal grant to help small businesses boost exports.

Aerospace: Daher expects its first TBM aircraft from a new Florida plant in 2027, while Idaho remains home to its Kodiak production facility in Sandpoint. The company says the new site will complement its existing operations. Semiconductors: Boise-based Micron is investing in New York processor Indium Corporation to expand U.S. supplies of materials used in advanced chipmaking, backed by a long-term supply agreement. Housing: Idaho Falls experts say rising land, construction and financing costs are pushing home prices beyond what local wages can support, and called for increasing the region’s housing supply. Local Investment: Fred Meyer plans a second store in south Caldwell, while Idaho has received a $329,000 federal grant to help small businesses expand exports. Jobs: Idaho added 700 nonfarm jobs as the unemployment rate held steady, according to a recent report. Public Finances: Grangeville officials warned a proposed state land exchange for wildfire operations could cost the city nearly $23,000 a year in property tax revenue.