BOX ELDER — It’s no secret. Box Elder is growing.
In June 2025, the Box Elder Economic Development Association formed with a mission to grow the community and attract new businesses and jobs to the area. Nearly one year later, the organization has rebranded as Forward Box Elder and is already putting plans into action, actively working to bring new opportunities to the community.
Forward Box Elder is an independent economic development group composed of an eight-person volunteer board, all of whom do business in Box Elder and are committed to growing the community. Mark O’Loughlen, economic development manager with the City of Box Elder, also serves on the board.
“We know what we want to do, but we’re just putting the logistics and legs into it,” said Greg Robinson, president of Forward Box Elder. “Our goal is to promote and support businesses that want to come to Box Elder and make this home.”
“We’re still a new community and the city said we needed someone within the walls of City Hall to manage and run economic development,” O’Loughlen said.
When it comes to attraction, O’Loughlen said businesses are consistently inquiring about Box Elder. That interest has grown since Gov. Larry Rhoden, Sen. Mike Rounds and the state legislative team confirmed the B-21 bombers would be in Box Elder.
“We’re hitting that reality phase, and people that were riding the fence in the past are showing interest,” Robinson said, noting there are new and exciting additions on the rise for Box Elder.
O’Loughlen said recent businesses, like Hairy Cow Brewing and AutoZone, have been exciting additions to the area and have been busy. He shared that Taco Bell will soon join the lineup of restaurants along Liberty Boulevard.
“One of the things that makes Box Elder more attractive than anything is the availability of property,” Robinson said. “We have land for people to build a business and do something on. It’s nice to have that kitty, for lack of a better word.”
He added, “We have a base here, but they’re excited for businesses to come here and that excitement breeds incredible opportunities for the right employer to come in.”
O’Loughlen added that land availability creates a blank canvas for potential businesses looking to open in Box Elder and that the city can offer that flexibility.
Additionally, Robinson and O’Loughlen noted there is a hidden labor force, both with retired military members who establish roots in Box Elder, as well as military spouses who seek employment close to home.
O’Loughlen credited City of Box Elder events held throughout the year as a promotional draw for the community, noting that they not only bring the community together, but also showcase Box Elder as a place to do business.
When growing the business base, O’Loughlen said Forward Box Elder is listening to community needs.
And what do Box Elder residents want?
“Retail and places to eat,” O’Loughlen said. “That’s what my head-down focus has been on.”
O’Loughlen added that other economic development organizations are looking for industries that can create jobs. While he said Box Elder has an open mind toward employers coming to the area, a focus has been on businesses that can increase sales tax revenue for the community.
“We have this growth and need for water, sewer and roads, none of which is cheap, and on top of that we have to maintain what we already have,” O’Loughlen said. “There are challenges growing like that without necessary sales tax.”
He added that sales tax revenue rose 11% in March.
“That’s huge. That’s the mission right here for us,” O’Loughlen said.
And there are no signs that growth is slowing down anytime soon.
“I will say the last couple of months have been a flurry of activity,” O’Loughlen said. “We’re turning and burning all day every day.”
