Taking a step back and looking at the big picture, we can’t help but feel like 2016 was a good year for Fountain Hills. There were plenty of downs to go with the ups, sure, but overall it looks like things are moving in a positive direction.

Let’s run down a quick list here:

*One major development wrapped up in downtown Fountain Hills this year, one more broke ground, and one more just around the corner is in the early stages of development.

*From community developments to rindividual homes, there’s a lot of construction going on around town that’s just begging to be filled with new residents.

*The local schools continue to excel while simultaneously implementing more programs and extracurricular opportunities.

*The Vision Fountain Hills group is putting together some actionable objectives for the community and the Town Council has been on a roll approving projects and regulations aimed at continued growth and development.

*Whether you’re for or against the guy, the future president of our nation made Fountain Hills one of his stops in Arizona, and the magnitude of that event cannot be ignored.

Again, that’s only a handful of the positives going on in and around Fountain Hills these days and things only look to continue in that positive direction as we head into 2017. We don’t expect any other visits from potential world leaders, but all other items on that list are ongoing and will help ensure that 2017 gets off to a good start.

While the national and global climate has been a bit chilly this year, things look to be moving in a sunny direction for our hometown. That wouldn’t be possible without everyone pulling together and working to make Fountain Hills a great place to live. We applaud your efforts in 2016 and look forward to reporting on even more of them in 2017.