REBURG - The city of Rexburg has seen explosive growth over the last decade coinciding with the growth of Brigham Young University-Idaho. Keeping up with a 50 percent population increase is a challenge. But now, the city has a new Economic Development Director to tackle the cities growing pains.

"We understand that people are concerned with the growth of Rexburg. I believe that we can grow Rexburg, and do it appropriately," said Scott Johnson, Economic Development Director with the City of Rexburg.

Scott Johnson has only been in his job since Monday, but he's already identified Rexburg's top 3 growing pains.

"Infrastructure, some roads... Parking has always been one of those big issues... Jobs, to be honest with you, that's probably the number one thing we need to look at," said Johnson.

That's because Johnson, a business man by trade, knows that more local jobs will increase the city's tax base.

"We need to be able to bring in new businesses and be able to create a better tax base to take care of those issues," said Johnson.

The city introduced parking passes last fall, which has eased some of the parking concerns.

Rexburg plans to use sidewalks that stretch into the roads, that way it slows down traffic because the road narrows and allows people to get in and out of parking easier.

"Is there strain on the sewer system, is there a need for new development, or strain on other infrastructures?" I asked.

"Actually the sewer system is in great shape, with room to grow... On the roads, obviously with growth there comes great demands on infrastructure, especially roads. As the student population increases, so does the population of the city, it's just natural that that happens. The students do put some wear and tear on some of the infrastructure," said Johnson.

Johnson also recognized that there's a great need for new apartment complexes and says that the city has been in touch with developers constantly to meet those increasing demands.