Kootenai County Unemployment Up

Kootenai County unemployment fell in January compared with December, but the rate rose substantially compared with January 1996, according to the Idaho Department of Labor.

Kootenai County’s seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate of 9.2 percent was lower than December’s 9.4 rate, but higher than the January 1996 rate of 7.4 percent. Weather and some seasonal declines in construction-related businesses may have contributed to the increase.

For the Panhandle, unemployment remained somewhat steady compared to December. The overall rate of 9.9 percent compared to 10 percent in December, but was higher than the 7.8 percent rate of January 1996.

The Panhandle rate was nearly double the state average of 5.4 percent, which also mirrored the national average.

January rates for other Panhandle counties compared with December were as follows: Benewah, up to 12.3 percent from 12.2 percent; Bonner, down to 10.9 percent from 11.2 percent; Boundary, unchanged at 9.7 percent; Shoshone, down to 10.1 percent from 10.4 percent.

, DataTimes