As mayor, my main focus is on what’s best for Provo and its residents. Thankfully, in the case of Provo, what’s best for Provo is often also great for the region and beyond. That has probably been the case for Provo since the day it was founded in 1849. Think of BYU being located here, or our Olympic ice arena: good for Provo and good for the region and beyond! Indeed, being a part of something much bigger than our boundaries seems to be hardwired in Provo’s DNA.

With the Daily Herald’s readership throughout Utah Valley and beyond, I try to use my installments here to address items of regional interest. As I look back on 2024, here are some highlights from a regional perspective.

At our airport, we welcomed our first global carrier, American Airlines. This was a long-awaited milestone and achievement. As our marketing tagline says, “Anywhere you want to go — Fly Provo!” And it’s true. You can now use the Provo Airport as your starting point in flying to essentially any major airport in the world (typically with a stop or two, of course). Provo to Paris? No problem. And Provo can be the final destination for folks booking a ticket from other countries. Thailand to Provo? Yep, doable, through American Airlines, which by some measurements is the world’s largest airline, serving destinations across the globe.

The Provo Airport experience is so delightful that I regularly hear how much people love it. Some even say it is their airport of choice. If you haven’t seen it, stop by (parking is free for the first two hours). I think you’ll like the look of the terminal, both inside and out. It’s got a warmth and charm to it. And you may begin to sense how air travel could hardly be any easier than it is here.

Expansion of the airport has been made possible through the help of key partners, including Utah County, the state, the FAA and our regional transportation planning organization, the Mountainland Association of Governments. I can’t thank these partners enough. Some of your faces come to mind as I write this. My sincere thanks to you who have caught the vision and joined the cause!

Additionally, we opened some great facilities this year, including the Epic Sports Park and the new Rock Canyon Trailhead.

The Epic Sports Park sits on 100 acres just across the Provo Airport. We opened it with 15 sports fields and more are in the works. In our first two weeks after opening, we hosted major soccer tournaments and received rave reviews from tournament organizers and participants. In the second phase will come an exciting addition for many of you: pickleball courts!

The new trailhead at the mouth of Rock Canyon serves as a beautiful and functional gateway to the gem that is Rock Canyon. It is also worth stopping by to see, even if you’re not ready to lace up and head either into the canyon or along the Bonneville Shoreline Trail. Attractive new amenities include a mini-amphitheater, restrooms, a pavilion, interpretive signage and nature trails. There’s even an area where kids and others can experience very entry-level rock climbing with a padded surface beneath them.

Provo prides itself on being a welcoming city, whether it is for global visitors or our neighbors in the valley. So again, please feel free to stop by and experience any of the regional assets housed here.