AGP Executive Report

Idaho Economy & Wages: New data shows Idaho ranked among the top states for wage growth, with non-metro purchasing power rising to $114.01 per $100—good news for paychecks and consumer budgets. Forest & Wildfire Policy: The U.S. Forest Service moved to fully repeal the 2001 Roadless Rule, opening about 45 million acres to road building and logging; Idaho says its own roadless protections keep it largely unaffected, but critics warn of more fragmentation and wildfire risk. Idaho Tech & Workforce: College of Eastern Idaho opened its new Future Tech Building, aiming to speed hands-on training for Idaho National Laboratory-linked careers. Meta Trial Hits Idaho: Idaho AG Raul Labrador is backing a multi-state case arguing Meta designed Facebook and Instagram to be addictive to kids and illegally collected data from children under 13. Local Construction: ITD scheduled overnight paving on Kimberly Road in Twin Falls starting Aug. 24, with signal upgrades planned for October. Energy & Safety Watch: Boise crews responded to a gas leak in southeast Boise tied to ongoing construction. Business in the Magic Valley: Smokin Fins seafood plans to open in Twin Falls this fall, taking over the former Johnny Carino’s spot.

Nuclear Energy Push: A new guide for state policymakers says workforce development, faster permitting, and reduced financial risk are key to getting new nuclear power built—an Idaho-relevant roadmap as the state leans into small-reactor research. Nuclear Waste Deal Watch: Idaho’s long-standing agreement to keep nuclear waste out could be reshaped under a new DOE “nuclear lifecycle innovation campus” plan, with reporting suggesting a major share of spent fuel could be on the table. Mining Restart: Bunker Hill Mining says it completed its first production stope blast at its Idaho mine and is targeting commercial production by year-end as it ramps up underground work. Housing Affordability: A new report argues HUD spending hasn’t lowered prices and shows homeownership getting harder nationwide, with Idaho flagged for a large affordability gap. Water & Irrigation: Lucky Peak Reservoir is starting an early drawdown, while stakeholders push to finalize the Swan Falls mitigation plan for the 2027 irrigation season. Food & Schools: Idaho’s Farm to School program now reaches 70% of schools, bringing locally sourced food into cafeterias. Retail Tech: Boise-based Albertsons reports AI shopping tools are lifting average order value, boosting baskets for online shoppers. Energy Costs: Gas prices climbed again across Idaho, keeping pressure on household budgets. Community Housing: Six Magic Valley families completed self-help housing through SCCAP, with more homes set to break ground soon.

Nuclear Policy & Waste: A new DOE–Idaho deal tied to a “nuclear lifecycle innovation campus” could loosen the long-standing agreement that kept spent fuel out of Idaho, with reporting suggesting the state could receive up to a third of the nation’s spent nuclear fuel. Consumer Tech & Retail: Albertsons says AI shopping tools are boosting online spending—up to 26% higher average order value when customers use more advanced assistants. Food & Agriculture: USDA’s latest Crop Progress shows corn and soy conditions slipping slightly, with corn’s “good to excellent” share down week-over-week as hot weather hits parts of the Corn Belt. Water & Irrigation: Idaho Power and state officials are pushing to finalize a Swan Falls mitigation plan for the 2027 irrigation season after this year’s flows dipped near the agreement minimum. Construction & Logistics: ITD will close eastbound I-84 overnight between Garrity and Ten Mile for concrete work on SH-16 flyover ramps, with detours in place. Business Deals: Standee will pay $16.9M to buy Anderson Hay’s operating assets in a bankruptcy-court sale aimed at combining production, procurement, and distribution. Healthcare Expansion: Concentra opens its first Boise occupational medicine clinic, with Meridian expansion planned later this year.

Mining & Materials: Idaho Strategic Resources says its Diamond Creek project north of Salmon shows a significant concentration of heavy rare earths, including yttrium—an element the U.S. largely depends on China for, with potential implications for magnets used in EVs and aerospace. Rare-Metal Supply Chain: Bunker Hill Mining hit a major restart milestone at its 100% owned Bunker Hill Mine, completing its first production stope blast and marking four straight years without a lost-time incident as it targets commercial production by year-end. Energy & Infrastructure: Idaho Falls begins chip sealing Monday, with overnight lane closures and phased work expected to run through September. Transportation: Overnight repairs start Monday on U.S. 20 north of Sugar City, with traffic reduced in two-mile stretches until mid-September. Construction & Workforce: Idaho City’s Basin School District opened a new Elite Athletic Den weight room after an anonymous donor stepped in, boosting student training as the district heads back to school. Water & Drought Tech: Idaho State University researchers are exploring subsurface dams to capture spring runoff and ease summer water stress as drought grips much of the state.

Local Construction & Infrastructure: Idaho Falls is gearing up for overnight chip sealing starting Monday, with lane closures and phased work expected to run through September, while Sugar City drivers face a monthlong U.S. 20 repair project with overnight traffic reductions. Workforce & Education: Melaleuca’s 2026 AI + IT Tech Camp is giving Idaho high school students hands-on coding and AI training at the company’s headquarters. Energy & Materials: Boise-area fuel reports show diesel and premium prices staying volatile, with Boise County premium diesel hitting the lowest reported levels in the week ending Aug. 8. Water & Engineering Research: Idaho State University researchers are testing the idea of subsurface dams to store spring runoff for drought-stressed summers. Business & Manufacturing: Boise-based Micron remains central to memory-chip supply and pricing pressures as the U.S. pushes Apple away from Chinese memory sourcing. Community & Health: Idaho City’s Basin School District opened a new Elite Athletic Den weight room—funded in part by an anonymous donor—aimed at student fitness and momentum for the school year. Public Safety: Crews continue work on the Upper Smith Fire near Bonners Ferry, with activity largely contained and focused on contingency lines.

Consumer & Wellness M&A: Procter & Gamble is buying Thorne (a supplements maker) for $3.8B, signaling more consolidation in the wellness-and-beauty aisle. Tech & Supply Chains: The U.S. is pressing Apple to avoid Chinese memory chips as AI-driven demand tightens supply—an issue that matters to Idaho’s own memory ecosystem. Idaho Higher Ed & Engineering: University of Idaho got state approval to move forward on major Moscow campus projects, including a secure “Top Secret Facility” for advanced cybersecurity and critical infrastructure research. Energy Planning: A draft Northwest power plan says Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington must add 11 gigawatts of new generation by 2032, with data centers driving demand. Mining Workforce: The federal PROSPECT initiative could funnel up to $100M into mining schools nationwide; UAF says it’s the Pacific Northwest’s only mining school and could benefit. Local Infrastructure: North Idaho road projects are ramping up, with I-90 widening and interchange work in Post Falls and Pleasant View drawing driver complaints. Wildfire Response: Crews continue containment work on the Upper Smith Fire near Bonners Ferry, with activity focused on handlines and fuel breaks.

University of Idaho Expansion: The Idaho State Board of Education approved major UI Moscow campus projects, including a $5.6M state-funded “Top Secret Facility” for secure cybersecurity and critical infrastructure research, plus a large new engineering and science building. Workforce & Training: College of Eastern Idaho opened its Battelle Energy Alliance Future Tech building, a $52M STEM hub aimed at growing eastern Idaho’s pipeline for engineering, surgical tech, IT and cybersecurity. Mining Education Funding: UAF is positioned to benefit from a proposed up-to-$100M federal push to expand mining school output through DOE’s PROSPECT initiative. Energy Grid Planning: A draft Northwest power plan calls for rapid new generation—about 11 gigawatts in five years—citing data center demand and the need for major grid upgrades. Idaho Tech Supply Chain: U.S. officials warned Apple against using Chinese memory chips as the AI-driven memory shortage squeezes costs, with Micron’s concerns highlighted. Ag & Food Costs: USDA forecasts higher food prices in 2027, while Magic Valley programs like Chobani’s summer food effort wrapped up after distributing 220,000+ pounds. Wildfire Impacts: Upper Smith Fire containment improved after rains, shifting evacuations from “Set” to “Ready,” and Highway 55 disruptions continued to affect travel and local businesses.

Idaho Workforce & Training: College of Eastern Idaho opened its Battelle Energy Alliance Future Tech building, a $52M expansion aimed at engineering, surgical tech, IT and cybersecurity—built to feed eastern Idaho’s growing job market. Nuclear & Medical Supply Chain: A Texas test reactor hit first criticality as Oklo pushes domestic production of medical isotopes like technetium-99m, a potential boost for U.S. healthcare supply reliability. Mining Education Funding: UAF could tap a federal up-to-$100M push for mining schools under the DOE’s PROSPECT initiative, targeting thousands of new mining engineers. Energy & Tech Policy: U.S. officials warned Apple against using Chinese-made memory chips amid quality and supply concerns. Agriculture & Food Costs: USDA projects food prices rising in 2027; Chobani’s Magic Valley program wrapped after distributing 220,000+ pounds to families. Water & Irrigation: Low winter snowpack left Magic Valley reservoirs far below normal, forcing earlier canal shutdowns and reduced flows. Construction & Skills: College of Southern Idaho opened the Leroy Craig Jerome Center in Jerome, adding 10+ career/technical programs tied to local industry needs. Legal/Business: Idaho’s federal court fight over a baby carrier case heads to the ITC.

Boise State Football: Roman Tillmon is transferring to Boise State and focusing on creating more turnovers from the nickel slot, dialing in “peanut punching” technique and hand-eye drills. Affordable Housing: Boise broke ground on The Sherwood, a 48-unit supportive housing development for families exiting homelessness, built through a city land trust partnership. STEM Workforce Pipeline: College of Eastern Idaho opened its Battelle Energy Alliance Future Tech Building, a $52M facility with 12 labs and 10 classrooms, including a planned precision agriculture program. Idaho Energy & Permitting: A report says a U.S. Forest Service undersecretary pressed for extra aircraft during the Cabin Creek fire near his Sawtooth ranch, raising questions about wildfire response decisions. Wildfire Impacts on Idaho Outdoors: Southwest Idaho hunters are facing access closures tied to the Big Grass and Tartar fires, even as no hunting seasons have changed so far—check BLM and Idaho Fish and Game updates before heading out. Agriculture Markets: Barley growers and breeders are pivoting as malting capacity shrinks and acreage declines, with Washington’s recent malting plant closures highlighted. Banking & Idaho Business Lending: KeyCorp reported strong Q2 results and pointed to Idaho’s entrepreneurial community as commercial lending activity stays upbeat. Consumer Finance: Newrez agreed to a $15.5M multistate settlement over lender-placed insurance charges when borrowers already had coverage. Fuel Prices: AAA says the national gas average is climbing again after a brief dip, with crude oil holding near $80. Trade & Industry: Tyson plans to sell its Pasco, Wash., beef plant and close facilities in Illinois and Utah, citing a cattle shortage and consolidating packing into other regions. Tech Investment: Micron launched a $250M Micron Ventures Paradigm Fund to back AI infrastructure startups.

Construction Workforce: Idaho AGC leaders and construction veterans say the state’s growth is colliding with a national skilled-worker shortage, with retirements looming and hiring/mentoring the biggest hurdles. Workforce Training: A new College of Eastern Idaho Future Tech Building in Idaho Falls adds labs and classrooms for engineering, cybersecurity, mechatronics, and energy systems—aimed at expanding hands-on training for in-demand careers. Energy Planning: The Northwest’s draft Ninth Power Plan would add a mix of renewables, storage, natural gas, demand response, and efficiency to meet rising needs by 2032, with public hearings set across Idaho and neighboring states. Grid & Wildfire Response: Crews building Idaho Power’s Boardman-to-Hagerman transmission line helped fight Oregon-Idaho border wildfires by clearing land, cutting access roads, and moving equipment. Nuclear Fuel Recycling: Curio won $2.5 million in DOE funding to test parts of its NuCycle used-fuel recycling process at major national labs. Local Infrastructure: Jerome’s I-84 “Double Diamond” roundabout nears completion while downtown Main Street revitalization gets underway. Public Safety & Oversight: Idaho lawmakers received updates on oversight gaps in children’s residential care, plus work on 911 systems and Medicaid hospital billing scrutiny. Agriculture Disaster Aid: FEMA designated 28 counties as natural disaster areas from winter storms, unlocking USDA emergency credit for producers. Wildfire Watch: Crews continue battling the Upper Smith Fire near Bonners Ferry with containment at about 30% and heavy resources on the ground.

Wildfire & Transport Disruption: A 330-acre Mile Marker 81 fire near SH-55 and Banks-Lowman Road shut down 19 miles of Highway 55, with containment pushed to Friday and ITD urging drivers to use US-95. Grid & Emergency Response: Crews building the Boardman-to-Hagerman transmission line moved heavy equipment to help fight Oregon-Idaho border wildfires, protecting an estimated 10,000–15,000 acres. Nuclear Policy Clash: Idaho Gov. Little’s proposed DOE nuclear lifecycle innovation campus is drawing opposition from Little’s challengers over requirements to accept and store spent fuel and radioactive waste. AI Investment in Idaho’s Orbit: Micron launched a $250 million Micron Ventures Paradigm Fund to back startups across the AI stack, signaling continued momentum for semiconductor and memory demand. Construction/Engineering: Honor Built Homes won two BUILD awards for off-site construction, highlighting prefab/modular as a path to faster, more efficient building. Agriculture & Input Costs: UI and USDA released a free nitrogen calculator for barley and sugar beets to target maximum yield and profit, plus updated malt barley nitrogen guidelines. Food & Supply Pressure: Idaho potato farmers say they’re squeezed by drought, heat, pests, and global competition, with ripple effects for processors like Lamb Weston. Energy/Utilities Oversight: Idaho’s AG backed EPA reforms aimed at limiting activist delays to infrastructure projects, while Oregon’s PUC scheduled public comment on Oregon Trail Electric’s proposed purchase of Idaho Power’s Oregon territory. Local Business/Workforce: Inland Journal spotlighted AI strategy with regional leaders, and a new study found women outnumber men in the U.S. workforce, with Idaho women at about 46% of the labor force.

Advanced Nuclear in Idaho: Idaho National Laboratory’s “The Road to Advanced Nuclear” documentary premiered in Idaho Falls, spotlighting next-gen reactor momentum and INL’s role in the U.S. nuclear push. Rare Earth Supply: Coeur d’Alene’s Idaho Strategic Resources says early work at its Diamond Creek project near Salmon found unusually high yttrium concentrations, aiming to reduce U.S. dependence on China for heavy rare earths. Mining Updates: Liberty Gold reported Q2 results, while Elk Range continues its Idaho gold ramp-up; meanwhile, Baner Gold Mine drilling at Idaho County’s Baner property returned multiple significant intersections that strengthen the 2026 model. Local Infrastructure & Safety: Twin Falls County terminated a boat ramp contract after a crack was found, and Priest River’s Merritt Bridge faces emergency loss of access after major piling failures. Water & Growth Pressure: Rathdrum postponed a building moratorium vote over water system pressure concerns, and Idaho’s new K-12 AI education framework cleared the State Board. Workforce & Training: Council High School’s Ag Mechanics program received a Milwaukee tool kit grant to close Idaho’s skilled trades gap, and Soda Springs High School welcomed back its FFA program. Campus Resilience: North Idaho College secured an $82,661 grant to restore trees lost in windstorms on its Coeur d’Alene campus. Business & Consumer Watch: House of Brunch opened in Coeur d’Alene, and Idaho’s gas prices showed localized lowest-price reports as statewide averages ticked up.

EV & Critical Minerals: Trump’s latest push is giving the electric vehicle supply chain a boost, with $3 billion aimed at mineral projects and federal support for battery and mining—an “upstream” win that could speed Idaho-relevant materials and processing plans. Energy Costs in Idaho: A new report ranks Idaho #1 for lowest residential electricity rates at 12.35 cents per kWh, driven by hydropower and low wholesale costs. Mining Watch: Perpetua Resources is nearing conditions precedent on the $2.9 billion EXIM loan tied to the Stibnite Gold Project. Food & Agriculture: JBS is reversing a planned closure at its Souderton, Pa., site by investing $30 million to keep jobs via value-added processing—highlighting a national beef packing capacity squeeze. Weather & Water Risk: Scientists define “snow-eater heat waves,” a new heat-wave category that threatens the West’s snowmelt water rhythm. Wildfire Response: Australia and New Zealand fire specialists have deployed to the Grasshopper Fire from Boise, adding 300+ personnel for a month-long partnership. Local Business Growth: Earth Science Tech expands nationwide pharmacy reach after acquiring Meduvo LLC, adding an Idaho-authorized footprint. Retail & Jobs: Grocery Outlet reports Q2 fiscal 2026 results with sales up slightly but comparable sales down, alongside restructuring charges. Community & Youth: Rocket Express Car Wash is holding free wash days after renovations, while Idaho 4-H and local derby fundraising spotlight ongoing youth support.

Water & Agriculture: A Minidoka Irrigation District manager warns “this year is different,” saying southern Idaho crop water demand hit nearly 140% of the historical average while reservoirs and backup storage are running low—forcing farmers to decide what to water, clear, or abandon. Energy & Land Use: USDA sided with Holy Trinity Monastery in a dispute over a proposed wind farm near the historic Orthodox site, with the monastery opposing Terra-Gen’s Rolling Hills project. Local Housing & Planning: NeighborWorks Pocatello is seeking zoning and land-use changes to build 24 affordable senior units on city-owned land near Sacajawea Park, with a public hearing set for Wednesday. Construction & Infrastructure: Preston City Council approved a major East St reconstruction and a midblock crosswalk near a hospital parking lot, while Baker City Council moved to pave a Central Park/splash pad parking lot. Dairy & Food Industry: USDA’s latest milk price benchmarks show July Class III at $15.52/cwt and Class IV at $18.34/cwt, both down from June and the lowest since February. Idaho Economy Watch: AAA reports Idaho regular gas averaging $4.35, up week over week and pushing the state into the top 10 most expensive nationally. Wildfire Response: Australia and New Zealand fire specialists are arriving in Boise to bolster Western U.S. firefighting capacity.

Nuclear & Energy Tech: Kyoto Fusioneering is relocating its U.S. HQ to Oak Ridge, Tennessee, to build UNITY-3 with ORNL—aimed at validating fusion tritium breeding blanket tech. Food & Agriculture: Molina Healthcare Charitable Foundation is sending $20,000 to The Idaho Foodbank to expand hunger relief and help families access nutritious food. Local Business & Legal Services: Fennemore is combining with Boise’s McConnell Wagner Sykes + Stacey, adding 13 professionals and boosting Idaho coverage for construction, real estate, employment and commercial litigation. Water & Irrigation: Idaho’s water reality is hitting farms now, with Southern Idaho crop demand running far above normal while reservoirs and backup storage stay low. Public Safety & Scams: Idaho AG Raul Labrador says investigators stopped a Wells Fargo impersonation scam that targeted an Idaho resident for $14,000. Infrastructure: Bellevue crews are closing sections of Howard Preserve for diversion dam reconstruction and fish passage work. Workforce & Community: West Ada is tightening classroom screen-time rules, pushing tech to “earn its way” into lessons. Wildfire Response: New Zealand’s firefighting team is heading to the U.S. Northwest, with Idaho among possible deployment areas. Consumer Watch: AAA reports pump prices are down this week, with national regular averaging $4.00.

Mining & Energy: Elk Range Mining is gearing up for a maiden 2,850-meter diamond drill program at its Friday gold mine in Idaho, aiming to validate high-grade historical results and test depth and along-strike potential after an oversubscribed $10M IPO. Public Health & Consumer Costs: Idaho Attorney General Ford announced a $400M settlement in principle with Sandoz over alleged generic-drug price inflation and competition limits, with total payments to state enforcers estimated around $469M if approved. Food & Agriculture: NNB and Axiom Foods are rolling out next-generation plant protein solutions to help brands meet surging demand as whey supply tightens. Retail & Groceries: Boise-based Albertsons is reorganizing under ACI Edge, consolidating divisions and leaning on merchandising intelligence and AI as industry pressure mounts and CEO Susan Morris faces fresh scrutiny. Local Infrastructure: Coeur d’Alene greenlit traffic-signal upgrades on Ramsey Road, while Boise’s Ada County Highway District is building a temporary protected walkway for Jefferson Elementary students during nearby development work. Construction & Water Rules: Rathdrum’s potential emergency water moratorium is drawing pushback from the North Idaho Building Contractors Association, warning it could halt major building activity. Wildfire Response: Crews continue work on the Upper Smith Fire, with rappelling and aerial water drops focused on protecting key areas and improving access. Transportation Costs: AAA reports Idaho gas prices are up again, with regular averaging $4.35 statewide.