Ogden City is one of 15 Utah communities taking advantage of EDCUtah’s Community Match Grant program in 2024.

On May 13-18, 2024, Ogden City Business Development is hosting a week-long celebration of the aerospace & defense and advanced materials manufacturing industries. Acceler8 Wasatch Week was organized in partnership with Acceler8 Wasatch, 47G, Utah Advanced Materials Manufacturing Initiative, Weber State University, APEX Accelerator, Catalyst Accelerator Ogden, and Hill Air Force Base.

“Ogden is a community of makers – both of things and relationships that are crucial to the success of the aerospace and defense industry,” said Liesl Limburg, Ogden City business recruitment manager. “Ogden City boasts an environment that emboldens technology and innovation, supporting the current needs of industry while also looking ahead to the future.”

The goal of Acceler8 Wasatch Week is to inspire collaboration, innovation, and business growth to further the trajectory of Northern Utah’s growing role in national defense. Ogden City is using EDCUtah Community Match Grant funds to host one of the business networking opportunities available throughout the week.

EDCUtah Community Match Grants provide funding to cities and counties in support of specific economic development projects, professional development opportunities, and welcoming and belonging initiatives. Funding for the grant program comes from EDCUtah’s annual Golf for Grants fundraising tournament, which brings together EDCUtah investors for a day of networking on the links while supporting local communities.

Other 2024 EDCUtah match grant recipients include:

• Bear River Association of Governments
• Cache County
• Brigham City
• City Cedar City
• Cottonwood Heights
• Davis County
• Kane County
• Murray City
• Ogden City
• Payson City
• San Juan County
• Sandy City
• Southeastern Utah Association of Local Governments
• Utah County
• West Jordan

Application deadlines for the 2024-2025 fiscal year will be announced in the coming months. Community Match Grants are available exclusively to EDCUtah public sector investors. Explore the benefits of investing with EDCUtah.

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For additional information or to schedule an interview, please contact us.

EDCUtah’s Jared Stewart attended the 2026 Site Selectors Guild Spring Conference in March – along with representatives from BZI, Eagle Mountain, the Utah Governor’s Office of Economic Development, the Utah Inland Port Authority, and the Northern Utah Economic Alliance. They met with several consultants and took copious notes, and we’ve culled the most interesting insights for you here.

1. Pulse Check on Site Selection

Expected challenges in the next five years include (in order of most concerning to least concerning):

• Qualified workforce
• Utilities
• AI and automation
• Charm factors (quality of a place)
• Clusters (known/shared assets)

Projects have slowed down and become more complex. They require more due diligence. Some site selectors feel that in the short term, fewer shovels will go into the ground this year. They are pessimistic in the one-year timeframe, but optimistic in the five-year timeframe.

2. Geopolitical Hot Takes

The conference included sessions on several pressing economic trends. For example, extreme weather and the increasing stress on electrical grids are leading to a major energy crisis.

Debt held by companies and by the government may pose real challenges for further lending and corporate expansion. In other words, refinancing will be more expensive and could dampen project activity.

Trade wars have benefits and downsides. Foreign direct investment will grow, we will trade, and things will improve.

AI may promote a productivity boost through factory automation and other areas, but on the other side, AI may devalue education and cause mass youth unemployment and white-collar job loss. Many site selectors emphasized the importance of exposing the next generation to blue-collar career pathways.

3. Know Your Life Science Niche(s)

When it comes to the life science sector, site selectors emphasized that economic developers should build a deeper understanding of specific market strengths. Utah has a strong life science sector, but pitching that strength is not enough. Marketing to life science companies requires specialized and informed messaging by sub-sector (e.g. medical devices, drug discovery, gene therapy, and so on).

For example, the pharmaceutical sub-sector has a different product life cycle than biotech companies. Medical device and diagnostics sub-sectors follow yet other cycles.

The discussions also highlighted some market and demographic shifts:

• Growth in the aging population means growth in medical care spending.
• Obesity drugs have increased in demand, accelerating project activity.
• Federal-level reductions in research funding have led large companies to focus on acquisitions rather than internal research.
• Nationwide, active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) companies are competing with data centers for power and ready sites.

Lastly, companies are evaluating communities on multiple factors, not just incentives. Companies are analyzing the local tax structure, utilities, and overall community fit. “Sustainable operations matter more than incentives. Incentives go away eventually,” said one consultant.

4. Federal Spending Continues to Fuel Aerospace & Defense (A&D) Projects 

U.S. Department of Defense spending is driving demand for relocation projects. Companies are focused on artificial intelligence (AI) and modernizing manufacturing. The markets for drones and satellites are also attracting investment.

Key site selection criteria for these projects include utility reliability, certified talent, logistics, zoning and permitting for heavy manufacturing, and highway, rail, and air cargo routes.

A&D companies are seeking supply chain diversification, particularly in rare earths. China is dominant in that segment, and Mexico is showing some growth despite mining technology constraints. EDCUtah has seen growth in mining and mineral projects, with five new projects in the last year.

When asked to cite regional best practices in A&D, the site selector panelists called out, in general, the states that promote advanced training programs and workforce development. The Space Beach Initiative in Long Beach, California features strong labor concentrations and takes advantage of the Port of Long Beach’s proximity. Closer to home, the area around Hill Air Force Base and Salt Lake City were brought up twice in the panel discussion as places that are “doing it right” and “have created a successful ecosystem.”

5. From Flatline to Finish Line

A few factors can help improve your community’s odds of closing a deal. The first is utility rate negotiation. Can the utility adjust the rate to help get projects across the line?

Another is building strong local relationships with key employers ahead of time, to provide the best choices for data and interviews. It’s helpful to know both the top employers and the employers that are struggling – and understand the reasons behind their successes and struggles.

On a related front, it’s important to represent public policy accurately. Sync up with local leaders ahead of time and know your community’s talking points.

Don’t break confidentiality and NDAs. This is a serious point with consultants and with companies. And if you are clever enough to track private jets that land nearby, and have identified the company by doing so, don’t be cute and disclose that to anyone. It can chill the deal.

“Time kills all deals” was a key message from another consultant. Timeline changes and delays on your end bring significant project risk. On the flip side, sometimes company priorities and goals change, and that too can lead to a deal flatlining.

Lastly, remember: site selectors are on the same side as the communities. They want a deal done, too.

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For additional information or to schedule an interview, please contact us.

The Economic Development Corporation of Utah (EDCUtah) announced the appointment of Jon Hawkins as a strategic advisor, effective May 1, 2026. In this role, Jon will help support community development, advise cities on Olympic readiness initiatives, and foster economic development opportunities throughout Utah.

“We are thrilled to welcome Jon to the EDCUtah family,” said Ryan Starks, executive director of EDCUtah. “His leadership in the community, coupled with his strong business acumen, makes him a natural fit to support EDCUtah’s mission of creating a prosperous and resilient economy.”

Jon’s experience in Olympic readiness includes consulting, governance, and advocacy. He serves on the boards of the Utah Sports Commission, the Olympic Legacy Foundation, and the USA Climbing Foundation, and he also chairs the legislative Olympic Coordinating Committee. In each of these roles, Hawkins has helped shape projects, policy, and conversations around major events, stakeholder priorities, and the broader impact of sport.

“I’m honored to join EDCUtah as a strategic advisor for Olympic readiness,” said Hawkins. “Utah has an extraordinary opportunity to build on its legacy in sport and global engagement, and I look forward to leveraging my experience to help advance Utah’s vision, strengthen partnerships, support strategic growth, and shape what comes next.”

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For additional information or to schedule an interview, please contact us.

500 jobs
200,000 sq. ft.
$28 million capex
Project Raider

Congratulations to West Valley City! Karman Space & Defense, a leading manufacturer of energetic components, structures, and integrated systems, has announced plans to invest $28 million in a new advanced manufacturing facility in West Valley City. The project is expected to create 500 new jobs over the next 20 years, supporting long-term economic growth and strengthening Utah’s advanced aerospace and defense manufacturing ecosystem.

“We are excited to have Karman Space & Defense bring their groundbreaking technology to West Valley City,” said Karen Lang, mayor of West Valley City. “Companies continue to come to West Valley City because of our strong business community and our easy access location along the Wasatch Front. Karman will add to the growing list of integral West Valley City companies in the Aerospace and Defense sector. We appreciate this investment in our city by Karman Space & Defense and how it will strengthen our local economy and create new job opportunities for our residents.”

“EDCUtah is proud to support companies that strengthen Utah’s aerospace and defense ecosystem,” said Ryan Starks, executive director of EDCUtah. “Karman’s systems play an important role in a wide range of space and defense applications, and their presence reinforces the strength of this industry in our state. Many of Karman’s suppliers and customers are already located in the Salt Lake area, and this expansion will further connect and bolster our regional ecosystem. We commend the continued growth of Utah’s aerospace and defense sector and the strong collaboration that makes it possible.”

Karman Space and Defense specializes in providing critical, next-generation systems for the space and defense industries, with a focus on propulsion, payload protection, and hydro/aerodynamic interstage systems. This economic incentive makes Utah a preferred location for the Company’s UAS launcher and nozzle production operation as the company scales its capacity.

“We are expanding our presence in Utah to increase production for key programs that protect the U.S. and its allies,” said Jonathan Beaudoin, chief operating officer of Karman Space & Defense. “Our new manufacturing hub in the Salt Lake area will place us closer to customers, provide access to a skilled talent pool, and position us for continued growth.  We are grateful for the support we have received from Governor Cox, GOEO, EDCUtah, and Mayor Lang as our presence in Utah grows.”

The Utah Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity (GOEO) assisted the project by approving Karman Aerospace & Defense for Economic Development Tax Increment Financing (EDTIF).

“Strategic incentives like these give Utah an advantage in attracting high-impact projects that establish essential infrastructure and advanced manufacturing in our state,” said Jefferson Moss, executive director of GOEO. “By supporting long-term investments in sectors like aerospace and defense, we cultivate a resilient economy that offers high-paying job opportunities in fields that are well-positioned for the future.”

This project was supported through close collaboration with key economic development partners across Utah. Special thanks to 47G, GOEO, and West Valley City for their engagement and support throughout the expansion process, including coordination related to potential EDTIF consideration and site location efforts.

Spencer Layton, business development manager, led Project Raider for EDCUtah.

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EDCUtah Investors: If you were involved with this project and would like to have your organization mentioned, please email connect@edcutah.org and we’ll update this article.

For additional information or to schedule an interview, please contact us.

Did you know that two of the nation’s 10 largest credit unions are located in Utah? From maintaining one of the largest branch networks in the country to investing millions in local safety nets, America First Credit Union is deeply rooted in Utah’s economic story.

Founded in Salt Lake City in 1939, AFCU was originally chartered as Fort Douglas Federal Employees Credit Union. Today, AFCU is the sixth largest credit union in the United States, with $23 billion in assets and more than 1.5 million members.

We caught up with Brett Christensen, chief lending officer, to learn about the Utah business climate and the “business of winning.”

As a large financial institution, how does America First view its role in supporting the Utah’s economic development?

We have a presence in Utah, Nevada, Arizona, Idaho, New Mexico, and California, but about 60 percent of our members and our business is located in Utah. We view it as very important.

Not only are we one of the largest credit unions in the country, we have one of the largest branch networks, with 116 locations. Branch offices support our presence in the community.

Branches have changed over time. We don’t have all the thousands and thousands of transactions at the teller window like we did in the past. A lot of that’s done online and through mobile applications now. But when people have a problem, or they want to open an account, or they want to get a big loan, they still want an in-person presence. And so, we’re always evaluating how we can maximize our branches in our areas, and how we can help to develop the communities where our members live.

Can you share examples of how America First has partnered with local organizations, developers, or municipalities to advance community or commercial projects?

We take our commitment to the community seriously, and that shows up best in the local organizations we choose to support. For instance, we’ve partnered with YCC Ogden by donating $500,000 to help build transitional housing for those escaping domestic violence. We also invested $250,000 in the Fullmer Foundation’s youth boxing arena, which provides a free after-school haven for underprivileged youth in Salt Lake.

Our support extends to specialized care and education as well; we donated $1 million to Primary Children’s Hospital in Lehi to support their school zone and pantry, and $600,000 to Make-A-Wish Utah for the expansion of their Salt Lake facility. We also focused on accessibility and housing by giving $25,000 to the Ronald McDonald House SLC for ADA updates and providing $100,000 to establish Teen Centers in Weber and Davis Counties. These centers offer homeless students a safe place to shower, do laundry, and use computers to keep up with their schoolwork. By teaming up with these dedicated developers and municipalities, we aren’t just donating money. We’re helping build the infrastructure our neighbors need to thrive.

What percentage of your portfolio is business-related versus individual member-related?

We started 84 years ago with a focus on consumer banking. The next step was mortgage lending, and then the next step after that was commercial and business lending. Today, our business is about 64 percent consumer, 26 percent mortgage and 10 percent commercial.

We’ve got 88,000 business accounts and a portfolio of $1.7 billion in commercial loans and Small Business Administration (SBA) loans. We’re one of the largest credit union SBA lenders in the country.

We’re acquiring a bank in the next few months out of Las Vegas, and that’ll increase our commercial and business opportunities. Once we complete that acquisition, we’ll have about $3 billion total in business loans, and it’ll be about 18 percent of our portfolio. So supporting businesses is a growing part of our business, and a very important part.

How does America First balance its commitment to individual members with the financial needs of growing businesses?

We’ve actually grown business lending and business deposits at a faster rate than our consumer side. Many of our consumer accounts are people who are business owners. We’ve already gained their trust with consumer activities, and it’s a natural transition for them to bring their business accounts to us. And many of what were initially business accounts, well, those people bring their consumer lending here for much the same reason.

When we analyze the value of a member account or a business account, we include all the consumer and the business activities. We consider those mixed business and consumer accounts to be some of our most valuable. We continue to grow our products and services to meet the needs of larger businesses.

What are you seeing in Utah’s business climate?

The economic metric that touches us the most is employment numbers. When people are feeling good about their jobs and their incomes, then they’re borrowing more, and that helps us on the loan side. When they’re doing well with their jobs and their incomes, then they’re able to pay their loans on time, and that helps us on the collection side.

I wake up most mornings feeling very fortunate that 60 percent of our business is in Utah, because Utah has done very well economically. When you look at growth rates of businesses, growth rate of the population, unemployment rates, growth in income, delinquency or losses of different loan types, and so on, Utah is generally in a very favorable spot. Utah often ranks in the top five out of 50 U.S. states in about every metric you look at.

We certainly view that as a wonderful advantage to be headquartered, and have the majority of our business, in a state that’s doing so well. We can’t take it for granted. We still have to work hard and make good business decisions as we manage the business. But we know that the state has done very well economically, and we’re thankful for that.

Utah’s workforce is a key component of our economic success. How does America First invest in its own employees and the broader workforce?

We have around 3,600 employees. Training them, keeping them, and providing a meaningful career path for them is a big part of our program.

I think we do better than most at it, based on the amount of longevity that I see. We’re big enough that people can grow into positions over the course of their careers. For example, we have a senior management team of about 40 managers and vice presidents, and I would say the average tenure in that room is 20 to 25 years. We also bring in quite a few students, in intern programs and part-time teller positions, and work them up through the organization.

We work hard to build a culture that’s family oriented. We let people know that work is important, but also their personal life and their personal time is important to us. We want them to have a good work-life balance. It’s worked out well for us as an organization.

How is technology transforming your approach to community banking and business services in Utah?

To stay relevant, especially for younger members and businesses – it’s all technology-driven. Just look at the fintechs, the financial technology companies that are out there. They’re growing like crazy, and it’s because they have great tech.

As important as technology is, we’ve learned that having a person-to-person relationship, with a member or business owner, can go a long way as well. Our goal as an organization is to become that hybrid of a financial service provider with great technology that you want, expect and deserve, and also have an exceptional human service element.

We’re growing 8 to 10 percent a year, and a big part of our strategic plan is improving in technology. One example is on the business side, where one of the hardest parts is opening up new accounts. It’s such a labor-intensive process, with lots of human involvement, and it can take a week or two or three in a worst-case scenario. There are so many different forms and different things that have to be gathered up and processed.

We have invested a lot of money with a software provider to develop the ability to open up our business accounts online and at a much quicker pace. That’s a huge advantage for us now. What used to take weeks, we can get done on the same day. That’s a big deal, and it only happens through technology.

We’re also going down that road for our loan products. It’s easy to apply online, and you can get a quick underwriting decision. We’re taking it to the next step of getting documents signed and money dispersed. We have big initiatives on digital accounts and digital loans and digital deposit products as well.

Some of our readers may not know about credit unions. What’s your “Credit Union 101”?

When you get to the brass tacks of making a loan, or opening a deposit account, running a checking account, or a money market account, or a CD, or a car loan, or a credit card – banks and credit unions are very similar. The key difference is really the ownership structure. A credit union is a not-for-profit organization. Our members are our owners.

Both banks and credit unions need to do well financially to prosper, but I think the motive’s a little different. Our motive, you know, isn’t governed by driving hard bottomline results as much as it is doing well for the members. If we can do that, then we can return that income back to our membership with better deposit rates, or better loan rates, or better products and better services.

On the personal side, what brought you to Utah?

Many years ago, I was stationed at Hill Air Force Base as a second lieutenant. I became a big fan of the Utah Jazz. Then we moved to Las Vegas, and then to Texas where we raised our family. But I was still a Jazz fan. I tell people that the two reasons my wife and I moved back here are Donovan and Mitchell. He was so, so good, and so fun to watch.

I think the latest trade by the Jazz for Jaren Jackson is going to be great. I’m just so thrilled to be out of the business of trying to lose, and back in the business of trying to win. It’s going be fun next year. We’re going to be a good team. ‍

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“Building Together” highlights examples of the impact of your investment and EDCUtah’s work in communities across the state. 

For additional information or to schedule an interview, please contact us.

5,000 jobs
1 million sq. ft.
$2.5 billion capex
Project Talon

Congratulations to Salt Lake City! Western Governors University (WGU), the nation’s leading nonprofit university, has announced plans to develop a new headquarters in downtown Salt Lake City. This investment further positions Utah as a center for higher education innovation that prepares learners from all backgrounds for a rapidly evolving economy and workforce. The university intends to create more than 5,000 jobs and invest approximately $2.5 billion in Utah over the next 20 years, creating new opportunities to help individuals and families improve their lives.

“We’re thrilled to welcome Western Governors University’s national headquarters to downtown Salt Lake City—an investment that represents a generational win for our economy and a defining moment for our city’s innovation future,” said Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall. “With more than 10,000 employees nationwide, an operating budget nearing $2 billion annually, and the scale of a Fortune-level headquarters, WGU will be a strong anchor in our urban core.”

The announcement came at a public board meeting of the Utah Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity (GOEO). Gov. Spencer Cox said of the institution’s decision: “Expanding access to education that prepares people for career growth is essential to Utah’s economic success. By establishing its headquarters in Salt Lake City, WGU strengthens Utah’s role as a center for innovation, bringing education and workforce needs closer together and helping advance higher education for learners across the country.”

The headquarters will serve as the primary office location for WGU’s people and will largely span a 10-acre block in downtown Salt Lake City. The project will be developed in phases as a mixed-use community of innovation.

“We’re excited to welcome the expansion of Western Governors University to downtown Salt Lake City,” said Ryan Starks, executive director of EDCUtah. “Utah is a place where innovation, education, and economic growth come together. As a major institution already deeply rooted in the state, WGU will help strengthen Salt Lake City’s thriving urban core, attract and retain talent, and create thousands of new jobs.”

At full buildout, the project is expected to include approximately 1 million square feet of office space, supporting up to 5,000 employees, alongside other mixed-use elements that will be part of the master plan to redevelop the city block. Some of the possible amenities include a collaboration space for shared R&D, an auditorium, simulation centers, showcase hubs for convening WGU and cross-sector innovation, a WGU welcome center, dining and refreshment options for employees and the surrounding community, an employee cafeteria, an on-site childcare center, and ample open space for connection. The campus will be accessible via public transportation and designed with sustainability and well-being in mind, with the goal of achieving both LEED and WELL certifications.

“For WGU, Salt Lake City and Utah are not only part of our origin story but also offer a unique foundation for advancing our mission,” said WGU President Scott Pulsipher. “Being headquartered here allows us to support our employees, deepen partnerships, and expand how we build pathways to opportunity for learners. Together, WGU, Salt Lake City, and Utah will continue to elevate the belief in the inherent worth of every individual and advance a shared mission to change lives for the better.”

This was a competitive site-location process for WGU, and EDCUtah worked with many critical partners throughout the project. Special thanks to the Salt Lake City Department of Economic Development, the Salt Lake City Community Reinvestment Agency, the Utah Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity (GOEO), Endeavor Real Estate Group, and CBRE.

“WGU’s major expansion represents a significant investment in Utah’s future workforce,” said Jefferson Moss, executive director of GOEO. “By creating thousands of high-paying jobs in the information technology sector, WGU enhances Salt Lake County’s reputation as a center for innovation and economic growth — and the students it serves will help power and build Utah’s thriving innovation economy.”

Other groups that championed Utah during this site selection process include Goldman Sachs, Fidelity Investments, ARUP Laboratories, University of Utah, Brigham Young University, Delta Air Lines, Select Health, Northrop Grumman, Spherion, Blaser Ventures, Larry H. Miller Real Estate, The Point, the Utah Inland Port Authority, the Northern Utah Economic Alliance, and Layton Construction.

Rex Buys, business development manager, led Project Talon for EDCUtah.

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EDCUtah Investors: If you were involved with this project and would like to have your organization mentioned, please email connect@edcutah.org and we’ll update this article.

For additional information or to schedule an interview, please contact us.

116 jobs
$5 million capex
Project Stronghold

Congratulations to West Jordan! Route 92 Medical, an innovative medical technology company developing advanced neurovascular solutions for stroke treatment, has announced plans to expand its Utah presence by relocating its headquarters to West Jordan. This investment further strengthens Utah’s growing life sciences and medical technology sector. The company intends to create 116 jobs and invest more than $5 million in Utah over the next 5 years, creating new opportunities while supporting the continued growth of the state’s medical device industry.

“We welcome the expansion of Route 92 Medical in West Jordan and look forward to the positive impact this new investment will have on our community,” said Paul Coates, economic development manager of West Jordan. “Beyond job growth in a key industry, this project will enhance our ability to invest in the high-quality services and infrastructure our residents deserve. We are proud that West Jordan will play a direct role in forwarding technology that will save lives across the globe.”

This was a collaborative project, and EDCUtah worked closely with several critical partners throughout the process. Special thanks to the Utah System of Higher Education, the Utah Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity, City of West Jordan, Salt Lake Community College, BioHive, BioUtah, and the University of Utah.

“We’re proud to welcome Route 92 Medical’s headquarters to Utah,” said Ryan Starks, executive director of EDCUtah. “Their decision to expand here underscores our state’s reputation as a premier destination for medical device manufacturing. This move will bring high-quality jobs to our residents and further strengthen Utah’s position as a leader in the life sciences sector. We’re excited to support their expansion and the impact they will have on our business community.”

Route 92 Medical specializes in developing innovative neurovascular solutions to improve outcomes for patients with acute ischemic stroke. The company’s proprietary Monopoint platform and advanced catheter systems streamline complex procedures, enabling physicians to reach and remove blood clots with greater speed and efficiency.

“We’re so grateful to Utah’s statewide partners for their support,” said Tony Chou, CEO of Route 92 Medical. “Choosing West Jordan was a strategic decision driven by Utah’s exceptional talent pool and its reputation as a leader in innovation. This expansion will allow us to scale our operations rapidly and ensure our life-saving neurovascular technologies reach patients more efficiently than ever before.”

The Utah Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity (GOEO) assisted the project by approving Route 92 Medical for Economic Development Tax Increment Financing (EDTIF).

“Route 92 relocating its headquarters into Salt Lake County is a win for Utah’s economy and our thriving life sciences industry,” said Jefferson Moss, GOEO executive director. “This move will continue to bring life-saving technology to the market and create high-paying, high-skill jobs for Utahns. We are thrilled to see such a significant investment that will further diversify our economic base and ensure Utah remains a global leader in the healthcare industry.”

Rex Buys, business development manager, led Project Stronghold for EDCUtah.

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EDCUtah Investors: If you were involved with this project and would like to have your organization mentioned, please email connect@edcutah.org and we’ll update this article.

For additional information or to schedule an interview, please contact us.

The Economic Development Corporation of Utah (EDCUtah) and the Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity (GOEO) today announced the signing of a new memorandum of understanding to enhance and clarify their collaboration on economic development throughout the state.

“This new agreement plays well to the strengths of both organizations, and to feedback we’ve received from industry leaders and communities,” said Ryan Starks, EDCUtah executive director. “By leaning into those strengths and unifying our efforts, we’re opening a new, more efficient and effective chapter of economic development in Utah.”

This collaboration represents a proactive shift that enhances teamwork, specifies how the two organizations will collaborate, and reduces redundant effort. By pooling resources and expertise, EDCUtah and GOEO are better equipped to offer exceptional support to communities and growing businesses throughout Utah.

“This new agreement represents a forward-facing evolution for Utah and our aim to help people choose to stay, build, and grow here,” said Jefferson Moss, executive director of GOEO. “Our aim is to work together to provide a seamless, welcoming experience for any business looking to call Utah home, while also providing the best possible support to our local communities.”

The new agreement outlines shared responsibilities between the two organizations, including:

• Showcasing Utah Communities: The organizations will co-host engagements, including familiarization tours, allowing site selection consultants to experience Utah’s unique people and environments firsthand. These collaborations will highlight opportunities across the state’s diverse economic sectors and include joint work to engage site selection organizations and professionals.

• Streamlined Information Sharing: To facilitate access to essential information, GOEO and EDCUtah are launching a shared statewide online opportunity portal for public sector partners. This new request-for-information (RFI) system will enable both organizations to respond to business inquiries quickly and consistently. EDCUtah’s private sector partners will continue to receive RFIs by email.

• Empowering Local Cities and Towns: GOEO and EDCUtah will continue to provide hands-on support to help local communities prepare for new growth. Together, they will ensure that cities and towns receive coordinated, reliable assistance.

• Proactive Global Outreach: GOEO and EDCUtah will collaborate on national and international outreach trips to actively invite domestic and strategic foreign investment to the state. GOEO will lead strategy and positioning, and EDCUtah will offer vital logistical support to ensure the success of these engagements.

With the agreement signed, EDCUtah and GOEO will now work to operationalize their efforts with the ultimate goal of creating a stronger, more connected economic landscape for Utah to bring more economic development opportunities to Utah’s communities.

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For additional information or to schedule an interview, please contact us.