LOOKING AHEAD Excitement on Rathdrum's horizon
RATHDRUM — From its modest beginnings in 1861, Rathdrum has grown into a city of over 10,000 residents. It's seen strong growth like most of North Idaho this past year.
Mayor Vic Holmes has been part of local leadership for the past 18 years and is excited about the city’s growth.
“These things are always boom and bust,” Holmes said. “But we have a lot of fun things we’re looking forward to.”
Holmes is pleased to welcome Kootenai Electric Cooperative, which will build a new campus on Greensferry Road. Staff will be relocated from its location on Dakota Avenue in Hayden.
Groundbreaking for the building is scheduled for April.
Two large corporations are considering locating in Rathdrum, City Administrator Leon Duce said.
“We are constantly working with new businesses to encourage them. It offers new job opportunities to the community,” Duce said.
Holmes said the growth pattern is beginning to level off. As the nationwide housing market settles down, the local population boom should as well.
The Highway 41 project is scheduled for completion this spring. The rebuild of Highway 53 may begin sooner than expected, Holmes said.
Work on Highway 53 and Meyer Road could be completed this year too, the mayor said. This summer, the Boekel Road and Meyer Road intersection will get a roundabout installed, improving traffic flow through the area.
Traffic lights are planned at Highway 53 and Meyer Road, but apparently there's a worldwide shortage on street poles, so as soon as supply has increased, they will be delivered, Holmes said.
“They should be up this spring,” he said.
Rathdrum City Council will welcome two new representatives. Neil Oliver will replace outgoing Councilman Darrell Rickard, and John Hodgkins will take over seat 3 for outgoing Councilwoman Paula Laws, who has resigned.
“It’s always hard to lose experienced people, but I’m looking forward to the challenge and it will be exciting,” Holmes said.
The council will function as a whole come Jan. 12, when they are sworn in.
Rathdrum’s commitment to higher education falls in line with the city’s long-term plan, Holmes said. Local leaders “fought hard” for the Kootenai Technical Education Campus and the North Idaho College Parker Technical Education Center, both located on Lancaster Road.
Expecting continued student success in the upcoming year, the city hopes an increased number of graduates will find quality employment within the city, rather than leaving the area, Holmes said.
Rathdrum City Council also encourages younger students to participate in local government. A project initiated last fall by Councilmen Rickard and Steven Adams invited middle and high school students to submit civic project ideas. On Jan. 26, those will be presented before the City Council and winners will be chosen.
“If we give ownership of the city to the youth, and get them involved, they stay involved,” Holmes said.
Local leaders are optimistic about the changes coming in the year ahead.
“Every year is a little different from the year before. Which is great. It’s exciting,” Duce said. “There are a lot of positive things to look forward to.”
