The WRDC is building a coalition of private and public
interests in Box Elder County and within the next 60 days
will launch an entrepreneurial training program there
called the “Western Edge.” Allen says the program will
foster entrepreneurship among individuals with business
ideas, existing home-based businesses, or even “main
street” businesses that want to take their enterprises to
the next level.IN THE NEWS
GOED'S PTAC Director Named to National Board
While preparing for the first ever state-wide Procurement Symposium, Fred G. Lange, the current Director of Utah Procurement Technical Assistance Centers (UPTAC) at the Governor’s Office of Economic Development (GOED), was appointed as Region 9 Director and member of the Board of Directors for the National Association of Procurement Technical Assistance Centers on Aug. 1, 2006.
As Region 9 Director, Lange will oversee the progress of PTAC in Montana, Wyoming, Idaho, Utah, Colorado and Arizona.
Within Utah, PTAC has eight locations where small business clients can receive free services, including registration for federal government contracts, workshops and one-on-one counseling.
Economic Development Headlines
Microenterprise Loan Fund Orientation
- The Utah Microenterprise Loan Fund will have a program orientation from 3 to 4 p.m. Wednesday at UMLF offices, 154 E. Ford Ave. (3415 South). No registration is necessary. More information is available at 801-746-1180. (Morning News)
The Outdoor Summer Retailer Market Celebrates Its 25th Anniversary
- The Outdoor Summer Retailer Market celebrates its 25th anniversary this week at the Salt Palace, where more than 950 exhibiting companies will present their wares. The size of the Market reflects the growth of the Outdoor Industry, says Frank Hugelmeyer, President of the Outdoor Industry Association. (KCPW) (SL Tribune)
Bigger, Better Salt Palace
- Not a one-event building. The Salt Lake Convention & Visitors Bureau on Friday unveiled the expanded Salt Palace Convention Center, which will be completed on budget and in time to host its premier tenant, the Outdoor Retailer Summer and Winter Markets. (Morning News) (KCPW)
Utah Energy Business Grows, Revenues Soar
- Utah's energy boom just got bigger as the number of oil and natural gas well permits issued in the first half of this year climbed to 1,100 permits — a 51 percent increase over the 728 permits handed out in the same six-month period in 2005. The number of permits issued this year is expected to set a new record, according to Utah Division of Oil, Gas and Mining, which approves the permits. (Morning News)
Davis County Popular in Commercial Market
- As property prices continue to escalate, including for commercial buildings, many investors are looking at Davis County and Utah for a place to plop their funds. In addition, where the plan might be to build a new structure, higher building material costs are leading to more use of existing facilities, says Joe Florence. He is the manager of Commerce CRG, here, which deals with commercial transactions across the county. (Clipper Today)
Centerville Leaders Voice Concern Over Conference Center Expansion
- Centerville City officials have come out against a plan by Davis County to use tourist tax dollars to fund a $13.2 million expansion of the county's conference center. In June, Davis County officials voted to raise the county's hotel-room tax by 1.25 percent. That would bring in about $240,000 a year, which would be used to pay off $10 million in sales-tax revenue bonds expected to be issued this month to expand the conference center. (Morning News)
Utah Economy On a Roll
- Utah's economy will continue its healthy rate of growth well into the final quarter of the year, according to a report released Tuesday. The Mountain States Business Conditions Index spiked to 75 in July, up from June's 65.4. The report, prepared by Creighton University in Omaha, Neb., is based on a monthly survey of local supply managers and business leaders in Utah, Wyoming and Colorado. (Morning News) (Standard Examiner)
Utah Governor Huntsman Supports National Energy Efficiency Efforts
- Utah Governor Jon Huntsman joined the Leadership Group of the National Action Plan for Energy Efficiency on Monday, continuing Utah's energy efficiency program launched earlier this year. (All American Patriots)
Courting Hispanic Chamber Convention
- Salt Lake will have to fight a general perception that it lacks diversity if it hopes to beat Denver and Albuquerque to be the site of the 2009 U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce convention. (KCPW) (SL Tribune)
Government Gives Money to BRAG For New District
- For the first time, the Bear River Association of Governments has money in place to create a regional economic development district that officials say will cut down on the competition among neighboring counties for incentives. (Herald Journal)
Sandy Mall Gets New Name, New Look
- A San Francisco-based firm that specializes in purchasing properties, refurbishing them and then re-selling them has started work on the Sandy Mall, the 30-acre development at 9400 S. 700 East. (Utah Business Magazine)
Columbus Travel Awarded Rotary International – Salt Lake City Host Organization Committee Contract
- Columbus Travel of Bountiful has been awarded the contract to handle on-line registration services for delegates attending next year's Rotary International Convention in Salt Lake City. (Utah Business Magazine)
Wasatch Properties Purchases City Centre One Building
- Wasatch Properties has expanded its presence in Salt Lake City with the purchase of the City Centre One Building, 175 E. 400 S. (Utah Business Magazine)
Ski Utah Partners with Rossignol for Mountain Center Park City Opening
- Ski Utah has entered into a new sponsorship agreement with Rossignol. The winter sports company under the Quiksilver, Inc. umbrella, recently re-located its U.S. headquarters from Vermont to Park City.
Village Bank Among Top 50 Community Banks Nationwide
- The
Village Bank, with headquarters in St. George, was
recently recognized by the American Banking
Association as one of the top 50 community banks in
the nation in its asset class, according to an
article in the July 2006 issue of the ABA Banking
Journal.
(Utah
Business Magazine)
Hill Air Force Base Receives 2006 Shingo Prize Public Sector Award
- Hill Air Force Base is among the nine government entities to receive the Shingo Prize for Excellence in Manufacturing — deemed the Nobel Prize for manufacturing by Business Week. (Utah Business Magazine)
Real Estate Investment Market On Pace For Billion Dollar Year
- Last year’s record-setting $1.5 billion real estate investment market in the Salt Lake area has slowed only slightly, with this year’s sales projected to reach $1 billion according to a report from Commerce CRG. (Utah Business Magazine)
Nu Skin Enterprises Receives Direct Selling Authorization in Mainland China
- Nu Skin Enterprises, Inc., a Provo-based company that sells personal care products, has received official notification that the company has received approval from the Chinese Ministry of Commerce to begin direct selling activities in Mainland China. (Utah Business Magazine)
STORES Magazine Ranks Overstock.com Second Hottest Retailer in the Nation
- One day after Jack Byrne retired, for the second time, from the Overstock.com board of directors, STORES Magazine announced that Overstock.com was named to the Hot 100 Retailers list. (Utah Business Magazine)
SkyWest Airlines Grows Regional Jet Fleet
- SkyWest Airlines, a subsidiary of SkyWest Inc., welcomes a fourth aircraft type into their regional aircraft fleet: the 70-passenger, Bombardier manufactured Canadair Regional Jet 900 (CRJ900). The airline is taking its first deliveries of these aircraft this month. As a result of these new deliveries, SkyWest Airlines will operate all three variants of Bombardier's industry-leading jet. (Utah Business Magazine)
Utah Banks On Schedule to Meet Electronic Security Guidelines
- Thieves no longer need six-shooters or safe-cracking skills to rob a bank. With the advent of electronic banking, a computer keyboard and a little information can result in a big heist. (Utah Business Magazine)
Utah's Economy to Continue Growing, Wells Fargo Analyst Says
- With an increasing population, high employment rate and solid retail sales, Utah’s economy likely will remain strong through the end of the year, according to a Wells Fargo analysis. (Utah Business Magazine)