This month, I attended the Park City Council swearing-in ceremony at the Marsac Building and spoke in support of the Sunrise Gondola before the Snyderville Basin Planning Commission. Both events deepened my respect for the citizens who assume the responsibilities of public office, spend countless hours preparing and studying, and set our course for years to come.
With the state Legislature convening this week, we’re at the Capitol providing information elected officials need as they make policy decisions affecting our lives and livelihoods.
Among the dozens of board-approved items on our 2024 legislative agenda, I have chosen a few to highlight today. We are encouraging the Legislature to:
- Brand Utah as a favorite place for tourism, business location, and job creation, including film and multimedia production (more on that below), and fund promotion, development, management and sustainability of Utah tourism.
- Support the public/private partnerships that are beginning to address housing affordability and diversity, and support local control of land use and transportation policies.
- Address worker shortages with improved child care, education partnerships, retraining and by closing the gender wage gap.
- Fund improvements to SR 224 (Kimball Junction) and SR 248 while supporting public transit and High Valley Transit’s regional infrastructure efforts.
- Fund the preservation of Utah’s recreational assets and adopt policies supporting the arts and creative industries as tools for healthy, diverse communities, including filmmaking.
This year’s Legislative Policy Agenda is supported by the Park City Lodging Association, the Park City Restaurant Association and the Historic Park City Alliance and can be found at ParkCityChamber.com. As we do every year, we encourage our more than 1,000 chamber partners to sign up for our informative weekly legislative update. Just contact us at [email protected].
I mentioned filmmaking twice in the list above to emphasize that film is integral to Park City’s identity and our thriving economy. We’re asking the Legislature to raise visibility and support for this industry — especially in light of the 100-year anniversary of film in Utah this year.
This milestone is not just a testament to cinema’s lasting allure, but a tribute to our vibrant communities, artists and industry professionals.
In the heart of this legacy lies Park City, a jewel in Utah’s cinematic crown. Its breathtaking landscapes and creative community have provided an exquisite canvas for stories that resonate globally. From the iconic Sundance Film Festival to the state-of-the-art Utah Film Studio and the breathtaking beauty that inspires filmmakers, Park City has become synonymous with artistic excellence.
Utah’s rugged beauty and movie-making potential impressed Robert Redford during filming of “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid,” inspiring him to found the Sundance Film Festival, celebrating 40 years when it opens tomorrow.
Come celebrate with us at a free community party we’re co-hosting with the Park City Jan. 25 at the City Park bandstand, where we’ll salute Sundance and 100 years of filmmaking in Utah. From 4-7 p.m., Pixie & The Partygrass Boys will provide live music, while Deer Valley Resort and Park City Mountain bring the treats. Long-time Park City resident and writer Teri Orr will emcee a program.
Sharpening the drive to expand local cinema is part of a critical 2024 goal: taking a top-to-bottom inventory of Park City as a destination, looking at our assets with fresh eyes and examining strategies to best develop them while broadening our appeal to a more clearly defined demographic. Cinema and the visual arts will undoubtedly be part of the picture in building a balanced, sustainable economic future.
As we toast to 100 years of film, creativity, and passion of Utah’s filmmakers and professionals, let’s not only honor the achievements of the past but also anticipate the future of cinema in this vibrant state. May the next 100 years continue to unfold stories that captivate hearts and foster a sense of shared experience.
Jennifer Wesselhoff is the president and CEO of the Park City Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau.