Provo Is One of the Best Cities To Live in America!

Provo has been recognized as one of the best cities to live in America! This outstanding accolade reflects our collective efforts to nurture our vibrant community, create a dynamic economic environment, and preserve our city's exceptional natural beauty.

We've always known our city to be a true gem, nestled amid spectacular mountains with a bounty of recreational opportunities at our doorstep. From hiking, biking, and climbing to rafting, fishing, and skiing, we are blessed with an array of activities that contribute to our collective happiness and overall wellbeing.

What's more, our Provo has been gaining momentum as a burgeoning tech powerhouse. As part of the broader Silicon Slopes area, we're making waves in the technology sector and contributing to the innovation that is shaping our future. This growth is bringing new opportunities to our residents and solidifying Provo's place in the American economic landscape.

Notably, Provo has also been recognized as one of the safest metropolitan areas in the country. Our low crime rate speaks volumes about our tight-knit community, our shared respect for one another, and our deep commitment to maintaining safe, welcoming neighborhoods for everyone. This is particularly pertinent for our young families, who are key to the city's vibrancy and future growth.

This prestigious recognition is not just about the ranking or the title—it's about you, the residents of Provo. Your commitment to community, your respect for the natural environment, your entrepreneurial spirit, and your dedication to fostering a happy, healthy city have led us here. Let's continue to make Provo a place that we are proud to call home.

You can check out the full ranking by Livability here: https://livability.com/best-places/2023-top-100-best-places-to-live-in-the-us/provo-ut

Provo Airport Celebrates One Year of Flying High! ✈️

I am excited to share that our Provo City Airport is celebrating its first anniversary since the launch of the new terminal, a milestone that marks a remarkable year of growth and success. In the past 365 days, we have welcomed new airline partners, added numerous routes, and now, we are paving the way for the airport's expansion to accommodate international flights.

When we conceived the idea of expanding Provo Airport, we aimed to make Provo not just a destination but a gateway to the world. During the Stadium of Fire, I expressed my optimism about the Provo Airport becoming an International Airport. And that dream is closer to reality than ever before.

Our Provo Airport's success can be attributed to the incredible increase in daily flights, from four flights a day to 12, with an expectation of reaching 17 by the end of this year. I commend Brian Torgersen, our Provo Airport Director, and his team for their tireless efforts in making this happen.

We are indeed soaring high, and the demand for international travel has been acknowledged by our airline partners. They have requested we prepare for this expansion sooner than we anticipated. But we are not stepping back from this challenge. Our plans for this expansion include added apron space for additional aircraft and the potential to accommodate up to ten gates with facilities for customs border control.

Our Provo Airport terminal was built debt-free, through collective effort and funding from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the State of Utah, Utah County, and Provo City. Now, with a $62 million expansion plan underway, backed by Utah County and the State of Utah, we are prepared to take our airport to new heights.

Investment in vital infrastructure is the key to creating economic opportunities. The economic impact of this expansion will be substantial - each new roundtrip daily destination brings an estimated $15 million into our local, regional, and state economy.

Our partnership with commercial airlines such as Breeze Airways has been instrumental in increasing flights out of Provo Airport. Since their commitment, they have added 10 new destinations and have flown 100,000 guests from Provo within just one year. Our relationship with Allegiant, a partner since 2013, has also been crucial in delivering affordable, non-stop flights to over 700,000 passengers.

Our new airport terminal has improved the travel experience by providing amenities like a baggage carousel, on-site car rentals, and food options. It's designed to enhance the travel experience, from curb to flight, and we are proud to offer quick gate access, short lines, and increased travel convenience.

Some features of the new airport terminal include a Family Lounge, a comfortable seating area for 630 people in the Travelers Commons, local retail shops and restaurants in Streetscape Provo, a public gathering space in the Outlook Lounge, and a spacious waiting area with a clear view of arriving passengers in the Reunion Court.

As we look ahead, our Provo Airport will continue to serve as a preferred choice for vacationers who value affordable, convenient travel. Together, we are creating a city that is not only a fantastic place to live but a globally recognized destination as well.

Thank you for being part of this exciting journey. Together, we are building a city that dreams big and achieves bigger!

Wayne Parker Announces Retirement

Our dedicated Chief Administrative Officer, Wayne Parker, has announced that he will be retiring on September 16 after twenty remarkable years of service to our beloved city. For those of you who don’t know Wayne personally, he has been a steady hand guiding our beloved city through seasons of growth and development. He has served Provo alongside three mayors, 33 city councilors, and countless hardworking staff members.

Wayne has been instrumental in driving Provo forward. His insight, problem-solving mindset, and unwavering commitment to public service have shaped our city in countless ways. From a revitalized downtown to the development of our municipal fiber optic network, to Provo becoming the third Google Fiber city in the nation, Wayne has been integral to it all. His thoughtful planning and leadership also saw the birth of the Frontrunner system and the economic expansion driven by the Mountain Vista Business Center, the Startup District, and our new airport passenger terminal.

Our city's safety, a point of pride for us all, has been significantly enhanced under Wayne's leadership. The dedication of Fire Station 22 and our state-of-the-art public safety center are testaments to his commitment to keeping Provo safe and secure.

His excellent leadership didn't go unnoticed. In 2020, Wayne received the Award for Career Excellence from the International City/County Management Association (ICMA). This prestigious award is given annually to one city manager for their outstanding achievements in local government management and contributions to community quality of life.

But above all, what stands out most about Wayne is his love for Provo. He often said that the finest residents in the world live here in Provo, making our community a great place to live, work, and raise a family. His words underscore the fact that our people are indeed the secret sauce of Provo's success.

As we approach Wayne's retirement date, we have an opportunity to reflect on his invaluable contributions. His influence will remain a part of our city’s DNA. His fingerprints are found on countless community projects that have uplifted Provo, as stated by Bill Hulterstrom, President and CEO of United Way. His exceptional service to our community, particularly with the South Franklin Community Center, has indeed left a lasting legacy.

Wayne's farewell message to us embodies his character and his dedication to Provo: "While I am grateful for being a small part at the nucleus of all of this, I am most grateful for all in Provo who have given so much to this exceptional community. I am confident in our community leaders and members as they work together and continue providing exceptional care for the residents of this very special place."

In the coming weeks, I encourage you all to join me in expressing our collective appreciation for Wayne's service. Let's celebrate the significant part he has played in shaping our wonderful city, ensuring that Provo remains a place we're all proud to call home.