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Southern Utah is one of the nation’s and the state’s fastest growing areas. Over the next 30 to 45 years Washington County’s population of 130,000 people is expected to increase to 648,000, Iron County’s population is expected to double and other nearby counties are expected to change dramatically. According to information from the Utah Department of Transportation, between 1995 and 2000 Utah’s vehicle miles traveled increased by an average of 3.7 percent annually, while population grew at an average of 2.4 percent during the same period. The Department expects vehicle miles traveled to continue to grow statewide at approximately 3 percent annually through 2020. According to the Wasatch Front Regional Council, traditionally vehicle miles traveled is expected to grow at a rate greater than population growth causing a higher demand for petroleum products. According to Utah’s Governor’s Office, the Iron County and Washington County economy is one of the fastest growing in the country. Washington County had an annual average growth rate of 8.6 percent between 1990 and 2000. Booming construction has been supplemented by an expanding retail base, completion of the Dixie Regional Medical Center, diversified manufacturing base and a growing business services sector. The City of St. George has just completed an environmental impact statement to relocate and expand their airport. According to the City in 2003, the airport accommodated 43,714 aircraft operations and forecasts developed for the environmental impact statement states that operations are expected to increase to approximately 51,184 in 2020. Iron County has a balanced and broad based economy that makes a
significant contribution to the state of Utah. The area is home
to Southern Utah University, the Utah Shakespearean Festival, and
the Utah Summer Games. The region includes Cedar Breaks and part
of Zion National Park, and is considered the gateway to other Southern
Utah National Parks and monuments, which are an important factor
in the area’s economy and current growth. In fact, Cedar City’s
tourism is expected to continue to grow. |