EDCUtah's Mission

To serve as a catalyst for quality job growth and increased capital investment by assisting in-state companies to grow and recruiting out-of-state companies to expand and relocate in Utah.

 

Feature Story

EDCUtah Manages Extensive Research Library for Projects, Investors

Economic development projects often require enormous amounts of research, and access to timely, accurate data is crucial to the success of nearly every project in EDCUtah's recruitment portfolio.

In fact, Vice President of Business Development Todd Brightwell says EDCUtah's research capability "is one of the key components contributing to our success over the past three years. It makes us extremely competitive. Site Selectors have told us that knowing we will be able to produce reliable and timely data is what gives them the confidence to recommend our state for projects."

To meet the ever-increasing demand for data, EDCUtah has developed an extensive research library, managed by Jessica Turner. Quite often her expertise is called upon by EDCUtah's business developers as they meet with clients and fill requests for information.

"I rely on Jessica and our research library for nearly every project," says EDCUtah Business Developer Erick Allen. "Just recently we needed an economic impact model for project ‘Speedway,' a Fortune 50 client that wanted to know the multiplier effect the project would have on jobs in the area. We were able to turn the data over to Jessica and the resulting economic model she generated proved to have a positive multiplier effect, which our client was happy to receive."

Turner's expertise is also relied upon by EDCUtah's investors for economic impact analyses, demographic data and a variety of other information. In fact, EDCUtah's public investors utilize the research library extensively. Says Turner: "Many of our city and county investors also want to know the multiplier effect a project will have on the local economy, especially in regard to the number of collateral jobs created and the multiplier effect the new wages will have on the economy."

Salt Lake City recently asked Turner to create a city-specific profile, similar to the county profiles EDCUtah produces. Such case-by-case requests are common and Turner says she works closely with investors to meet their needs.

The data available in EDCUtah's research library covers a broad scope, in categories such as:

• Demographics
• Education
• Labor
• Real Estate
• Transportation
• Utilities
• Taxes
• Language Skills
• Geography
• Quality of Life
• Workforce
• Education
• Utilities
• Transportation
• Business Environment
• Core Industries
• Rankings and Headlines

Keeping up with the ever-changing data requires a broad network of resources. Consequently, Turner has developed relationships with organizations such as the Bureau of Economic and Business Research at the University of Utah, the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the Utah Department of Workforce Services, the Governor's Office of Economic Development, the Governor's Office of Planning and Budget, the Utah Foundation and many others.

"There is always new information being released," she says, "so we work with a broad body of resources to keep the data accurate and reliable. What's more, if we don't have the data an investor or business development manager needs, we generally know where to find it."

In addition to collecting data and managing the library, Turner also works closely with Sherrie Martell, EDCUtah's public development manager, who administers EDCUtah's SURE Sites program. "Data from the research library is even more valuable when used in conjunction with the information hosted within the SURE Sites program," Turner adds.

While requests for data associated with economic development projects generally flow through the business development managers, Turner welcomes direct data requests from investors. "Some investors use our research more than others," she adds, "but all of our investors are welcome to contact me as their need for data arises."

Much of the library data can be accessed online from EDCUtah's Web site, under two links: "Research Center" and "Utah Advantages." If investors don't find the data they need from the site, they may call Turner directly. Her office phone number is: (801) 323-4245.

In the News

Utah hits home-buying, construction stimulus cash bonanza
Home builders say a state grant program designed to entice Utahns to buy new homes is working, with people flocking to take advantage of the $6,000 incentive and creating a demand that they hope will get the construction industry moving again. (Salt Lake Tribune)

Audio: Supporting the entrepreneur in your midst
Entrepreneurs have varied needs as they get on the path to success and economic development professionals have a wide-range of tools in their "tool box" to help. (Utah Pulse audio)

VIDEO: Jeff Edwards, president and CEO, Economic Development Corporation of Utah
Utah Pulse speaks with Jeff Edwards, President and CEO, Economic Development Corporation of Utah. (Utah Pulse video)

East Gate developers ready to go
Developers of the first phase of the 650-acre East Gate project are ready to move in. And they are bringing 12 buildings with them. (Standard-Examiner)

Geneva's gone to the 'hogs'
Care for some irony with your morning bagel, accompanied by a dash of incongruity and a scent of incredulity? Geneva Steel has gone totally green. And it's selling Harleys. (Deseret News)

Utah BLM projects net $30 million
Nearly $30 million in federal stimulus money will go toward Bureau of Land Management projects in Utah. (Salt Lake Tribune)

Work starts on Eagle Mtn. grocery store
The first full-service grocery store is coming to Eagle Mountain. (Deseret News)

Making money with methane in Davis County
Except for cow and sheep belches, Americans' rotting garbage is the country's largest producer of methane, a greenhouse gas that, pound for pound, is 20 times more hazardous than carbon dioxide. That rotting garbage smell is more than just a stomach-churning nuisance and contributor to smog, however. It's also renewable energy. (Standard-Examiner)

State focuses on small business
Government officials say they are going out of their way to include small businesses in the Falcon Hill Research Park development. (Standard-Examiner)

Going Hollywood: Utah sweetens incentives to lure more filming here
From "Stagecoach" to "Everwood" and "High School Musical," Utah has a history of attracting productions away from Hollywood, thanks to striking scenery and experienced but low-cost film crews. (Salt Lake Tribune)

Trade and business conference May 20
Utah businesses are exploring overseas opportunities to help offset the economic challenges they face. But can there be globalization in the midst of a recession? That will be explored during Zions Bank's eighth annual International Trade and Business Conference, scheduled for 8:15 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. May 20 at the Downtown Marriott. (Deseret News)

Expo MarketPlace is May 14 in Salt Lake
The Salt Lake Chamber's "Expo MarketPlace" is scheduled for 4 to 8 p.m. May 14 at the Sheraton Hotel, 150 W. 500 South. (Deseret News)

Utah 'an attractive state' for businesses
"Utah's open for business and business is realizing this," State Sen. Dan Liljenquist, told members of the Bountiful Breakfast Exchange Club last week. (Davis County Clipper)

Tooele Army Depot projects to get $4M
A variety of projects at the Tooele Army Depot are slated to receive $4 million in funding as part of the economic stimulus package. (Deseret News)

Wal-Mart to remodel former Kmart store in Salt Lake City
Wal-Mart announced on Tuesday that it has abandoned plans to build a super center on the east side of Salt Lake City, opting instead to remodel the former Kmart store at Parleys Way and Foothill Boulevard. (Salt Lake Tribune)

Army installations getting $10.7M
The Pentagon is releasing $10.7 million of economic stimulus money for improvements at Utah's Tooele Army Depot and Dugway Proving Ground, Rep. Jim Matheson, D-Utah, announced Tuesday. (Deseret News)

Weber likely to extend GSL tax incentive
Weber County officials have given initial approval of a plan to extend a tax incentive for Great Salt Lake Minerals Corp., which is investing millions to upgrade its equipment and expand its work force at a mineral harvesting operation on Great Salt Lake. (Standard-Examiner)

Utah economic groups to get federal grants
The U.S. Commerce Department's Economic Development Administration on Friday announced grants of $52,500 each to the Six County Economic Development District of Richfield, the Five County Association of Governments of St. George and the Southeastern Utah Economic Development District of Price. (Deseret News)

Swine flu may postpone Huntsman trip to China
A Western Governors' Association trip to China being led by Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. could be delayed because of the swine-flu outbreak. (Deseret News) (More about the trip here and here)

Calendar

May 2-6
IAMC (Asheville, NC)

May 4-7
Windpower 2009 (Chicago)

May 27
EDCUtah Board meeting (Sheraton Salt Lake City)

May 17-20
ICSC (Las Vegas)

May 18-21
SAMPE (Baltimore)

May 18-21
BIO (Atlanta)

June 3
EDCUtah Golf for Grants Match Grant Tournament (Eaglewood Golf Course in North Salt Lake). This is the main fundraiser for EDCUtah's Community Match Grants Program. Sponsorship opportunities for 2009 are limited to investors in EDCUtah and are now available. Please call Arthur Franks, membership director for EDCUtah at (801) 323-4242 to secure your sponsorship opportunity!

June 11
Quarterly Investor Update (TBD)

June 16
New Investor Orientation (EDCUtah)

June 17
Executive Committee Meeting (EDCUtah)

July 20
OIA Thought Leader (TBD)

July 21-24
Outdoor Retailer Summer Market (SL Convention Center)

August 10-13
AUVSI (Washington, D.C.)

EDCUtah Investors

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Board of Trustees

The EDCUTAH Economic Review is a weekly publication of the Economic Development Corporation of Utah. It is distributed to EDCUTAH partners and selected other government and civic organizations interested in Utah's economic development.

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