United Way of Utah County opens new center in American Fork with $300,000 grant from Texas Instruments | News, Sports, Jobs

For over sixty years, the United Way of Utah County has provided resources to help community members thrive.

Supporting families and neighborhoods by creating a sense of community is at the heart of the organization’s work.

To expand its reach in the face of rapid growth, the United Way of Utah County will open a new community center in American Fork.

The new center, scheduled to open in early 2025, will expand its services to northern Utah County and is funded by a $300,000 grant from the Texas Instruments Foundation.

“This United Way Center is designed to be a beacon of hope and progress for the American Fork community, meeting the most pressing needs for health care, mental health support and educational opportunities for financially challenged residents,” a press release said.

The new location will be the United Way of Utah County’s third community center, joining South Franklin in Provo and its newest facility in Payson, which opened earlier this year.

Texas Instruments’ presence is already felt in Utah County.

In November 2023, the Dallas-based company began construction on a 300-millimeter semiconductor wafer manufacturing facility in Lehi. The $11 million project will expand current operations in the city, which already employs over 1,100 people.

“As we expand our manufacturing facility in Lehi, we also look forward to expanding our support of United Way of Utah County and believe the new community center will be a place for our neighbors in American Fork to come together and learn,” Andy Smith, TI director of giving and volunteerism and executive director of the TI Foundation, said in the press release.

The technology company is also heavily committed to local education, investing $9 million in the Alpine School District to build the state’s first science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) learning community for all students in kindergarten through 12th grade.

In keeping with TI’s efforts, the United Way of Utah County’s new American Fork Center will have a major focus on STEM education.

“Because Texas Instruments already does so much in this area, this is something they really want to highlight,” said marketing director Danielle Moran. “We have a digital inclusion program that will probably be phased out there as well, and we always do a lot with reading and arts programs as well. That’s just consistent with all of our United Way centers.”

The United Way of Utah County just concluded its summer learning program. This year, over 100 students took advantage of the opportunity to expand their skills in math, science and reading. Many of them recently took a field trip to the Texas Instruments campus in Lehi.

“What I love about the community centers is that you get to see not only how volunteers are helping, but also how businesses are helping,” Moran said. “And I think the kids just need that inspiration. It makes anything possible and they can do anything.”

For more than 15 years, the United Way of Utah County’s Provo Franklin Center has also provided mental health resources and community integration programs aimed at improving connections and building relationships.

The organization’s leaders are excited to provide resources to residents in northern Utah County.

“With this new center, we can better support families and neighborhoods. We are excited to have Texas Instruments as our lead sponsor for this project,” said Bill Hulterstrom, CEO of United Way of Utah County, in the press release. “They have shown a phenomenal commitment to giving back.”

Specific details about the American Fork Center will be announced at a later date, but plans are in place for a grand opening sometime in early 2025, followed by an open house where community members can learn more about the services and programs offered, United Way of Utah County officials said.

“TI and the TI Foundation have long supported United Way and believe in the important role it plays in creating opportunities for all to thrive,” said Smith. “We look forward to the lasting impact it will have on this community.”

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