The Coeur dAlene Casino Resort Hotel, near Worley, Idaho, says its now hiring 80 additional employees to keep up with growth, increasing its payroll by $4 million this year.


The casino says it now will pay $8.50 an hour for entry-level positions, up from $6.50 an hour. Additionally, the tribe provides shuttle service to and from work for employees in the Coeur dAlene-Post Falls and Spokane area.


The pay increase will help the casino compete for employees in a tight labor market, says Idaho Department of Labor economist Kathryn Tacke. Tacke cites Washington states minimum wage of $7.93 an hour and low unemployment rates in North Idaho as contributing factors in the markets competitiveness.


About 60 of the new employees will be dealers for 10 new gaming machines featuring video versions of blackjack and poker supplied by DigiDeal Corp., of Spokane Valley, says Bob Bostwick, spokesman for the casino. He says 20 or so more new hires will work in various other departments, including some in executive positions.


Bostwick says he hopes that the new games, which currently are awaiting final certification, will be starting up within the next few weeks.


Were poised and trained and ready to go, Bostwick says.


The casino is in the process of adding 500 new or upgraded gaming machines to its 100,000-square-foot gaming area, and is finalizing plans for improved employee facilities, including locker rooms with showers and additional office space. Bostwick says he expects the casino to begin work on those improvements later this fall.


A contractor hasnt been selected yet, he says.


The tribal complex, which includes the casino, a hotel, and Circling Raven golf course, will employ a total of about 960 people once the new employees are on board.


The tribe also employs another 500 people at its other enterprises and offices, including its corporate headquarters, farm, retail and manufacturing businesses, medical clinic and wellness center, and school in Benewah County. Last year, Bostwick says, the casino had profits of around $34 million.


Bostwick says he anticipates that, with continued growth, the tribe will be the largest employer in North Idaho by the middle of next year.


Baker Construction & Development Inc., of Spokane, is building a new two-story building next to the casinos 30,000-square-foot events center to house the casinos purchasing department, Bostwick says. Though he did not disclose the cost of the project, the buildings main floor will have about 3,500 square feet of space, with additional office space on the second floor, Bostwick says.


Contact Jeanne Gustafson at (509) 344-1264 or via e-mail at jeanneg@spokanejournal.com.