Sep 29, 2008. /Lesprom.com/. The wood products manufacturing industry in north central Idaho has seen employment slip more than 10% since last year, as a lackluster economy and collapsing home construction industry forced layoffs, The Fort Mill Times reported. Kathryn Tacke, a regional economist with the Idaho Department of Labor in Coeur d'Alene, says 988 people are now working in the sector. That compares with more than 1,100 in 2007. The trend means there's less money flowing to other businesses in the community, as well. Wood products manufacturing jobs have some of the best wages in the region, paying on average $47,470 per year, not counting benefits. That compares to $29,560 annually for all other industries.