Jobs & Economy in Lewiston
Lewiston's economy runs on Idaho's only seaport, paper-products manufacturing, healthcare, and general manufacturing -- a genuinely more diversified employment base than several smaller, single-industry Idaho markets in this dataset.
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Learn moreThe Port of Lewiston: a real, singular economic anchor
Idaho's only seaport, the Port of Lewiston, annually handles approximately 24 million bushels of wheat for export alongside barley, garbanzos, lentils, cedar logs, and wood fiber, via the largest crane and warehouse facility on the inland river system -- a real, distinct economic driver unlike any other market in this project's Idaho build.
Clearwater Paper Corporation: a real, major local employer
Clearwater Paper Corporation, a major producer of paperboard and pulp headquartered in Spokane, WA, employs 1,370 workers at its Lewiston mill -- a real, significant, single-site local employer.
A genuinely diversified broader employment base
Beyond the port and Clearwater Paper, Lewiston's economy spans healthcare (St. Joseph Regional Medical Center), general manufacturing (including ammunition manufacturer ATK Inc.), accommodation and food services, education, and government -- a genuinely more diversified base than several smaller Idaho markets in this dataset.
A real, ongoing 50-year economic development legacy
The Port of Lewiston celebrated 50 years of economic development and job creation as of 2025 reporting -- a real, sustained, ongoing economic anchor for north central Idaho's labor market specifically.
Key takeaways
- The Port of Lewiston -- Idaho's only seaport -- is a real, singular economic anchor, handling roughly 24 million bushels of wheat annually.
- Clearwater Paper Corporation's 1,370-employee Lewiston mill is a real, major single-site local employer.
- Lewiston's broader economy (healthcare, ammunition manufacturing, education, government) runs genuinely more diversified than several smaller Idaho markets.
- The Port of Lewiston has driven 50 years of real, sustained economic development for north central Idaho.
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