Bonners Ferry’s Main Street revitalization efforts gained momentum through 2022 as local businesses, the city council, and community volunteers invested in downtown improvements in Idaho’s northernmost county seat.

Boundary County, bordering both Canada and Montana, has a smaller population base than Kootenai or Bonner counties but has seen its own version of the growth that has reshaped the region. New residents drawn by affordable housing and the rural character of the area have provided a modest economic boost.

The downtown improvement projects included facade renovations, streetscaping, and efforts to attract new retail and food service businesses to fill vacant storefronts. A farmers market established in previous years continued to grow as a community gathering point.

Boundary County’s economy remains tied to timber, agriculture, and small-scale tourism. The county has resisted the rapid development seen in Kootenai County, with many residents viewing the slower pace of growth as a feature rather than a problem.