Heber Valley Newsletter

Welcome to a new year! 2020 is in the past, and let’s leave it there! Despite all the hardships we all were faced with in 2020 there was a lot of good, or silver linings, that came from 2020. Many businesses had to flex their creative muscles to provide new solutions to their customers from figuring out curbside delivery, visits by appointments, mask mandates, there was a lot to think about and adjust. It was awe-inspiring to watch how our businesses and community rallied around each other to support friends, neighbors, and even complete strangers for the good of the valley.

COVID has taught us many things. Being adaptable to new conditions and circumstances is just one of the many things we have learned. We have seen businesses adapt remarkably by adding appointments, curbside pick up, PPE, and more. It seems like the most successful businesses are those who learn to adapt and move with the shifting economic tides. We are grateful to the chamber membership for being adaptable by allowing us to shift with the tides of COVID by having our luncheon at Heber City Park this past Tuesday. After six months without a chamber luncheon, there were a few cobwebs we had to dust off, but thanks to an amazing chamber advisory board and the staff at the chamber the event went very smoothly. It felt good to be among friends again!

The past few weeks have been quite interesting to say the least. As the coronavirus has moved across the globe it is evident how much our planet has become smaller and that we are all part of a larger global community. But like all important things the solution always starts local. As our community faces the challenges of dealing with the coronavirus we should take comfort in the coordinated and collaborative approach our community officials have taken to help Heber Valley residents.

This past luncheon we got to hear from three elected officials who shared with us many of the projects they are working on for their communities. During their presentations it was clear how important good leadership with a strong vision is for our growing community. Our valley is ever evolving. Without people willing to step up and get involved our future is like a ship with no captain, at the mercy of wherever the currents will take us.

You know that saying, “hindsight is always 20/20”, meaning that things become clearer when we realize we could have acted, said, or done something different in the past? Why does the past always have to be clearer? Why can’t we have a clear and focused future? In the optometry world 20/20 vision refers to the clarity or sharpness of your vision. This year as we celebrate a new decade and enter into 2020 let’s create a clear future for Heber Valley.

The holiday season is a magical time. There are parties, plays, music, caroling, food, festivals, shopping, family get togethers and so much more. This season as you balance the juggling act that is the season, consider keeping it local more this year. There are many ways to make this season special in Heber Valley.

A few years back I asked my now 7-year-old daughter what she wanted to be when she grew up, she said with a straight face “a ladybug.” I am glad we live in a world where my children, both my boys and my girls, have more access to opportunity and face fewer barriers than any other period in history.

In this months newsletter we highlight Lola's Street Kitchen as our October Business of the Month, celebrate the ribbon cutting of Fyzical Therapy at the Fit Stop, showcase many different chamber events, and even prepare to say goodbye to our director, Ryan Starks.

During the eight years I’ve lived in the Heber Valley, I’ve been more than impressed by the hard work and volunteerism that takes place during Swiss Days. Hundreds of volunteers work countless hours to run one of Utah’s best festivals. This small-town event is a wonderful model for working together to create outstanding results. Like Swiss Days, our local businesses can also accomplish amazing things as they work together, and the Heber Valley Chamber is grateful to work hand in hand with you to realize your goals.

Just last year, the unthinkable happened at the Heber Valley Chamber Golf Tournament: Paul Christensen—the General Manager of the Homestead Resort and a player in the tournament—made a hole in one and took home a new Chevy Colorado from Labrum Chevrolet. While we can’t promise that lighting will strike twice and that we’ll have another hole-in-one winner, we can guarantee that this year’s golf tournament will be filled with great company, fun games, awesome prizes, and of course, a lot of missing golf balls.

What is the value of great service? I’m often asked what new and exciting businesses are coming to town. Some people dream of large retail stores while others fantasize about their favorite restaurant. Most people, however, don’t ask about financial planners, insurance agents, realtors, CPAs, massage therapists, specialty health care providers, or other service-oriented businesses.

Connecting Communities was the theme of our second-annual Wasatch Back Economic Summit—a joint-venture with the Park City Chamber of Commerce. In this meeting, community and business leaders from Wasatch and Summit counties gathered to learn about issues facing both communities. The word connecting applies throughout the Heber Valley as our members continue connecting through networking lunches, service projects, and a host of other community events.

The need for collaborative planning has never been greater along the Wasatch Back. Last year, the Heber Valley Chamber of Commerce partnered with the Park City Chamber and Summit County to sponsor the first-ever Wasatch Back Economic Summit. This historic gathering of community leaders from Wasatch and Summit counties produced insightful discussions, meaningful partnership, and a lot of good information.

Spring in the Heber Valley is the perfect time to refresh, rejuvenate, and recommit to excellence in all that we do. For this month’s lunch, we’ll be dusting off the clubs and golfing at Soldier Hollow, and we hope you’ll join us for this great networking golf event. The past few months have been very successful. The Heber Valley Chamber has wrapped up a targeted winter marketing campaign which culminated in last week’s restaurant week. We are excited to announce that transient room tax collections increased by 26 % since 2017.

Thirty-four thousand, eight-hundred. This is the number of visitors in July who spent time on www.gohebervalley.com – the official website for all things tourism and business in Wasatch County. The Heber Valley continues to attract interest in our business community from visitors and residents alike. Because of the outstanding content on our newsroom (www.hebervalleynewsroom.com), the number of business listings on our site, and the inter-connectivity to our social media platforms, more businesses are reaping the benefits of having a strong online presence. To further promote the Heber Valley’s network of businesses, we encourage you to link your website and social media links back to the Chamber’s website, and the result will be an elevated brand for our members.

For the past few years, the Heber Valley Chamber of Commerce has sponsored the “Heber Valley Golf Tournament” which has quickly become the most fun golf outing in the valley. The money raised from this tournament has been reinvested into community beautification projects ranging from street banners to blade signs for small businesses. This year, we expect another great turnout and hope for a lot of fun. With your support, we’ll continue enhancing our community with the money raised at the golf tournament. Unlike previous years, however, this year’s tournament is almost sold out. Please register for the tournament soon and start swinging your clubs in preparation for the outing in August.

Family time is the best time to create lasting memories, strong connections, and loving relationships within our families. After all, all these things take time. There are many great ways a family can create together time. One of our favorites is playtime! We wholeheartedly believe that families that play together stay together. #13weeksofsummer

During the past several months, many remarkable things have happened in our community. The purpose of this article is to provide a brief update on some of the economic happenings in Wasatch County.

Now that Spring is officially upon us, our valley will come to life with leaves on trees, bright flowers, and of course, a lot of exciting events and activities. Just this week, the Heber Valley Chamber partnered with the Heber City Mayor and various business owners to revive the Community Alliance for Main Street (CAMS) group. This group will be a positive force to help improve Heber City’s Main Street now and into the future, so keep an eye out for more updates in the coming months.

What's the formula for a perfect family vacation? It's pretty simple actually. First and foremost, it takes a family, and they come in all shapes or sizes. From there the possibilities are endless. Heber Valley (Utah) is a beloved location for families to gather year-round. A place where children and grownups alike can enjoy the Wasatch mountains and let joy run free. Reconnect with family and fill the days with once-in-a-lifetime experiences. So come prepared. Be open to surprises because cherished memories often begin as unplanned, unguarded moments. Your family story will live on long after your reunion draws to a close, told through wide smiles, bursts of laughter and a few new funny moments to remember.

Local Events, Opportunities, Business of the Month, FREE Golf, and More! Last week, various media outlets reported that the U.S. Census Bureau listed Heber City as the fastest growing micropolitan city in the United States with Wasatch County being the third-fastest growing county in the country. The Heber Valley continues to grow in great proportions (about 1300 new people per year). While these statistics can be both exciting and alarming, we need to continue finding ways to address the growth and the challenges and opportunities it brings.

The calendar says spring is here, but in Utah you can never be too sure that one of those late spring snow storms won't just pop up and surprise you. Well, when the ice comes off the reservoirs around here the fishing becomes hot. After a long and cold winter anglers can expect some hungry and frisky fish.

We are grateful for so many dedicated members who volunteer their time and work hard to make our community a better place, and we hope you have a very successful month.

Become a foodie in Heber Valley. With over 30 non-chain restaurants in our valley, plus a healthy handful of national brands, there are, needless to say, plenty of dining options in the Heber Valley. You can sample cuisine from the Orient, or something with Europe flare, or something a little more familiar and closer to home.

Deer Valley Ski Resort is one of the jewels of the Wasatch Back, and the Deer Crest area (near Jordanelle) provides tremendous tax relief to Wasatch County residents by way of the many second and third homes located in this area. For many years now, this area has been planned for significant development, including trails, ski runs, housing units, retail businesses, and new resort hotels.

Heber Valley is a great vacation destination in the summer or winter, less than an hour’s drive from downtown Salt Lake City and just minutes from the popular tourist destination of Park City. Here are some of the best activities you can do with the family, whether you come in the snowy season and or the heat of the summer.

It just keeps getting better—that is the theme of the Chamber’s 2017 annual report, and we believe this statement will hold true for 2018. During the past few years, the Chamber has grown in membership, investment, program offerings, and overall strength. This success can be attributed to our dedicated members, volunteers, and staff who contribute so much to the Heber Valley.

What better way to celebrate this holiday season than with a trip to the North Pole. Read about how the Heber Valley, Utah's Winter Wonderland, is transformed into Santa's North Pole aboard the Heber Valley Railroad.

Most people in Utah know Heber Valley as summer destination for all things outdoor. However, when the temperatures drop and thick snow covers the grounds, the winters in Heber Valley heat up. Here’s the top eight things you need to do with your family this winter up in Heber Valley.

As we look back on 2017, the Heber Valley Chamber of Commerce expresses its gratitude for our Chamber members and for the much good they do in the community. From Shop Local Saturday events to ribbon cuttings to the monthly lunches, we truly appreciate the opportunity to work side-by-side with our local businesses to build a stronger community. Looking toward 2018, we couldn’t be more excited to continue working with each of you.