RATHDRUM — It’s no secret that Rathdrum is growing — and quickly.

More than 13,000 people now live within the city's borders, Jerry Tretwold, president of the Rathdrum Area Chamber of Commerce, said Thursday at the Chamber’s annual State of the Community Luncheon. 

His optimism about Rathdrum’s future was evident as he addressed around 100 attendees at the Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church.  

“We want to see this town grow, and to make sure this community has everything we need,” Tretwold said.  

Mayor Mike Hill built on that sentiment as he touted progress on Rathdrum’s new City Hall, a $15 million facility on Lancaster Road expected to be finished by the summer of 2027.  

The new complex will house not only City Hall but also the Rathdrum Police Department and Parks and Recreation. Hill said he is looking forward to the unity and efficiency that the new facility will bring.  

“It’s really exciting to have the opportunity to move into a space that is meant to be futureproof,” he said. “This new property is something that will be here for many decades to come.” 

He said that despite rapid growth, property taxes in Rathdrum have risen by less than 1% on average since 2010. 

“It’s pretty remarkable considering how much costs have gone up,” Hill said. 

As Rathdrum and North Idaho continue to grow, infrastructure needs are rapidly evolving — a shift that, according to Robert Beachler of the Idaho Transportation Department, has led to “historic investment in transportation.” 

Projects with more direct ties to the Rathdrum area include the Rathdrum Prairie Area Transportation Study, improvements to Highway 53 and Pleasant View interchange, and improvements on Highway 53 from the Washington state line to Hauser. Steady progress continues on the Interstate 90 and Highway 41 Interchange project.

A mobility study for the corridor between Rathdrum and Spirit Lake is underway as well.

“Each of these projects is designed for the future,” Beachler said.  

From the perspective of Lakeland Joint School District 272 Superintendent Rusty Taylor, Rathdrum’s future lies in the youth.  

“We want our students to graduate and become positive contributors to society and our community,” Taylor said. 

He thanked voters for supporting the district’s supplemental levy. These funds, he emphasized, support not only quality classroom education but also the “moments that matter” outside the classroom.  

Sixty-seven percent of students in the district participate in extracurricular activities.

“(These experiences) are necessary to create a well-rounded child,” Taylor said.  

Looking ahead, Taylor said the district is considering improvements to several facilities and exploring the feasibility of a four-day school week. 

Those potential changes reflect the district’s continued commitment to long-term community strength, he said.

“Together, strong schools build strong communities,” Taylor said.  

    Robert Beachler of the Idaho Transportation Department presents during Thursday's State of the Community Luncheon in Rathdrum.
  

    Taylor