Businesses moving to Rexburg

The economy in eastern Idaho has looked sluggish for months, but one town seems to be bouncing out of the recession a little faster than the rest.

Employment prospects in Rexburg are looking hopeful this fall, with a new business coming to town this month that brings with it dozens of new jobs.

AvantGuard is an alarm monitoring company servicing everything from businesses to residential homes.

They currently have bases in Ogden, Utah and Tacoma, Wash., but they’ve expanded to Rexburg, saying it’s a prime location for business.

“We’ve already hired six people who speak Spanish,” said general manager Ben LeGrow.

Within a few weeks of opening, they hired 14 people.

Due to federal privacy laws Local News 8 couldn’t show responders in action Tuesday, but LeGrow said there is plenty of room to expand and he’s looking to hire at least 16 more people this year.

“We’re going to be a 24/7 monitoring station, so we’re staffing to fill those hours,” said LeGrow.

Just down stairs from AvantGuard in the City Hall building, Rexburg’s director of economic development Scott Johnson said this isn’t the only exciting business prospect in the pipeline.

“Recently we’ve had a number of them. There is one in particular that’s come and that’s very interested as well. We’ve been meeting with them. We met with them last week,” said Johnson.

It’s not nailed down yet, but if it works out, Johnson said the new business will bring around 200 jobs.

“Sometimes it’s Idaho Falls, Pocatello or just Rexburg. I think as a region we’re seeing some very good things happening and we’re excited about that,” said Johnson.

LeGrow said AvantGuard signed an 18-month lease to stay in the city hall building, although they may relocate in the future. They will stay in the city of Rexburg.

Johnson said part of the draw to Rexburg is the energy of a young, well-educated population.