Here we grow again.

On Monday afternoon, Eagle Mountain City and the Eagle Mountain Chamber of Commerce celebrated the grand opening of Launch Pad, a state-of-the-art Business Resource Center aimed at supporting local entrepreneurship and small business development.

The ribbon-cutting ceremony, held at the Chamber’s new facility at 3688 E Campus Drive, marks a pivotal step in Eagle Mountain’s transformation into a leading business hub in Utah County.

Launch Pad is equipped with various features to foster innovation and growth among local businesses. The facility includes incubator offices, co-working spaces, a virtual office, a social media lab, a digital literacy center, a podcast recording studio and a prototyping workshop.

Gov. Spencer Cox made a special appearance at the Launch Pad grand opening, where he lauded Utah’s remarkable economic achievements. Highlighting the state’s status as the #1 economy in the country, Cox emphasized Utah’s dynamic and innovative business environment.

He commended Eagle Mountain’s efforts in fostering local entrepreneurship, noting that initiatives like Launch Pad are crucial in maintaining Utah’s economic leadership. Governor Cox’s remarks underscored the state’s commitment to supporting small businesses and driving economic growth, reinforcing Utah’s reputation as the most dynamic economy in the nation.

These resources are designed to support startups and small businesses at every stage of development, from ideation to market entry and beyond.

The center’s creation was made possible through grant funding, including a $100,000 grant from the Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity, $50,000 from Comcast for the Digital Literacy Center, and $250,000 from Meta/Facebook. This investment underscores the community’s commitment to fostering a dynamic business landscape.

Local entrepreneurs have already benefited from Eagle Mountain’s supportive environment.

Robyn and Rudy Chavez, owners of R&R Tactical, began in their basement in 2019 and have since expanded to a new building that houses multiple businesses and has created 200 jobs.

Bryan and Erin Jeppson transitioned from a garage startup in 2014 to a state-of-the-art automotive shop that opened in March 2023. Dana and Rachael Smith of Mucky Boot Pest Control and Malorie Leavitt of Inspire Sports also shared similar success stories, growing from home-based businesses to thriving enterprises with physical locations and multiple employees.

Established in 2018, the Eagle Mountain Chamber of Commerce has played a crucial role in this growth, supporting local businesses through challenging times. Since 2022, the Chamber’s membership has surged from 73 to over 350 businesses.

Join us in celebrating this significant milestone in Eagle Mountain’s journey toward becoming a central hub for small businesses in Utah County.

The Intermountain Regional Landfill in Fairfield will be applying magnesium chloride to the roadway beginning Monday, June 10 and continuing through the end of the week. The treatment is common and is designed to limit the level of dust on the roadway. Motorists are encouraged to substantially slow their speeds if they’re visiting the landfill this week.

A water line installation will impact a portion of Belle Street beginning Monday, June 10. A portion of the roadway will be closed for about one week. A detour will be in place routing traffic through the neighborhood while work is ongoing.

Saddle up for Eagle Mountain’s annual Pony Express Days PRCA Rodeo.

Running June 6 – 8, this much-celebrated annual community event is sure to bring the same anticipation and accolades as prior years.

After receiving last year’s award for “Best Medium Rodeo of the Year,” organizers are pulling out all the stops to ensure this year’s Pony Express Days PRCA Rodeo surpasses all expectations.

According to Jared Gray, Eagle Mountain City councilmember and president of Pony Express Events, the rodeo will feature some acts that have not been seen at the Pony Express Days Rodeo in recent years, such as a miniature bull-riding pre-show prior to the event at 6:30 p.m.

“We [also] have a new clown this year,” says Gray. “His name is Dustin Jenkins, also known as Dustin ‘the Jester’ Jenkins. He’s never been to Eagle Mountain, so it’ll be some new clown acts that we’ve never seen.”

The roster of talent set to grace the arena includes a lineup of top-notch cowboys, many of whom boast national rankings and championship titles. Gray highlights the caliber of talent expected, stating, “We will have multiple cowboys in every event that have winning championships, including the Utah famous Wright brothers.”

Each day of the rodeo, this year’s Pony Express Days Grand Marshal Christopher Sullivan, will be recognized at the start of the event. Known for spreading positivity with his “I Believe in You” sign during his runs around town, Sullivan’s recent cancer diagnosis has not dampened his spirits. He maintains a positive attitude and wants all of Eagle Mountain to know that he still believes in them.

Gray, who has been to countless rodeos across the country throughout his life, says that the Pony Express Days Rodeo is special to him.

“I get excited every year,” says Gray. “I go to a lot of rodeos, so it’s hard for me to really get excited. But what excites me about this one is the hometown feeling I get. To bring…my expertise of being on the road at rodeos year-round to my hometown and to the crowd of people that I love and serve.”

Gray recognizes that the rodeo would not be possible without the Pony Express Events board of directors.

The Pony Express Days PRCA Rodeo promises to be an unforgettable event for all who attend.

The arena gates open at 5:30 p.m., with miniature bull riding kicking off at 6:30 and the main event beginning at 7 p.m.

The Utah National Guard is conducting live-fire artillery training exercises at Camp Williams from June 4 to June 9, 2024. The training, which can be heard for miles around, is part of a week-long effort to enhance military readiness. Despite the loud noise, there is no threat to public safety. The community is advised to remain calm and aware of the scheduled activities as the National Guard completes these critical exercises.

Traffic on Spring Run Parkway will be affected by road and utility construction in the area. Roadwork will begin June 10 and last through June 28 from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. every day. Plans call for removing the island and making a turn lane. In addition, utilities installation to the future Walmart site is planned. Traffic control will be in place while work is ongoing.   

Maintaining wildfire prevention and safety efforts will continue during Independence Day and Pioneer Day in Eagle Mountain.

Eagle Mountain City Council approved a new Fireworks Restrictions Map for 2024 earlier this year. The map identifies specific areas where fireworks are prohibited to enhance public safety and prevent wildfires.

The online map tool, provided by the Unified Fire Authority, displays restricted areas in red within Salt Lake County and Eagle Mountain in Utah County. Residents can easily check if their address falls within these restricted zones by entering it into the map’s search function.

Fireworks restrictions are determined by each municipality. For Eagle Mountain, these measures are crucial to mitigate fire risks in dry and high-risk areas. Residents with questions about local restrictions should contact the Unified Fire Authority for clarification.

To report non-emergency illegal fireworks use, residents should call the Utah County Sheriff’s Office Eagle Mountain division.

A new, 4-million-gallon tank is currently under construction as part of the Firefly community currently under development just south of the White Hills Subdivision.

This new tank is 42 feet higher than the existing tank and will provide almost 20 PSI of additional pressure in White Hills. This tank will be fed by the White Hills Wells, one of which will also be improved by the developer DAI. Residents of the area should immediately notice improved water pressure once the water tank is fully operational.

The water flow from the White Hills Wells will be about 4,200 gallons per minute, this will provide plenty of water to Tyson, White Hills and Firefly. The full buildout, 20-year projection is about 5,700 GPM. Just the two wells have enough water to accommodate growth in the area for at least the next 15 years.

To help accelerate this project, the contractor performing the tank construction will be conducting work in the overnight hours to pour concrete on Tuesday, June 4.

Eagle Mountain City’s ultimate summer celebration begins today.

Promising more than a week of family fun, thrilling events and unforgettable memories, Pony Express days will run from May 29- June 8.

“Family Fun Night is one of my favorite events of the year,” says Dawn Hancock, events manager with Eagle Mountain City. “It’s incredibly rewarding to see families coming together, enjoying each other’s company, and participating in a fun, free community gathering. The sense of togetherness and joy it brings to our community is truly special, making it an event I look forward to every year.”

The festivities commence on Wednesday, May 29, with Family Fun Night at Nolen Park from 4 to 8 p.m. Attendees can look forward to a mix of informational vendors, food trucks, a touch-a-truck experience, inflatables and plenty of fun-filled moments.

On Thursday, May 30, the excitement shifts to Wride Memorial Park for Buddy Night at the Carnival.

From 4 to 10 p.m., enjoy boutique vendors, more food trucks and performances by local talent. Be sure to take advantage of the exclusive Buddy Night ticket pricing available onsite from 4 to 7 p.m.

The fun continues on Friday, May 31, with another full day of carnival attractions at Wride Memorial Park.

“I am ready to sit back and enjoy some classic ’70s and ’80s rock with Heartly Road on Friday night,” says Hancock. “This year, I am especially looking forward to the new fireworks show, synchronized to music. I hope everyone joins us at the park with their loved ones to enjoy the spectacular display. If you haven’t yet experienced the derby, I highly recommend it, you will not be disappointed.”

The park will be buzzing with activity from Noon to 11 p.m., featuring boutique vendors, delicious food trucks, and a must-see Concert in the Park.

Saturday, June 1, promises a day packed with highlights. The Grand Parade kicks off at 10 a.m., followed by a day of carnival rides, vendor booths, and local performances.

The evening will ramp up the excitement with the adrenaline-pumping Demolition Derby at Pony Express Memorial Park Arena, capped off with a fireworks display at 10 p.m.

From June 6 -8, the PRCA Rodeo takes center stage at Pony Express Memorial Park Arena. Starting at 7 p.m. each night, rodeo fans can expect thrilling rides and topnotch performances.

Don’t miss out on the chance to be part of Pony Express Days 2024. Tickets for the Demolition Derby and the PRCA Rodeo are available now at PonyExpressEvents.com. Mark your calendars, bring your family and friends, and join the community for an unforgettable celebration.