In recent years, Helper City has been working towards establishing its identity through its traditions and lifestyles with the emphasis on tourists but also locals to visit its picturesque community.

“The focus now is moving away from the traditional energy-based economy that we have relied on for so many years and creating a destination that really highlights Helper’s historic, artistic and recreational assets,” said Mayor Lenise Peterman. The establishment of the Helper Revitalization Project committee has made this move very natural for the city to capitalize on its unique area and resources.

The town prides itself on its artistic and cultural offerings through the many galleries that adorn historic main street and the annual music festival that takes place every year. The HRP is expanding on this idea by using the city as a venue by inviting performers from outside the area to visit and offer entertainment experiences to local residents. “In April the Helper Project is bringing in the Utah Youth Symphony and Utah Youth Philharmonic Orchestras. They will be performing for free down at The Rio on April 14,” said Mayor Peterman. The HRP is able to bring in this incredible show with the help of Zions Bank. Although this is a free event, the facility has limited seating so obtaining advance tickets is encouraged. The admission tickets will be made available to the general public on March 29 at Helper City Hall.

There are so many changes happening to improve the town’s historic Main Street, most of which is the addition of new stores and cosmetic touches. “We have benches going in and we have concrete that’s going to be poured shortly. You know we encourage everyone to come down, shop local, support these local entrepreneurs who are trying to make a go of it,” stated Mayor Peterman. The next phase of the river restoration has been funded through a grant of $224,000.00 which will allow for construction to start in October. The recent award of monies has created belief in other organizations to want to see the town continue to make improvements.

Helper is coming alive with the storefronts filling up with new businesses and with the recreational aspects being showcased outside of the area. Mayor Peterman finished by saying, “Really I give a huge shout out to our Senior Citizens who really have bought into this migration of who we were to who we can be. I think without them we would be hard-pressed to move forward.” The excitement of having the belief and trust of the residents of Helper makes all the on-going and future developments worthwhile.