TWIN FALLS COUNTY has made excellent progress in employment over the last 10 years. It has moved from a peak unemployment rate of 6.9 percent in 1992 to an incredible 3.0 percent in 2006, primarily because the economy has diversified considerably. For many years, the county’s economy had been tied almost completely to agriculture, but in the last 10 years new light manufacturing operations, the Dell Computer Technical Support Center, and Jayco’s two RV manufacturing facilities have contributed to growth in both manufacturing and technology jobs.

The civilian labor force has also grown steadily in the last decade, and Twin Falls County has kept at or below the U.S. and Idaho unemployment rates. In the 2003 economic downturn, the Magic Valley Labor Market Area, consisting of Twin Falls, Gooding and Jerome counties, consistently outperformed the rest of the state. Close to a thousand new jobs have been created over the last two years alone, and Twin Falls County has had a strong upsurge in retail and service sector jobs. The Magic Valley Mall and adjacent strip malls are at capacity. Ground has been broken for a Wal-Mart super center, two new hotels, a banquet hall/restaurant/bar, new regional medical center and high school all along the widened Poleline corridor. The job and employment outlook for Twin Falls County remains very strong for the near future.

*Idaho Department of Labor, September 2007

In JEROME COUNTY*, the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate has improved dramatically over the past few years. It has dropped from a high of 4.6 percent in 1998 and 2003 to a low 3.5 percent in 2006. The reason for the positive trend has been excellent economic diversification and well-devised economic development. The growth in the dairy industry and the resulting businesses that have sprung from that sector have provided a very stable employment picture. Many migrant seasonal farm workers have dropped out of the migrant stream to become permanent residents working in the dairies and the cheese-processing sector. The growth in dairies and cheese processing, as well as HilexPoly, a manufacturer of grocery store plastic bags, has positively impacted population which then fuels the retail sector.

In 2000, Wal-Mart opened a large supercenter store, employing over 300 people. Many small retailers have done well and there have been numerous jobs created in the retail and services sectors. While dairy growth is slowing, it is expected that Jerome County will continue its low unemployment rate and remain significantly under the national and state averages. The economic outlook remains optimistic with the continued infrastructure build out of Cross Roads Pointe which boasts current construction of a hotel and existing businesses such as Fed Ex, Pella Windows and Fastenal. The Tech Park, which is still in marketing stages, is also a draw for economic development with high tech companies anticipated to enter the Jerome market within the next 18 months to two years. The economy of Jerome will remain vibrant due to its superb location on the interstate and cluster industries co-existing and excelling.

*Idaho Department of Labor, September 2007

CASSIA COUNTY* has experienced limited growth over the last 10 years. The decrease has resulted from the lack of diversity in the area, as well as dependence on large, primary employers that have pulled out. There have been many new businesses relocating to the area thanks to focused economic development efforts, community partnership, and the low cost of land and labor. The area has some excellent attributes such as a great workforce, good access to major transportation, and excellent training facilities in the College of Southern Idaho and the Cassia Regional Technical Center.

Idaho Department of Labor, September 2007

MINIDOKA COUNTY* traditionally has a high unemployment rate, peaking at 9.1 percent in 1993 and improving to 6.4 percent in 2001. Many workers rely on fresh pack potato operators, farm jobs and local cheese processing. The area is a Federal Labor Surplus area.

Idaho Department of Labor, September 2007

BLAINE COUNTY* has made remarkable progress in increasing its employment and lowering unemployment significantly. In 1997, the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 4.6 percent. In 2005, the average unemployment rate was 2.7 percent, one of the lowest in Idaho. Most jobs in Blaine County are in the construction and services sectors. Wages in Blaine tend to be higher than those in South Central Idaho and even statewide. The reason for the higher wages is that cost of living in higher there than the rest of the state. Per capita income for Blaine County in 2004 was $45,635 making it the highest in Idaho. In fact, it exceeds the U.S. per capita income for 2001 by $14,163 and Idaho per capita income by $18,758.

*Idaho Department of Labor, September 2007

BENEFITS:

Benefits are estimated at 22% of average wages of $2.15 per hour.

Contact: Jan Roeser, Regional Economist, Magic Valley, Idaho Department of Labor

208-735-2500 ext. 3639

COMPARISONS - OVERALL BUSINESS COSTS IN WESTERN STATES*
Idaho	92
Arizona	96
California	112
Colorado	100
Nevada	97
Oregon	100
Utah	94
Washington	101

WESTERN COMPARISONS - ANNUAL WORKERS' COMPENSATION COSTS (IN THOUSANDS)
Idaho	$55.7
Arizona	$56.9
California	$927.1
Colorado	$58.9
Nevada	$76.4
Oregon	$68.5
Utah	$51.9
Washington	$124.9

* Idaho State Insurance Fund, May 2006