"Let's Build Together": EDCUtah's Annual Meeting Recap
Once a year, EDCUtah highlights the fiscal year’s achievements, notable project wins, and key people and organizations that helped these efforts. Between July 1, 2025 and June 30, 2026, EDCUtah helped 12 companies expand in or relocate to Utah, representing 8,519 new and retained jobs and $20.2 billion in projected capital expenditure. Capital expenditure is at a record high, and every $1 invested in EDCUtah generated $8,180 in Utah’s economy this year.
The year’s results took center stage at EDCUtah’s Annual Meeting at The Garden Place at This Is The Place Heritage Park, filled to the brim with leaders, partners, and government officials eager to hear how Utah’s economy keeps landing at the top of national rankings, and what comes next, including a new partnership aimed at southern Utah.
A Welcome Built Around Partnership
Executive Director Ryan Starks welcomed attendees and highlighted EDCUtah’s expanding list of partners, including an MOU we signed with the Utah Governor’s Office of Economic Development (GOED) at the beginning of 2026. He previewed deeper work with site selection teams nationwide and a city partner exchange to Austin, Texas, then closed with the line that carried through the meeting: “Let’s build together.”
Why Utah Is Winning
Derek Miller, President and CEO of the Salt Lake Chamber, delivered a brief keynote centered on partnership, framing economic development as work that depends on the state, local government, and the private sector moving together. He credited Utah’s current strength to investments made a decade ago and cautioned against complacency: “The prosperity we enjoy right now was earned a decade ago. We cannot coast. We have to keep our foot on the gas.”
How the Wins Came Together
Wins spanned industries, from American Tungsten and Antimony Ltd (formerly Trigg Minerals) to Karman Space & Defense and Stadler Rail, with 101 more projects active in the pipeline as of Sept. 3. EDCUtah Deputy Director Erin Farr broke down how this year’s 12 wins came together: 33% site selector led, 30% through EDCUtah partners, 27% company direct. “Let’s play the long game and build together,” she said.
EDCUtah cannot accomplish these wins alone; dedicated partnerships and passionate Utah leaders make them possible. At the meeting three companies shared how they’re expanding in the state:
- Route 92 — SVP of Operations Randy Sullivan explained why the company, developing a stroke catheter device, chose West Jordan over Miami, Minneapolis, Indianapolis, and Boston: workforce, quality of life, and tax incentives. Route 92 is now building out its device development and manufacturing operations in Utah.
- Western Governors University — President Scott Pulsipher spoke to WGU’s growth, with its platform now serving nearly 200,000 students nationwide. Utah remains the operational and cultural home base for that scale.
- Nucor — VP Laurent De Mey pointed to Utah’s logistics infrastructure, talent pool, and business ecosystem as deciding factors. The company is expanding its Utah footprint in pursuit of becoming the world’s safest steel producer and largest recycler.
New Partnership: EDCUtah and Southern Utah Economic Alliance
EDCUtah announced a new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Southern Utah Economic Alliance (SoUtah), designed to strengthen collaboration between the two organizations.
Celebrating Utah’s Economic Development Leaders
EDCUtah recognized three partners for turning collaboration into results. Bob Stevenson, Davis County Commissioner, received the Public Sector Leadership in Economic Development award: “I’m very touched and honored by this award. I love Utah and it’s a privilege to serve the residents and businesses of our community.”
Christy Alter, a vice president at Goldman Sachs, received the Private Sector Leadership in Economic Development award: “Goldman Sachs invested in Salt Lake City over 25 years ago in part because of Utah’s exceptional talent and the collaborative ecosystem fostered by organizations like EDCUtah.”
And Rocky Mountain Power received the Institutional Cornerstone in Economic Development award, with President Dick Garlish noting, “Energy is the backbone of economic development, and Rocky Mountain Power is proud to help provide the reliable energy foundation that allows communities and businesses to grow, innovate and thrive.”
What’s Next
Between the GOED MOU, the SoUtah partnership, deeper work with site selectors around the country, and the Austin state-to-state exchange, EDCUtah is signaling that the year’s results represent a floor, not a ceiling. As Ryan Starks and nearly every speaker put it: let’s build together.
About EDCUtah
Since 1987, EDCUtah has worked with state and local government and private industry to attract and grow competitive, high-value companies and spur the expansion of local Utah businesses. More at www.edcutah.org.
Media Contact
Lindsey LeBaron, Director of Marketing and Communications, 801-420-5815
Utah receives its 16th Shovel Award for success in job creation and economic impact.
June 16, 2026
Today we’re celebrating Utah’s 16th Shovel Award from Area Development! Each year, Area Development recognizes states that stand out for their ability to attract high-impact economic development projects. Using data submitted by state economic development agencies such as EDCUtah, Area Development evaluates the top projects based on job creation, capital investment, industry diversity, and each state’s overall economic strategy.
This recognition wouldn’t be possible without the many community and industry partners across the state who support Utah’s economic prosperity every day.
“Utah’s Silver Shovel performance in 2026 is built on medical technology, aerospace, and food processing — a combination that reflects the state’s ability to compete across very different industrial sectors. Stryker leads the roster with $615 million and 862 medical technology jobs in Salt Lake County, one of the larger medtech investments in the region this year. AeroVironment adds 526 aerospace jobs in Salt Lake City, and Bridor brings $277 million and 400 food processing positions to the same market.
Advanced manufacturing anchors the industrial middle of the portfolio. Nucor invests $205 million and 200 steel manufacturing jobs in Brigham City, and Stadler Rail brings $189 million and 250 transportation positions to Salt Lake City. ACS Manufacturing contributes 223 general manufacturing jobs in Clearfield, and UFP Industries adds 100 construction products positions in Grantsville City.
Energy and life sciences round out the picture. OxEon Energy brings $99 million and 103 renewable energy jobs to North Salt Lake, and Ratio Therapeutics adds 100 life sciences positions in West Valley City. Coast Pay contributes 100 financial services jobs in Draper City. Microvascular Therapeutics brings a medical device presence to Salt Lake City, and AirBuild adds 15 renewable energy positions in Green River. Utah’s breadth of investment across sectors and geographies earned it a well-deserved Silver.”
Learn more about EDCUtah’s business expansion and relocation services.
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