Temple adds to Rexburg's economic boom

"It's working out beautifully" as students gain first-hand experience, help local businesses and are then equipped with the tools to start their own companies, he said.

Outlying Sugar City has just developed a 23-lot business park with Boyle's help, and leaders are looking to develop enough local business to attract BYU-Idaho graduates, many of whom like the area enough to stay if the job prospects are bright, he said.

Tourism has also become more of a factor within Rexburg's economy, said Mayor Shawn Larsen.

More than 200,000 people attended the temple's public open house during its monthlong run in January. "The area went from being an empty field to beautiful landmark for our community."

He said there have been no complaints from residents about the temple itself, but he has heard about traffic congestion on the corner of that block at the intersection of 7th South and 2nd East, with many requests for a traffic light there.

In 2007, the city had 11 subdivisions platted with 371 lots — half of them in the area of the temple — and others are still in the initial phases of development.

Larsen said there is no doubt the four-year university and the temple have both generated economic development here, but the city's biggest challenge now is the fact that approximately half of the taxable value of the community is tax-exempt, being owned by the LDS Church.

"It's a challenge to provide infrastructure for growing and developing community. But we also recognize the benefit that comes from this temple and BYU-Idaho. The community would be much different if we didn't have church investments here."

To help overcome the lack of revenue, in recent years the city has put impact fees in place for new development that goes to fund emergency services, parks and streets, "so that addresses the problem somewhat."

Such challenges are preferable to many others, he said, noting that as a Rexburg native, he left the area for several years in the East before deciding to return with his wife so they could raise their family in what residents call "America's Family Community."

"We have a lot to offer here — a growing and thriving but a very safe community," with an educated work force and a comparatively low tax rate. There are great recreational opportunities in southeastern Idaho, but we've managed to retain that small-town feel."

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