Utah County Update: Businesses are the lifeblood of American Fork

By Brad Frost

In my short time as mayor, I have been privileged to attend the ribbon- cutting ceremony for many new businesses in American Fork. I love these events because I see them from many perspectives.

As mayor, I love meeting new people and seeing new businesses come into our city. As a business owner myself, I can appreciate the excitement and thrill of starting up a company. And as a resident, I appreciate the many and varied services available right in my own city.

I still remember when a resident had to travel outside American Fork to get something. Now we never need to leave. But more than anything, I am excited when a new business opens because they are becoming part of a larger community that cares for our city. I love the businesses in American Fork because they love American Fork.

We have 1,695 registered businesses in American Fork, 31 percent of which are classified as a home business. We have over 100 food establishments, 150 healthcare-related businesses, over 250 retail stores and over 600 service-related businesses. In addition, we have many establishments in other fields like marketing, sales, financial services, manufacturing and construction.

Whether a small bakery or large corporation, the resource that ties all of them together is our chamber of commerce. We have a great chamber that does a tremendous job advocating and promoting our businesses. With our city and our businesses working together, the whole truly has become greater than the sum of the parts.

Last year was an interesting year where many people were literally afraid to go outdoors. But people still needed goods and services, so it was up to our business to brave the uncertainty of a pandemic so they could still serve our communities. I am especially impressed with the businesses that opened their doors for the first time in 2020. I saw an insurance group open, a virtual driving range, a car dealership, a bakery, a development company, a pet grooming facility and many others.

Some existing businesses even grew. This last year we were proud to see DOMO stay in our community by relocating to our latest Class A office tower, giving them much-needed room and providing the ability for them to expand into the future.

The businesses in American Fork are so much more than the goods and services they sell. They are a part of the very bedrock of American Fork. They are partners and sponsors in community events. Their presence draws residents into our community. What they sell helps fund the basic services our residents enjoy. They help define our very identity. In these ways we appreciate the new businesses as well as the ones that have been in our city for over 100 years. We are all partners together in the risks, challenges, hopes, dreams and successes of every business in our community. Their success is our success.

The business owners I get to associate with are innovative, hardworking, entrepreneurial and giving. No more was this observed than when COVID-19 broke out last year. They changed their operations to stay compliant, donated time and money to help those in need and even pivoted the very services they provided to better serve the changing needs of their customers.

Henry David Thoreau once said, “Success usually comes to those who are too busy to be looking for it.” May our businesses find unequaled success as they continue to make serving our community their business.

Brad Frost was elected mayor of American Fork in 2017. Prior to that he spent six years on city council. He was born and raised in American Fork and owns his own construction waste and landscaping companies. He is married with five kids and six grandkids.

Recent ribbon-cutting cermonies in American Fork: