From Deseret News archives:
West Jordan milestone
City anticipates the birth of its symbolic 100,000th resident
The baby is expected to be introduced as West Jordan's 100,000th resident at a press conference Friday at Jordan Valley Medical Center. It's a symbolic honor for the infant, which as of Wednesday evening had not yet arrived.
"We're in countdown mode right now," said West Jordan spokeswoman Kim Wells.
Selecting a symbolic 100,000th resident is just one of the ways West Jordan is commemorating its six-figure milestone. A two-day celebration is planned at Veterans Memorial Park, 1985 W. 7800 South, beginning at 5 p.m. Friday.
The festival will feature entertainment, food, fireworks, a parade and games and displays.
"It's a big milestone," Mayor Dave Newton said. "We're excited to say, 'Hey, everybody, West Jordan is here. It's a really big city and you really ought to come out and see what's going on here."'
City officials aren't letting the U.S. Census Bureau spoil the party, either. Newton said the city plans to challenge the July 1, 2006, population estimates that list West Jordan with 94,309 residents.
"We're not worried about that," Newton said.
City officials decided to honor the first baby born at Jordan Valley Medical Center after 12:01 a.m. Wednesday as the 100,000th resident.
"We thought it would be fun," said Newton, who has written a letter to the honoree-to-be, welcoming him or her to the world and explaining the honor.
Area businesses and members of the community have had fun with the idea, Wells said, giving all kinds of gifts for the baby.
"It's been hilarious to see what's been gifted so far," she said. "We've got all sorts of great things, everything from free tax preparation to fresh produce."
Wells said hitting the 100,000 mark makes West Jordan stand out, putting it in the state's elite population club along with Salt Lake City, West Valley City and Provo.
"For a long time, West Jordan has been kind of inconspicuous, just over on the west side, doing its own thing," she said. "But we have a lot of really good things going on."
Manufacturing facilities such as KraftMaid Cabinetry, which is set to open its doors in West Jordan in September, and the expanding Dannon yogurt plant demonstrate the type of economic growth that Wells says has transformed the city from a bedroom community of Salt Lake City to "self-sustainable city."
"West Jordan has a lot to offer," she said.
E-mail: jpage@desnews.com
