Recent mergers will lead to Salt Lake growth for Black Diamond

Black Diamond Equipment, a major Utah producer of outdoor products, recently merged with the Connecticut-based investment and management firm Clarus Corp. and with California-based Gregory Mountain Products. The merger means Black Diamond plans to add 55 new full-time positions in Salt Lake County, in both headquarters and distribution facilities, over the next 10 years. Many jobs will be added fairly quickly, however, with the average salaries for the positions exceeding 125 percent of the going pay rate in the county, according to the news release. Jobs include a health insurance plan and other fringe benefits. As part of the deal to draw the jobs here, the state will issue post-performance tax credits of up to 20 percent of qualified new state tax revenue — or a maximum of $395,500 — over 10 years. The Deseret News