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To give the valley's west side — particularly Kearns — positive exposure before a global audience, the Salt Lake County Council is investing $150,000 in this summer's Tour of Utah cycling race.

The funding will make the county the host of the race's Stage 4 finish on Cougar Lane, which runs between Kearns High School on the east and the Utah Olympic Oval and Kearns Oquirrh Park Fitness Center on the west.

On Aug. 4, cyclists will finish there after starting the day at the IM Flash offices in Lehi. In between, their route will take them to Bluffdale, then along Mountain View Corridor through Herriman, Riverton, South Jordan, West Jordan and West Valley City.

"At a time when we are focusing our efforts to reinvigorate our townships," said Deputy County Mayor Lori Bays in a letter to the council, "hosting a free-to-the-public, internationally televised, world class cycling event is an ideal way to involve the Kearns community in a family friendly activity with long-lasting benefits."

Council members agreed.

"This will have a great impact on western Salt Lake County and what we're doing with Kearns and the town center concept," said Councilman Michael Jenson, referring to efforts to develop a community hub around the Olympic speedskating oval and the adjacent fitness center, both of which regularly draw sizable crowds. Jenson's district includes Kearns.

"This helps the identity of Kearns as a sports center," said Councilwoman Jenny Wilson, citing the oval's prominence as a site of World Cup skating events and its reputation as the fastest ice on Earth. "That ongoing identity is being developed over time and this will help to expand [that reputation] into the summer-sports arena."

"I can't think of a better use for the dollars," added Councilman Richard Snelgrove. "No doubt we'll see a positive return on investment. These will be dollars well spent."

Alison Weyher, economic development director for the county's unincorporated townships, said the Aug. 1-7 race is expected to generate $22 million in revenue for the state as well as tax money for the county.

"We will see revenue come in from taxes paid on hotels and meals," she said, noting that 600 people travel with the tour — athletes, trainers, support vehicles, bicycle mechanics and medical staff.

In addition, of the $500,000 that tour officials plan to spend on marketing, about $71,000 will be "putting Kearns out there on the international stage," Weyher said.

The county will cut the $150,000 check to the Utah Sports Commission, the quasi-governmental agency created after the 2002 Winter Olympics to bring more national and international sporting events to the state.

It will use the funding to market the event and to help cover Tour of Utah's police services, security guards, portable toilets, waste management and hotel rooms.

County personnel also will work with the race's local organizing committee to provide finish-line support, such as street closures, sweeping and repairs, Bays said.

The county's decision to participate was encouraged by Barbara Riddle, president and CEO of ChamberWest, which serves West Valley City, Taylorsville and Kearns.