AGP Executive Report

Idaho Agriculture Under Strain: The Idaho Surface Water Coalition says farmers served by the Twin Falls Canal company face a 33.3% cut to normal allocations as the state endures its worst water year in nearly 50 years, forcing hard decisions on which fields to abandon. Local Water Infrastructure: Kendrick won a $7.38M low-interest DEQ wastewater loan (with $4.12M principal forgiveness) to upgrade from a lagoon system to a mechanical treatment plant. Workforce & Hiring Signals: A new U.S. Chamber-based hiring map shows Idaho’s job openings are still up 20.5% since 2020, even as many nearby states saw sharp declines. Energy & Data Centers: Avista paused processing for a 500 MW data center energy request, citing the need for broader, more coordinated planning and community alignment. Food & Consumer Trends: Plant-based foods keep gaining traction in the West, with Idaho among states where household penetration and repeat buying are strongest. Research & Innovation: University of Idaho’s Parma Research and Extension Center marked 100 years of agricultural development, soil and irrigation testing, and pest-focused research. Public Safety & Policy: Idaho is moving toward firing-squad executions next month, with law enforcement volunteers being recruited under new IDOC procedures.

Transportation & Infrastructure: ITD and SPOT Bus are launching a temporary shuttle across Sandpoint’s Long Bridge while the pedestrian path stays closed, with ADA access and limited bike capacity. Public Safety & Housing: A Coeur d’Alene fire engineer injured in a 2025 ambush has returned home after Tunnel to Towers renovated it into a smart, accessibility-focused residence. Agriculture: A late April freeze and volatile temperatures are hitting Idaho berry production, with some fields producing far below normal, while drought conditions add pressure. Food & Manufacturing: Rancher’s Premium Smokehouse is expanding into Grocery Outlet stores across the West Coast and beyond, signaling continued growth for Idaho-adjacent food brands. Energy & Utilities: Idaho Power will schedule an overnight outage in Ketchum/Sun Valley/Elkhorn to install a second transmission line for reliability. Construction & Local Economy: Blaine County is nearing approval for St. Luke’s medical offices, a 14,000-square-foot project tied to nearby housing development. Consumer Protection: Idaho AG Labrador is warning seniors about Medicare phone scams using spoofed numbers and requests for sensitive info. Wildlife & Roads: Blaine County updated a plan to cut wildlife-vehicle collisions with new safety recommendations expected to be finalized in November. Workforce & Skills: SkillsUSA recognized an Idaho student (Coeur d’Alene) with a national bronze medal in automotive refinishing. Energy Tech: Boise State is part of research on a new sodium-ion battery cathode designed for fast charging and strong cycle life.

Advanced Energy & Manufacturing: Oklo cleared another DOE safety milestone for its Aurora powerhouse at Idaho National Laboratory, moving the next-gen reactor project closer to deployment. Nuclear & Grid Tech: DOE approval also keeps Idaho in the spotlight as advanced reactor work ramps up. Agriculture & Livestock: Idaho tightened animal entry rules after New World screwworm detections in Texas and New Mexico, requiring veterinary inspections and movement documentation to protect the state’s livestock and trade. Water & Drought: Southern Idaho irrigation leaders say the snowpack and Snake River reach gains are too low, forcing major delivery reductions during the season’s critical stretch. Public Safety & Health: Idaho AG Labrador warned seniors about Medicare phone scams using spoofed numbers and pressure tactics for sensitive info. Transportation & Infrastructure: ITD and SPOT added temporary bus service across the Long Bridge during the pedestrian closure. Community & Local Business: Athletic Club Boise addressed complaints about its Beer Garden season-ticket experience after construction delays. Mining & Capital Markets: Bunker Hill Mining reported annual meeting director and voting results from its Kellogg operations.

Idaho Agriculture & Biosecurity: Idaho State Department of Agriculture tightened animal entry rules after new world screwworm detections in Texas and New Mexico, requiring a veterinary inspection certificate within five days of movement and extra documentation for animals from infested zones. Food Safety: Idaho health officials are investigating two raw-milk–linked outbreaks that have sickened nearly 60 people, with most cases tied to unpasteurized milk. Energy & Clean Tech: A new American Biogas Council update says 496 U.S. dairy farms now capture energy from manure, nearly tripling since 2020, with enough output to power about 680,000 homes a year. Advanced Manufacturing: Idaho’s Boise State is tied to new sodium-ion battery cathode research showing fast charging and strong capacity retention, aimed at cheaper grid storage. Tourism & Jobs: Visit Idaho’s whitewater documentary “The 3100” won a Northwest Emmy, highlighting how river tourism supports thousands of Idaho jobs. Local Industry Watch: Aqua Metals was selected as an industrial partner on an Idaho National Laboratory DOE program to advance next-gen battery recycling separation of nickel and cobalt.

Workforce Training: Gov. Brad Little signed an executive order creating Idaho’s State Workforce Pell Coordinating Council, setting up the next phase of the Workforce Pell Grant under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act to expand short-term training tied to in-demand credentials. Energy & Data Centers: Spokane City Council members proposed an emergency ordinance to pause new data center plans for a year, citing water and cumulative power impacts; the move follows community pushback and a petition drive. Transportation & Infrastructure: ITD announced the pedestrian portion of the Long Bridge in Sandpoint will close “indefinitely” due to structural deterioration, while separate nighttime I-84 lane closures near Heyburn run June 18-19 for paving. Agriculture & Livestock Biosecurity: Idaho added new animal entry requirements after New World screwworm detections in Texas and New Mexico, including tighter timing for veterinary inspections and documentation for movement permits. Local Business & Retail: Twin Falls’ long-anticipated In-N-Out build is nearing completion, though no opening date is set; meanwhile, Grocery Outlet announced leadership updates with a new CFO appointment. Public Safety on Water: Officials reminded Lake Pend Oreille boaters to follow no-wake rules and avoid illegal buoys as summer season ramps up.

Transportation & Construction: ITD says Elkhorn Road access from SH-75 in Ketchum will close in phases this summer to speed stormwater and intersection work, with one lane of SH-75 kept open each direction. Road Work Updates: State 3 repaving between Emerald Creek and the Fossil Bowl is on track for fall, with more delays expected as sealcoating and a future bridge replacement near Clarkia move forward. Agriculture & Biosecurity: Idaho added animal entry requirements after New World screwworm detections in Texas and New Mexico, requiring a recent Certificate of Veterinary Inspection and movement documentation for warm-blooded animals entering Idaho. Small Business Relief: SBA approved low-interest disaster loans for Idaho businesses, nonprofits and residents in Idaho and Shoshone counties hit by straight-line winds Dec. 16–18, 2025. Energy & Grid Tech: Idaho National Laboratory published open results from 50+ tests of next-gen power line materials for extreme weather, aiming to cut grid risk. Nuclear Industry: Antares’ microreactor hit initial criticality under a DOE program, targeting future power generation. Public Safety: AG Labrador warned Idaho seniors about Medicare phone scams using spoofed numbers and requests for sensitive info. Business & Travel: Frontier will add Las Vegas–Oakland (Aug. 20) and Las Vegas–Boise (Sept. 10) routes after Spirit’s shutdown. Food & Health: A raw-milk investigation from ProPublica highlights rising political support for unpasteurized dairy despite illness risks. Weather: A Wind Advisory is in effect for south-central Idaho with gusts up to 55 mph and possible blowing dust.

Critical Infrastructure & Energy: Avista confirmed its “large load customer” is a data center, with plans for 125 MW starting in 2029 and up to 500 MW by 2032—scale comparable to powering multiple hospitals—while saying the customer would cover needed grid upgrades. Agriculture & Food Prices: USDA set May Class III milk at $16.92/cwt (+10 cents), with Class IV at $22.32, as feed costs continue to temper rebounds. Potato Industry: Idaho Crop Improvement Association highlighted its long-running seed certification work, testing for potato viruses to protect yields across the state. Local Governance & Tax Burden: Boise scaled back its proposed FY2027 property tax increase to 2.7% after new revenue came in about $2.9 million higher than expected. Public Safety: Caldwell enacted a burn ban inside city limits due to elevated fire conditions, while noting agricultural burning restrictions won’t apply outside city jurisdiction. Workforce & Business Growth: Taproots Farm Hub is building momentum toward a southwest Idaho incubator, using shared farmland leases and collaboration to help early farmers scale. Tech & Manufacturing: Micron added Dr. Alexis Black Björlin to its board, bringing AI infrastructure and semiconductor leadership experience. Consumer Health: FDA expanded a Salmonella recall tied to moringa supplement products to 119 cases across 36 states, and also issued a pet food recall over nutritional deficiency.

Solar Roofing & Construction: Hawaiian Built Roofing says it’s now Idaho’s only certified installer of CertainTeed Solstice® Shingle, offering Treasure Valley property owners a roof-integrated solar option for roof replacements and energy upgrades. Nuclear & Energy Jobs: Antares Nuclear’s Mark-0 test reactor reached initial criticality at Idaho National Laboratory, a major step for advanced reactor development tied to U.S. DOE pilot timelines. Aviation & Local Development: Gem County approved a special use permit for the Flying Thunderbolt Ranch private grass airstrip, despite heated neighbor concerns over noise, safety, traffic, and environmental impacts. Business & Awards: Boise Metro Chamber named finalists for its 2026 Small Business and Excellence Awards, spanning categories from food & agriculture to healthcare and community engagement. Travel & Air Service: Frontier announced a Boise-to-Las Vegas nonstop starting Sept. 10, aiming to capture demand left by Spirit’s collapse. Housing Pressure: As Idaho’s population grows, some homebuyers are stretching farther out for value, with commuting tradeoffs becoming more common. Fuel Watch: GasBuddy reported some of the lowest midgrade and diesel prices in parts of Idaho for the week ending May 30, signaling a cooling trend in select counties.

Advanced Nuclear in Idaho: Antares Nuclear finished a fueled zero-power criticality test of its Mark-0 microreactor at Idaho National Laboratory, a first for DOE’s Reactor Pilot Program and a step toward defense and energy deployments. Local Water Infrastructure: Minidoka and Burley irrigation districts will replace the South Side Gravity Canal F-Waste Structure over three off-seasons starting this fall, aiming for a functioning new structure by the 2029 irrigation season. Boise Business Growth: BoiseDev is inviting eastern Idaho companies to apply for its “43 fastest-growing” list, with an October event featuring interviews and profiles. Idaho Energy Costs: AAA reports gas prices are easing nationally, with Idaho-area weekly lows still showing up in county-by-county GasBuddy data. Community & Workforce: North Idaho College student Zoe Hunt won bronze at the SkillsUSA national competition in Automotive Refinishing Technology, highlighting Idaho’s career-tech pipeline. Food Assistance Policy: USDA says Idaho is among states restricting SNAP purchases of certain non-nutritious items like soda/candy, with implementation dates varying by state. Housing Pressure: A Crapo office survey finds Idaho renters and homeowners struggling with affordability, pointing to fees, deposits, and limits on local action.

Advanced Nuclear in Idaho: Antares Nuclear says it hit zero-power criticality for its Mark-0 microreactor at Idaho National Laboratory, advancing DOE’s reactor pilot push tied to Army microreactor plans. Semiconductor Workforce: Boise State University leads one of four CHIPS & Science Act regional nodes expanding the National Network of Microelectronics Education to align training with industry needs. Mining & Metals: Sunshine Silver Mining & Refining highlights its Sunshine Mine restart plan in Idaho’s Coeur d’Alene district, touting a mine-to-mill-to-refinery setup and permits for silver and antimony production. Local Energy & Industry: Electra Battery Materials is advancing a study for a potential battery-grade nickel refinery in the U.S., building on its cobalt sulfate work. Housing Pressure: Idaho’s housing survey from Sen. Mike Crapo’s office points to renters’ immediate affordability strain and homeowners’ long-term worries, with local action constrained in some cases. Food Safety: Idaho health officials are investigating a raw milk outbreak linked to 60 illnesses, warning consumers again about unpasteurized dairy. Policy & Culture: Idaho lawmakers approved ballot language to block voters from legalizing marijuana via initiative, while a separate fight over transgender student bathroom access heads to federal court. Business Real Estate: A roundup of recent Boise-area leases shows steady movement across industrial, office, and retail space. Fuel Watch: GasBuddy reports show premium and diesel prices varying by county, with several Idaho counties posting the week’s lowest premium or diesel rates.

Advanced Nuclear in Idaho: Antares’ Mark-0 microreactor hit criticality at Idaho National Laboratory, the first privately developed non-light-water reactor to reach that milestone under a DOE pilot program—aiming for electricity production in 2027 and power to the warfighter in 2028. Food Safety: Idaho health officials say raw, unpasteurized milk from two dairies is linked to a bacterial illness outbreak that has sickened 60 people, with campylobacteriosis confirmed in at least 45 cases. Local Business & Services: Boise’s Zen Pet Care Services won global honors for GPS-tracked dog trail runs and personalized fitness plans, adding to a string of local and national awards. Energy Costs Watch: GasBuddy reports show Idaho midgrade and diesel prices easing in the week ending May 30, with multiple counties posting low points (midgrade as low as $4.64 in Canyon County; diesel as low as $5.19 in Bonner County). Workforce & Tech: Micron’s surge story highlights demand tied to data centers and AI memory needs, with an Idaho facility expected to ramp up by mid-2027.

Nuclear Energy: Idaho National Laboratory is in the spotlight again as the U.S. Energy Department says an advanced microreactor hit “criticality,” a key step toward electricity generation in the next few years—another signal that Idaho’s nuclear R&D pipeline is moving from lab work to power timelines. Local Economy & Infrastructure: Boise-area construction and traffic impacts keep stacking up, with Idaho officials urging drivers to be ready for the summer of road work and closures, including major bridge and roadway disruptions. Housing: A new Idaho housing survey from Sen. Mike Crapo’s office highlights affordability pressure on both renters and homeowners, with renters reporting housing costs above the 30% income threshold and homeowners facing long-term tax and insurance strain. Energy Costs (Gas Prices): GasBuddy data shows Idaho fuel prices easing in the week ending May 30, with multiple counties reporting lower regular and diesel rates, including standout lows like $4.47 regular in Minidoka County and $5.19 diesel in Bonner County. Workforce & Tech: Microsoft data points to uneven AI adoption across Idaho’s region, with county-level usage tied to local job mixes—useful context for Idaho employers planning for AI-enabled operations.

Nuclear Energy: The U.S. Department of Energy says Antares Nuclear’s Mark-0 microreactor at Idaho National Laboratory reached “criticality,” marking the first privately developed advanced reactor to hit that milestone under the DOE’s reactor pilot program—an early step toward electricity generation in the next few years. Idaho Military & Engineering: Idaho National Guard’s 116th Brigade Engineer Battalion was deactivated in Twin Falls as the Guard reorganizes from an armored brigade combat team to a more mobile structure. Local Industry & Housing: Woodbridge Pacific Group opened a furnished model home at Soaring Feather in Eagle, with prices starting just over $1.02M, signaling continued homebuilding momentum in the Boise metro. Energy Costs: Gas prices in Idaho continue to cool slightly in the week ending May 30, with multiple county-level lows reported by GasBuddy (regular as low as $4.39 in Canyon County; diesel lows also reported across several counties). Public Lands & Recreation: A draft order would expand year-round off-road vehicle access on millions of acres of national forest land, with changes expected to affect large areas in Idaho and Montana. Community & Water Resilience: Idaho officials marked the 50th anniversary of the Teton Dam collapse with a commemorative overlook and remarks that tied the tragedy to future water and infrastructure planning.

Nuclear Power Push: Antares’ Mark-0 microreactor at Idaho National Laboratory hit “criticality,” the first privately developed advanced reactor to reach that milestone in the U.S. in more than four decades, with DOE saying electricity could follow by 2027. Workforce & Training: Idaho State University’s College of Technology rolled out new three-year bachelor’s degree options, aiming to get students into industry faster. Energy & Data Centers: New reports say Northwest utilities in Washington and Oregon are leaning on gas infrastructure and generators to keep up with data center demand, raising concerns about missing emissions targets. Housing: Sen. Mike Crapo’s 2025 Idaho housing survey finds renters and homeowners both struggling, with renters hit by fees, deposits, and rent costs. Water & Flood Risk: FEMA released updated floodplain maps for Blaine County, with residents able to appeal through Aug. 25. Local Infrastructure: ITD ordered an indefinite closure of Sandpoint’s Long Bridge pedestrian path due to structural deterioration. Public Safety: Idaho Falls approved a citywide kratom sales ban starting July 1.

Advanced Nuclear in Idaho: DOE says Antares’ Mark-0 microreactor at Idaho National Lab hit criticality, a key step toward electricity by 2027 and possible power for remote sites and military installations. Local Energy Costs: A new national map shows residential electricity prices rising fast in many states, with Idaho up about 12% year over year. AI Data Center Fight in Pocatello: Lex Developments is appealing Pocatello’s denial of its conditional-use permit for an AI data center after a packed public hearing. Industrial Wastewater Funding: Burley won $20 million in federal help to overhaul its aging industrial wastewater treatment plant, tied to past Snake River pollution allegations. Public Safety Infrastructure: ITD will fully close Sandpoint’s Long Bridge pedestrian path indefinitely after inspection reports found significant structural deterioration. Food & Health: Idaho health officials report nearly 60 raw-milk illnesses since May 19, with at least 45 lab-confirmed campylobacteriosis cases tied to two likely outbreaks. Workforce & Training: ISU’s College of Technology showcased new three-year bachelor’s pathways, including BAS degrees in law enforcement management, applied business sales, and intelligent digital systems.

Advanced Nuclear in Idaho: The U.S. Department of Energy says Antares Nuclear’s Mark-0 microreactor hit “criticality” at Idaho National Laboratory, clearing a major step toward electricity generation and accelerating next-gen reactor testing. Energy & Grid Watch: The Mark-0 milestone is tied to the DOE Reactor Pilot Program and the Army’s microreactor push, with follow-on testing expected to speed up. Local Policy: Idaho Falls city council voted to ban the sale of kratom within city limits starting July 1, while allowing possession. Community Development: Post Falls’ Center Point and East Post Falls urban renewal districts generated more than $745M in new taxable value over 20 years. Business & Legal Services: Clark Meyers PC launched a preventive business law firm in Nampa, Idaho and Concord, California, aiming to help growth-stage companies avoid disputes before they start. Workforce/Tech: Idaho Falls esports players earned a shot at a national championship in Florida, highlighting youth gaming as organized competition. Aviation Funding: Boise Airport received nearly $9M in FAA grants for Concourse A support and ADA accessibility upgrades. Energy Costs (Gas Prices): Idaho gas prices dipped in the latest GasBuddy week, with multiple counties reporting lower regular, midgrade, and diesel rates.