Business in brief: Unemployment hits record low in North Idaho

August provided no relief for North Idaho employers struggling to find workers in a tight labor market.

Kootenai County’s unemployment rate sunk to an all-time low of 2.4 percent last month, followed by Bonner County at 2.6 percent.

Shoshone County – once a poster child for high rates of jobless workers – had a 3.9 percent unemployment in August. Benewah and Boundary counties tied at 4 percent.

“I think everyone’s feeling the pinch,” said Kathryn Tacke, a regional economist with Idaho’s Department of Labor in Coeur d’Alene. “Even employers who used to have lists of people who wanted to work for them are having trouble.”

Idaho posted a 2.4 percent unemployment rate in August, the 28th straight month of rates below 4 percent.

Lookout Pass, Idaho

Ski area installing chairlift for new runs

Lookout Pass Ski Area is getting a new chairlift for the upcoming ski season.

The new “North Star” lift will provide access to six new expert and intermediate runs on the north side of the mountain, said Phil Edholm, Lookout’s president and chief executive officer.

Chairlift installation should be finished by early November.The area has nearly tripled its ski terrain since December 2003, according to a news release.

From staff reports