Wasatch County’s tourism offerings are already so good, and so many…with more on the way.

Dallin Koecher and Jessica Broadhead lead the way in Wasatch, with a combination of tourism, economic development, and chamber activities tying many of the pieces together.

When our team arrived, they met us at The Midway Mercantile, a top notch restaurant in Midway whose owner says that tourists are the lifeblood of his business. It’s a great example of how tourism benefits a community by creating jobs and adding a desirable asset which the community also gets to enjoy.

Midway and nearby Heber City have largely retained their small-town identities while also bringing in residents and attractions. Tourism is the third largest industry in Wasatch County. Several destination properties around the county contribute to the tax base. There are well-known entities like Zermatt and the Homestead Resort which is undergoing multi-million dollar renovations including an outdoor pool which may be the best in Utah. The first phase of the new pool just opened. Closer to Jordanelle Reservoir and the south end of Wasatch County there are a few massive new lodging properties being developed which will provide guests with easy access to ski runs at Deer Valley. Rumor has it that health and alternative medicine champion Deepak Chopra is also renovating an existing property in Wasatch County with the intention of turning it into a retreat for his international clients. This is a great fit for the “adventure, health, and wellness” identity the county is cultivating. 

With all the big projects around the county, it might be easy to overlook a smaller, but critical development underway in the center of Heber City. The tourism team and their partners are closely following suggestions from a development plan created by Roger Brooks a few years back. It calls for a gathering spot in the center of town, much like the one mentioned in Logan in our Cache County blog. Ground was recently broken at the edge of a city park where a performance stage will be erected. It will be double-sided so that a large concert can play toward the park, or a smaller event can play to a side street which will eventually become home to more small businesses, creating a pedestrian-friendly area a short distance away from Heber City’s very busy Main Street. The street is also a state highway, linking motorists to Vernal, Provo, and Park City, so having a more human-friendly area will be a welcome addition for residents and visitors alike.

Wasatch County is also actively working on an arts center nestled in the foothills above Heber City. When completed, it will have both indoor and outdoor spaces, including the amphitheater which is already up and running.

One of the county’s old favorites, the Heeber Creeper, is getting some new life too. At a meeting with several city and county officials we heard from County Councilman Mark Nelson, who is also the Executive Director of the Heber Valley Railroad. The historic railroad has been running up and down Provo Canyon for decades, and has been especially popular with local families who purchase special event rides like the “Halloween Express”, “North Pole Express”. Nelson has been working behind the scenes (and with the legislature) to purchase new train cars which will allow for a bigger variety of experiences aboard the train. They’ll soon have options for fine dining aboard the train, better seating, and heating systems that will allow the train to become an upscale winter attraction. All of this is being done with great consideration for the locals. The family-friendly, affordable themed events will not go away just because the railroad has new and better assets. Instead, there will be something for everyone. 

This spirit of collaboration is seen and felt throughout Wasatch County and all the projects undertaken by Dallin Koecher and Jessica Broadhead. Theirs is a delicate dance of blending old and new. Their deep knowledge and care for their community make them the perfect “dance partners” for Wasatch County.

Read more of our Partner Highlights on the road here.