Coeur d Alene, is the economy that bad? (Post Falls, Sandpoint: houses, unemployment)

[kristines]

I live in a big city and companies let people go by hundreds and thousands. And I understand the bigger the city the more layoffs. With all the layoffs I hear about, my understanding is people still are able to find other jobs. How is it in Coeur d Alene and surrounding areas?

I would like to bring my business up there, but would like to know what the locals think.

Any insight would be appreciated, thank you.

[Sage of Sagle]

What is your business? I suppose that would be a big factor. However, this area has not seen mass layoffs, but certainly companies not wanting to hire a lot of new folks and "getting by" with fewer employees, so unemployment is fairly high right now (7-8% I think).

[IdahoEagle]

There are not a lot of companies her that have a lot of employees, so there aren't a lot of "mass layoffs". There are a lot of folks that work in construction trades that are not near as busy as they used to be and some folks that get laid off during the winter are worried about work in the spring.

[pacalady]

I live in Post Falls .... the accounting firm I work for advertised for an administrative assistant a few months ago, and got nearly 200 resumes with a 2-day ad in the CdA Press newspaper. Most of the applicants were not qualified (no office experience).

If you have marketable skills, the jobs are here ...espcially if your skills can offer an employer long term-committment, proven skills, education etc.

There are also jobs in Spokane (about 20 minutes from PF to the Spokane Valley) in all walks of life ....technical, skilled, admin, secretarial, accounting, medical, etc.

I agree, that if you are wanting to bring a new business to the area, it would be helpful to us to know what kind of business (internet based???) to give you better insight!

We're happy to help ....

PacaLady

[kristines]

Currently we own a carpet, upholstery, tile and grout cleaning business. We have been in business for 2 1/2 years and strive on great customer service and plan to do the same up there.
We would like to start the same business out there but a franchise and we want to make sure that there is somewhat of demand for our business.
We have visited the area and would love to live there. We have been watching the weather daily for 2 years and hopefully we won't be too shocked.
I appreciate the information that has been given and look foward to more.
Thanks to you all!

[Dwatted Wabbit]

We've been in the area only 3 years so I'm hardly an expert.
BUT, I see houses and businesses are still going up like nobody's business. If I didn't have a newspaper or TV, I wouldn't know there was a slowdown.

[ejay]

lol come by my shop and stare at the walls with me. My buisness is dead right now!!! And the other cabinet shops and outlet's are either going under or cutting employees.

[Sage of Sagle]

Well, certainly there are some crazy slow-downs in certain market sectors...ejay, I imagine it's pretty ugly in yours...

[ejay]

I expected things to go south and saved a little money. If it keeps going like it is going I will be fine. If it get's worse I will find something else to do. I'll look at it as time for a new career lol..

[Sage of Sagle]

Are there others in your trade still getting work? Or has it just flatlined? In other words, some people I know that were real artisans didn't do much self-promotion and now they're hurting (like our tile guy who before was booked 3 months out), where people who were really good and active at business promotion have found ways to keep going. At least that's how it is around Sandpoint it seems...some folks, even in high end construction, are still pretty busy, but many/most are struggling quite a bit...