Panhandle Sees Jobless Rate Drop

Unemployment rates in the Idaho Panhandle are forecast at 7.5 percent for May, more than a 2 percent drop from last year at this time.

Every county except Shoshone has added jobs during the past 12 months, said Kathryn Tacke, state labor analyst. And even Shoshone County’s unemployment rates have dropped as residents found jobs in other counties, she said.

A year ago, unemployment rates were 9.8 percent in the Panhandle. The high rate was influenced by two mill closures and layoffs at Coldwater Creek, Tacke said.

A rebound in manufacturing jobs and a strong construction industry has helped the jobless rate during the past year. However, some mills have begun reducing hours and shifts, due to a soft market for lumber and plywood, Tacke said. The construction industry also shows signs of tapering off, she said.

May jobless rates, by county, are: Kootenai, 6.2 percent; Bonner, 8.6 percent; Boundary, 7.7 percent; Benewah, 11.7 percent; and Shoshone, 12.3 percent.