Complex sentence: In 2005, St. George was ranked the second fastest-growing metropolitan area in the United States, beat only by Greeley, Colorado, this trend continued through 2010, when growth slowed substantially due to the economic recession.
Split into simpler sentences: In 2005, St. George was ranked the second fastest-growing metropolitan area in the United States, behind only Greeley, Colorado. This trend continued through 2010, when growth slowed substantially due to the economic recession.