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The City of Orem was organized in 1919 and named after Walter C. Orem, President of the Salt Lake and Utah Railroad. The naming of Orem was an apparent attempt to curry his favor and attract future investments from this prosperous Salt Lake City resident. It shares the general location and history of Provo UT and was often referred to as the “Provo Bench.” The incorporation of Orem as its own city was spurred by the need for water in the area. Residents of what is now Orem believed that Provo City was unlikely to provide the public financing necessary to construct a new water system sufficient for their needs. Therefore, they incorporated as Orem and bonded $110,000 to build their own water system, drawing water from Provo Canyon and digging deep wells. Since then, Orem has grown to become the commercial and technological center for Utah Valley.

In a special election in 1980, the citizens of Orem voted to adopt the Council-Manager form of government. Since 1982, the City Council has consisted of six Council members and the Mayor, who are all elected at large.

• 1942 – 1947:  Geneva Steel (owned by Federal Government)
• 1947 – 1986:  U.S. Steel Company (1.5 M Tons/year steel produced)
• 1986 – 1987:  USX Corporation (closed Mill due to Union strike)
• 1987 – 2003:  BM&T renamed to Geneva Steel Company
• 1999 – 2003:  Operated under bankruptcy
• 2003 – 2004:  Assets sold to a Chinese company and plants dismantled 
• 2005 – 2007:  Demolition of all structures and clean-up of site
• 2007 – 2008:  Remnants used to construct Timpanogos Harley-Davidson

Ever since the City of Orem traded in its farms and orchards for the likes of WordPerfect and Novell, publications around the country have taken notice of Orem’s pro-business environment.

​In 2021, The Milken Institute released its list of the best performing metropolitan areas in terms of creating and sustaining jobs and economic growth. The analysis considered the following items: jobs, wages and salaries, and technology growth. The Provo-Orem area was ranked #1 in the country. Orem/Provo continue to receive Top 10 rankings for cities from a variety of publications as time goes on.

​​Today, there are dozens of technology companies, manufacturers, and service companies employing thousands of Orem residents, making the economic importance of Geneva Steel just a memory in the historical archives.

Notably, minimum central planning in Orem has contributed to retail sprawl and signage along what has been referred to as “America’s Ugliest Street,” Orem’s State Street.  

Pockets of commercial and residential development intermix, forming a mish-mash of development and street signage.  Many businesses have recently been given face-lifts, improving the overall appearance of this busy corridor.

2022 State Street Update

The City rolled back the State Street Master Plan in February of 2022. City councilman, Terry Peterson, remarked, “This change will provide a greater opportunity for commercial and retail development — and we welcome those who wish to move their business to Orem.”  City Councilperson LaNae Millett stated, “Tonight, the Orem City Council put in place ordinances that will beautify and revitalize State Street and protect Orem neighborhoods. We eliminated unlimited building heights, increased parking and setbacks, and stopped high-density housing from advancing into our neighborhoods,” Millett said. “The beautification changes will make State Street a more inviting corridor and encourage increased commercial development. I believe these improvements will position Orem in a positive way for future growth and opportunities.”

Disabled Veterans – No taxes on the first $271,736 of Property Value