CAMS was established in 2004 by a group of dedicated local business owners, including Tom Stone and Jeff Bradshaw. Following the 2002 Winter Olympics, the Salt Lake Organizing Committee distributed $15,000 grants to communities, with the requirement that the funds be used for projects that enhanced the community. In Heber City, that investment led to the installation of the iconic lantern-style light fixtures along Main Street, marking the historic district and ultimately inspiring the CAMS logo still used today.
Originally formed as a 501(c)(6) organization, CAMS operated as a volunteer-driven group focused on beautification efforts. Early projects included planting flowers, installing hanging baskets, and adding benches and bike racks along Main Street, small but meaningful improvements that helped shape the downtown experience.
In 2018, a private donor approached CAMS with a vision to create a public water feature at City Hall. Inspired by the fountains of his native France, he hoped to bring a similar sense of interaction and gathering to downtown Heber. With support from Wasatch CAPS students, a concept was presented to the Heber City Council that included both a water feature and a miniature train. The project was later refined to focus solely on the water feature, which, through a partnership with Heber City, was completed and opened in June 2024.
CAMS has continued to grow in both scope and impact. The organization has achieved Tier 2 accreditation through the Utah Main Street Program, part of the National Main Street Center, a subsidiary of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, which has supported the revitalization of historic commercial districts for more than 35 years. In fall 2024, CAMS officially became a federally recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, strengthening its ability to secure funding and expand its work.
Today, CAMS is supported through grants, partnerships, and a contractual agreement with Heber City to manage Heber Market on Main and oversee programming at Main Street Park. Over the past year, CAMS has been awarded several local TAP Tax grants supporting initiatives such as Art in Public Spaces, Lights on Festival Street, and Music on Main.
The organization has also seen strong support from downtown business owners, including participation in the Flower Pot Project, which added 34 oversized planters along Main Street, further enhancing the beauty and vibrancy of the corridor. CAMS is also deeply committed to historic preservation and was instrumental in launching the Heber City Historic Tour, featuring 37 historic homes and buildings with plaques that tell the stories of the community’s earliest settlers.
Now in its twenty-second year, the CAMS Board of Directors is composed entirely of volunteers representing a diverse cross-section of Main Street stakeholders, including business owners, property owners, local government officials, and engaged community members. Board members include Chairperson Tom Stone, Dallin Koecher, Matt Brower, Nicole Ferguson, Ryan Fritzsche, Jeff Bradshaw, Erik Rowland, and Kelsey Berg, along with one employee, Executive Director Rachel Kahler.
CAMS is committed to community advocacy and education, with a focus on enhancing and revitalizing Heber City’s Main Street to support a thriving and inclusive downtown. To clarify, CAMS is not a business league, chamber of commerce, real estate board, or board of trade. It does not collect membership dues or operate for the benefit of any private group or association.
CAMS continues to build on its roots, connecting people, supporting local businesses, and helping shape a downtown that reflects the spirit and pride of Heber City.