huge part. Our sheriff’s department is doing a great job, but we’ll need more capacity at our jail just as we continue to bring in more people,” Nair notes. Transportation infrastructure dominates the Olympic preparation timeline. The Utah Legislature is developing special financing districts specifically for 2034 Games infrastructure, using tax increment financing over 25 to 40 years. Major projects include Interstate 80 improvements at Kimball Junction and Interstate 84 redesign near Mountain Green for Snowbasin access. For Santaquin, growth management requires balancing rural character with urban services. Mayor Olson’s priorities include hotel development and Main Street improvements that accommodate residents and Olympic visitors. “We’re working extremely hard. We’re inviting and working with new hotels that are looking to come into Santaquin. We’ve revitalized all Main Street, turning it into a five-lane road,” he explains. The state has committed significant resources to southern Utah County development. “We were just awarded a new station so that we could update the interstate from Payson to Juab County with three lanes, which is a transportation necessity that we have down here before the growth gets anymore, as well as a new interchange,” Mayor Olson adds. Economic development continues despite growth Mayor Mike Mendenhall Mayor Daniel Olson 289 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 09 UTAH COUNTY, UT
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTI5MjAx