Wow.  This is awesome for our community!  The Coeur d'Alene Tribe is close to signing a military contract worth approximately $300 million to $500 million over the next five years.  Doing what?  Manufacturing giant fuel storage units for the U.S. Army.

"The military contract is expected to initially create between 50 and 70 new jobs at Berg's manufacturing plant, with many more jobs likely in the near future. The starting wage is expected to be $15 an hour, which could have an impact on other manufacturing wages in North Idaho.

"It's going to raise the whole water level in the pool," Stuck said. "Wages should go up."

Steve Griffitts, president of Jobs Plus, said the large government contract will have a ripple effect throughout the region.

"This is a huge injection for our economy," Griffitts said Thursday. "It will create greater job opportunities in our region. This will benefit the tribe for generations to come.""

This is a great opportunity and will definitely have a solid, positive, economic impact on North Idaho.