Quote:
Originally Posted by IFguy
Due to Ricks College being converted to the 4 year BYU-I and the temple being built, Rexburg is truly "growing up". The population gains up there are really crazy, be it from college students coming to the school alot of them are staying and getting married. The BYU I campus is still expanding so there will be a bigger need for student housing. With all the new students from around the country there is a need for more restaurants, hotels and motels, and retail outlets, with the lodging being for the parents coming to visit.
The article I read is basically comparing the growth that Rexburg is going through now, to the same growth rate that Provo experienced. Basically BYUI could become as big of a school as BYU in Provo. Studies have been done that expect the growth to be close to 10% a year and that in the year 2014 the population of the city will have doubled. That would put the city somewhere between 34-42,000 residents, depended on who's head count you use. Rexburg is already claiming the population is near 30,000. Quite a jump from the 17,000 just 8 years ago.
You may also want to take into account all the growth going on in the Teton Valley. Cities such as Driggs, Victor, and Tetonia are growing rapidly and it would be alot easier for them to drive to Rexburg than Idaho Falls for their shopping and dining needs so I also expect that to play into Rexburg's retail growth.
As for the developments in and around Rexburg I will try to get some more in depth plans and possibly and article or two to link to.
My best guess, give it maybe 15 years until we have the Rexburg Metropolitan Area which will encompass the Upper Valley and include Teton county and Fremont county.
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First, Boiseguy, I think this is a great idea. I would sure like to know more about Moscow, Lewiston and even areas in the most northern ID.
Wrendog, I read the same info IF Guy did (or at least comparable). The developers are 2 brothers who are life long Rexburg residents and want to give back to the area.
There are dynamics of Rexburg that are similar to BYU-U, but IMHO, Rexburg will cap at a certain level. There are many programs BYU-I doesn't have available only in BYU-U.
Additionally, let's not forget Provo wouldn't be Provo without SLC.
Don't take that wrong, just think back to the 80s or 90s. How much did Provo rely on SLC. Sheez, it wasn't too long again UVRMC still transported many patients to LDS Hospital etc. So everything has to be put into perspective.
Rexburg can't continue to develop without Idaho Falls. For example, just think airports. Provo still can't get a commuter airline, although I've read some of those discussions. Rexburg won't develop a a commercial development. Plus, look at the $ in UT COUNTY. Rexburg is far from that currently.
Plus, the fact BYU-I eliminated sports both strengths academics, but limits some of the growth Provo has seen from the NCAA sports programs.
What BYU-I does, IMHO, is does allow more workers to remain in eastern ID if they wish to do so. Plus, honestly, I think the quality of education is better than ISU, as ISU currently exists. I'd encourage anyone who could (if they lived in eastern ID and could go to either institution) to go to BYU-I for their degree.
And BYU-I will keep certain contractors busy with additions, new buildings etc.!
Despite the limitations I see at the Rexburg campus, I honestly expect with time BYU-I will partner more with certain businesses/institusion etc. in Idaho Falls to create NEW degrees that the Rexburg location simply isn't large enough to allow. I know that sounds cryptic - sorry. Just not ready to share my thoughts about all of that yet.
Just my
.