Utah Valley has more than you know.

• Author: Birkedahl, Pat
• Position: What attracts businesses to Utah County, Utah

Utah Valley Has More Than You Know

Diversity may not be the first word that comes to mind when describing Utah County, with a population 95 percent white and nearly that percentage Mormon. But diversity is just what is attracting businesses to Utah County, together with a laid-back atmosphere, auspicious business opportunities, and an ample choice of life styles. The business atmosphere is "the |most valuable player' in the county," Utah County Commissioner Gary Herbert said. The infrastructure, work force, cost of doing business, and quality of life all combine to make a very attractive package for businesses looking for a home.

"Tell me where you can have a better place to live and have a business than in Utah County," Herbert said. "Yesteryear we were seen as a backwoodsy place, but we're becoming much more sophisticated. People out of state are just now discovering we are a diamond in the rough."

Located in the heart of the Intermountain West, Utah County is only a night delivery away from the Los Angeles market by truck or rail. The Salt Lake International Airport is less than an hour from many of the county's communities. Utility systems have been built with growth in mind. Even water, a rare commodity in the arid west, is adequate for projected growth rates. The Utah Valley Economic Development Association touts Utah Valley's utility rates as lower than many U.S. cities.

The Smallest and the Richest

Utah County has 21 incorporated towns and cities, most an easy commute to Interstate 15. The most recent town to incorporate is also the smallest. Vineyard, with 151 people, is dwarfed by its industrial tax base - Geneva Steel, the only U.S. integrated steel mill west of the Mississippi River. Vineyard is likely among the richest little towns in the state. Provo, settled by Mormon pioneers, is the largest city in the county, with 87,000 people and home to Brigham Young University. Orem is next door, with 68,000 people and Utah Valley Community College.

Most of the cities and towns were settled by Mormon pioneers. Names like American Fork, Spanish Fork, and Springville demonstrate the pioneers' choice to settle by water. Goshen's namesake is under historical debate, some saying it is Biblical and others attributing the name to the Goshute Indians who lived in the area.

One exception is Cedar Fort, which had its heyday in the 19th century when federal troops were sent to Utah to put down a non-existent Mormon rebellion. The 1990 census counted 284 people living there. Other communities - Highland, Cedar Hills, Elk Ridge, and Woodland Hills - were established as bedroom communities during the 1970s. The Wasatch Mountains form the eastern border of Utah Valley. Mount Timpanogos, at about 12,000 feet, is the highest, towering above the valley floor, which averages 4,500 feet above sea level.

Culture and Heritage

The beauty of the natural setting and the recreational opportunities provided by the mountains, lakes, and rivers are rare so close to a metropolitan area. Outdoor recreation opportunities are hard to beat, with winter or summer sports only minutes away.

The county is also rich in cultural events. Besides the diverse, if not international, cultural environment provided by Brigham Young University, Utah County has it all from rodeos to world folk-fest events, from blue-grass music to...