'A call to action' on growth

By BRIAN WALKER

Staff Writer

RATHDRUM — With more explosive growth destined for Rathdrum, the community is at a crossroads on how it will maintain its small-town feel.

That was a message delivered by Rathdrum Area Chamber of Commerce President Matt Smith during the nonprofit’s State of the Community Luncheon at Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church on Thursday, attended by nearly 100 people.

"This is a call to action," Smith said, referring to strong growth. "It’s going to get harder, but we have the ability to maintain and preserve what makes us great. Growth and perseverance are not mutually exclusive of each other.

"We’re not going to be able to stop (growth), so we need to direct it and be excited about what’s happening."

Smith introduced Kandi Johnson as the Chamber of Commerce’s new executive director.

Johnson, who started on Monday and greeted attendees at the luncheon, is a native North Idaho resident who owns the historic Rathdrum train depot. She is an experienced banker, a graduate of Leadership Coeur d’Alene in 2011 and was named Hayden’s Citizen of the Year in 2010. She has served with the chambers of commerce in Hayden and Coeur d’Alene.

Johnson is married to Boyd Johnson and has five grown children and four grandchildren.

Growth was a theme in all five presentations from the city, county, school district, Chamber of Commerce and housing industry.

The city of roughly 8,725 has grown by about 2,000 people, or 25 percent, since 2009.

"It’s a big number for us," Mayor Vic Holmes said.

County Commissioner Bob Bingham said the annual growth rate of 1.9 percent had been a healthy clip.

"As bad as it feels at times — we’ve all struggled to get through intersections — Kootenai County is in a comfortable range," he said.

The county’s population is estimated at 158,000.

"We will likely double every 25 years," he said of Rathdrum.

Bingham said he’s concerned about the widening gap between the population and assessment notices.

"There’s more people coming in, but it appears there’s less properties for them if they want to buy," he said. "We should be meeting supply and demand."

Rob Orth, who presented on behalf of the real estate industry, described a vicious circle that’s happening. It involves a low inventory of homes for sale, a combination of Generation Y and Baby Boomers wanting homes in the "sweet spot" $250,000 to $300,000 range, and existing homeowners unwilling to move due to their own limited inventory choices.

"It’s the perfect storm that’s driving prices up," Orth said.

Orth said new homes can’t be built fast enough and existing homes are gobbled up quickly.

"There may be five offers put in during the first week," he said. "Get out and look, pray fast and put in an offer..."

Teresa Metz, manager for the Rathdrum branch of Academy Mortgage, said mortgage rates are expected to rise this year, "but hopefully not too bad."

"Interest rates will only have a small impact on the housing market," she said. "The housing market is strong due to the low inventory and huge demand."

Becky Meyer, Lakeland Joint School District superintendent, touted the district’s high academic achievements.

"We’ve outperformed the state in all ISAT (Idaho Standard Achievement Test) measures," she said, adding that the district also leads the pack with dual credits and graduation rates.

"We do not give up (on students)," she said.

Meyer said the district has a 97 percent satisfaction rate among parents.

"What they really like is individual staff working with your students," she said.

Meyer said staff is being trained on suicide awareness and active-shooter situations.

"Unfortunately, we do have to prepare as school districts these days," she said.

Meyer said the school board on Feb. 23 will hold a workshop on the state of the facilities in the district. The district also hopes to create a school-resource officer position in Rathdrum and vicinity if funding can be secured.

Smith said the Chamber of Commerce has gone from the red to the black with finances over the past year. A new membership structure will be in place for 2018, and focusing on events that are profitable has been a priority.

"We also started a savings account, which allows us to adapt when plans fail or life happens," he said. "It also helps us look ahead."