N. Idaho jobless rate lowest in decades
Construction jobs and new large businesses have helped push North Idaho’s August unemployment rate to a 30-year low.
The five-county region added 6,637 jobs from August 2004 to August 2005, driving its jobless rate to a seasonally adjusted 5 percent for the month. That compares with a 6.3 percent jobless rate a year ago.
The region was led by Kootenai County’s rapid growth, which during the past year has included the opening of Buck Knives in Post Falls, a Sysco distribution center in Post Falls, and the U.S. Bank customer service center in Coeur d’Alene, according to Kathryn Tacke, regional economist for Idaho’s Commerce and Labor Department.
Benewah had the highest unemployment rate in the region, 8.7 percent. Other county jobless rates were Shoshone, 8.6 percent; Boundary, 8.1; and Bonner, 5.3 percent.
Idaho’s unemployment rate set a record low at 3.8 percent seasonally adjusted in August, and marked the third month in a row that more than 700,000 people were employed.
Laid-off lighting workers may get benefits
About 100 Columbia Lighting workers who lost their jobs as the company shifted some manufacturing work to other countries can apply for federal benefits.
Located in Spokane Valley, Columbia Lighting is a subsidiary of Hubbell Inc., which is restructuring its business to make more products in Mexico.
The moves affected workers starting in May 2004, according to the U.S. Department of Labor, and could continue.
The Columbia Lighting workers may receive retraining assistance, allowance to relocate and cash support during long-term training. Sessions outlining the program will be held Thursday and Friday. For more information, call (509) 532-3160.
General Dynamics closes deal on Itronix
General Dynamics Corp. said Friday it has completed its purchase of Spokane-based Itronix Corp.
The multibillion-dollar defense company made its first announcement of the purchase in early August. Regulatory approval was necessary to complete the acquisition, according to a corporate press release.
Terms of the deal have not been disclosed.
Itronix, which produces ultrarugged laptop and handheld computers, will become part of the C4 Systems division of General Dynamics, which is based in Falls Church, Va.
Itronix has about 450 employees. The company will move into a new office building in Spokane Valley this winter.