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U T A H
Ideas
V A L L E Y
C H A M B E R
O F
March 2010
C O M M E R C E
A different perspective on business
Creating Business in Utah County By EDCUtah
The Utah Valley Chamber of Commerce and Utah County take economic development seriously. Economic development can build the economy, grow jobs and lessen the tax burden on county residents. Utah County is business-development friendly and this is evidenced by its commitment to becoming a hot bed of growth for the state of Utah. One of the many ways Utah County creates business growth is through its relationship with the Economic Development Corporation of Utah. EDCUtah’s Russ Fotheringham is the economic development manager for Utah County, working a majority of his time from his office on the Novell campus in Provo and one day each week from his office at EDCUtah’s headquarters in Salt Lake City. Among his many activities,
Fotheringham leads a monthly economic development forum on the Novell campus. The forums began with only four or five attendees, but have since grown to include 40-50 attendees each month. Participants include local mayors, economic developers, real estate agents, county commissioners and even legislative leaders. Through his economic development work, Fotheringham recognized that Utah County was lacking in “prepared sites” — business, industrial or commercial space with sufficiently documented information, such as size, availability, infrastructure and demographics — which companies often seek when looking to expand or relocate. Therefore, he began working with economic developers, real estate companies and developers to add information about their commercial and industrial properties
to EDCUtah’s SURE Sites database. To date, 25 such Utah County properties have been added to the database, with two or three more in process. Fotheringham says his goal is to have at least 40 Utah County sites in the database. “Economic development opportunities are limited without having sites prepared that businesses can look at immediately,” he said. The fruits of the Utah CountyEDCUtah teaming relationship are readily apparent, with more to come. EDCUtah President and CEO Jeff Edwards is excited about business and corporate recruitment in Utah County. Edwards isn’t in a position to speak of specific details, but says Fotheringham and EDCUtah’s economic developers are working on several large, high-value projects that are considering Utah County locations. “There are a wide variety of
opportunities that could add many jobs to the county in sectors from manufacturing to engineering,” he adds. Edwards says Utah County is unique because the Utah County commissioners and the Utah Valley Chamber of Commerce are so focused on economic development, and because they have achieved such a high level of interest and participation from so many Utah County communities. “Rarely do you see this kind of enthusiasm and commitment at the county level, and that is why Utah County is of such great interest to a variety of companies wanting to either expand or relocate their operations,” he says. “EDCUtah is pleased to be a partner in the county’s economic development vision, and we will be right beside the county commissioners every step of the way.”
Membership Event, cont’d.
At a special party on the third day, totals were announced and a winning team was crowned. Rona Rahlf’s team of “Red Rockers” took home the bragging rights of the most memberships gained, with Cynthia Gambill’s “Hot Pink” team coming
in a very close second. With a total of 103 new members, this year’s event is the most successful membership program in the history of the Chamber. But the growth hasn’t stopped there. Efforts made by volunteers during the event
Proud to be a member of the Utah Valley Chamber of Commerce
have lingered in the community, enticing business owners to join weeks after the wigs and costumes were put away. Chamber president Steve Densley said, “This year’s membership event was one of the most exciting events in recent memory. In the last two months we have had around 200 members join the Chamber. It has been a great shot in the arm as we move into the 2010 business year.” Not only were Chamber members eager to get involved by making phone calls at January’s event, but many offered their services as well. The Provo Marriott donated rooms for a visiting company, Noah’s
Pomp and circumstance reigned at the Chamber’s membership event in January. From left, Michael May, Brad Norton, Cynthia Gambill and Rona Rahlf.
hosted the event at their Lindon facility, Habitat for Humanity provided snacks, and Alexander’s
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Print Advantage donated and success of the a banner. Chamber. Business involvement is “With each new key to the development member that joins the chamber we continue to gain a bigger voice in representing Utah Valley,” Densley said. With the experience of one major membership event under their belts, next year’s Chamber members are sure to bring in an even larger list of businesses. And you can be sure the costumes, wigs, and competing antics will be in full swing.
Salt Lake Office: ffice: 8 E. Broadway, ffi y Ste. 550 y, UT (801) 533-0320 Salt Lake City, S 800 E., E Ste. Ste 240 Utah County Office: 1329 S. Orem, UT (801) 655-0016