The traditional base of Coeur d’Alene’s economy was the natural resources sector. Surrounding forests provide timber for mills to convert to boards and plywood. The Silver Valley to the east was at one time the richest mining district in the world. These industries provided high-paying jobs, but they also were subject to cyclical economic downturns. While these enterprises continue today, Coeur d’Alene’s economic base has expanded to include many new industries.
In 2010, tourism employment peaked at 7,800.
Businesses in Kootenai County began developing a variety of manufacturers in the late 1980s. Kimball Office, the largest manufacturing firm in the county, moved there in 1994. It provides employment for more than 300 people. In 2005, Buck Knives moved its plant and headquarters from the San Diego area to Post Falls, where it now employs more than 200 people. Today, Kootenai County is home to 270 manufacturing businesses with 4,500 employees and a payroll exceeding $170 million.
Advances in telecommunications operations have also attracted large customer service centers to the area including three Verizon Communications order processing centers, two Center Partners call centers providing customer service for telecommunications companies, and a Coldwater Creek center taking catalog orders. U.S. Bank opened the county’s newest customer service center serving credit card customers in Coeur d’Alene in the spring of 2005. Currently, customer service centers in Kootenai County employ about 2,200 people.
The continual creation of new jobs by a growing variety of businesses strengthens, diversifies, and stabilizes the economic base. To serve potential manufacturers or commercial businesses, the area has more than 12 industrial parks.
Additionally, we highly recommend you visit Kootenai County Indicators; a website compiled by Eastern Washington University. This website provides more than 130 indicators across the county in various community sectors, including demographics, education, public saftey, and economic vitality.