According to a recent WalletHub article, “Best & Worst Small Cities to Start a Business (2024),” Cedar City, Utah, is the best city in the United States to start a business.

Analysts studied various cities and compared 18 different key metrics to determine which small cities were the best places to begin a new business: In addition to gaining the No. 1 spot on the best business list, Cedar City has a history that is celebrated throughout the year with various events that bring the community together.

In order to receive the No. 1 ranking, Cedar City had to be evaluated against over 1,300 other small cities in the United States. The notable metrics used to calculate the overall score included business environment, access to resources and business costs.

According to writer Adam McCann, Cedar City has one of the highest rates of startups per capita, “as well as the fourth-highest growth in the number of small businesses between 2015 and 2021, at over 33%. This growth is significant because it shows that the city has the conditions to keep small businesses afloat even during this period of economic difficulty.”

Because of its smaller size, one of the biggest strengths of Cedar City is its ample resources available to support entrepreneurs. It has multiple programs and resources available within the county, and it offers entrepreneurs the ability to work one-on-one with professionals whose mission is to see them succeed, said Community Relations and Public Information Officer Gabbie Costello.

Costello discussed additional business opportunities that have helped to contribute to the city’s success.

 “We have a wide variety of businesses in Cedar City and throughout the country, many who have expanded here from different parts of the U.S. or were started here. Recently, American Packaging Corporation expanded to Cedar City from the Midwest and chose Cedar City based on proximity to the southwestern United States and the family-friendly atmosphere in the community for their employees,” she noted.

“Another noteworthy business is RCS Rocket Motor Components, which has had a part in recent NASA rocket projects with their products. We have all types of businesses in the city, with plenty of industrial areas to expand to. We are currently working with the Utah Inland Port Authority, providing the first rural Inland Port in Utah. Innovative businesses like BZI and Savage are working to create a rail hub in this area to assist businesses in transloading across the U.S.”

In addition to its standing with WalletHub, Cedar City has also been named the fastest-growing college town in America by BrokeScholar.com, which notes its unique opportunities to start or grow businesses based on other economic vitality within the area. Overall, there are some significant factors that influence this success, Costello said, with some of it also coming from the larger historical celebrations and community events the city holds throughout the year.

Historically, Cedar City has a rich background, rooted in its agricultural origins and its pivotal role in the development of Utah’s tourism industry. With the arrival of the railroad in 1923, the city became able to host the first film shown in Utah outside of Hollywood theaters, and attracted President Warren G. Harding, the only sitting president to visit the city and acknowledge its natural beauty and strategic importance.

Cedar City celebrates its history annually on Nov. 11, marking its founding and reflecting on its journey from an agricultural hub to a thriving modern city.

Not only is Cedar City the best place to start a business, but it is also home to large festivals and events that draw people from near and far. One of the most notable events is the Tony-Award Winning Utah Shakespeare Festival celebrated every year, which gave the city the title of “Festival City USA.”

Every year during the summer months, it hosts the festival to celebrate classic and contemporary plays, musicals and interactive experiences.

While the Shakespeare festival alone drives thousands of individuals to Cedar City in the summer, there are other interesting events going on as well. According to Costello, “There is always a fun event happening in Cedar City or the surrounding area. We are home to Southern Utah University, known as the University of the Parks due to the close driving proximity to Bryce Canyon National Park, Zion National Park, Grand Canyon National Park and Cedar Breaks National Monument. These parks alone draw millions of visitors every year, in addition to the nearby Brian Head Ski Resort. Our city is full of bike trails, natural wonders and historical landmarks.”

For those interested in visiting Cedar City soon, Costello mentioned, “Some other noteworthy annual events include: The Cedar Livestock and Heritage Festival Sheep Parade, Utah Summer Games, the Rotary Club July Jamboree Car Show on Main Street, Midsummer Renaissance Fair, and Simon Fest.” These events not only attract visitors but also celebrate the city’s heritage and vibrant community spirit. Cedar City’s flourishing business environment and vibrant cultural scene make it a model for small cities aiming to boost economic growth and community engagement as a whole.

Next Article: Communities commemorate National Public Works Week 2024