My Hometown: How West Valley City Gives Back to the Community

My Hometown: How West Valley City Gives Back to the Community Main Photo

18 Jan 2023


News, Client Feature Article

This article originally appeared on and was written for West Valley City Economic Optimization & RDA by Golden Shovel Agency.

For long-range sustainable economic development, good community development is an absolute necessity. Quality of life significantly factors into residents’ decisions to stay, new families’ conclusions on where to relocate, and businesses’ determinations of prime locations for expansion.

The research backs up what West Valley City has consistently recognized: quality of life initiatives are essential in defining a community’s sense of place. In 2022, Brookings researchers analyzed communities throughout the midwest, Texas, and neighboring Wasatch County, Utah, to evaluate the impact of quality of life improvements on the economy. 

They reported: “Our research on smaller communities has found that community amenities such as recreation opportunities, cultural activities, and excellent services (e.g., good schools, housing, transportation options) are likely bigger contributors to healthy local economies than traditional “business-friendly” measures. Smaller places with a higher quality of life experience higher employment and population growth than similarly situated communities, including those that rank high by traditional economic competitiveness measures.” 

While West Valley City in Salt Lake County has a population of over 135,000 — larger than the communities analyzed — Brooking’s groundbreaking research makes a clear case to support the City’s dedication to quality of life initiatives.

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About the Author

Thought Leadership - Ellen Williams, Golden Shovel Agency

Ellen Williams
Lead Copywriter
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Ellen Williams is a Lead Copywriter for Golden Shovel Agency. Her unique skill sets expand from the foundation of science, academia, writing/editing, and project management. She is adept at breaking down articles and information precisely and clearly to educate general and professional audiences alike. Uniquely, while she is not practicing as a doctor, she has an M.D. and a strong laboratory science background.