It has been a while since I have submitted an article for the Mayors of Utah Valley column. I will do better in the future and am grateful for this opportunity.

There have been many exciting things and have happened since my last article. Here are a few of them and some of what will happen in the not-too-distant future.

• Dutch Brothers has recently opened and participated in a Payson/Santaquin Chamber of Commerce ribbon cutting ceremony.
• The Sherwin-Williams retail store will soon be open. It is located just west of the Dutch Brothers location on 800 South.
• The new Popeyes building is nearing completion with potential plans to open sometime in November or early December. It is also located on 800 South.
• Big O Tires has opened a new store to the east of our Wal-Mart store on Turf Farm Road.
• America First Credit Union is building a new office. It is located in the same shopping location as Big O. It will replace their current location on SR 198 near 800 South.
• Sip “N” Spot has opened a new store. It is in the same area as Big O and America First. It will replace their store on SR 198 near Payson High School due to the future construction of the new Payson High School.
• The new 13½ acer Payson campus of M-TECH has been funded by the State Legislature. Construction will start in either April or May of 2023. M-TECH has supplied the city with enough banners to be displayed from Turf Farm Rd on 800 South to the intersection of SR 198.
• Anticipating the future construction of the 38.9-acre satellite campus of Utah Valley University the city has put up banners provided by UVU on Main Street from the Main Street I-15 interchange south to SR 198.

This is just a sample of what is happening now and in the future. There are many other projects in the planning stages.

We are very excited about our city’s future. We know opportunities for growth are coming. As elected leaders, city administration, and department employees we are actively planning for it.