In Brief: Idaho unemployment rate rises to 4.2 percent

Idaho’s unemployment rate inched up to 4.2 percent in August as more people joined the workforce.

The increase from July’s 4.1 percent rate reflects a net gain of 400 people looking for work, according to the state Department of Labor.

Overall, the state’s economy remains healthy, with new jobs added in construction, health care, trade and professional services over the past year, officials said.

In the past 12 months, Idaho’s employers created about 19,800 new jobs, and about 21,000 people joined the workforce, which means they are working or looking for a job.

Idaho’s labor market continued to tighten in August, with about one unemployed worker for every job opening.

Unemployment rates were higher in the Idaho Panhandle. Kootenai County had 5.1 percent unemployment in August, compared to 4.9 percent in July and 5.4 percent in August 2014.

August unemployment rates for other counties were: Bonner, 6.3 percent; Boundary, 5.2 percent; Benewah, 7.6 percent; and Shoshone, 7.8 percent.

Macy’s to add 85,000 workers for holidays

NEW YORK – Macy’s Inc. plans to hire about 85,000 seasonal workers for temporary jobs ahead of the holidays to meet expected higher demand. That is about the same as a year ago.

The positions will be filled at Macy’s and Bloomingdale’s stores, call centers, distribution centers and online fulfillment centers nationwide.

Specifically, about 12,000 of the 85,000 total seasonal positions will be based in direct-to-consumer fulfillment facilities that support sales generated by the company’s omnichannel business strategy. About 1,600 people will be hired to interact with customers via telephone, email and online chat at customer service centers.

Elsewhere, retailer Kohl’s Corp. has said it expects to hire more than 69,000 workers, up from 67,000 in the 2014 holiday season. Toys R Us plans to hire 40,000 people to work at stores and distribution centers around the country, which is down from 45,000 last holiday season.

Subaru plans Indiana factory expansion

LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Subaru announced Monday it plans to spend $140 million to boost vehicle production at an Indiana factory and add up to 1,200 jobs in the next two years.

The Lafayette factory will see its production capacity grow by 100,000 vehicles a year from its current 300,000, the company said.