IN THE NEWS

Economic Development Headlines

Utah Can Help Lead U.S. to Flat Tax, Forbes Advises

- How much does Steve Forbes hate the current federal tax code? Let us count the descriptions: "A huge dead weight." "An abomination." "A source of corruption and corrosion." "Beyond reform." "A hideous code that nobody understands." "A monstrosity." (Morning News)

Huntsman: Utah on the Move

- At a CEO Roundtable discussion with Utah business executives hosted by the Utah Technology Council, Gov. Huntsman says Utah's reputation in the technology and life science industries is strong and currently growing, but cautions that there's still a long way to go: "Forbes Magazine lists Utah as number 4 in all 50 states as the best place to do business. We're the best in the whole Western U.S. We're on the move. Now is not the time to throttle back... We have to attract the new businesses. We don't have all of the services and accoutrements we need to keep an economy going." (Press release).

Utah Economy is Slowing Down, but Still Very Healthy, Report Says

- Utah's economy is starting to show some of the first signs it is slowing down, according to an economic report published by Creighton University. But don't expect a recession anytime soon, said Creighton professor Ernie Goss, whose monthly report is based on a survey of corporate purchasing managers. Utah's economy is still growing and is showing no advance signs of a sharp downturn. "It's still very healthy," he said. (SL Tribune)

Business Leaders Ask For Special Session on Tax Reform

- Lowering the state’s personal income tax will stimulate the economy and make Utah more attractive for businesses looking to relocate, business leaders said Friday at a press conference during which they supported Gov. Jon Huntsman, Jr.’s tax reform proposal. (Utah Business Magazine)

After 23 Years, Midvale Slag Site is Clean

- Once a desolate field, colored black from toxic tailings, today's Bingham Junction looks dramatically different than the eyesore of the past. Grassy hills with an occasional sunflower patch now sit atop 350 acres of fresh soil, and Midvale city officials hope the site will become a popular mixed-use project for the blue-collar city. (Morning News) (Utah Business Magazine)

Chamber's SLC Vision: Trails, Rails and Culture

- Salt Lake City business leaders have grand visions of a downtown where you could meander from the Wasatch Range down to the Jordan River on a new network of trails, where cars aren't necessary once you reach the edge of the central city and where you could soak in many cultures in thriving ethnic districts, such as Japan Town. (SL Tribune) (Utah Business Magazine)

Beattie Excited About Downtown

- West Bountiful’s Lane Beattie is usually excited, but he’s especially so about “On the Rise,” a downtown Salt Lake City planning initiative that was unveiled Monday morning. (Clipper)

Ogden Lands Ski Publicity

- Like an avalanche, Ogden's popularity as a hot spot for the snow-sports industry has snowballed due to recent coverage in a variety of publications, according to city officials.
As a result of those articles, Mayor Matthew Godfrey has been in contact with officials from several European ski companies interested in establishing or expanding operations in the United States, Harmer said. (Standard Examiner)

Cephalon Expansion Done

- Tuesday's ceremonies marking the completion of a $100 million expansion of its facilities west of Salt Lake City International Airport gave Cephalon Inc. a chance to look both backward and forward. (Morning News) (Utah Business Magazine)

P.G. Will Take Out $23.5 Million Bond for Growth

- Pleasant Grove council members on Tuesday evening unanimously voted to authorize the city to take out a loan for an amount two and a half times the city's annual budget. The $23.5 million bond issue will go to purchase property and build infrastructure for two hotels and a convention center, restaurant and retail space in the city's Gateway area. (Daily Herald)

Ski Federation High on Davis County

- Representatives for hundreds of thousands of recreation skiers left Davis County with “nothing but positive things to say about the area,” Sunday. That’s according to Barbara Riddle, executive director of the Davis Convention & Visitors Bureau, which hosted the 330,000-member National Ski Council Federation (NSCF) here. (Clipper)

EDCU is Celebrating Year of Record Activity

- Armed with a national business recruitment contract from the state starting last fall, the Economic Development Corp. of Utah posted record activity during the past fiscal year. The organization, which provides economic data and contacts designed to expand in-state companies and recruit out-of-state companies to Utah, celebrated Wednesday during its annual meeting. (Morning News) (SL Tribune) (Utah Business Magazine)

Hunter Douglas Plans New Salt Lake Facility

- Hunter Douglas, maker of custom window coverings, said Thursday it will build a new facility in Salt Lake City that will allow it to grow operations and double its Utah work force. (Morning News) (SL Tribune) (Utah Business Magazine)

Utah Businesses are Bullish

- Utah business executives are bullish about their financial future, though high fuel and health insurance costs, along with a shallow labor pool, remain concerns, according to a new study released Thursday by Zions Bank. (Morning News) (SL Tribune)

Spinal Implant Company Facet Solutions, Inc. Moves Into New Headquarters

- Facet Solutions, Inc., a medical device company focused on developing and commercializing spinal implants for the rapidly growing posterior lumbar motion preservation market, has moved into its new corporate headquarters in Logan. (Utah Business Magazine)

New Sandy Expo TRAX Station Opens

- The hassle of finding parking at the South Towne Expo Center has been eased. On Monday, the Utah Transit Authority opened the new TRAX station at 9400 South, which will serve not only the Expo Center but Jordan Commons. The $2.1 million stop is unique on the TRAX north-south line because it’s a destination station, said Justin Jones, UTA media relations specialist.
(Utah Business Magazine)

New Online Resources for Teen Business Start-Ups

- The U.S. Small Business Administration has launched new online resources for young entrepreneurs at the Mind Your Own Business teen web site, to help young entrepreneurs succeed in the world of business. (Utah Business Magazine)

IFA to Open Expanded Warehouse in Salt Lake City

- Intermountain Farmers Association, a staple throughout Utah since 1923 when it began in Gunnison as the Central Utah Poultry Exchange is moving its warehouse and distribution facility from Draper to Salt Lake City. (The Enterprise)

Budget Extended-stay Hotel Chain to Enter Utah Market

- Value Place LLC, a Wichita-Kan.-based chain of extended-stay hotels, is preparing to enter the Utah market. Construction will begin before the end of the year on properties in Draper and American Fork, to be followed by as many as six more locations in the Salt Lake Valley and as many as two more in Utah County, according to company spokeswoman Carolyn Russell. (The Enterprise)

St. Paul Mechanical Contractor Enters Utah Market with Two Divisions

- Harris Companies, one of the top 20 mechanical contractors in North America, is entering the Utah market opening two divisions of the company in Salt Lake City. (The Enterprise)

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Nov. 12-15:

Jan. 10, 2007: