'Building for the Future'

COEUR d’ALENE — North Idaho has many challenges, said Gynii Abracosa Gilliam, president and CEO of the Coeur d’Alene Area Economic Development Corp., and it’s easy to get lost in trying to solve them.

“I know that keeps me up at night,” she said Wednesday.

But Gilliam reminds herself that the problems that come with growth, such as shortage of affordable housing, lack of workers and too much traffic, are better than the alternatives: too many houses and apartments, vacant offices and storefronts and empty streets.

Those are “events that are happening across many towns in the U.S.,” Gilliam said to about 350 people who attended the annual meeting of CdAEDC, better known as Jobs Plus, at The Coeur d’Alene Resort.

“So some quick reminders. We do have a strong economy, an outstanding educational system," Gilliam said. "And we do excel in planning for the future. And as I've said before, big challenges give us transformational opportunities.”

CdAEDC is the economic development organization for Kootenai County. It aims to take care of existing businesses, attract new ones and create jobs.

About 25% of its projects are local expansions, entrepreneurial activities or partner assistance.

"During the height of the pandemic, it was nearly our sole focus," according to a CdAEDC brochure, "Building for the Future."

For business attraction, the focus is on supporting community strengths and existing businesses. It's also important to bring in technology companies, expand health services and develop a bio-medical industry, the brochure said.

Gilliam said CdAEDC and its partners are addressing many key challenges, such as 2,700 unfilled positions in Kootenai County.

“Kootenai Health, we feel your pain,” she said, in reference to some 600 openings at the hospital. “And we know it affects all of us if you can't find nurses in the area.”

Gilliam said North Idaho’s diversified economy helped it weather the COVID-19 pandemic and the current recession-like conditions, and it will continue to keep the community stable.

While growth isn't popular right now, she said it means job opportunities, higher wages and even better health care.

“We've been in the national news several times because we are growing and that is a good thing. But yes, growth definitely presents some challenges for us," she said.

Gilliam said they have received grants to hire staff members to help in several areas, including finding ways to bolster the labor force and create workforce housing.

“So here's the bad part. Like all of you, I can't find people right now. So we're working on that as soon as we have it, we should be able to get these programs going."

She said they have partnered with the Panhandle Affordable Housing Alliance Commission.

According to a University of Idaho study, Kootenai County is short about 2,400 workforce units, which Gilliam said is equivalent to one and a half years of construction.

"So if we don't continue to build, we're going to get further behind on housing people that are already here," she said. "So I know this particular subject is more complicated than how I'm making it sound, but not building is not an answer."

Gilliam encouraged those in the room to do their best to provide "inspiration and encouragement.

"You're all already part of the solution because I know all of you are trying to make this community, our home, a better place for everyone," she said.