Construction Begins on Sandy Transit-Oriented Development

Government representatives, employees and other community figures broke ground Tuesday on the East Village, Utah’s first transit-oriented development venture.

The mixed use development got underway with groundbreaking of Phase I of the $42.6 million mixed use development, which includes a 271 unit apartment complex. It will have a density of 50 units per acre with a parking stall ratio of 1.4 stalls per unit. Four additional phases are planned, which will total over 1.4 million square feet of development.

The East Village, in Sandy, is intended to be a model for future development around transit stations that incorporate mixed-use development around major transit infrastructure. Utah Business

Utah Employers, Employment and Wages by Size, 2013

The Utah Department of Workforce Services compiles quarterly employment and wage data for non-agricultural employers in Utah. Data is maintained at the establishment level (e.g., store, plant, or other type of permanent worksite facility). Since these establishments are assigned an industry and county code, their employment and wage data can be aggregated into common industry and county groupings for analysis purposes.

Employment and wage data for Utah’s non-agricultural employers are categorized in this publication by employment size for the month of March in each of the designated years. Grouping data by this criterion provides a useful tool to analyze the characteristics of Utah employers. For example, general trends of the size of Utah employers and employment concentrations by employer size class can be observed. Wage levels for large, medium, and small firms can also be evaluated.

In this publication, data is presented for both establishments and firms. The term "establishment" is generally defined as a specific physical worksite for an employer. For most employers, this is the actual street location at which business is conducted. For others, with no permanent worksite (such as salespeople, factory representatives, or distributors) it is the location from which they conduct their business (sometimes even residences).

For an overview of this publication and a look at your county, click here.

Do newfangled intersections ruin business?

Within a year after the new $5 million ThrU Turn was installed, the Common Cents gas station at 12300 South near I-15 in Draper closed. But next to the abandoned store, severe traffic congestion has largely disappeared, and the traffic flows much more quickly at the intersection with Minuteman Drive.

These developments sharply illustrate the arguments for and against what is turning out to be a controversial intersection design. UDOT says ThrU Turns are a great tool to speed traffic, but nearby businesses say it kills customer access. They have filled UDOT correspondence files with tales of struggle and worry.

Robert Miles, UDOT traffic operations engineer, said ThrU Turns were selected in Draper and Kearns because they could relieve congestion while avoiding removing businesses at the crowded intersections for widening and could avoid even more expensive options such as building bridges.

Salt Lake‐Utah county line a wellspring of economic vitality

In northern Utah County, hundreds of workers at IM Flash Technologies turn the silicon in common sand into speedy, power-efficient flash memory chips that store songs, photos, documents and other data in mobile phones, cameras and tablets.

Just up the road, in Salt Lake County, eBay unwrapped its new 240,000-square-foot Draper campus last month. The buildings accommodate 1,800 people who carry out customer service, software development, human resources and legal and accounting work for the e-commerce giant.

IM Flash and eBay are near Point of the Mountain, the east-west range that separates Salt Lake and Utah counties. It is here where a substantial chunk of Utah’s economic vitality is being created. Salt Lake Tribune

Pie Five Pizza coming to Utah, in Holladay in late April

Pie Five Pizza Co. is set to open its first Utah restaurant later this month, in Holladay at 3158 E. 6200 South.

An exact date will be announced soon, say company officials.

Utah franchise owner John Gilleland and his partners were awarded a multi-unit franchise agreement, with plans to open an additional seven locations in Utah. Salt Lake Tribune

Salt Lake County modernizes business license ordinance

A yearlong editing process eliminated 45 fees for specialized business licenses by Salt Lake County’s Planning and Development Division— such as $30 for an indoor, year-round miniature golf course or $150 for a slaughterhouse.

And that sits just fine with leaders of two local chambers of commerce that helped county officials to remove provisions no longer relevant in the modern business world.

Now was the time to update the document, added Alan Anderson, president/CEO of ChamberWest Regional Chamber of Commerce, which covers Kearns, West Valley City and Taylorsville, and the East Valley Regional Chamber in Millcreek.

"With any rebounding economy, it’s the entrepreneurs of the world who come into play," said Anderson, whose chambers represent about 3,000 unincorporated-area businesses. "It should be easier now to start a business in Millcreek or Kearns."

Division Director Rolen Yoshinaga cited several other oddities removed from the books. Laundromat owners will be spared a fee of $6 per washing machine — and county officials won’t have to put stickers on machines to show the fee was paid —while grocery stores won’t be charged an extra fee based on the gallons of milk in the store.

All that remains in the ordinance are chapters dealing with businesses regulated by state or federal governments — establishments selling alcohol and tobacco, massage parlors and sexually oriented businesses, residential solicitors, taxi companies, check cashers and alarm businesses.

The County Council voted 6-1 last week in favor of the revisions. Salt Lake Tribune

First Habit Burger opened in Utah

A California-based burger chain opened its first Utah location and is looking to immediately give back to the community.

The Habit Burger Grill celebrated its grand opening Thursday, Jan. 10, at 2121 S. McClelland St. (about 1050 East). But before that, it held charity events to benefit three Utah nonprofits. Patrons were invited to dine at the new restaurant, with 100 percent of the proceeds going to the organizations.

Proceeds were donated to YMCA of Northern Utah, Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Salt Lake, and YWCA of Salt Lake City. KSL

Industry leaders share best of what’s to come at trade show

The semi-annual Outdoor Retailer trade show has become a well-known point of pride for Utah.

Politicians and local businesses look forward to the estimated revenue of $40 million that the show brings in while outdoor enthusiasts appreciate the opportunity to show off their state's incredible outdoor recreation amenities and access.

Within the walls of the Salt Palace, companies big and small set up booths to show off next year's goods. Tens of thousands of buyers and sellers of outdoor gear travel from all over the world to conduct business and attend the trade show. But, due to the show's growing popularity, the show is strictly limited to those in the outdoor industry as well as the media. Daily Herald

SBA launches Affordable Care Act website and blog

The U.S. Small Business Administration has launched a web page and blog to help educate small business owners about the Affordable Care Act.

The new tools will connect the owners of small businesses with information from federal agencies responsible for implementing the law.

"The Affordable Care Act provides small business owners with access and opportunity to provide affordable health care options for their employees," said SBA Administrator Karen G. Mills. "SBA’s new Affordable Care Act web page and blog will serve as resources for small business owners who want learn more about how to take advantage of these benefits."

The Affordable Care Act has many beneficial measures specifically for small businesses; including slowing premium cost growth and increased access to quality, affordable health insurance, according to the SBA.

The new web page, www.sba.gov/healthcare, breaks down the key provisions of the Act based on business size in the following categories: self-employed, fewer than 25 employees, fewer than 50 employees and more than 50 employees.



The web page also provides links to other useful information for small businesses, including a glossary of key health care reform terms, an interactive timeline with dates for when reforms will be implemented, a state-by-state breakdown of health care options and how to learn more about specific tax provisions and regulations.

Additional resources will be added as they become available, the SBA said.

The blog, entitled Health Care Business Pulse (www.sba.gov/blog), will provide small business owners with continuous updates about the implementation of the Act. The blog is for informational purposes only and is not intended as legal or tax advice. Readers should consult their legal or tax professionals to discuss how specific matters relate to their individual business circumstances. Salt Lake Tribune

Taylorsville announces new business park

City leaders have announced the creation of a 95-acre business park along Bangerter Highway between 6200 South and 3200 West.

The Bennion Point Business Park will be zoned for business, research and development, filling a void in the central and western areas of Salt Lake County for light industrial and office space, city officials said.

The site is projected to accommodate roughly 700,000 square feet of commercial buildings and 1,000 employees at buildout.

Interested developers can contact Wayne Harper at wharper@taylorsville.gov or 801-955-2024.
Deseret News

First Class of 10,000 Small Businesses Program Starts at SLCC

Salt Lake Community College is pleased to announce the first class of the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program beginning at the College’s Miller Campus in Sandy.

The first class consists of 33 Utah businesses, which have been selected from a competitive pool of 102 initial applicants seeking the rigorous business education. The businesses selected represent a broad range of industries including; retail, manufacturing, construction, transportation, and services from medical, information technology, media, and human services areas. All businesses selected met specific application criteria and are positioned to provide increased revenue and job growth upon completion of the program. Through their dedication, these business owners will richly contribute to Utah’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program is a national education program for business owners who have survived the start-up phase and are poised for growth. Participants receive a full scholarship, which includes comprehensive business management education curriculum, a suite of business support services such as one-on-one business advising and networking clinics, and opportunities to access capital.

More than 780 small business owners have participated in the program in seven cities across the U.S. Alumni have generated on average a 70% increase in revenue, and 55% of participating business have created new jobs. As a result of the programs launch in Salt Lake City, program administrators expect positive economic outcomes—including new jobs and increased tax revenues. Utah Policy

Women’s conference set for Jan. 25-26 in Salt Lake

A conference entitled, The Women’s Event of All Women’s Events, will feature experts who will discuss empowering women and growing a global business.

The event is scheduled from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Jan. 25-26 at the Sheraton Hotel, 150 W. 500 South, in Salt Lake City.

The two-day conference is sponsored by The Women’s Information Network, a website that provides online and on land education to help women in their personal lives, families and businesses.

Author and human-relations expert Paula Fellingham of Saratoga Springs founded the website, which receives 500,000 to 1,000,000 visitors monthly.

For more information, visit www.theWINevent.com
Salt Lake Tribune

Crown Auto Holdings Closes Up Shop

Crown Auto Holdings, a publicly held Salt Lake City-based company whose shares were traded over-the-counter, said it dissolved its operations on Dec. 31, 2012 with the approval of its sole director and majority stockholder.

The company, in a statement announcing the move, said all of its assets and inventor were assigned to a Utah corporation owned by its director in consideration of an agreement that saw its majority shareholder agree to take on the liabilities of the business.

As of Nov. 30, Crown Auto’s liabilities exceeded its assets by approximately $208,000, the statement said.

Crown Auto’s business centered around the purchase of vehicles at auctions in Nevada and the transporting them to Utah for sale. The company focused its business on credit-challenged buyers who were unable to qualify for financing through traditional sources.

The company said it will ask the OTC Markets Inc. to delist the company’s shares. Salt Lake Tribune

Employment Law Seminar in Salt Lake City

What you need to know to comply with Federal and State Employment Laws and Regulations.
Wednesday, January 16, 2013 7:30 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.

Click here for more information: Utah Department of Workforce Services

EnergySolutions to be acquired in $1.1 Billion Deal

EnergySolutions Inc., the Salt Lake City-based nuclear waste company, said it has struck a deal to be acquired by a subsidiary of Energy Capital Partners in a transaction valued at $1.1 billion.

Stockholders of the company will receive $3.75 in cash for each share of common stock they own.

EnergySolutions said the price represents a premium of 20 percent over the average closing price of its stock in the 30-day period ended on Jan. 4.

"For our shareholders, this transaction offers compelling value, representing a substantial premium to our share price over recent months," David Lockwood, CEO and president of EnergySolutions, said in a statement announcing the deal. "For our company, this transaction enables us to continue to executive on our strategic plan by providing the investment capital to expand and grow our business." Salt LakeTribune

Bump from City Creek, Economy Spice up Office Space Demand

Utah’s slowly but steadily improving economy and the revitalization catalyst provided by City Creek Center are increasing demand for top-tier office space downtown and spurring renovation of a host of buildings.

The March opening of City Creek Center, the $2 billion shopping mall built by the LDS Church, helped reshape downtown in positive ways, according to commercial brokers. Flanking the Salt Lake Temple, the center features retail stores and restaurants amid the condominium towers, apartments and office space of the broader City creek development.

"A lot of money and effort has gone into revitalization of the downtown, and now owners are recognizing the opportunity to renovate buildings, particularly those close to City Creek," said Eric Smith, first vice president at CBRE, a commercial real estate firm and property manager for the updated 257 Tower.

The 13-story office building is among several landmarks downtown that are being renovated. According to Smith and others, they are attracting tenants and easing an exodus to the suburbs that began during downtown reconstruction, which included City Creek rising over a four-year period from a two-block area dissected by Main Street.

During a recent tour of 257 Tower at 257 E. 200 South, Smith pointed to other buildings, some historic, that have either been reconditioned or are in the process to coincide with the opening of City Creek.

The Boston office building at 9 Exchange Place was refurbished in a project that began in 2008. All 11 floors were cleared and updated during the $10 million interior facelift. In addition, the grand staircase that runs top to bottom was restored, and hundreds of thousands of individual tiles on the stair’s risers were replaced.

The 20-story Walker Center, which is celebrating its 100th anniversary at the corner of Main and 200 South, has been modernized and upgraded. Co-owner James Tozer Jr. said he purchased the building in 2006, counting on the fact City Creek was on the way and that demand for top-tier office space could grow.

Even though the Great Recession intervened and derailed many development plans, the state’s economy has rebounded at a steadier pace than many others, reinvigorating renovation efforts.

Also altering the real estate landscape downtown was Goldman Sachs’ decision a couple of years ago to move into then-new 22-story building at 222 S. Main Street. With more than 1,400 employees, Goldman Sachs’ Salt Lake City office is the New York-based investment firm’s second-largest North American operation.

As a result of these and other moves, demand in Salt Lake City and statewide for Class A office is the highest among all areas of commercial real estate, according to a report by NAI West, a commercial brokerage. Class A space represents top-notch construction in prime locations that are professionally managed.

In its outlook for 2013, NAI forecasts that barring something unforeseen, investors and companies will be attracted to Utah’s growth prospects, and, pushed by low interest rates and other factors; help maintain the momentum in commercial real estate that took hold in 2012. Salt Lake Tribune

Taylorsville Business Park Envisioned on Ex-landfill

As a reclaimed landfill and former gravel pit, the parcel at 6200 South and Bangerter Highway was a difficult sell. In the decade since the site was cleaned up, city officials still couldn’t persuade businesses to set up shop.

That could change. The Taylorsville City Council, sitting as the Redevelopment Agency board, has approved a plan to create the Bennion Point Economic Development Area (EDA).

Now, the city will be able to use up to $14 million in tax increment — the taxes generated from the increased assessed value of a property within the area — to reimburse some of the infrastructure costs incurred by companies that choose to locate there.

Work to remediate the property, which was used as a gravel pit when the Utah Department of Transportation built the Bangerter Highway and as a Salt Lake County landfill, was completed in 2002. However, the additional costs of grading and adding infrastructure such as roads and sewers have made the 130-acre plot unattractive to developers, according to Donald Adams, Taylorsville economic development director.

City officials hope the EDA plan, approved 4-0 Wednesday at a Redevelopment Agency meeting, will turn the vacant land into a thriving business park adjacent to a few residential areas.

The plan envisions 14 acres with nearly 60 single family homes added near existing homes that are just outside the EDA; 9 acres of commercial and retail enterprises, such as a convenience store, a couple of fast-food restaurants and strip malls; 10 acres of offices; and 51 acres of flex space, or buildings that can be used for offices or light industrial purposes. The remaining acreage is for roads, parks and open space.


Lewis Young Robertson & Burningham Inc., a Salt Lake City firm commissioned to do a cost/benefit analysis, estimates that investing the tax increment in the EDA has the potential to bring $91.6 million in private investment and at least 800 jobs to Taylorsville.

Tax increment will be used for 15 years or until the amount reaches $14 million, whichever comes first. For now, the land is tax-exempt because it is owned by either the Utah Department of Transportation or Taylorsville.

Another benefit of putting a business park at the location is that commercial traffic will flow opposite of the morning and evening rush hours on heavily used 6200 South, the report says. It added that traffic patterns, in turn, will cut down on the $90 million to $100 million in road improvements that would eventually be needed if the area were to become primarily residential. Salt Lake Tribune

Buffalo Wild Wings Opens in West Valley City

Buffalo Wild Wings has opened its newest Utah location in West Valley City at 2927 S. 5600 West.

The West Valley City Buffalo Wild Wings features big screens and wall-to-wall HD TVs for event and sports viewing.

Its menu includes boneless wings, specialty burgers and sandwiches, ribs, finger foods, wraps and salads, along with 20 signature sauces and seasonings. Buffalo Wild Wings also has two signature events each week: Wing Tuesdays and Boneless Thursdays, where diners may order their favorite traditional or boneless wings at a special price.

The restaurant is open 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to midnight on Sunday.
Buffalo Wild Wings, Inc., founded in 1982 and headquartered in Minneapolis, has nearly 900 locations across 49 states and Canada. Salt Lake Tribune

Sandy Area Chamber Opens Resource Center for Small-business Owners

The Sandy Area Chamber of Commerce has opened a resource center to help small-business owners better run their companies.

The new center, at the chamber’s offices at 9350 S. 150 East, Suite 580 in Sandy, will provide access to mentors with years of experience to assist new business owners. It also will offer loan advisers and high-level contacts at Zions Bank to assist with financing needs.

In addition, the center will offer frequent workshops and talks, as well as accounting and bookkeeping help. And, it will have a computer, resource books and documents with beneficial contacts available. Salt Lake Tribune

Thermo King Poised to Move to Warner Truck Center in West Valley City

Thermo King Intermountain is poised to relocate to the Warner Truck Center, a move that will bring 55 jobs to this west-side community.

The company will get a little help in the move. The West Valley City Council, sitting as the Redevelopment Agency board, voted 7-0 earlier this week to give $125,000 to Thermo King to offset some of its costs.
The business — which services and sells parts for temperature control systems for truck bodies, trailers, buses, shipboard containers and rail cars — is now located at 1038 S. 300 West in Salt Lake City. Once all the details are finalized, Thermo King plans to build a $6 million, 35,000-square foot facility on 9½ acres at the center.

Warner Truck Center, which covers about 100 acres near 2100 South and 5600 West, is home to transportation-related businesses that sell, maintain, repair and customize heavy- and light-duty vehicles. Companies there include Warner Fleet Services and Warner Body & Paint, Freightliner, Wabash of Utah, Western Star of Utah, TruckPro Leasing & Finance, Utah Tank & Trailer, Sprinter Sales, N.E.W.S. (National Environmental Waste Systems), Cascadia Cafe, and Cummins Rocky Mountain.

Keith Morey, West Valley City business development manager, said the company’s presence will help "create a unique truck destination that will draw traffic to West Valley City from around the country."
Morey noted in a city report that Warner is using technology that allows it to monitor the status and repair needs of trucks as they travel around the country and notify them of potential problems before they surface.

In addition to jobs, Thermo King is expected to bring in $29,000 in property tax and $75,000 in sales tax annually to West Valley.

Thermo King’s moving costs are estimated at $150,000. The company will get $75,000 of the RDA money after a building permit has been issued and construction is underway. The rest of the money, $50,000, will be given the following year after a business license is issued and final occupancy granted. Salt Lake Tribune