"We've actually invested a lot of money in the city," Greenwood said. "The roads you drive up on, all the public improvements that have gone into this project, were built by the city . . . and it's the impact fees and people spending their money here that makes it possible to do those things."

American Fork is already using a major commercial development to improve city infrastructure. The city issued a $3.5 million bond to build roads around The Meadows shopping center when it was announced in 2001 and is using the revenue from that development to pay off the debt.

American Fork Mayor Ted Barratt said the shopping center is booming — it went from empty acreage to a development that has a Wal-Mart, Home Depot, Kohl's, PetsMart and others — and he expects the city to pay off the bond ahead of schedule.

Barratt said the development has been a great for residents of American Fork and the surrounding communities. They can take care of their needs close to home he said, and the success of the stores will likely bring in other businesses to the area.

"With the opening of Cabela's, The Meadows and other future developments in east American Fork and west Pleasant Grove, the commercial districts will begin to blend together," Barratt said.

But in all the success, there are still casualties. Greenwood said he has seen friends in Lehi close lumber and hardware stores that have been in the family for years.

"I really hate to see that because it's a casualty of our time and it's a casualty of our changing economics," Greenwood said. "There's some sadness that goes on with that, but you just have to be happy about it all and put on a good face and have at it."

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E-mail: jtwitchell@desnews.com