Mayor's Message

Happy New Year!

We had a great year in 2023 and I hope you had an enjoyable holiday season with those you love most. It’s a new year with new opportunities and projects ahead. We are excited for all there is to come. The new year will bring two new council members to serve this great community, Robert Cox and Carter Wilkey. They were sworn into office on Tuesday, January 2 at noon in the Council Chambers along with re-elected council member W. Tyler Melling.

Your city council and I look forward to serving with these individuals and acknowledge all who ran in the recent election for their dedication to this community.

We also would like to recognize the outstanding commitment of Council Members Craig Isom and Terri Hartley who served two terms on the Council and various boards and committees.

In 2024, we will also see some new youthful faces around city hall with the newly sworn-in Youth Council. These high school students will become civically engaged with our local government and community— serving as the next generation of leaders.

Last month, we learned of a new funding source for improvements to the south I-15 interchange made available thanks to a $70 million award received by the Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) through the support of Senator Mitt Romney and his colleagues. This project will address the south interchange near Walmart to improve the design, safety, and traffic flow concerns that were discussed this past summer at UDOT’s public meetings.

A new northbound climbing lane will be added, as well as improvements to the Cross Hollow Road to Main Street and Providence Center Drive connection. According to UDOT, the construction is slated to begin in 2026.

On behalf of Cedar City, we wish you a prosperous new year ahead. We are looking forward to serving our community in 2024.

-Garth O. Green 

SMALL BUSINESS GRANT OPPORTUNITY

The Iron County Economic Opportunity Board will administer $60,000 in funding through the Small Business Grant Program. The pre-application period is open now through Friday, January 12, 2024.

Project examples outlined in the Application Instructional Packet include:

• Infrastructure developments
• Construction of a new building/ adding to an existing building
• New or upgraded equipment or machinery
• Value-added agriculture expansion projects
• New or uncommon industry investment
• Business-related technology or services
• Business start-up costs

Previous grant funding recipients include Ala Chelle Catering, American Fireline, Gem Awards, Little Village Resort, and Yummy Tummy Sweets Bakery.

NEW TO THE CITY COUNCIL IN 2024:

MEET ROBERT COX - A long-time native of southern Utah and Cedar City, Robert studied accounting and received both a bachelor's and master's degree in accounting from SUU. He is a partner in a public accounting firm and has gained many years of experience in the accounting world.

He is married with five children and six grandchildren. His greatest joy comes from his family and spending time with them. Robert has served on many non-profit boards and has donated many hours of service in the community. He has served as President of both the Cedar City Rotary Club and the Southwest Livestock Show, as well as a board member on the Iron County Home Builders Association, the Happy Factory, and as a youth leader helping youth raise livestock in the FFA and 4-H programs.

He has also taken many youth groups to Mexico to build homes for the needy. In his spare time, he enjoys farming and raising animals. Robert loves southern Utah and Cedar City and recognizes the wonderful community where he raised his family.

MEET CARTER WILKEY - Carter and his wife, Stephanie, moved to Cedar City in early 2016 and have made it their forever home. They are the proud parents of four children. Carter has been an active realtor in the community since 2016. 

He has served in many capacities in our community both with Cedar City and other organizations. At the time of his election, he was serving on Cedar City’s Board of Adjustments and Planning Commission. He has previously served on the city’s Active Transportation Committee and General Plan Revision Committee. 

Aside from his responsibilities with the City, Carter also currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Cedar City Area Chamber of Commerce. He has served at different times for the Iron County Children’s Justice Center Friend’s Board, Iron County Board of Realtors, Iron County Home Builders, Red Acre Center and others. Carter is honored to be able to serve the community that has given him and his family so much. 

MEET OUR 2024 YOUTH CITY COUNCIL:

Left to right: Kaio Bloomfield, Gabriel Torgerson, Bella Brooks, Sunny Alger, Heidi Hailstone, Serena Wu, Sadie Hinck, Calli Huff, Abby Daynes, and Avery Rudd.