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Lewiston Ammunition Maker Continues To Expand

Howell Machine, an ammunition maker in Lewiston, has more than quadrupled its workforce in the last five years.  That’s according to a recent article from the Lewiston Tribune. The newspaper reports Howell Machine has 132 employees and plans to add almost 100 more by March.  The company is also preparing to add some serious square […]

Schweitzer Engineering Plans To Hire 350

Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories says it plans to hire 350 new employees. In a press release, the company says it needs more employees “to meet the increased customer demand for their products and services.” SEL is an engineering company with area facilities in Pullman, WA and Lewiston, Idaho. The job openings are for positions in manufacturing, research […]

Fewer Workers Covered By Longstanding Health Insurance Plans As Law Takes Effect

If you have trouble getting jazzed about health care policy, consider this: “Between 1999 and 2012, workers’ health care costs grew four times faster than their earnings,” The Atlantic reports. The data is drawn from the Kaiser Family Foundation’s annual Employer Health Benefits survey, released this week. The survey also includes information about how employers […]

For Some Idaho Farmers, This Year’s Drought Means Losses Next Year

In Idaho, this summer’s drought has picked winners and losers.  In southeast Idaho, farmers with deep wells and sophisticated irrigation systems predicted record profits as harvest time began last month.  Meanwhile, dryland farmers nearby contemplated withered spring wheat fields, and hoped to break even. Now, dryland wheat farmer Hans Hayden says the drought is beginning […]

Supervalu Announces Store Closures, Idaho Spared For Now

The owner of Idaho’s Albertsons stores, Supervalu, announced today it will close 60 stores nationwide by the end of February. The Minneapolis-based grocery giant will close 27 western Alberstons stores, 19 in southern California and eight in Washington and Oregon. Supervalu spokesman Mike Siemienas says the company plans to close eight additional stores, but he […]

Idaho Touts Local Culture And State Law To Draw Gun Manufacturers

It’s a straightforward pitch: Idaho is a gun-friendly state.  Why not encourage gun manufacturers to come in and set up shop? Several years ago, that logic led Idaho’s Department of Commerce to begin recruiting “recreation technology” companies.  The term refers to makers of all sorts of outdoor equipment, but the department’s most prominent pitch was […]

Idaho Labor Department OKs $325,000 In Training Grants

The Idaho Department of Labor today approved $325,000 in worker training grants for two Boise-based companies. Locomotive maker MotivePower Inc. is eligible to receive $288,000 and iVinci Health, a hospital software company can get up to $38,000. Workforce Development Training grants are reimbursements to companies that need to train new employees, existing employees or employees […]

Who Are Idaho’s Firearms, Ammunition, And Accessories Manufacturers?

Kayla Cuellar counts herself lucky.  She was born and raised in Idaho, and considers it a great place for the business she and her husband started a few years ago. It’s called Valiant Firearms and Ammunition, and it specializes in pistol and rifle ammunition.  Each cartridge is assembled by hand. Cuellar spends a lot of […]

Idaho Aims For Job Growth Through Gun Manufacturing

Molly Messick / StateImpact Idaho BJ Swanson is executive director of the Latah Economic Development Council.   Click above for an interactive map of all gun and ammunition manufacturers in Idaho. A few years ago, state leaders got the idea to promote Idaho to the outdoor industry, including gun manufacturers.  After all, Idaho is a more […]

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