2025 State of the City Address
State of the City Address | Presented by Council Member, Robert Chambers
January 2025
I’m excited to share the progress and developments our city has experienced over the past year, as well as what lies ahead.
Rexburg is thriving. According to the U.S. Census, our population is steady at 40,000 persons, though internal projects suggest we may be closer to 45,000 residents. Our population has exploded since the advent of BYU-Idaho. Our unique demographic profile reflects the significant influence of the University. With a median age of 21, compared to Idaho’s state median age of 37.8, Rexburg continues to be a vibrant and youthful community.
What does it take to maintain our City? Currently, Rexburg maintains 83 miles of public streets, supplies 2.4 billion gallons of good tasting water annually, and handles 24 million pounds of trash each month. To put that into perspective, 24 million pounds equals: 36 fully loaded Boeing 747 airplanes, 12 cargo ships or aircraft carriers, 12 giant sequoia trees, 108 blue whales, or 1,800 African elephants!
Rexburg scored some substantial wins this past year.
The City secured over $8.5 million in grant funding in 2024. This funding supports various essential services and projects related to arts, parks, trails, roads, and wastewater infrastructure.
In 2024, we saw a noticeable increase in permits for duplexes, townhomes, and twin homes, alongside a decline in apartment building permits. This demonstrates how many people see Rexburg as a place to live permanently. In the past, Rexburg was made up mostly of farmers and students at a Jr. College. Now, we regularly see students stay and people move to Rexburg. We’ve seen more companies and entrepreneurs come to Rexburg than ever before, providing jobs for our citizens.
Approximately one-third of our workforce is employed in the educational services, health care, and social assistance sectors. These industries form the backbone of our local economy and contribute to our city's resilience and growth. It also demonstrates our community values and how we prioritize education for children and adults. Our focus on health care and social assistance reflects how we care for and value each other. Everyone has a place in America’s Family Community. A major contributor to our growth – Rexburg is the 10th Safest City in America. It is because of each of you, and with the support of our police, fire, and city administration that we achieve this high quality of life. People often comment on how clean and beautiful our city is and how they feel safe and welcome here. This doesn’t just happen. It is the result of much effort from many people. I would like to express a special thanks to all of our city team who work hard every day, dedicated to making Rexburg a “great place’ for all of us to live, work, and play!
This year marked our third consecutive year of robust commercial development. Our downtown redevelopment project—which includes mixed-use parking garages, retail spaces, office spaces, and housing units—is about to enter the design stage. This project promises to reinvigorate our downtown area and enhance its appeal.
On the horizon, I’m pleased to announce that WinCo Foods has submitted plans for a new store and cross-dock facility at the north end of town. This is just following the opening of Hobby Lobby and Chipotle. In the next few years as our population grows, we will see a large increase in retail – something that residents request frequently.
A major milestone was achieved with the completion of the City’s fiber optic ring, which was built in partnership with Silver Star Communications. Initiated in 2021 and completed in late 2023, this network interconnects key city assets such as our freshwater wells, wastewater lift stations, and traffic signals. In 2024, we expanded this initiative by partnering with Silver Star to bring fiber to every home within city limits. This open-access network, known as “Lightbridge”, operates much like an airport. While the municipality owns the infrastructure, service providers deliver the internet. Residents can easily switch providers without long-term contracts, ensuring flexibility and competitive options.
Silver Star’s efforts have been remarkable. In 2024 alone, they installed over 143,000 feet of fiber, reaching 1,560 locations, including 1,200 single-family homes. By the end of the year, 600 homes were connected to one of the four providers on the Lightbridge network. In 2025, Silver Star plans to extend fiber to all remaining homes in the city. Businesses can also connect, with eight currently on the network. While the project has caused temporary disruptions, including blocked driveways and broken sprinkler pipes, the long-term benefits of a fully connected city far outweigh these inconveniences.
Finally, I want to touch on an important heritage project. In 2024, the City invested nearly $1 million to address the deteriorating exterior of our historic Tabernacle. This included some replacing, cleaning, and repointing the stonework. However, much work remains. An additional $3-4 million is needed to restore the building’s interior, including HVAC systems, lighting, sound, ADA accessibility, and furnishings. This beloved structure serves as a venue for orchestras, youth symphonies, choirs, and community gatherings. As we look to 2025, I encourage everyone to join us in preserving this historic gem, ensuring it continues to enrich our community for generations to come.
Thank you for your support of Rexburg’s progress. Together, we are building a brighter future for our city.
