Coeur d’Alene Chamber’s Feb. 17 Economic Forecast to Address Workforce, Markets

Business leaders, employers and investors will gather at The Coeur d'Alene Resort on Feb. 17 for the Coeur d’Alene Regional Chamber’s 2026 Economic Forecast, an annual, data-driven review of conditions shaping North Idaho’s economy. The event aims to give local firms and civic leaders context for hiring, investment and planning decisions amid ongoing uncertainty in capital markets and labor supply.

The forecast panel brings together Steve Scranton, chief economist at Washington Trust Bank, with returning panelists Dr. John Mitchell and Sam Wolkenhauer. The panel will examine national and regional trends, workforce and employment data, and capital market developments that directly affect businesses planning for growth. Linda Coppess, chamber president and CEO, said, "Our goal is always to provide the most complete and actionable economic picture possible."

Attendance will offer Kootenai County employers concrete takeaways on labor availability, recruitment pressures and the timing of capital investment decisions. For companies weighing expansion, the forecast’s focus on employment statistics and market signals could inform hiring timelines and access to financing. For job seekers and workforce partners, the discussion will spotlight the kinds of skills and occupations that regional employers are monitoring.

The chamber positions the event as a bridge between raw economic data and local decision-making. Panelists will translate indicators such as employment trends and capital market conditions into practical implications - for example, whether tighter conditions in credit markets are likely to raise borrowing costs for new projects or whether shifts in regional employment rates are changing wage competition in sectors that matter to Kootenai County, including retail, healthcare and tourism-related services.

The Coeur d’Alene Regional Chamber organizes the annual forecast to convene stakeholders across the public and private sectors. Registration and event details are available via the Coeur d’Alene Regional Chamber. Local government officials, business owners and investors often use the forum to calibrate budgets, workforce programs and capital plans ahead of the spring and summer business seasons.

For residents and business leaders in Kootenai County, the Feb. 17 forecast will clarify near-term risks and opportunities as 2026 unfolds. Attending or reviewing the chamber’s economic findings can help local employers set hiring targets, refine capital plans and align training programs to the labor needs that Steve Scranton, Dr. John Mitchell and Sam Wolkenhauer will outline at the Resort.