Plan could provide 75,000 Wash. jobs, 17,000 Idaho jobs

The White House estimates that up to 75,000 new jobs could be created in Washington and up to 17,000 new jobs in Idaho through the federal stimulus package. The estimate, which came from White House projections for all 50 states, says that the jobs created will be in a range of industries with over 90 percent in the private sector. The anticipated job increase could impact nearly a third of Idaho’s unemployed workers. The unemployment rate in December was 6.6 percent, about 50,000 unemployed workers. The figures show 9,000 jobs could be created in Idaho’s 1st Congressional District, which includes North Idaho. In Washington the unemployment rate in December was 7.1 percent, the highest rate in more than five years. The White House estimates 8,000 jobs could be created in Washington’s 5th Congressional District, which includes Eastern Washington. Central Washington’s 4th Congressional District could see 7,900 jobs. Idaho Department of Labor Spokesman Bob Fick said that the state’s unemployment could reach 7 percent within the next 2 months. The January unemployment numbers for Idaho are expected to be released Feb. 27. The national unemployment rate for January was 7.6 percent.