b'E C O N O M YKootenai County has experienced exceptionally strong population growth since the 1970s. From 2010 to 2017, its population grew 13.8 percent, while Idahos population grew 9.5 percent and the U.S. population grew 5.5 percent. The countys spectacular scenery, outdoor recreational opportunities, proximity to urban amenities and high quality of life continue to draw new residents. Strong population growth shapes many aspects of its economy.8During the last 25 years, the local economy grew at an astounding rate on a diversifying manufacturing base, expanded tourism and new call centers and other business services. Tourism and population growth fueled the construction boom and boosted retail, health care, services, and government jobs. The opening of the Coeur dAlene Resort in 1987 spurred tourism. The Silverwood theme park opened in 1988 and has continued to grow every year, hitting record levels in 2015. In 1994, the Coeur dAlene Tribe opened a casino in Worley. Today, the golf course, hotel, and recently expanded casino employ nearly 1,580 people. Also promoting economic diversication and growth during the last decade was the relocation of many manufacturing operations and four call centers to Kootenai County. As of 2019, over 4,700 people worked in the countys manufacturing businesses while over 1,400 people worked at call centers. Kootenai Countys low business costs, good business climate and quality of life has attracted many new employers. In 2005, Buck Knives opened a manufacturing plant that employs approximately 300, and US Bank opened a customer service center that employs nearly 600. Biotech lab ALK Abello and manufacturers Berg Industries and Burly Products moved from Spokane County to Kootenai County.AgricultureTotal and Per Farm Overview, 2017 and change since 20122017 % change since 2012Number of farms 1,073 +30Land in farms (acres) 139,705 +12Average size of farm (acres) 130 -14Percent of county land in farms 16.6%FIGURE 7. Kootenai County Total Farm Overview 92017 Market Value of Agricultural Products SoldCounties Sales ($1,000) Rank in State Producing ItemTotal21,522 37 44Crops17,427 33 44Grains, oilseeds, dry beans, dry peas3,986 36 42Tobacco=- - -Cotton and cottonseed=- - -Vegetables, melons, potatoes, sweet potatoes557 24 41Fruits, tree nuts, berries222 7 37Nursery, greenhouse, \x1boriculture, sod2,961 10 43Cultivated Christmas trees, short rotation woody crops47 2 14KOOTENAI County 461'