Grow smart, Utah

It's not horribly surprising that Utah is one of the fastest growing states in the nation. According to new Census estimates, the Beehive State ranks third among the fastest growing states. Utah added 65,795 new residents last year, according to the estimate. According to the Census, there are some 2.6 million Utahns.

State demographers say Utah's population is closer to 2.7 million, which is an important distinction considering the last dispute over Census figures many officials say cost the state a congressional seat. Census officials say detailed, county-by-county estimates will be available in March.

Whatever the case, we may safely assume the Beehive State is experiencing a rapid population increase. It will present many challenges, but it is a far better condition than a mass decline in population. Louisiana's population dropped by more than 250,000 after Hurricane Katrina. In the past year, that state experienced only a slight increase, 1.2 percent. It's an improvement but hardly a rebound.

Meanwhile, Utah is on the other extreme. State officials say Utah's new growth could be nearly twice of that of the Census estimates. This growth is a sign of a robust job market and economy. Utah added some 48,900 jobs in the past year, according to the Utah Department of Workforce Services. That's up 4 percent from the previous year, although economists are seeing some signs of slowing. Yet, state officials say this indicator suggests the economy is making room for the growing population, whether homegrown or by in-migration. That bodes well for state and local tax collections, which fund vital government services.

But it also requires government agencies to plan ahead for a larger public school population. County and city planning processes need to encourage a wide variety of housing options and infrastructure needs. The same goes for state officials. As Utah grows, there will be new opportunities to employ the smart-growth strategies of Envision Utah, which include promoting air quality, preserving critical lands, encouraging water conservation and creating transportation options, among others.

Pick any fast-growing city in the West and there are likely state and local leaders who would give anything for a do-over on the sprawl and insufficient infrastructure they live with today. Utah doesn't have to be in the same boat. It should employ sound planning measures to enhance all Utahns' quality of life and to ensure it is not saddled with similar regrets.