N. Idaho Unemployment Hits 7.7%

Wet weather dampened North Idaho employment opportunities in October, according to the state’s monthly employment report.

Panhandle unemployment rose to 7.7 percent from 7.1 percent in September, mostly because of a drop in construction work in the area, said Kathryn Tacke, labor analyst for the Idaho Department of Employment.

The rise in unemployment was most obvious in Benewah County, where it rose to 11.8 percent from 6.4 percent in September. That had mostly to do with temporary mill layoffs and suspended logging, Tacke said.

The unemployment rate for Benewah in October 1994 was 16.9 percent, due mostly to a sawmill layoff, Tacke said. Counties with such small populations can have wild swings in unemployment based on the action of one major employer, she said.

Kootenai County’s unemployment rate remained the same as last month at 7.4 percent. That’s still well above Idaho’s 5.1 percent average and the nation’s 5.5 percent rate.

Kootenai’s rate likely will rise the next two months. In November, 113 sawmill workers in Post Falls will be eligible for unemployment, and after Dec. 31 nearly 200 workers at the Coeur d’Alene Greyhound Park will be out of jobs.

Tacke estimates the Kootenai rate could climb a full point in January if all the workers were to file for benefits.

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Graphic: Panhandle unemployment