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LABOR FORCE & EMPLOYMENT IN SOUTH CENTRAL IDAHO
The economy of south central Idaho remains healthy. Strong agricultural prices and the quality of new jobs in the region resulted in a drop in December unemployment insurance claims year-over-year in four of the eight counties, an extraordinary achievement compared to the 29.4 percent increase in benefits paid out statewide in the same month.
The Idaho Department of Labor has developed an easy-to-use web site of Idaho's Labor Market Information System. This is a comprehensive source for labor market information for the State of Idaho. Within this site, you can find economic information to help you make informed decisions, whether you are an employer, of job seeker or economic analyst. This site is also an excellent resource that provides links to numerous related web sites. Log on to: http://www.jobservice.ws/.
*Idaho Department of Labor, June 2009
South Central Region Labor and Economic Trends
TWIN FALLS COUNTY has made excellent progress in employment over the last 10 years. It has moved from a peak unemployment rate of 6.9 percent in 1992 to an incredible 2.4 percent in 2007, primarily because the economy has diversified considerably. For many years, the countys economy had been tied almost completely to agriculture, but in the last 10 years new light manufacturing operations, the Dell Computer Technical Support Center, and Jaycos two RV manufacturing facilities have contributed to growth in both manufacturing and technology jobs.
The civilian labor force has also grown steadily in the last decade, and Twin Falls County has kept at or below the U.S. and Idaho unemployment rates. In the 2003 economic downturn, the Magic Valley Labor Market Area, consisting of Twin Falls, Gooding and Jerome counties, consistently outperformed the rest of the state. Close to a thousand new jobs have been created over the last two years alone, and Twin Falls County has had a strong upsurge in retail and service sector jobs. The Magic Valley Mall and adjacent strip malls are at capacity. Ground will soon be broken for a Wal-Mart super center, another new hotel to complement the new banquet facility, a new regional medical center and high school will shine along the widened Poleline corridor. The job and employment outlook for Twin Falls County remains very strong.
*Idaho Department of Labor, June 2009
Twin Falls County Work Force Trends
In JEROME COUNTY*, the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate has improved dramatically over the past few years, dropping from a high of 4.6 percent in 2003 to 2.5 percent in 2007. The positive trend has been driven by excellent economic diversification and development. The growth in the dairy industry and the resulting businesses that have sprung from that sector have provided a very stable employment picture. Idaho Milk Products Facility will wrap up construction on an $80 million plant on the east side of Jerome that will process whey protein, a popular domestic and export product. The surge in food processing, as well as Hilex Polys positive impact on the area have bumped up population, which then fuels the retail sector.
*Idaho Department of Labor, June 2009
Jerome County Work Force Trends
CASSIA COUNTY* has traditionally had a higher unemployment rate than the rest of south central Idaho, but that is beginning to change. Companies such as Dutchmen Manufacturing, a large recreational vehicle manufacturer, and Mulholland Positioning Systems, Inc. that manufactures gait assistance devices for children and adults with cerebral palsy and spina bifida, have opened facilities in the region. Pacific Ethanol started production in April 2008 after a gangbuster hiring spree and DOT Foods, a national redistribution company, has opened. The new firms recruited to the area all pay competitive wages and provide solid benefit packages. There continues to be companies eyeing the area based on the quality of life and convenient access of the interstate and rail for transportation purposes.
Idaho Department of Labor, June 2009
Cassia County Work Force Trends
MINIDOKA COUNTY* traditionally has a high unemployment rate, peaking at 8.1 percent in 1998 and reached a low of 3.6 percent in 2007. Many workers rely on fresh pack potato operators, farm jobs and local cheese processing. The area is a Federal Labor Surplus area.
Idaho Department of Labor, June 2009
Minidoka County Work Force Trends
BENEFITS:
Benefits are estimated at 22% of average wages of $2.15 per hour.
Contact: Jan Roeser, Regional Economist, Magic Valley, Idaho Department of Labor
208-735-2500 ext. 3639
Economy.com ranks Idaho the third lowest state in the West in overall cost of doing business.
COMPARISONS - OVERALL BUSINESS COSTS IN WESTERN STATES*
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| Idaho |  90 | | Arizona | 98 | | California | 112 | | Colorado | 102 | | Nevada | 95 | | Oregon | 97 | | Utah | 92 | | Washington | 101 |
* Moody's economy.com Index May 2007
http://commerce.idaho.gov/assets/content/docs/IncredibleBusinessIncentives.pdf
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LABOR COST COMPARISONS
Labor Force and Employment
Annual Average Labor Force Data |
| Area | Civilian Labor Force | Employed | Unemployed | Percent Unemployment Rate |
| Cassia |
10,145 |
9,482 |
664 |
6.5% |
| Jerome |
10,124 |
9,436 |
687 |
6.8% |
| Minidoka |
9,425 |
8,759 |
666 |
7.1% |
| Twin Falls County |
39,053 |
36,290 |
2,763 |
7.1% |
* Idaho Department of Labor - September 2009
| Western Comparison - Average Unemployment Insurance Costs For New Employers, 2006 |
| | No. Of Employees |
Maximum Wage Base |
Taxable Amount |
New Employer Rate |
Contribution |
| Idaho | 200 |
$32,200 |
$6,440,000 |
1.302% |
$83,848 |
| Arizona | 200 | $7,000 | $1,400,000 |
2.0% |
$28,000 |
| California | 200 | $7,000 | $1,400,000 |
3.4% |
$47,600 |
| Colorado | 200 | $10,000 | $2,000,000 |
3.1% |
$62,000 |
| Nevada | 200 |
$25,400 |
$5,050,000 |
3.0% |
$151,500 |
| Oregon | 200 |
$30,200 |
$6,040,000 |
2.8% |
$169,120 |
| Utah | 200 |
$26,700 |
$5,340,000 |
5.4% |
$288,360 |
| Washington | 200 |
$34,000 |
$6,280,000 |
2.77% |
$169,560 |
* Idaho Department of Labor, 2008
Idaho employers with workers' compensation insurance pay some of the lowest premiums in the country. And, if lower-than-normal rates create a surplus, policyholders save in the form of rate deviations or actual dividends.
* Idaho State Insurance Fund, 2008 |
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