County's unemployment hits 15.3 percent

BONNERS FERRY — Boundary County ranks third highest for unemployment out of the state’s 44 counties.

Boundary County tied with Benewah and Clearwater counties at 15.3 percent in the February 2010 preliminary forecast, according to Alivia Body regional economist for the Idaho Department of Labor in Coeur d’ Alene.

“This number is down from January’s 17.4 percent, however still high for the county,” Body said. “The numbers are lower mainly because of the downturn of people in the labor force.”

TrusTek, which had layoffs in December, as well as those at Welco may have contributed to January’s high unemployment totals, according to Body.

Body has anticipated that the numbers will rise again mid-2010. She said the recent sale of Boundary Trading Co. to Safeway should not effect figures this year and it was her understanding through Safeway officials that Boundary Trading Co. employees who applied for Safeway would be hired on.

“There are discouraged workers that left the labor force,” said Body. “The number will probably go back up again by mid-2010 as people start seeing more opportunities and re-enter the labor force.”