Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
- Millcreek Mayor Cheri Jackson celebrated the city's growth in her address.
- Since incorporation in 2016, Millcreek's population grew from 60,000 to over 64,000.
- Jackson highlighted achievements like Millcreek Common, a new city hall and business growth.
MILLCREEK — Millcreek is set to have a great year.
The city, which had been a township in late 2016, was incorporated after residents in 2015 voted in favor of creating their own municipal government. Mayor Cheri Jackson, who was elected to the first City Council, vividly remembers that time a decade ago.
She spoke about the early beginnings of the city's newly elected officials while delivering her state-of-the-city address on Monday.
"Millcreek began modestly in 2016; five people stood at the helm. Mayor Jeff Silvestrini, Council Member Silvia Catten, Dwight Marchand, Bev Uipi and me," Jackson recounted. "We met in borrowed space at the Mount Olympus improvement district, using borrowed chairs for residents to attend meetings."
Jackson was appointed mayor in November, after former Mayor Jeff Silvestrini retired due to health complications.
Silvestrini had long sought help maintain Millcreek's unique sense of community. Though Silivestrini is no longer at the helm, city leaders appear poised to keep that promise going.
"Millcreek began as an idea – neighbors choosing to shape their own destiny. Ten years later, that spirit remains strong. Our city is growing wiser, more capable, and more compassionate with each passing year," Jackson said during her speech.
She commemorated Millcreek's 10th anniversary of incorporation and acknowledged the city's growth and progress.
The community had just over 60,000 residents at the time of incorporation; a decade later, just over 64,000 people call Millcreek home. While that may not seem like a huge jump, Millcreek is among the 15 most populous cities in Utah.
Aside from more residents, Jackson said the city has issued more than 3,000 permits for housing units and added nearly 2,500 more businesses.
"That growth is remarkable, and we are deeply grateful to the businesses that not only contribute to our tax base, but to the character, vitality and everyday life of our city," she said.
Jackson said Millcreek initially relied on Salt Lake County for essential services but later built its own planning, building services and economic development departments.
Other highlights mentioned during Jackson's state-of-the-city address included efforts by the economic development department to build Millcreek Common; launching the city's own communications department to foster clarity, transparency, and connection with residents; creating the Millcreek Promise program; and constructing a new City Hall, which opened in November 2023, among other achievements.
"At 10 years old, Millcreek has accomplished a great deal, but like any 10-year-old, we're not done growing," she said. "We will face growing pains, addressing infrastructure, roads, parking enforcement and evolving public works needs. We will complete Millcreek Common Phase 2, and then look to the future."
Jackson's full speech can be found here.
