It is no secret why Utah has been one of the fastest-growing states. It is uniquely beautiful, built on a foundation of enduring values. People raised here want to live here, and, once they discover our breathtaking mountains and landscapes, everyone else does, too. I once heard the only way for Utah to avoid growth is for it to no longer be a desirable destination.
Can we just say “NO” to growth? Done poorly, growth congests roads, increases crime and drives housing costs out of control. There is a better way. Utah can both grow and maintain our quality of life. But we need to go back to the fundamentals of high-quality growth, and that begins with future infrastructure — transportation, transit, energy and water.
Utah knows how to focus on the fundamentals. The 2002 Winter Olympic Games brought a world of opportunity, but preparation brought significant challenges. About ten years before the games, Utah’s leaders knew the state had outgrown its transportation systems and faced traffic mirroring America’s most congested cities. Governor Michael Leavitt and many key state decision makers made bold plans and investments to prepare for the Olympics. Together, they planned for and reconstructed Salt Lake’s I-15 corridor in less than five years. They established a design-build method and funding that revolutionized Utah’s highway construction.
Now, with the 2034 Winter Olympic Games ten years out, Utah faces similar challenges. We have outgrown systems for transportation and transit, and soon water and energy as well. “No growth” is not an option. There are many great minds and capable people tackling this front. I applaud communities who use the tools of “Wasatch Choice Vision” and hope Envision Utah’s state-funded project on growth constraints unveils real solutions and unlocks meaningful resources for better growth. Additionally, Governor Spencer Cox’s budget recommendations support needed energy production over the next decade.
But being well-informed is only the first step. It’s time for decisions — bold, courageous decisions that move the Utah we love into the economy of the future. Those decisions must be grounded in the fundamentals of infrastructure planning and funding. State leaders, local officials, business and industry and our greater community must all come together now behind a bold vision, and then embrace the bold decisions that must follow. Time is up. The future is now.
Jeremy Hafen, CEO and president of Clyde Companies
Orem