AGP Executive Report

Retail Expansion: Kendra Scott opened its first Idaho store at The Village at Meridian, joining new retailers Alo Yoga and Tecovas in the center’s expansion. Jobs: Idaho added 700 nonfarm jobs while the unemployment rate held steady, and Coeur d’Alene was one of just two Idaho cities to post job growth from August to September. Small Business: Idaho received a $329,000 federal grant to help businesses boost exports. Manufacturing: SEL bought a Post Falls building and plans to hire about 250 workers. Corporate Dispute: Boise-based Albertsons is seeking more than $8 billion from Kroger over their failed merger. Business Costs: Idaho workers’ compensation rates are set to fall again in 2027.

Jobs & Growth: Idaho added 700 nonfarm jobs while unemployment held steady, and Coeur d’Alene was one of two Idaho cities to post job growth from August to September. Small Business: Idaho received a $329,000 federal grant to help small businesses expand exports. Manufacturing Investment: Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories is expanding in Post Falls, with three Idaho factories planned as part of a $500 million-plus U.S. investment. Major Employers: Albertsons reported lower quarterly profit, withdrew its outlook and is developing a multi-year turnaround plan, with details expected later this year. Business Costs: Idaho workers’ compensation rates are set to fall again in 2027, offering employers some relief.

Small-Business Exports: Idaho received a $329,000 federal grant to help small firms reach international markets, including support for trade shows and website upgrades through September 2027. Jobs: Idaho’s unemployment rate held at 3.6% in September as nonfarm employment rose by 700; Coeur d’Alene led the state’s metro areas with 0.4% monthly job growth. Business Costs: Idaho workers’ compensation rates are set to fall again in 2027, easing a cost for employers. Manufacturing Investment: Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories plans three Idaho factories as part of a U.S. expansion topping $500 million. Food Retail: Albertsons reported lower quarterly profit and pulled its outlook as it begins a turnaround review, with plans to detail a multiyear strategy later this year. Research and Workforce: Idaho State University plans to build a nuclear reactor for training and research.

Employer Costs: Idaho’s workers’ compensation rates will fall an average 0.1% starting Jan. 1, extending a decade-long trend of declines. Manufacturing Investment: Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories plans three Idaho factories as part of a $500 million-plus U.S. expansion, including a $150 million investment in Post Falls. Workforce Outlook: Idaho employment is projected to grow faster than the national average through 2034. AI Regulation: Idaho joined seven states suing OpenAI, alleging ChatGPT misled consumers and put children at risk; the claims have not been proven in court.

Retail & Technology: Boise-based Albertsons is betting on AI to sharpen product selection, pricing, staffing and supply-chain planning, while adding Levi Strauss finance chief Harmit Singh to its board. Nuclear Workforce: Idaho State University plans a new microreactor with DOE support and Idaho Falls-based NuCube, expanding training for a nuclear industry facing worker shortages. Manufacturing Jobs: SEL bought a Post Falls building for a planned manufacturing plant expected to hire about 250 people. Idaho Business: Jacksons Food Stores is adding cardless fleet payments through Piston, broadening options for commercial drivers at its western locations. Labor Market: Idaho is projected to outpace national employment growth through 2034, even as employers face persistent worker shortages. Consumer Protection: Idaho joined other states in suing OpenAI, alleging ChatGPT misled consumers about safety and put children at risk.

AI and Regulation: Idaho joined seven states suing OpenAI, alleging ChatGPT misled users about safety and harmed children; the claims have not been proven in court. Manufacturing Investment: SEL bought a Post Falls building for a planned manufacturing plant and expects to hire about 250 people. Jobs and Labor: Idaho is forecast to add jobs faster than the national average through 2034, even as employers face persistent worker shortages. Small-Business Finance: CEDA launched a loan program for businesses in north-central Idaho. Agriculture: Idaho sugar beet growers face a difficult harvest and an uncertain outlook. Idaho gas prices have also eased, offering some relief to businesses and households.

Jobs: Idaho is projected to add jobs 1.3% annually through 2034, more than four times the national rate, reaching about 1.03 million positions. Employers still face labor shortages and shifting workforce expectations. Manufacturing: Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories is investing $150 million in a Post Falls plant and plans to hire about 250 people, as part of a wider Idaho expansion. Small Business: CEDA launched a loan program for businesses in north-central Idaho. Wine: Gem 73 Winery opened on Caldwell’s Sunnyslope as U.S. wine sales weaken, betting Idaho’s smaller wine industry can grow. Tech Regulation: Idaho sued OpenAI, alleging ChatGPT misled consumers about safety and put children at risk; the company says it continues to strengthen safeguards.

Mining Investment: Idaho Copper’s updated assessment for its Boise County CuMo project estimates an after-tax value of $1.88 billion, an 18.5% return and a 46-year mine life; the first phase is projected to require $1.17 billion in capital. Manufacturing: Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories announced a $150 million Post Falls investment as part of a broader U.S. expansion that includes three Idaho factories. Grocery Industry: Boise-based Albertsons withdrew its financial outlook after second-quarter net income fell to $51.5 million from $168.5 million a year earlier, and its chair called for faster cost cuts and a broad business review. Agriculture and Conservation: Flying A Ranch near Ashton has permanently protected 1,686 acres, safeguarding farmland and a wildlife corridor; the operation grows seed potatoes for Pacific Northwest buyers. Retail: Boise’s Al’s Sporting Goods is set to close its doors for good on Oct. 17, ending its four-year run in the Treasure Valley.

Manufacturing Investment: Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories plans three Idaho factories as part of a U.S. expansion topping $500 million, including a $150 million investment in Post Falls. Jobs & Growth: Idaho projects job growth of 1.3% over the next decade—about four times the national rate—but a Boise State economist cautions the forecast relies on one year of data and the economy depends heavily on a few large employers. Agriculture: Sugar beet growers expect yields to fall about 10% after spring frost, wildfire smoke and water shortages hit crops; the industry generated $508 million in farm-gate revenue in 2024. Corporate Earnings: Albertsons is launching a broad review and shifting to a back-to-basics turnaround after profits fell and it withdrew its outlook. State Finances: Idaho’s general fund revenue topped forecasts by $90 million in the first quarter.

Manufacturing Investment: Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories is investing $150 million in a 230,000-square-foot Post Falls factory, citing strong demand for its products; the expansion is expected to create jobs. Farm Finance: Higher federal rates are expected to raise costs on variable-rate operating loans, squeezing Idaho farmers already facing high expenses and weak commodity prices. Housing Pressure: Idaho’s new law bars cities from regulating short-term rentals. Sandpoint says losing its 35-unit cap could pull homes from the workforce housing market as local employers seek to grow. North Idaho Market: Kootenai County’s median single-family home price reached $569,000 in September, up 4.3% year over year, while listings and new construction declined. State Economy: Idaho’s first-quarter general-fund revenue beat forecasts by $90 million, while job growth is projected to outpace the national rate by more than four times.

Private Investment: Idaho Central Credit Union is backing a new $70 million to $80 million Idaho State University arena in Pocatello, to be funded entirely through private fundraising. The 4,500-seat venue is designed for sports, concerts, trade shows and other events. Workforce & Construction: Boise State opened its $4 million, donor-funded construction management building as enrollment in the program has grown to 560 students. The facility adds hands-on training space as Idaho colleges seek more than $170 million for capital projects, with state funding tight. Economic Outlook: Idaho’s general fund revenue beat first-quarter projections by $90 million, while forecasts put state job growth at more than four times the national rate. Idaho also led the nation in per-capita farm revenue in 2025. Entrepreneurs: Mission43 says it has helped more than 100 veterans start and sustain businesses or nonprofits, drawing on military leadership and problem-solving skills to support Idaho’s economy.

State Finances: Idaho’s general fund brought in $90.3 million more than forecast in the first quarter of fiscal 2027. Gov. Brad Little said the strong results reflect the economy but urged continued spending discipline. Utility Investment: Avista has hired Heddian to build a hybrid private wireless network for field operations across its service area, including northern Idaho, as part of a broader communications upgrade. Agriculture: Idaho paused dyed-diesel inspections for 30 days during harvest, and Little signed an order to reduce red tape for farmers and ranchers. The moves come as Idaho again ranks first in per-capita farm revenue. Jobs: Idaho’s projected job growth is more than four times the national rate, while VASA Fitness plans to open its first Idaho club in Boise, creating 50 jobs.

State Finances: Idaho’s general fund revenue came in $90.3 million above forecast in the first quarter of fiscal 2027, a 6.8% surplus that state officials say reflects a strong economy while urging caution on spending. Workforce Pipeline: The College of Eastern Idaho Foundation awarded $350,000 in scholarships to 250 students for 2026–27, supporting learners in academic and career-technical programs. North Idaho Growth: New Coeur d’Alene Area Economic Development Corporation director Mysty Rusk says the region’s economy extends beyond traditional industries, with strengths in advanced manufacturing, entrepreneurship and health care. Business Crime: A Coeur d’Alene woman received a 33-month federal prison sentence for stealing more than $1 million from her Spokane Valley employer; she was ordered to repay the business.

State Economy: Idaho’s General Fund revenue ran $90.3 million above forecast in the first quarter of fiscal 2027, with strong withholding growth signaling continued hiring and business activity. State projections also put job growth at more than four times the national rate. Farm and Ranch Policy: Gov. Brad Little paused dyed-diesel inspections for 30 days during harvest and ordered steps to cut red tape for farmers and ranchers. Regional Development: Coeur d’Alene’s economic development organization has a new executive director, Mysty Rusk, who points to strengths in advanced manufacturing, health care and entrepreneurship; Nampa also hired a new economic development director. Business Growth: VASA Fitness plans to open its first Idaho club in Boise, creating 50 jobs, while The Village at Meridian welcomed four new retailers.**

Local Growth: The Village at Meridian has welcomed four new retailers, while Nampa’s new economic development director says the city has “tremendous momentum.” Jobs Outlook: Idaho is projecting job growth well above the national average—more than four times faster, according to one report. VASA Fitness also plans to open its first Idaho club in Boise, adding 50 jobs. State Finances: Idaho’s General Fund revenue topped projections by $90 million in the first quarter. Harvest Costs: Gov. Brad Little paused some dyed-diesel inspections for 30 days as the state reviews enforcement during harvest season; the temporary relief may help farmers and truckers, but questions remain about Idaho law. Agriculture: Idaho again led the nation in per-capita farm revenue, underscoring the sector’s importance to the state economy.

Jobs & Revenue: Idaho projects 1.3% employment growth—more than four times the national forecast—with healthcare and construction leading. State general fund revenue also topped its first-quarter forecast by $90 million. Retail Expansion: The Village at Meridian opened four stores, including Tecovas, Alo, Gorjana and Kendra Scott, as part of an 80,000-square-foot expansion planned for 16 retailers. Harvest Relief: Gov. Brad Little paused dyed-diesel inspections for 30 days while the state reviews enforcement policies, giving farmers and ranchers a temporary reprieve during harvest. Workforce Pipeline: Boise State opened a construction-management building for more than 560 students; 120 companies attended a campus career fair seeking hires. Pocatello Investment: Idaho State University announced a new $70 million-plus basketball and community-event arena, supported by a major ICCU gift.