Happy Thursday, Eagle Mountain. Colten here.

I want to talk about something that's been heavily weighing on my mind for quite some time. If you know me, then you'll know my family has been struggling financially for a while. But over time, I've learned that I'm not alone. So many of us here in Eagle Mountain are struggling to get by financially. The Tyson plant closes October 12, taking 723 jobs with it. Homes here are selling well over $500K. Costs keep climbing, especially gas and food. But life carries on, and our financial obligations carry on with it.

I don't know what's happening in your life right now, but I'd like to be more aware of you and your needs. I put together a short survey to ask about how you and your household are doing, especially financially. It should only take a few minutes. It's anonymous. I'm not collecting names or email addresses, and when I share what I learn, I'll share totals only. No individual answer will ever appear anywhere.

Take the survey

If you're struggling right now, know that you're not alone. There are so many factors out of your control that contribute to your financial stresses. I don't know everything I can do about that yet, but I know where to start. If a lot of you are job hunting, I should be running local listings. If groceries are the pinch, I should be telling you where the deals actually are. I want to be more than just an information source. I want to be a value source. And the source of that value is you. Is us. Our Eagle Mountain Value.

Do you find these newsletters useful? No obligation, I'll keep writing every issue either way, but I have a Venmo (@eaglemountainvalue) if you'd like to help support the work. Really appreciate it.

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Own a local business or have an event coming up? Reply to this email or reach out at [email protected]. I'm always looking for things to share.

A company that owns about a third of a 1,279-acre stretch of land next to Eagle Mountain has asked the Town of Cedar Fort to annex all of it. On Wednesday, August 26, the City Council voted 5-0 to object.

Annexation is when a city or town takes in land that is not part of any city yet. About 1,279 acres are in question, and that ground sits next to Cedar Fort. Eagle Mountain's boundary is within half a mile of it, and the city has that land marked on its own map of where it might grow someday. Whichever city ends up with it decides what can be built there and who provides sewer, fire protection, and roads.

A company called Red Cedar Corporation filed the request with Cedar Fort on July 27. City Attorney Marcus Draper presented the objection, and Councilmemeber Melissa Clark ran the meeting in the mayor's place.

Here is what Eagle Mountain says in its written objection:

The city also says the owners of the rest of the land told staff they do not want to join Cedar Fort.

Nothing in the packet says what anyone plans to build there. Red Cedar Corporation and Utah County have not responded publicly, so everything above is Eagle Mountain's side of it. The objection now goes to the Utah County Boundary Commission, a county board that settles these disputes. Cedar Fort had set September 15 for a public hearing, but only if nobody objected, so that hearing does not happen until the Commission rules. You can read the full agenda packet here.

The Planning Commission met Tuesday, August 25 and voted 5-0 on all five items, sending each one to the City Council with their support. Here's what was voted on:

None of these are final. Each one still needs a vote from the City Council. You can review the full agenda packet here.

The Eagle Mountain Mercantile Co-Op is a community-owned marketplace that a group of residents is working to open here in fall 2026. It would sell local food and handmade goods year-round, which is worth a look at a moment when the Food Truck Rally is ending its season and the Farmers Market has about six weeks left.

Vendor applications are open now through a form on the co-op's website. If you grow, bake, sew, build, or make something you have thought about selling, vendor applications are open now through a form on the co-op's website. Community memberships are open on the same page for anyone who would rather just help it happen.

You can apply or read more at eaglemountainmercantile.com.

Property tax relief applications are due September 1. Utah County lowers property tax bills for homeowners 67 and older with limited income, qualifying veterans, blind residents, and households facing hardship. Applying by September 1 gets the relief onto your October tax notice. Renters apply through the state instead. Check if you qualify

The city will lend first-time buyers up to $25,000 at 0% interest, with no monthly payments and the loan forgiven over time. Income limits and credit requirements apply.

Job counseling runs Tuesday through Thursday. Department of Workforce Services counseling at the Valley Crossroads Business Resource Center is open 1:00 to 5:00 PM.

Eagle Mountain Academy starts September 16. Six Wednesday evenings, 6:30 to 8:30 PM, learning how the city actually runs. Applications are open. Apply here

Four places you can volunteer. The Eagle Mountain Public Library, the Birthday Box Foundation, Haven Ranch Animal Sanctuary, and the city's volunteer list.

Have a lovely weekend, all!

See you around,

— Colten

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