Kootenai County's housing construction activity is the best in years - at least 10, for those who are counting. Demand for new homes is high as interest rates are low and credit is available. Young families are moving up to bigger homes or out of apartments, and retirees are moving into the area from other western states. Construction was the top-performing industry in the most recent jobs report compiled by the Idaho Department of Labor, said Samuel Wolkenhauer, the agency's North Idaho labor economist. Comparing last year to this year, construction jobs in Kootenai County shot up 16 percent - or 500 jobs, Wolkenhauer said. "Construction is a good barometer of economic activity, and it has a very strong multiplier effect," he said Thursday/David Cole, Coeur d'Alene Press. More here.

Question: Am I the only one who wonders who is filling all those apartment buildings that have opened or will open soon?

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