Life in Utah Magazine 2015 by Utah Media Group

2015

SLCHAMBER.COM

Utah’s Premier Lifestyle and Relocation Guide

Quality Living

The Utah Way WORK

LEARN

LIVE

PLAY

Where Knowledge and Faith Meet • 97% College Bound • All Faiths Welcome • Diverse Community • Infant - 12th Grade

NOW ENROLLING Tours available at 16 schools along the Wasatch Front (Ogden to Draper)

Visit us online

www.UtahCatholicSchools.org

速

Making lives better

Questar.com

Luxury at every level.

速

MORE THAN 25 COMMUNITIES... IN 6 COUNTIES

GROTTO KITCHENS

DESIGN YOUR DREAM HOME

C O M E I N T O D AY & EXPLORE OUR NEW HOME CENTER 2 0 6 E a s t W i n c h e s t e r, M u r r a y, U T (South of Fashion Place Mall)

801.270.6400 O A K W O O D H O M E S U TA H . C O M

™

Bridge and conquer. With good advice and long-term planning, you can take the most direct route to where you want to go. We help your company get there faster. ey.com

CenturyLink’s powerful portfolio of services covers all corners of business in Utah. In the state ranked best for business*, CenturyLink’s top-tier technology helps many businesses achieve their goals.

Utah businesses count on CenturyLink to provide tailored solutions, the connectivity of a Tier-1 national network and industry-leading Service Level Agreements. And as more companies migrate to the cloud, they’re taking advantage of our top-tier cloud services. CenturyLink provides the solutions, technology and support that helps businesses keep growing.

To find out more about CenturyLink call 855.320.0469 or visit centurylink.com *Forbes rated Utah the Best State for Business and Careers two years in a row. http://www.forbes.com/sites/kurtbadenhausen/2011/11/22/the-best-states-for-business/ © 2012 CenturyLink, Inc. All Rights Reserved. The name and the pathway logos are trademarks of CenturyLink, Inc.

welcome

Welcome to Utah! As Governor of the great state of Utah, it is my pleasure to recommend Life in Utah. I am pleased the successes of our vibrant economy, excellent education system, and principles of good government have sparked your interest. What is more, I am proud of our most valuable asset—the friendly and hospitable residents of Utah. This year’s publication focuses on the theme, “The Utah way of doing business.” We are a state of collaboration. We find solutions and take action. And, we are always looking for ways to improve. From tourism and transportation to energy development, water, and education, Utah comes together to lead the way and get things done. Utah’s spectacular natural environment, lively arts and culture, and thriving business truly offer what we call “Life Elevated.” Our wonderful state has something for everyone, and I invite you to come and discover the many reasons for you to love Utah. I am confident your experiences will increase your desire not only to return time and again, but perhaps to relocate to Utah as well. Sincerely,

Gary R. Herbert Governor

LIFE IN UTAH 2015 | SLCHAMBER.com

When you come to Utah, be sure to visit

TEMPLE SQUARE in the heart of Salt Lake City

Tours are available in more than 30 languages

•

Many venues to choose from, and all are free

Your tour group can:

Listen

to the glorious music of the famed Mormon Tabernacle Choir, rehearsing and performing in the Tabernacle on Temple Square. They also perform in the 21,000-seat Conference Center. See visittemplesquare.com for details.

Discover

Meander

through two upscale visitors’ centers that include the Christus statue by Danish sculptor Thorvaldsen. Visit the interactive map of ancient Jerusalem (kids love it!) and much more.

Step into the past,

your roots in the FamilySearch Center, where helpful volunteers can assist in retrieving family history information from the world’s largest repository of genealogical records.

where the story of family life of yesteryear will unfold room by room in the Beehive House, the seat of government in early Utah.

For information on these and many other fascinating venues on Temple Square, go to visittemplesquare.com, lds.org/placestovisit, or call 800-453-3860. © IRI. PD50020206

welcome

table of contents 16 work

Building on Utah’s thriving economy and business

38 learn

Gaining an education is the foundation for Utah’s prosperity

44 live

Highlighting a few of Utah’s favorite places to live

64 play

Discovering adventure in an all-season playground

ON THE COVER: Sunrise Arch, Canyonlands National Park by Charlie M. Lansche Western Landscape & Wildlife Photography www.CharlieLansche.com Image courtesy of Utah Office of Tourism

LIFE IN UTAH 2015 | SLCHAMBER.com

Employment Screening – ATS Integration Drug Screening – Criminal Background Checks Tenant Screening – Corporate Security Solutions Like all of our Utah based clients, Peopletrail feels fortunate to have our roots established in this great state. We have benefited from all the wonderful opportunities it provides for both business and pleasure. Over the years we’ve enjoyed growing along side many of our clients, providing them the actionable insight they need to make the right business decisions, keeping them secure and compliant with all local, state, and federal screening requirements. Peopletrail is well positioned for significant growth. Our clients’ needs continue to grow, and more and more companies are realizing the importance of working with an accredited provider of reliable, convenient, and accurate information. Discover the Peopletrail difference and get the information you need, and the personal care you deserve. Call 866.223.8822 or visit peopletrail.com to chat live or schedule your own complimentary consultation today.

welcome

VOLUME

XXX

ISSUE

2015

175 E. University Blvd. (400 S.), Suite 600 Salt Lake City, UT 84111 801-364-3631 | slchamber.com PRESIDENT & CEO

BOARD CHAIR

Lane Beattie

Terry Buckner EDITORS

Mikael Short, Sky Nuttall, Maria Loftis CONTENT PROVIDED BY

CBRE, Inc., Downtown Alliance, Governor’s Office of Economic Development, Intermountain Relocation Council, Kane County Tourism, Salt Lake Chamber, Ski Utah, Utah State Parks, Sundance Institute, Uintah County Tourism, Utah Association of Realtors, Utah Department of Transportation, Utah Media Group, Utah Office of Tourism, Utah Transit Authority Lane Beattie, Salt Lake Chamber, President and CEO.

Image courtesy of Busath Photography©

Welcome to Utah

Whether you are here for a quick visit or considering Utah as your new home, it won’t take long for you to realize that our state is unlike any other. The Life in Utah magazine is designed to give you a taste of what makes Utah so special. You may already know we’re the home of the “Greatest Snow on Earth©” and some of the very best skiing, but don’t forget about playing in the mountains and lakes in the summer, visiting the “Mighty Five®” spectacular national parks and our vibrant capital city. We have something for everyone within our state borders. No matter how long you plan to be here, we want to make you feel welcome. The Salt Lake Chamber is working to make Utah the strongest economy in the nation and we are committed to being a welcoming, inclusive and caring community. We would love nothing more than for you to join us. We hope you’ll enjoy your time in our great state!

Lane Beattie, President and CEO Salt Lake Chamber

LIFE IN UTAH 2015 | SLCHAMBER.com

PUBLISHED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH

90 S. 400 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84121 801-839-1404 | utahbusiness.com PRESIDENT & CEO

PUBLISHER

Brent Low

Sam Urie

ADVERTISING SALES REPRESENTATIVE

Lynette Cloward EDITORIAL/CREATIVE TEAM

Jed Call, VP of Business Development Megan Donio, Content Manager Jeni Fitzgibbon, Content Coordinator Michelle Bridges, Project Designer Brian Hugo, Graphics Lead COVER PHOTO

Charlie M. Lansche Sunrise Arch, Canyonlands National Park CONTRIBUTORS

Letitia Campbell, Mark DeYoung, Melissa Fields, Sarah Ryther Francom, Julie Johnsson, Thomas Whitaker, Justin Jones Life in Utah is an official and yearly publication of the Salt Lake Chamber and is distributed throughout Utah. Copyright ©2015 by the Salt Lake Chamber. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any format without consent of the Salt Lake Chamber. We make every effort to ensure the accuracy of the information in this publication, the Salt Lake Chamber, Utah Media Group and Utah Business magazine assume no liability for errors, inaccuracies or omissions. All critical information should be independently verified. Utah Media Group and Utah Business are proud to produce the Salt Lake Chamber’s official relocation magazine with a title that reflects its extended scope: Life in Utah.

A BETTER WAY TO COMMUTE

Electric assist bicycles, or “ebikes,” are the latest technology in bicycles. An eBike allows riders of all ﬁtness levels to enjoy riding a bike. While pedaling, a discrete, quiet, electric motor assists you depending on the assist level you need or desire.

Who is eSpokes? We are electric bikes. We are the largest electric bike dealer in Utah, with stores in St. George and Daybreak in South Jordan. We oﬀer the largest selection of high-quality, industry-leading electric bikes. We take pride in our knowledgeable employees, outstanding service, and our certiﬁed ebike technicians.

Visit our website ESPOKES.COM to learn which ebike is right for you.

DESIGN FOR ALL TIME FOR ALL TIME

LAKE HOMES THAT ARE SO NOW … AND THEN “Have “Have nothing nothing in in your your houses houses that that you you do do not not know know to to be be useful useful or or believe believe to to be be beautiful.” beautiful.” Famed Famed 19th 19th Century Century designer designer William William Morris Morris was, was, to to put put it it mildly, mildly, aa stickler stickler for for the the details. details. We’ve We’ve taken taken this this older, older, more more meticulous meticulous approach approach to to form form and and function, function, and and combined combined it it with with aa fresh, fresh, almost almost whimsical whimsical sense sense of of light light and and lifestyle lifestyle to to create create the the new new homes homes of of Daybreak’s Daybreak’s Lake Lake Village. Village.

THESE HOMES EMBODY LAKESIDE LIVING. They welcome sunlight and cross breezes into every room. With an ingenious use of glass and space, they blur the barrier between indoors and outdoors. And every detail, from a metal roof above a wrap-around porch to a “kayak garage,” is a reminder that you’re among the privileged few who get to live steps from a big, freshwater lake.

AT 10 YEARS OLD, DAYBREAK IS A MODEL OF COMMUNIT Y DESIGN. A place where the homes are a short walk or bike ride from parks. Community gardens. A fresh-baked pastry. Even a light rail station. And Lake Village is the pinnacle of Daybreak design, a fitting tenth anniversary celebration.

TOUR THE MODEL HOMES OF LAKE VILLAGE. Start your tour at the Lake Cottage. From I-15 go west on 10600 S., cross Bangerter Hwy and follow the signs to the Lake Cottage. (801) 446-9022

A RIO TINTO/KENNECOTT COMMUNITY

DAYBREAKUTAH.COM

work

Salt Lake Chamber is the largest and longest-running business association in Utah. Images courtesy of Salt Lake Chamber

Utah’s Voice for Business Our Mission: We stand as the voice of business, we support our members’ success and we champion community prosperity.

of interest:

As the state’s largest and longestserving business association, the Salt Lake Chamber provides a new kind of business leadership on a statewide level through a blend of collaboration, advocacy and service. We aim to create an environment built for economic success, now and in the future. We continue to enhance businessstrengthening programs to make membership in the Chamber more valuable and to help us achieve our mission.

MEMBER SPAN All 29 Utah counties, 14 states, 2 countries

As the “Voice of Business” in Utah, we support policies that help businesses thrive. We fight for a 16

LIFE IN UTAH 2015 | SLCHAMBER.com

greater investment in Utah’s future workforce through the Prosperity 2020 movement. We help to strengthen Utah’s health system, sustain investment in transportation and enhance community prosperity through innovation. The Chamber will continue to provide leadership in the issues facing our state—to serve the business community as well as Utah citizens. Thanks to the Chamber and its partners’ work in securing good business policy, Utah is one of the best states to start a business, expand a business or simply to do business.

chamber fast facts MEMBER BUSINESSES 8,000+

LENGTH OF MEMBERSHIP 220 businesses have been members for 25+ years INTERNATIONAL CHAMBER AGREEMENTS 10 SMALL BUSINESS MEMBERS 79 percent HOSTED EVENTS / WORKSHOPS 150+ per year STRATEGIC PARTNERS Downtown Alliance, World Trade Center Utah Member benefits: Discover the advantages of belonging to the Chamber at slchamber.com

“Thank you, Zions Bank, for 35 years of a great relationship.” Gail Miller — OWNER,

LARRY H. MILLER GROUP OF COMPANIES

Gail Miller has trusted Zions Bank for over three decades — and for good reason. “What makes a banking relationship work is knowing you can count on each other. Zions Bank helps us do business in a way that perhaps we couldn’t without their support.”

To hear the rest of Gail’s story, visit zionsbank.com/thankyou.

work

 

Exceeding Expectations

Innovate. Invest. Grow. You’ve probably heard comments that Utah is the place to be for business. We’re happy to report that the talk is true. With a business-minded governor leading a businessfriendly community, the Beehive State is continually growing and gaining recognition both nationally and internationally.

Part of Utah’s major industries—energy, agriculture, IT/software.

Images courtesy of Utah Office of Tourism, University of Utah Tech Ventures

LIFE IN UTAH 2015 | SLCHAMBER.com

work Utah No. 1 for 2011-2013, 2015 “Best State for Business and Careers” –  Utah No. 1 Best State for Business, 2014 —  Utah the only state to rank in Top 10 for all categories (e.g.: Exports, Business Climate) —..   ,   Utah No. 1 Economic Dynamism —   ,  Utah No. 1 for Economic Outlook —   ,  Utah’s capital, Salt Lake City, is a hive of activity. Multiple national corporations are locating headquarter operations, and other major business units are opening in the newly rebuilt city center. The arts are flourishing with a new ballet training facility and multiple stage performance centers being filled nightly, plus a nationally ranked symphony and our own summer jazz festival—all helping to add to the full sense of community in Salt Lake City. On the economic front, the city is home to the state’s largest chamber of commerce and provides a center place for the business community to gather. Utah’s statewide economy is thriving, as evidenced by an unemployment rate of 3.6 percent and 3.3 percent job growth as of December 2014. A state long-identified with mining and agriculture, Utah has steadily diversified its industry mix through economic ups and downs. All of this is underpinned by the Governor’s Office of Economic Development’s (GOED) commitment of resources to target and stimulate economic clusters around strategic industries that have sufficient critical mass to drive major economic expansion. Aerospace and Defense, Finance, IT/Software, Energy, Life Sciences, Agriculture, High Tech Manufacturing, and Outdoor Products and Recreation round out the key industries that drive the state. The Hachman Index, which measures the similarity and diversity of different regions and the nation as a whole, has found Utah to be the fourth most diverse economy in the country. Working with GOED, a wide range of companies have expanded and

relocated operations in the state this year. To mention a few: Goldman Sachs, ATK, Varian Medical Systems, Young Living, Jive Communications, Oracle, Vista Outdoor and others have expanded, thanks in part to the state’s sensible business regulatory environment and competitive incentive programs. The state consistently encourages new businesses to relocate to Utah, and we also promote existing businesses through specialized in-state programs. For example, the GOED Business Resource Centers in conjunction with its local educational and business sector partners offer convenient one-stop shop business services for addressing the needs of new or growing firms. The Procurement Technical Assistance Centers provide assistance to small and mid-sized Utah companies to help them obtain government and military contracts. Utah also offers an online health insurance marketplace, Avenue H, geared toward helping small businesses control costs and give employees access to health care coverage. GOED also propels rural economic development, offering grants and incentives to companies that locate their business in small communities. The agency proactively helps rural communities, placing staff directly in rural regions to assist them in accomplishing economic development projects. In addition to all of this, GOED’s Office of Tourism, Outdoor Recreation Office and Utah Film Commission work to bring visitors and film projects to all corners of our state.

While maintaining Utah’s current economy, we also look to the future. Utah continues to provide for its 665,000 strong K-12 future workforce to ensure our long-term competitiveness. One example is the Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) Action Center, a program that drives research and implementation of STEM education and best practices for K-12 students. The STEM Action Center supports the governor’s education plan and the Chamber’s Prosperity 2020 initiative.

of interest:

look who’s growing UTAH’S EXPANDING BUSINESSES Goldman Sachs: Salt Lake City, 350 jobs Overstock: Midvale, 333 jobs Viracon: St. George, 300 jobs Vista Outdoors HQ: Salt Lake County, 90 jobs SyberJet: Cedar City, 1,000 jobs Young Living: Utah County, 445 jobs ATK: Clearfield, 1,002 jobs OOCL: Salt Lake City, 300 jobs Allstate Corporation: Ogden, 700 jobs Varian Medical Systems: Salt Lake City, 1,000 jobs Houseling Nurseries Oxnard, Inc.: Juab County, 282 jobs Oracle: Lehi, 351 jobs Utah’s economic mission is to excel in job creation, innovation, entrepreneurship, global business, a quality workforce and also have a stable and sustainable businessfriendly environment. Learn more about GOED at utah.business.gov LIFE IN UTAH 2015 | SLCHAMBER.com

work

World Trade Center Utah offices at City Creek Center.

Images courtesy of Utah Office of Tourism

Going Global Competing in a global economy has become a necessity not only for businesses, but also for states. Utah is certainly one of the brightest stars on the flag when it comes to export growth. The mission of World Trade Center Utah is to help Utah companies think, act and succeed globally. Utah continues to emerge as a premier global business destination despite being a landlocked state. Small business owners are encouraged to build their customer base, not just within the state or country, but outside of the United States. From 2008 to 2013, Utah’s exports grew by 36 percent, which is double the U.S. average of 18 percent. In 2013, Utah businesses exported $16.1 billion dollars to more than 200 countries. World Trade Center Utah (WTC Utah) is a voice for international business in the state. It supports Utah businesses in international expansion efforts by offering training seminars, regional forums and newsletters focused on international business development, trade issues and export opportunities. WTC Utah is a strategic partner with the Salt Lake Chamber in helping Utah 20

LIFE IN UTAH 2015 | SLCHAMBER.com

businesses enter into profitable global markets. Not only do international exports bring revenue to Utah businesses, they also create and support Utah and American jobs. In 2013, more than 60,000 jobs were supported by Utah exports. WTC Utah partners with the state to bring businesses to Utah and take Utah businesses to new countries. This past fiscal year, Utah’s International Trade and Diplomacy Office, housed in the Governor’s Office of Economic Development (GOED), led seven trade missions to various countries. The success of last year’s Utah Global Forum, returning August 2015, is evidence of the collaborative nature of these three organizations that all work toward the common goal of supporting Utah businesses.

of interest: wtc utah facts UTAH’S TOP FIVE EXPORT MARKETS Hong Kong: $5,529 million China: $1,412 million Canada: $1,324 million United Kingdom: $1,293 million Thailand: $835 million FEDERAL TRADE AGREEMENT PARTNERS In the past 10 years, Utah exports to Federal Trade Agreement partners grew by 127 percent

WTC Utah helps Utah companies think, act and succeed globally. Learn more at wtcutah.com

LIFE IN UTAH 2015 | SLCHAMBER.com

work

Coming to Salt Lake City on a Business Trip? Utah is securing its place as a hot spot for national and international conventions thanks to events such as the Outdoor Retailer Winter / Summer Markets, Salt Lake Comic Con and Fan Xperience, the Sundance Film Festival, and more putting up shop in the heart of Salt Lake City at the Salt Palace Convention Center.

of interest: four seasons

SALT LAKE AREA CLIMATE AVERAGE ANNUAL TEMPERATURE 52˚F JANUARY TEMPERATURE Avg High: 36.4˚F / Avg. Low: 19.3˚F JULY TEMPERATURE Avg High: 92.2˚F / Avg. Low: 63.7˚F AVERAGE ANNUAL PRECIPITATION 16.2 inches AVERAGE ANNUAL SNOW FALL 58.6 inches SOURCE :

National Weather Service Forecast Office climate-zion.com Images courtesy of Red Butte Garden, Mischelly Media

LIFE IN UTAH 2015 | SLCHAMBER.com

A handful of hotels are within short walking distance of the Salt Palace Convention Center and even more call downtown home. With more than 7,000 rooms available, there’s no shortage of space for visitors, whether for business or leisure, from motels, bed and breakfasts, and even the fanciest of hotels. Hotels that come highly recommended include Hilton Hotel Salt Lake City Center, Salt Lake Marriott Downtown at City Creek, Hotel Monaco, the Grand America and Little America Hotel. WHERE TO EAT

Salt Lake City is expanding its palate one restaurant at a time, and so can you on your trip. From the seafood delights at Market Street Grill and Oyster Bar, sushi at Naked Fish, Bambara’s American cuisine to Copper Onion’s locally sourced contemporary goodness and beyond, you’re bound to find a restaurant close by to close your business deal—all over a delicious lunch. HAPPY HOUR AND BREWS

Wind down after a busy day with some locally made brews at the likes of Squatters and Red Rock Brewery. If

RIDE FREE If you enter and exit the bus or TRAX within the boundaries o f t h e F R E E FA R E Z O N E Temple Square Station

North Temple 1st Ave City Center Station

Gallivan

DOWNTOWN SLC Center

Main St

W Temple

300 W

400 W

Station

Courthouse Station

South Temple 100 S

200 S

200 E

200 W

500 W

Planetarium Station

500 N

State Capitol

State St

Arena Station

Old GreekTown Station

WHERE TO STAY

Free Fare Zone

600 W

You can ride the TRAX light rail system straight from the airport into downtown Salt Lake City in just 20 minutes, and beyond as well. The Free Fare Zone of TRAX is centered in downtown and can get you to anything you need at absolutely no charge within the area. Then, once downtown, with GREENbike, SLC’s fast-growing bike share program, you can hop a bike and get from point A to point B in a fun and active way—no activewear required.

Salt Lake Central Station

HOW TO GET AROUND

300 S Library 400 S Station 500 S

you want more spirit-based drinks, Bar X provides a relaxed speakeasy ambience with wonderful mixologists behind the counter. Of course, being downtown also puts you in the most central location for anything and everything. If you forgot something at home or want some groceries, Harmons is right next to City Creek Center (closed Sundays), where you could spend an afternoon window shopping. If you need a shopping fi x on a Sunday, The Gateway is Utah’s premier outdoor shopping destination just west of downtown. And, with a new yearround market system downtown, you could hit up the local farmers and crafts markets on weekends. The possibilities are endless! Make your business trip an enjoyable one in Salt Lake City, and just explore! You never know what you might find. P.S. Keep an eye out for the alleyway featuring a larger-than-life line of favorite classic novels. Plan ahead for your next business or leisure trip at visitutah.com

DELICIOUS UTAH PEACHES just look

When local produce is at its peak, youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll find it here.

for this at shelf

HarmonsGrocery.com

work profile

vista outdoor hq

Bringing the World Outside Vista Outdoor’s customers expect rugged and dependable—and invest in products they can trust. Our company is committed to leveraging our capabilities, experience and passion for outdoor sports and recreation into products that help outdoor enthusiasts achieve independence and success in the outdoor activity of their choice. We’ve chosen to locate our corporate headquarters in Utah to help facilitate that mission. Utah is a great place to do business, with Forbes magazine naming Utah as the best state for business in 2014. From skiing to hunting to camping to mountain biking and golfing, Utah is an epicenter for individual outdoor recreation. I was born and raised in Utah, and love the outdoor lifestyle the state has to offer. Utah has a talented and welleducated workforce and a great quality of life. These qualities, along with the state’s appeal to outdoor enthusiasts and recreation companies, support our decision to establish the headquarters for this new and exciting company in the Beehive State. Vista Outdoor is a $2.3 billion global designer, manufacturer and marketer in the growing outdoor sports and recreation markets. Our company is a leader in outdoor recreation and 24

LIFE IN UTAH 2015 | SLCHAMBER.com

Mark DeYoung, CEO of Vista Outdoor. Image courtesy of Vista Outdoor

owns 30 widely known and respected outdoor brands, including Federal Premium, CCI, Bushnell, Primos, Weaver Optics, BLACKHAWK!, Bollé and Savage Arms. The headquarters in Utah will house Vista Outdoor executives, including the CEO, CFO, General Counsel and Senior Vice President of Human Resources, and corporate employees in the legal, finance, human resources, IT, sales, marketing and communications departments. Our intent is to establish new high-paying corporate jobs in Utah over the next several years as we expand and grow. In addition, the Vista Outdoor brand Gold Tip currently employs approximately 50 skilled people in Orem, manufacturing archery products. The company employs approximately 5,800 skilled

workers worldwide with facilities in the United States, Canada, Europe, Mexico and Asia. Outdoor sports and recreation is a $63 billion industry with a passionate and devoted customer base. We’re passionate too, because we use the products we make. We know our customers expect products that are rugged and dependable—they invest in products they can trust. Vista Outdoor is proud to partner with the State of Utah as we establish a new, global headquarters for this publicly traded company (VSTO on the NYSE). We’re committed to bringing the world outside—and that mission starts in Utah.

SEARCHING FOR YOUR NEXT HOME?

It is Easier at www.BuyWithM1.com ESTATE EASY SEARCHREAL & ALERTS

DETAILED SEARCH

• Keep track of Price Changes on your favorite homes. • Set up Automatic Searches that Email you New Listings. • Ability to search only New Listings. • Targeted Search by Map, City, Zip Code, Etc. REAL ESTATE TRACK PRICE CHANGES

SEARCH NEW LISTINGS

TARGETED SEARCH AREA

REAL ESTATE

Search today! www.BuyWithM1.com or call 801.204.6013 REAL ESTATE

REAL ESTATE A Full-Service Brokerage

M E M B E R S H I P S T O A C C O M M O D AT E Y O U R L I F E S T Y L E

20% off initiation fee with this ad Come see our new outdoor dining venue with views of the golf course and East Canyon. An ARNOLD PALMER Signature Golf Course.

8770 jeremy road | park city, utah | 435·649·2700 | thejeremy.com LIFE IN UTAH 2015 | SLCHAMBER.com

work profile

the buckner company

Investing in People The Buckner Company is a strong, diverse business that champions creativity, integrity and community service. Terry Buckner is the CEO of The Buckner Company, an insurance brokerage founded in 1936 by Buckner’s grandfather. When Buckner got involved, the company had eight employees; now the company has 125 employees with offices in Utah, Idaho and Colorado. The Buckner Company is a strong, diverse business that champions creativity, integrity and community service.

to know us. People will do business with people they know and trust. Service helps build a great community and a strong business.”

When Buckner came into the business in 1979, he had investigated the nature of joining a family business and instead negotiated to become the sole purchaser of the company in the future. He was aware that not many family businesses survived into their fourth generation and he wanted to make sure that The Buckner Company lasted and did well. Now Buckner is the only member of his family in this thriving business.

As a business professional interested in millennials, Buckner says, “I am passionate about attracting young talent to my company. The insurance industry is not always perceived as a dynamic environment, but truth be told, there is a tremendous amount of opportunity for young people looking to build a career for themselves. We have focused our outreach and recruitment efforts on reaching out to bright young students. I am looking to grow the next group of leadership and talent based on the culture we have built in this firm, specifically related to ethics, community service and integrity.”

Early in his career, Buckner had a pivotal experience that shaped the way that he did business. He had a specific client that was as much as 38 percent of the company’s revenue, but unfortunately they lost the client. Buckner reflected on how such an event makes you step back and look at yourself. This lost client forced the company to test their mettle, make sure they were committed to what they were doing and diversify so that not one client has as big of a stake in their firm. He says, “Now we don’t have one client that has more than 2 percent of our revenue. The year this happened we saw a dip in our revenue, so we responded by diversifying and strengthening our portfolio to redefine ourselves.” 26

LIFE IN UTAH 2015 | SLCHAMBER.com

Buckner enjoys doing business in Utah. “Leadership in Utah is approachable. Our economy is stable. People want to do business here and Utah is family friendly.”

Terry Buckner, CEO of The Buckner Company. Image courtesy of The Buckner Company

At The Buckner Company, they are always striving for excellence and recruiting top talent. They work hard to be in tune with new trends in the marketplace and to deal with security threats facing clients’ identities; they work hard to craft technology that will address those needs. Buckner says, “We are always thinking about the future, trying to stay abreast of trends in our field, which is challenging. What we really sell is our knowledge. We are a people company and work meticulously to provide our clients with excellent information to make the best decisions.” Service is an essential component of The Buckner Company. Buckner believes that service in the community is the rent that we pay for the privileges that come our way. He states, “Serving the community not only helps the community, but our business because it allows others to get

As a successful CEO, Buckner’s advice for someone beginning their career is to focus on people. “Business is about people. It is about relationships with people and doing the right thing for people.” Buckner encourages young professionals to be creative and passionate about the field that they pursue. “It is about passion! Find something you feel passion for when you get out of bed. Find that passion and enjoy the people that you work with. This is what makes a career successful and gratifying.”

Your inspiration is unique. Our inspiration is you. Each member’s story is part of ours. Every claim, form, or phone call represents a person, and that’s why we offer superior service and access to high-quality healthcare. It’s not about deductibles or copays—it’s about people.

LIFE IN UTAH 2015 | SLCHAMBER.com

work

  

Aerial view from the Key Bank Tower of downtown Salt Lake City and the Salt Lake Valley. Image courtesy of Utah Office of Tourism

Commercial Offerings Over the last several years, Utah has outperformed a sluggish national economy. Consequently, the state’s commercial real estate market has maintained aboveaverage performance in most areas. Looking ahead, Utah’s stable, business-friendly environment will attract new companies and foster the expansion of those businesses already in Utah. 28

LIFE IN UTAH 2015 | SLCHAMBER.com

work Utah Receives “A” Grade in Government Technology Survey —    Utah No. 2 in Business Facilities / Climate —  ,  Utah Ranks High “2013 Manufacturing and Logistics National Report” —,  

office

will continue during the coming year. Such being the case, retailers will continue to find opportunity in Utah.

While job creation remains positive as the year continues to unfold, officeusing sectors trending toward efficiency will continue to influence office markets. Healthy demand for office space is allowing the Salt Lake market’s office vacancy rate to fall. Limited amounts of space were completed during 2014, which allow vacancy to decline further. However, declines will slow as new office space is completed in 2015.

industrial

positive demands

strong development Salt Lake’s strategic regional location continues to support strong levels of demand for warehousing and distribution space. The rise of e-commerce, driven by advances in technology, has further enhanced this demand.

healthy growth

Professionals are noting an increase in activity from manufacturers, which is significant due to the fact that it represents a greater concentration of jobs created relative to warehousing or distribution centers. Additionally, such facilities often require a significant investment in the local economy. Strong demand is spurring development.

Salt Lake’s retail market is influenced by a range of factors, from employment and wage growth to housing and sentiment. Overall, the commercial real estate demand is healthy. Currently, high-quality space with good accessibility is in high demand by retailers to ensure their focus on a quality shopping experience. This trend is expected to continue and developers are moving to meet the needs of the market demand.

A high level of construction is expected to continue through at least mid-2015. Availability was favorably low at 8.4 percent at the end of the third quarter of 2014, but large amounts of new supply entering the market will put upward pressure on that figure in the near-term. The demand is expected to maintain a healthy relationship with supply, ensuring vacancy and availability will remain below national averages for the foreseeable future.

Overall, Salt Lake City’s office market is expected to remain healthy with particular strength in Sandy and Draper due to the area’s strategic location and growth in the tech sector.

retail

Completed retail construction during the first three quarters of 2014 surpassed the total for all 2013 and is expected to continue rising through year-end. Current commercial projections indicating healthy growth

investment good fortune

The same type of optimism that is motivating developers to commit

capital to new local projects is motivating investors in a broader sense. Utah’s strong economy is supporting demand for commercial real estate properties and providing new opportunities. Investors are attracted to the area due to bright long-term outlook for the local economy and a resilient commercial real estate market. A business-friendly climate, favorable demographics and geographical constraints are all factors contributing to this positive outlook. Moving forward, investor activity is expected to remain strong with higher levels of market activity through the end of 2015.

confidence

looking forward Constructive growth indicators for all major commercial real estate property types continue to affirm a positive view of the local economy. Furthermore, the amount of construction activity in the market represents confidence in the long-term outlook for Salt Lake’s economy because commercial structures typically have a long life, and new construction can be viewed as a bet on long-term demand. As these trends develop, changes in composition of growth are likely, but commercial real estate is expected to continue to reflect a healthy local economy. SOURCE : Excerpts from the 2014 Fall Economic Outlook were used for this article. Produced by CBRE in partnership with the Salt Lake Chamber

Leasing and construction across all property types continue to increase in Utah’s commercial real estate markets. Of note is the amount of new space that is under construction. Learn more at slchamber.com

LIFE IN UTAH 2015 | SLCHAMBER.com

work

University of Utah and Utah State University “WAVE” buses. Images courtesy of USTAR

Driving Technology USTAR is a long-term, state-funded investment to strengthen Utah’s tech economy through three investment areas of research infrastructure, recruited researchers and regional technology development all aimed at commercialization. Since its inception in 2006, more than 50 researchers at the Utah Science Technology and Research Initiative (USTAR) have begun the work of filling the research pipeline with new technologies. These new inventions will support the existing industry and are the seeds for new tech start-ups. One example of a research invention commercializing and establishing a new Utah business is the launch of Wireless Advanced Vehicle Electrification (WAVE). WAVE, a USTAR spin-out company from Utah State University (USU), launched their first commercial wirelessly powered electric bus on the University of Utah (U of U) campus in October 2014. “We are excited to see a project USTAR played a role in become a viable spin-out company,” says Greg Bell, chairman of the USTAR governing authority board. “It is a reminder of the entrepreneurial spirit here in Utah, and the ability our universities have 30

LIFE IN UTAH 2015 | SLCHAMBER.com

to take an amazing idea and develop something that will truly change the lives of those living in our cities.” The WAVE technology operates by transferring energy wirelessly to stationary vehicles using infrastructure embedded in the roadway. This wireless charging capability allows for continuous use of the electric vehicle without requiring it to plug in. The service route that crosses the University of Utah campus is the first to feature WAVE’s state-of-the-art Wireless Power Transfer (WPT) technology and includes a 50 kW wirelessly powered electric bus. Using wireless power transfer technology developed at USTAR’s Advanced Transportation Institute at USU, researcher Hunter Wu and his team have eliminated the need for heavy and expensive electric vehicle batteries. By using inductive power to magnetically transfer electricity between the vehicle and the roadway without wires or cables while the

vehicle is stopped, the WAVE system represents the most powerful and efficient single pad wireless charging system developed for use in public transit. “The development of the Aggie Bus marked a historic achievement in the science of electric vehicles,” says Ivy Estabrooke, Ph.D., USTAR executive director. “And now with the launch of the first commercial project, WAVE is a demonstration of the potential USTARfunded research has in the future of technology development in the state.” WAVE is just one example of the potential impact that USTAR can have on the State of Utah. USTAR works with innovators and entrepreneurs around the state. Learn to maximize your innovative business potential by collaborating with USTAR. Learn more at innovationutah.com visitdavisareautah.com

MARKET LEADERSHIP REDEFINED With a passion for everything that makes our city so special, CBRE is the unrivaled leader in commercial real estate services in Salt Lake City. Strategic, forward-thinking and results-driven, our professionals are committed to delivering the best of Utah to our clients and the communities we serve.

For more information on how CBRE can assist you with your real estate needs please contact: Mark Bouchard +1 801 869 8000

cbre.com/slc

work

Quality of Life? Envision Utah engages people to create and sustain communities that are beautiful, prosperous, healthy and neighborly for current and future residents. Utah is growing and how our state grows matters. Utahns love living in Utah and enjoy a tremendous quality of life, and as a result our population continues to grow. Envision Utah believes that if we make the right choices, life in Utah can get even better as our population gets bigger. BIG DECISIONS AHEAD

As Utah adds another 2.5 million people by 2050, ask yourself: • Will we have clean air to breathe? • Enough water for our needs? • Transportation choices that promote a high quality of life?

of interest:

• An affordable cost of living, with good housing options for everyone?

BE PART OF THE FUTURE

• Open space, including natural lands, agriculture and recreational options?

growth spurt Envision Utah needs 50,000 Utahns like you to help make history and participate in the “Your Utah, Your Future” project. Your input is essential to helping create a collective vision for our future, because no vision will succeed unless it is a shared vision. Show your support for Utah’s future by going to envisionutah.org to build your own Utah. You can also sign up to add your voice to the “Your Utah, Your Future” survey, which will take place this spring to determine how Utah should address the challenging growth questions ahead. You’ll be able to make decisions about how Utah grows and then watch them come to life. Your choices will be used to develop Utah’s future.

Utah is growing. Get involved and see how you can help shape the state’s future by going to envisionutah.org

• Quality jobs for all of us? An educated population? • Affordable energy supplies that don’t damage our air and environment? The answers will depend on the choices we make and Envision Utah is bringing these questions to every Utahn to answer. HISTORY OF PLANNING

Utah has a long history of planning for and preparing for the future dating back to early pioneer settlers planning the layout of cities before arriving in the valley. Fast forward to 1997 when Envision Utah hosted a historic series of workshops and surveys that ended up laying the groundwork for actions including TRAX, FrontRunner, Daybreak, City Creek, water conservation and more. Planning for the future has worked for Utah in the past and will work in the future. PLANNING FOR OUR FUTURE NOW

Envision Utah is making history again with the “Your Utah, Your Future” 32

LIFE IN UTAH 2015 | SLCHAMBER.com

Energy and air quality are objectives for Envision Utah. Current projects in Utah are Milford Wind Farm, Beaver / TRAX and GREENbike, downtown Salt Lake City. Images courtesy of Mischelly Media and Utah Office of Tourism

project, a statewide process that invites the public to get involved and decide how Utah will grow. Throughout 2015, Envision Utah will be asking Utahns to help create a voice for the future that’s strong enough to drive positive action. To facilitate the planning process, Envision Utah invites you to explore several issues and voice your opinion about how we should grow. These issues include: • Agriculture • Air Quality • Disaster Resilience • Education • Energy • Housing and Cost of Living • Jobs and Economy • Public Lands • Recreation • Transportation and Communities • Water Envision Utah believes that through good information and transparent, collaborative problem solving, people in Utah can plan for a prosperous future. Given the significant and complex challenges we’re all facing today, we can only be successful by pulling together toward common goals.

work

’ -

Feeling Good WRITTEN BY :

Sarah Ryther Francom

Though it’s impossible to pinpoint exactly why Utahns are healthier than their neighbors, it is evident that Utah’s comprehensive health care system plays a vital role in keeping Utah families healthy. Utah is home to a robust and innovative health care system that is among the nation’s best.

Utah’s health care options are many and varied, but all rank nationally high in quality and affordability, including Primary’s Childrens Hospital (top), Huntsman Cancer Institute (left), Shriners Hospital for Kids (center) and Intermountain Healthcare (right. Images courtesy of individual healthcare facilities

LIFE IN UTAH 2015 | SLCHAMBER.com

work Utah No. 1 as Happiest State in America —,   Utah No. 9 Nationally “Percentage of Commuters who Bicycle to Work” — ,  Utah No. 11 “Fittest State in the Union” —    ,   The state’s diverse health care system offers services that are both high in quality and affordable; in fact, Utahns enjoy the lowest health care costs of any state, according to the Wall Street Journal. Utahns also claim some of the nation’s lowest rates of cancer deaths, heart disease, infant mortality and obesity, according to the United Health Foundation.

high quality low cost Utah has been named one of the nation’s healthiest states by the United Health Foundation. Integral to this success are Utah’s major health care systems, three of which are Intermountain Healthcare, MountainStar Healthcare and University of Utah Health Care. Each offer highly specialized services, participate in ground-breaking research and have received national acclaim. Intermountain Healthcare is one of Utah’s most celebrated health care systems. A not-for-profit organization, Intermountain is the West’s largest health care provider. It includes 22 hospitals and more than 185 clinics, as well as a health insurance division, SelectHealth. “The combination of services helps us achieve our mission, which is helping people live the healthiest lives possible,” says Greg Poulsen, senior vice president and chief strategy officer at Intermountain. “We also try to offer care in the most affordable fashion possible. We believe that by putting the components together, we’re able to help people maintain their health in a costeffective manner.”

Intermountain’s unique services attract individuals from all over the western region. One such example is The Orthopedic Specialty Hospital (TOSH), which is one of the country’s premier facilities for orthopedic care. From professional athletes to veterans, TOSH provides quality care in orthopedic surgery, sports medicine, athletic training and more, participates in research with partnering organizations. Intermountain’s impact extends beyond providing care to conducting ground-breaking research. Because Intermountain is a not-for-profit, it is able to cycle generated profits back into research and services. The organization has received national awards for its innovative processes and research that have directly led to better care and lower costs. Poulsen points to the organization’s renowned pneumonia research as an example. After recognizing that there were 135 pneumonia treatments across the nation, Intermountain clinicians collaborated and researched to determine which treatment was best. The results were extraordinary. “Cost of pneumonia treatment dropped 40 percent over three years in Utah, and the mortality rate lowered,” Poulsen says.

care where you need it

No matter your health care needs, you will find some of the nation’s best and most innovative providers and services in Utah. MountainStar Healthcare is another nationally acclaimed system in the state. Part of Hospital Corporation of America (HCA), one of the nation’s leading health care providers,

MountainStar focuses on, “increasing access to quality health care—where it’s needed and in a variety of settings and locations,” says Gregory R. Angle, president at MountainStar Healthcare. Providing quality care that is easily accessible is a key part of MountainStar’s mission. “We know our patients deserve excellent care, and that increasingly patients are concerned about the complexity, availability and cost of that care,” says Angle. “At MountainStar, we are committed to continuing to identify innovative ways to increase value to patients.” According to Angle, MountainStar hospitals were the first in Utah to be designated as Accredited Chest Pain Centers, an initiative that continues to improve cardiac care throughout the state. The system was also first to establish a satellite emergency department in an area where that level of care was not available locally. Another award-winning health care organization is the University of Utah Health Care system, which is the Intermountain West’s only academic medical research and teaching organization. Consistently ranked among US News & World Report’s Best Hospitals, the University of Utah Health Care system is renowned for its highly specialized treatment in several areas, including stroke and cardiology, genetic-related diseases, and organ transplantation. The system also offers several specialty centers, including the John A. Moran Eye Center, the Cardiovascular Center, the Clinical Neurosciences Center and the Utah Diabetes Center. The Huntsman Cancer Institute (HCI), which is part of the University of Utah Health Care system, is one of LIFE IN UTAH 2015 | SLCHAMBER.com

work

of interest:

avenue H—utah’s innovative health exchange Before the Affordable Care Act was passed, Utah innovatively launched one of the nation’s first health exchanges known as Avenue H. Avenue H is an online health insurance marketplace that is designed to help Utah’s small businesses control the escalating costs of health coverage. It uses a defined-contribution model, which means employers give their employees a set dollar amount to use toward an insurance plan. Three major providers— UnitedHealthcare, Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Utah and SelectHealth— participate in Avenue H and together offer more than 100 insurance plans. Today nearly 4,000 employers are participating in Avenue H. Patricia Conner, director of Avenue H, describes the exchange as a costand time-saver for small businesses. “You could have 10 employees on 10 different plans, and the employer would get one invoice. Employers can give their employees whatever they can afford, and they don’t have worry about premiums going up,” says Conner, adding that it takes the tricky task of selecting health insurance plans out of the employer’s hands. It’s also a win for employees, who now have the opportunity to select a plan that works for their personal needs. “Because [employees] have a choice in their plan, they become accountable for their own selection and many start monitoring their own health,” says Conner. “It benefits everyone.”

Healthy markets for Utah small businesses. Learn more about this program at avenueh.com

LIFE IN UTAH 2015 | SLCHAMBER.com

the nation’s premier cancer care and research centers. Individuals with cancer travel from all over the United States to seek cancer treatment from HCI. Beyond world-class cancer care and treatment, HCI has conducted ground-breaking research that has helped to identify genetic mutations responsible for several cancers. HCI is also a National Cancer Institute (NCI)-Designated Cancer Center, which means it meets the highest standards for cancer care and research.

the heart

of the matter Having a seriously sick or injured child is among every parent’s worst fears. In Utah, parents rest a little easier knowing that they are near some of the nation’s best child health care organizations, two of which include Primary Children’s Hospital and Shriners Hospital for Children. These renowned institutions offer child health care that is unmatched in the Intermountain West, healing children for life and giving their families a greater peace of mind. Primary Children’s is part of the Intermountain Healthcare system and is affiliated with the University of Utah School of Medicine. Primary Children’s is the only full-service children’s hospital in the five-state Intermountain area. “Many of our services for children, such as heart surgery, cancer treatment, transplants and many others, are not available in adult hospitals,” says Katy Welkie, CEO of Primary Children’s. “We are also the only Pediatric Trauma I Center in the Intermountain West. As a result, we see some of the sickest and most seriously injured children from Utah, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Nevada and beyond.” Primary Children’s is nationally ranked in eight specialties, including cancer, cardiology and heart surgery, diabetes, and neurosurgery, according to the

U.S. News World Best Hospitals Report. Primary Children’s also participates in nearly 700 research projects, many of them in collaboration with other children’s hospitals, to further improve health care practices. Though the hospital has received several accolades, Welkie says the real reward goes beyond the statistics. “I have watched as doctors, nurses and others have stepped up to provide not just the medical care for a child, but the emotional support the parents need to cope with the child’s illness,” she says. “It’s difficult to quantify that kind of service. It’s about healing, supporting and caring, and we partner with patients and families.” Kevin Martin, administrator at Shriners Hospitals for Children, agrees with Welkie, adding that patients are considered family. “Once you become a patient at Shriners Hospitals for Children, you will have follow-up visits and interventions as needed until you are as old as 21,” he says. “This could span 10 to 15 years.” Celebrating its 90th year in Utah during 2015, Shriners Hospital services children in Utah and six surrounding states, including parts of northern Mexico. “We deliver care to children regardless of their ability to pay. We are a non-profit 501(c)3 organization that is not interested in making money, only caring for the children that need our services,” says Martin. “If someone needs financial assistance, they can qualify for help if they are within 400 percent of poverty level, which far exceeds any other charity care policy in the Intermountain region.” Martin says Shriners Hospital is proud to play a role in Utah’s robust health care system. “We have high quality health care services in this state for which we should be truly grateful.”

happy

to us! 1925-2015

At Shriners Hospital for Children our mission is simple: deliver world-class care to children who need it most — whether their families can afford it or not. For 90 years we’ve helped tens of thousands of children affected by various orthopaedic conditions. While expertise, dedication and generosity make it possible, we believe our hospital is fueled by love. Thanks to the generous support of the community we serve, we’re helping children make the journey from patients back to kids.

801.536.3500 | shrinershospitalsforchildren.org/saltlakecity facebook.com/shrinershospitalsforchildren

Salt Lake City

LIFE IN UTAH 2015 | SLCHAMBER.com

learn

 

Class is in Session

Utah boasts a healthy system of higher education that offers a wide variety of programs for students in many fields. Through both private and public schools, Utah higher education is both affordable and crucial for job growth in the state.

Utah’s higher education covers every region of the state with public and private universities: University of Utah (Salt Lake City), Brigham Young University (Provo), Utah State University (Logan), Utah Valley University (Provo), Salt Lake Community College (Salt Lake City), Southern Utah University (Cedar City), Weber State University (Ogden), Dixie State University (St. George). Images courtesy of Utah Office of Tourism and University of Utah Media Relations

LIFE IN UTAH 2015 | SLCHAMBER.com

learn Utah’s comprehensive system of higher education includes the eight public, nonprofit colleges and universities in the state: two research universities, the University of Utah and Utah State University; four regional universities: Weber State University, Southern Utah University, Dixie State University and Utah Valley University; and two community colleges: Salt Lake Community College and Snow College. “We are focused on increasing participation and completion in the Utah System of Higher Education (USHE),” says Utah Commissioner of Higher Education David L. Buhler. “As more and more of today’s jobs demand a certificate or college degree, we are working to ensure that all Utahns have access to a high quality and affordable postsecondary education.” USHE is working on multiple initiatives to increase college success and graduation rates, and also work with K-12 partners to improve college preparation for Utah.

utah college application week

An example of this is Utah College Application Week. More than 20,000 Utah high school seniors in 49 high schools throughout Utah are given the opportunity to apply for college during the school day, with a special emphasis placed on low-income and first-generation students. Utah College Application Week will continue expanding each year to provide statewide support for students. Pam Jacobsen, a counselor at Roy High School, says, “Utah College Application Week has provided seniors with the support and structure they need to begin and complete the college application process. Attending college is now an attainable dream for many seniors who never dared to dream big!”

regents’ scholarship USHE also administers the Regents’ Scholarship, a statewide merit-based scholarship that encourages a collegeprep course of study. The Regents’ Scholarship has seen 54 percent average year-over-year growth since its inception in 2008. As a sister program to the Regents’ Scholarship, Utah Scholars delivers the college-prep message to classrooms via business volunteers to more than 29,000 eighth graders in 133 junior high schools.

of interest:

utah’s higher ed STUDENTS IN THE UTAH SYSTEM OF HIGHER EDUCATION • Eight public colleges and universities • 167,317 students enrolled in Fall 2014 (more than 75 percent of all college students in Utah)

concurrent

• 32,491 credentials awarded in spring 2014 (about 75 percent of all credentials)

enrollment

• Enrollment projected to increase by 51,000 students in the next 10 years

One key program that continues to grow is concurrent enrollment. Last year, more than 27,000 Utah high school juniors and seniors earned college credit from USHE institutions. By taking concurrent enrollment courses while in high school, these students saved $27 million in college tuition they would have paid as traditional college students.

TUITION AND STUDENT DEBT IN UTAH

fifteen to finish campaign A recent effort to increase affordability and degree completion is the Fifteen to Finish campaign. In order for students to finish an undergraduate degree in four years, they must take at least 15 credit hours a semester, one more class than the 12 credits defined as “fulltime.” By taking the full load, students not only graduate on time, but often save money on tuition since seven of the eight Utah public institutions charge the same tuition for 15 credits as they do for 12.

• Third lowest four-year tuition in the nation • Third lowest student debt as percent of the cost of living • Second in number of degrees awarded per $100,000 spent • Of those who borrow, average student debt ($22,418) is lower than national average ($29,400) • In 2014, the Utah Educational Savings Plan received Morningstar Analyst Rating of Gold for the fourth consecutive year IMPORTANCE OF A COLLEGE EDUCATION • College grads earn $830,000 more over a lifetime than those with only a high school diploma • College grads are three times less likely to be unemployed and four times less likely to live in poverty than those with only a high school diploma • In 2013, the unemployment rate of a Utahn with only a high school diploma was 12 percent, while for a Utahn with a bachelor’s degree, it was 2 percent SOURCE :

Utah System of Higher Education

LIFE IN UTAH 2015 | SLCHAMBER.com

learn

To keep students’ learning up to date, districts are utilizing programs like iSchools and STEM (science, techology, engineering and math). Images courtesy of Utah Office of Tourism

Creating Successful Students Quality education is crucial for Utah’s economic growth as well as the state’s present and future quality of life. Prosperity 2020 goals strive to build supportive partnerships for successful students with needed support. Did you know that Utah boasts the largest population of young people in the United States? As a percentage of our total population, the population of young people here is greater than that of any other state. There are 2.9 million people in the state, and about 32 percent are under age 18. For comparison, in the U.S. as a whole, 24 percent are under age 18. Providing our children with opportunities is a big deal in Utah. Education is highly valued here. From the first years of school through college, Utah recognizes the importance of education in our students’ lives. Currently, there are about 620,000 students enrolled in Utah’s public K-12 education system and another 170,000 in Utah’s higher education system. The headcount at the applied technology colleges is approaching 35,000.

LIFE IN UTAH 2015 | SLCHAMBER.com

These students are Utah’s future. And their successes will be the state’s successes. Business and education leaders want our communities to flourish—they want individuals to have greater opportunities in their lives, and they want to strengthen Utah’s economy with an educated, skilled and adaptable workforce. That’s why the Salt Lake Chamber brought together business leaders from across the state to form Prosperity 2020. WHAT IS PROSPERITY 2020? Prosperity 2020 is an unprecedented partnership to enhance education and place Utah on the path to enduring prosperity. Prosperity 2020 is the largest movement ever assembled in Utah to address the importance of education to the future of the state of Utah. Working together, educators, business executives and community leaders are developing the next

generation into a highly educated workforce. This continuous flow of well-qualified people will be prepared to meet the needs of businesses in the future. GOALS OF PROSPERITY 2020 Prosperity 2020 has established goals to make Utah’s education system a top performer in the nation. Utah will be working to see improved student performance year-to-year and improved rankings for Utah compared to other states in reading assessments, math assessments, high school graduation rates and completion of postsecondary certificate/degree programs. Building for the future: Learn more about the movement, the plan, the vision, the goals and how you can get involved at prosperity2020.com

live

  

Fair Housing The past three years have marked a return to normalcy in Utah’s housing markets as buyers have re-emerged and owners have regained equity. The year 2014 was no exception. In fact, as of October, Utah Realtors® were on track to exceed the number of homes sold in 2013—making 2014 the strongest year for state real estate activity since 2006.

Residential construction is on the rise in Utah, not only in valley neighborhoods, but in mountain getaways and urban apartments. Images courtesy of Utah Office of Tourism and Downtown Alliance

LIFE IN UTAH 2015 | SLCHAMBER.com

live increasing

home sales and construction starts An improving employment forecast bodes well for the state’s housing market. The department of Utah Demographic and Economic Analysis is predicting a slight drop in the Beehive State’s unemployment rate for 2015 combined with growth in wages. This momentum will likely translate into higher home sales and construction. Demographic and Economic Analysis economists are expecting a 17-percent rise in the value of state residential permits. For the United States, the National Association of Home Builders is projecting a 17-percent increase in total residential building and a 26-percent gain in single-family home construction. Along with increases in new sales, the National Association of Realtors® is also forecasting a 7-percent rise in the number of existing homes sold nationally. “The improving job market has consumers feeling more confident, and the rebound in home prices is building household wealth for homeowners and giving them the ability to sell after waiting the last few years,” says Lawrence Yun, chief economist for the National Association of Realtors®. The increased flexibility is evident among data that tracks the amount of homeowner equity. In the past year, nearly 10,000 Utahns have gone from owing more than their homes were worth to having equity, according to CoreLogic. “With more and more borrowers regaining equity, we expect

homeownership to become an increasingly attractive option for many who have remained on the sidelines in the aftermath of the great recession,” says Anand Nallathambi, president and CEO of CoreLogic. “This should provide more opportunities for people to sell their homes, purchase a different home or refinance an existing mortgage.” Home sales will also receive a boost from greater credit availability. The National Association of Realtors® is forecasting that tight lending standards will be transitioning to normal during 2015. That is already beginning to happen with the announcement from mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac that qualifying first-time buyers may be eligible for a loan with a 3 percent down payment. This is significant because it may promote purchases among first-timers. Additionally, Yun, of the Realtors® Association, says Fair Isaac Corp.’s new FICO score calculation could help firsttime buyers.

rising

interest rates and home prices As consumers keep buying, real estate values will keep rising. The National Association of Realtors® is forecasting a 4-percent increase in existing home prices for 2015 and 2016. Similarly, Utah Realtors® expect home prices will increase between 3 and 5 percent in the next 12 months in Utah, according to an NAR survey. At the same time, the cost of borrowing money will likely increase as the Federal Reserve deals with inflationary pressures. Both Freddie Mac and the National Association of Realtors® are

predicting the average rate on a 30-year mortgage will be close to 5 percent in 2015, up from around 4 percent in 2014. Neither group, however, believes the inevitable rise in rates will hinder the market recovery. “The impact of rising interest rates on affordability will be minimal as long as job creation keeps pace,” Yun says. “Furthermore, if the credit box slowly begins to open up, that will also mitigate the impact of rising rates.” Frank Nothaft, chief economist of Freddie Mac, agrees rising interest rates will likely not damage the housing market momentum. “While higher interest rates generally detract from housing activity, when they occur with strong job and income growth, the net result can be increases in household formations, construction and home sales,” Nothaft says in a market outlook commentary. “Our view for 2015 is exactly that, namely, income and job growth offset the negative effect of higher interest rates and translate into gains for the nation’s housing market.” In Utah, homeowners who bought just five years ago are already benefitting from those gains. The Federal Housing Finance Agency reported that in five years, home prices in the Beehive State have gone up 12 percent. Since 1991, house prices statewide have increased 197 percent. “The typical homeowner today has a household net worth of around $200,000,” Yun says. “Meanwhile, renters aren’t benefitting from the rise in prices and are facing annual increases of their own in the form of higher rents.” SOURCE :

Utah Association of Realtors®

Utah consumers can learn more about the housing trends in their own neighborhoods by contacting a local Realtor®. A searchable index of Utah Realtors® is available at utahrealtors.com

LIFE IN UTAH 2015 | SLCHAMBER.com

live

Thinking of Moving? of interest:

moving resources SOCIAL CONNECT Intermountain Relocation Council ircouncil.net Enjoy Utah enjoyutah.org RELOCATION AGENCY Odyssey Relocation odysseyrelo.com TEMPORARY HOUSING Paragon paragon.com SuiteAmerica suiteamerica.com Oakwood oakwood.com REAL ESTATE Influence Real Estate influencerealestate.com GLOBAL MOVE SERVICES Global Mobility Tax glomotax.com Wilner & O’Reilly wilneroreilly.com TravelGuard travelguard.com MOVING COMPANY United - Mesa Moving mesamoving.com UniGroup - Mesa International unigrouprelocation.com MOVE REPAIR Specialized Repair Co. specializedrepairco.com HEALTH CARE Intermountain Healthcare intermountainhealthcare.org ADDRESS / DRIVERS LICENSE CHANGE Department of Motor Vehicles dmv.org

Relocating to Utah can provide new and exciting opportunities. Like any other state or country, there are culture differences that many relocators find to be the most difficult part of their transition. Here’s some help: The Intermountain Relocation Council

(IRC) has helped thousands of people move to Utah, and just like anywhere, relocators should plan ahead and do some research before they go. Here are some guidelines customers have found to be helpful in the transition. Movers need to keep in mind everything they are leaving behind, including their doctors, dentists, specialists and other professional services. It is important to find these services in your new area, and current contacts may be able to provide recommendations. Just as it is important to find new doctors and medical professionals, it is also important to ensure that your health insurance covers your new area. Check in with your homeowners or renters insurance to inquire whether moving is covered and arrange any changes that need to be made. Notify your utility companies about a month ahead of time that you are moving and choose a shut off date. Also make sure to do a change of address for the following businesses: • Post Office • Credit Cards • Banks • Drivers License • Car Insurance

PREPARE FOR THE SEASONS

Utah has all four seasons, so be prepared for the hottest temperatures and the coldest. Prepare your home and vehicles for these seasons with tires that can handle well in the snow. Insulation in your home can cut heating and cooling costs as well. EASY NAVIGATION

Utah streets are laid out on a grid system with the major streets running north-tosouth and east-to-west. In Salt Lake City, the Salt Lake Temple Square is the center of this grid. It is easy to tell what direction you’re facing by looking to the mountains.

The large Wasatch Mountain Range is to the east and the smaller Oquirrh Mountains are to the west. PLAN AHEAD FOR DINING OUT

Be aware of the time and day. One thing people new to Utah need to know is to plan ahead for food and drinks. Utah’s hours of operation vary from other states; many restaurants close at 9 or 10 p.m. on the weekdays and 10 or 11 p.m. on the weekends. If you are having company over for drinks, prepare ahead of time. The only place to buy liquor besides a bar is at a state-operated liquor store, which opens at 10 a.m. and closes at 10 p.m. and is closed on Sunday. Last but not least, last call is 1 a.m. everywhere in Utah. A WELCOMING PLACE

Utah and its surrounding communities are known for their friendly and helpful people, so be sure to get to know your neighbors and community. Adjusting to a new move can be difficult when you’ve moved away from the familiar, especially friends and family. Groups and organizations are designed as places to meet new people and make friends. Whether it is a sport, hobby, social club, charity group or religious organization, there are many ways to get involved with the community. The Intermountain Relocation Council has a social connect group that holds events once a month with the sole purpose of helping new people to Utah meet others who are new to the area, while also exploring some of the best that Utah has to offer. You can request to be added to the IRC events list and request more information on the group at ircouncil@ rocketmail.com SOURCE :

Image courtesy of United Van Lines and IRC

LIFE IN UTAH 2015 | SLCHAMBER.com

Letitia Campbell, United Van Lines / Thomas Whitaker, IRC

live

Getting Around Because of Utah’s commitment to improving available transportation to residents and visitors, major improvements are moving forward on the state’s highway and transit systems. For most of its history, Utah has been an important stop on the trail for travelers, earning the title “Crossroads of the West.” The transcontinental railroad, Pony Express, stagecoach and Lincoln Highway all crossed through the Salt Lake area in their time. Today the region benefits from the intersection of two major interstate freeways—Interstate 80 and Interstate 15—a major railroad hub and an international airport. Utah is also undergoing major changes in commuter transportation. Infrastructure is a big deal for Salt Lake Valley as it is a crucial piece of a prosperous economy.

of interest: commuterlink

Utah’s CommuterLink website, one of the most advanced and intelligent transportation systems in the country, uses the latest technologies and professional expertise to reduce traffic congestion and increase efficiency by alerting commuters to potential trouble on the road. The result is a more efficient transportation network that saves taxpayers more than $100 million annually and reduces carbon monoxide emissions by an estimated 5.1 million kilograms per year. On the move: As Utah’s population increases, the state is working to reduce traffic congestion. To keep ahead of driving conditions, plan your route with commuterlink.utah.gov

LIFE IN UTAH 2015 | SLCHAMBER.com

FrontRunner, high-speed commuter rails, run from northern Utah to Provo, and the TRAX light rail system has extended its reach by heading further west and even connecting the Salt Lake International Airport with downtown Salt Lake City. Both light rail and commuter rail feed into Salt Lake Central Station, just west of Salt Lake City near The Gateway shopping center. Salt Lake Central Station serves as the junction for bus, train, light rail and commuter rail traffic. MASS TRANSIT

Public transit has become a way of life in Utah and more Utahns than ever are using it to get to work, school, special events and other daily activities. More than 44 million trips are taken annually in the 1,600-square-mile service area Utah Transit Authority (UTA) covers. 2014 was the first full year running the recently finished TRAX and FrontRunner expansion project, which has helped boost to UTA’s rail system’s to recordbreaking ridership levels. Through great collaboration with municipalities, chambers of commerce and the public, UTA built more than 70 miles of rail in a five-year period. UTA provides public transit to the 80 percent of the state’s population that lives along the Wasatch Front. Services provided include buses, paratransit, TRAX light rail, FrontRunner

commuter rail and streetcar in addition to vanpool and carpooling services. FrontRunner provides high-speed rail service from Pleasant View in the north to Provo in the south with key connections to bus and TRAX routes throughout the service area. TRAX provides connections across the Salt Lake Valley to places such as the Salt Lake International Airport, University of Utah, Draper, South Jordan, West Valley and many points in between. AIR TRAVEL

The Salt Lake City International Airport is situated just west of Salt Lake City and about 10 minutes from downtown. The airport is within 2.5 hours from most of the state’s population. In 2013, 20.2 million passengers flew through Salt Lake City, representing a .41 percent increase from 2012. It also has a strong record of having on-time fl ights and a low percentage of cancellations. As of April 2013, there were more than 645 scheduled airline departures and arrivals per day to 89 nonstop cities in the United States, Canada and Mexico, as well as a daily nonstop to Paris. There are about 318 scheduled daily departures from the facilities, serving around 91 cities with nonstop fl ights. INTERSTATE HIGHWAYS

Utah’s transportation infrastructure includes 45,120 miles of federal, state and local highways and roads. Interstate 80 (east to New York City/west to San Francisco), Interstate 15 (north to Canada/ south to Mexico), and Interstate 70 (east to Denver) are vital to the efficient movement of goods and materials throughout the region. Both I-80 and I-15 converge in Salt Lake, allowing convenient access to the Wasatch Front and points beyond. The I-215 belt route offers expanded access along the eastern and western perimeters of the valley.

live RAILWAYS

Amtrak provides daily passenger service on the California Zephyr to and from points throughout the nation. Experienced travelers say the California Zephyr is one of the most beautiful train trips in the country. The Zephyr runs daily between Chicago and San Francisco, coursing through the plains of Nebraska to Denver, across the Rockies to Salt Lake City, and then through Reno and Sacramento into Emeryville/San Francisco. Amtrak trains arrive at and depart from the Salt Lake Central Station intermodal hub. They accommodate passengers transferring among local bus service, automobile, bicycle, Amtrak and Greyhound. Utah’s transportation infrastructure takes into account all modes of movement with a focus on environmental quality and roadway efficiency.

THE FUTURE

With the steady and robust population growth of the Salt Lake Valley, reliable and eco-friendly transportation is becoming ever more important. Public transportation continues to play a critical role in combating poor air quality and congestion that plague the Wasatch Front. The Salt Lake Chamber’s Transportation Committee continues to advocate for adequate funding of transportation

Images courtesy of Utah Office of Tourism (left) and Utah Transit Authority

initiatives that focus on environmental quality as well as roadway efficiency and expansion. While the Utah Legislature has done much already to increase funding for clean air initiatives, more must be done to maintain and improve our transportation infrastructure. To keep things growing, we must keep things flowing.

Plan your trip: Prepare for your Utah vacation or perhaps prepare for a Utah way of life, go to visitutah.com

OP FOR CA PO C LL RT AR UN EER ITI ES

Never pay a power bill again. Never pay rate-hikes again. Improve the quality of your home. Save thousands of dollars. Help clean Utah’s air quality. 12 months of FREE power!*

TODAY.

We can show you how easy it is to switch to solar. It’s an easy decision and we make it easy to accomplish.

0money down

Call today and schedule your RISK-FREE ENERGY CONSULTATION

844-95-SOLAR

Quit renting power. 1-844-95-SOLAR

Own it. Powercosolar.com

OP FOR CA PO C LL RT AR UN EER ITI ES

“Utah’s Most Trusted Solar Professionals”

www.PowercoSolar.com

*For buyers who qualify for up to 12 months of no interest, no payments.

TODAY.

Powerco Solar is a locally owned and operated company based in Utah.

0money down

LIFE IN UTAH 2015 | SLCHAMBER.com

live

 

Whether your neighborhood is near the university, part of a historic district or a planned development, many residents value trails, open space, safety and convenience to amenities when looking for a home to buy. Images courtesy of Images courtesy of Utah Office of Tourism and Daybreak Community

Faces of the Valley Surrounded by the stunning Wasatch and Oquirrh Mountains, Salt Lake City is known for its diverse blend of people. Anyone who has ever been to the Salt Lake Valley has probably noticed its friendly and helpful people as well as the lively and vibrant culture found in every aspect of life in and around the area.

LIFE IN UTAH 2015 | SLCHAMBER.com

live Utah No. 1 for Volunteerism —      ,  Salt Lake City No. 1 “Best Cities for Kids” —   Utah No. 3 in “Best Places to Live” —,   Utah No. 3 “10 Best States for Retirement” —.,   Utah ranks No. 3 in household income growth —   ,   From quiet, family-friendly bedroom communities, to vibrant, walkable neighborhoods, Salt Lake has its share of locales that have made it one of the best places to live.

the avenues & federal heights The Avenues and Federal Heights neighborhoods perch on a hilltop directly above Salt Lake City and lie on the northeast bench of the Wasatch Mountains. The neighborhood to the east of the lower Avenues is known as Federal Heights. The “lower Avenues” (between 6th Avenue and South Temple) is a neighborhood of mostly charming Victorian-era houses. Avenues/ Federal Heights are two of the oldest neighborhoods and contain some of the first homes to be built in the valley. The Avenues/Federal Heights is also especially popular due to its proximity to downtown, the large and remote Memory Grove and City Creek Canyon recreation area to the west, and the University of Utah to the east/southeast.

9th and 9th & 15th and 15th The hip 9th and 9th district has some of the most unique restaurants and outdoor art in Salt Lake. Located in the eastern portion of Salt Lake City at the intersection of 900 East and 900 South, 9th and 9th is home to locally

owned stores that are both family friendly and unique. In May 2014, the First Annual Art Walk Weekend kicked off with patrons enjoying great artwork and local businesses. 15th and 15th stretches from Emerson Street to Kensington Street along 1500 East and is also home to unique locally owned stores and businesses, including Caputo’s 15th & 15th, 15th Street Gallery and King’s English Bookshop. The proximity to downtown and the picturesque tree-lined streets make these two neighborhoods desirable for working professionals and families.

sugar house Sugar House is known to be one of the best old-home neighborhoods in the United States, according to This Old House magazine. It runs from 700 East to 2000 East and from about 1300 South to 300 South. Sugar House is not only a convenient place to live, located just minutes from downtown Salt Lake, the University of Utah and Westminster College, but also has unique architecture and natural beauty. Most neighborhoods in Sugar House are just a short walk from many of Salt Lake’s most popular restaurants and boutiques. It is also a great place for cycling enthusiasts as it is located just minutes from great trails, such as Millcreek Canyon and Bonneville Shoreline Trail. In the summer, Sugar House is also the home of annual arts festivals, and one of the most popular Fourth of July fireworks shows in the city.

sandy & draper Sandy and Draper, located in the southern part of the Salt Lake Valley, have attracted businesses such as the South Towne Center shopping mall, the Jordan Commons entertainment and dining complex, Southtowne Exposition Center, Rio Tinto Stadium and the Draper Amphitheater. Draper was ranked No. 25 in Time’s “50 best places to live in America”. The cities offer miles of biking and hiking trails along with easy access to four of Utah’s most popular ski resorts.

daybreak Located in the city of South Jordan, Daybreak is currently celebrating 10 years of family-friendly living and a community that enjoys year-round, family-friendly events. The homes in Daybreak are some of the valley’s most sustainable homes. They are more energy-efficient than other new homes saving residents anywhere from $200 to nearly $1,500 annually on energy costs. Daybreak is designed on the “fiveminute rule,” meaning that every home is within a five-minute walk of restaurants, shopping, transit line, schools and more.

LIFE IN UTAH 2015 | SLCHAMBER.com

live

Business is Booming Utah Valley is racing to the forefront of the national economy, in part, thanks to innovation, hard work, entrepreneurial spirit and a fantastic business environment. Several of the cities in Utah Valley, such as Orem, Lehi and Provo, are known for their rich heritage and unique festivals.

Utah Valley is also home to Utah Valley University and Brigham Young University, totalling more than 60,000 students between them.

In the winter, locals enjoy skiing and snowboarding at Robert Redford’s Sundance Resort, which also screens internationally acclaimed films during the Sundance Film Festival.

Situated on the border of Orem/Provo, the UVU campus is easily accessible for the community it serves. UVU hosts the largest student body in the state with more than 32,000 students studying everything from aviation science to zoology. BYU’s campus is at the base of the Wasatch Mountains. It provides higher education to more than 30,000 full-time and part-time students. The “Y” mountain can be seen by visitors and locals entering the Utah Valley and acts as a sign guiding them to the Provo campus.

In the spring, patrons enjoy more than 100 varieties of tulips at the Tulip Festival at Thanksgiving Point, which is also home to Cornbelly’s Corn Maze and Pumpkin Fest in the fall. Summer includes Fourth of July celebrations such as America’s Freedom Festival Stadium of Fire, one of the biggest Fourth of July firework celebrations in the state, which also features popular musical performances.

Technology companies are capitializing on the area’s entrepreneurial spirit and are springing up all across the

valley. Josh James, founder of DOMO, coined the phrase “Silicon Slopes” to describe the technology cluster that has blossomed in Utah Valley and along the Wasatch Front, which includes businesses like Adobe Systems, AtTask, IMFlash, Property Solutions International and Boostibility. Utah Valley is home to hundreds of thriving businesses, comprising an economy that is being recognized as both diverse and robust. A host of organizations have pointed to Utah Valley as among the best places to work, play and retire. Entrepreneurial spirit: Looking for family-friendly fun, livable communities or innovative ways to do business? Check out utahvalley.com

Rainbow over Brigham Young University, Provo / Tulips at the gardens at Thanksgiving Point, Lehi / Riding bikes by Bridal Veil Falls, Provo Canyon. Images courtesy of Utah Office of Tourism

LIFE IN UTAH 2015 | SLCHAMBER.com

POWERFUL NETWORK EXPERIENCED TEAM RELATIONSHIP BASED WORLDWIDE LEADER

THE INTERMOUNTAIN WESTâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S LARGEST FULL SERVICE COMMERCIAL BROKERAGE IS

ELEVATING COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE

We offer unparalleled advice and expertise to clients by providing the most advanced brokerage, asset services, mergers and acquisitions, and corporate service solutions. With an unwavering commitment to furthering economic development, we look forward to advising you with all your commercial real estate needs.

Corporate Headquarters | 6550 South Millrock Dr., Suite 200 Salt Lake City, UT 84106 | 801.947.8300

live

Kayaking the Great Salt Lake near Antelope Island State Park, Layton / Nighttime off 25th Street, Ogden. Images courtesy of Utah Office of Tourism

Connecting Communities Known locally as “the other Utah,” this land corridor offers all the benefits of urban life along with incredible access to the outdoors. Its diverse commerce base ranges from aerospace dynamics to outdoor innovations, from transportation crossroads to academic institutions.

davis county

weber county

Davis County, just north of Salt Lake County, is home to some of the greatest activities and recreation in Utah. Lagoon Amusement Park, located in Farmington, is the one of the largest amusement parks in the West. Currently under construction is Lagoon’s newest ride Cannibal, which is expected for the 2015 season.

In the last decade, Ogden of Weber County has gained momentum as an outdoor sports destination for being the center for skiing and adventure sports. Ogden is the gateway to three Utah ski resorts: Snowbasin, Powder Mountain and Wolf Mountain. It is also home to the Salomon Center, one of the world’s top 10 man-made adventures, offering most notably iFLY, a vertical wind tunnel; FLOWRIDER, an indoor river that provides wakeboarding, surfing and boogie boarding; as well as other adventure activities.

Antelope Island State Park is the largest island on the Great Salt Lake, and is accessed by a 7-mile causeway. The park takes up 28,000 acres, stretching 15 miles long and nearly five miles wide.

As for nightlife, Farmington Station is a premier outdoor shopping area with fine dining, excellent shopping and frequent live performances on the weekends. Those who like the arts do not have to go far. Farmington City Arts has a variety of plays and concerts sure to please.

Probably the most dramatic changes have been the influx of nationally-known outdoor companies and the gradual redevelopment of downtown Ogden. Historic 25th Street has been given a major facelift in recent years, while neighboring blocks have been leveled to make room for movie theaters, high-rise condos, restaurants and more. Weber State University also calls Ogden home.

Davis County is one of Utah’s most exciting destinations, whether vacationing or doing business. Find out more at visitdavisareautah.com

Ogden and Weber County have great access to a wide variety of activities for the outdoor enthusiast. Learn more at visitogden.com

LIFE IN UTAH 2015 | SLCHAMBER.com

MEET THE NUMBER ONE SALES CONSULTANT AT UTAH’S NUMBER ONE HOMEBUILDER.

Larry Mitchell, honored recently as Ivory’s leading Sales Consultant, has closed over $90,000,000 in the past 11 years he’s been with Ivory Homes. A significant factor in his success is his passion to truly listen to homebuyers and offer professional, experienced advice regarding what options best meet their needs. Larry also attributes his remarkable success to the entire Ivory team and their commitment to excellence in all areas. For over two decades, Ivory Homes has been Utah’s number one homebuilder*. A record like that requires a constant focus on improvement. Ivory continually finds ways to maintain high levels of quality and design while simplifying the home buying process.

“It takes a team effort to produce such remarkable results...and there is not a better team out there than Ivory Homes.” Ivory also leads the way in location and design with 65 beautiful communities across the Wasatch Front and over 100 floor plans to choose from. In addition, they’ve achieved a customer satisfaction rating of over 90% for the past 15 years.

14000

12,609

12000

For all your home buying needs contact Larry Mitchell at 801-918-7240 or larrym@ivoryhomes.com

10000 8000 6000 4000 2000 0

Number of homes built by Ivory Homes vs other homebuilders * Based on number of homes built from 1990-2014. Source: Wasatch Front Construction Monitor

live

Just Warming Up As a hot spot for year-round outdoor activites, Park City attracts people from all walks of life. Whether looking for great ski resorts, a fall hike with the family or a summer music scene, this mountain town can accomodate. Home of five-star hotels and world-class skiing, Park City offers small-town charm with international renown. Only a 35-minute drive from Salt Lake International Airport, Park City offers a relaxing getaway close to the Salt Lake City, or a perfect vacation home in the mountains. Its appeal isn’t just for outdoor enthusiasts, but also art buyers and appreciators. Take a walk down the historic Main Street, and find fine and contemporary art on every corner created by talented local artists. Or enjoy the monthly gallery stroll and yearly Kimball Arts Festival to get in the yearly creative fix. With more than 100 restaurants and bars, galleries aren’t the only way to appreciate art in Park City. The art of

food through gastronomy puts this small town on the map for exquisite food and dining you would typically find only in a big-city scene. Experience fine dining at the Glitretind, a four-star restaurant located at the Stein Eriksen Lodge, or keep your spirits up at the local High West Distillery, which offers a variety local whiskey sure to warm you up on cold winter days. As if that isn’t enough incentive to visit Park City, its many activities should. Spend time skiing at the resorts including Deer Valley Resort, Canyons Resort and Park City Mountain Resort. Those who are not skiers can experience a wide range of familyfriendly activities for winter from fly-fishing trips to snowmobiling, sleigh rides and snow tubing.

In the summer, enjoy a variety of music series and summer festivals that keep this small town booming all year long. Locals and visitors alike enjoy shopping at boutiques on historic Main Street, or discounted Tanger Outlet stores. Another way to appreciate Park City lies in its extraneous outdoor activities, such as the Alpine slide, zip lines, horseback riding and hiking trails—all of which sure to create lasting memories. Exploring Park City: For summer or winter, enhance your resort experience by visiting visitparkcity.com

Park City hosts mountain biking, family-friendly activities and celebrations on historic Main Street. Images courtesy of Utah Office of Tourism

LIFE IN UTAH 2015 | SLCHAMBER.com

LET OUR EXPERIENCE HELP YOU WITH YOURS HELPING OUR CLIENTS MAKE WISE DECISIONS IN REAL ESTATE SINCE 1976

With over 20 offices throughout Northern Utah, we specialize in residential, resort, development and commercial real estate and are passionate about helping those looking to enjoy Utah’s lifestyle.

© 2015 BHH Affiliates, LLC. An independently owned and operated subsidiary of HomeServices of America, Inc., a Berkshire Hathaway affiliate, and a franchisee of BHH Affiliates, LLC. Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices and the Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices symbol are registered service marks of HomeServices of America, Inc. Equal Housing Opportunity.

Good to know.™ 800 553 4666 | BHHSUtah.com LETS GET SOCIAL! Follow us on your favorite social hub.

You Tube

live

Kayaking on Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area / Visiting Cobble Rock Park, Vernal / Visiting the Quarry Exhibit Hall at Dinosaur National Monument, Vernal. Images courtesy of Utah Office of Tourism and Uintah County Travel and Tourism

Tracking Traditions There’s more to Dinosaurland than dinosaurs. What’s your pleasure? Slick rock? Alpine forests? Desert canyons? Northeastern Utah has it all. The Uintah Basin is packed with lakes, rivers and reservoirs perfect for a long, lazy boat trip. Learn and experience the area’s rich history from ancestry to prehistoric times. Utah’s Dinosaurland is located in the northeastern corner of Utah in the heart of Uintah County. Dinosaur National Monument is located 15 miles east of Vernal and is home of the world-famous Wall of Bones, which showcases more than 1,500 dinosaur bones that can be viewed from the new Quarry Exhibit Hall. The dinosaur remains don’t stop at the national monument; track over to Red Fleet State Park located 11 miles out of town and hike the Dinosaur Trackway. Here you will find hundreds of dinosaur tracks embedded in hard sandstone. Another Dinosaurland gem is the Utah Field House of Natural 58

LIFE IN UTAH 2015 | SLCHAMBER.com

History where you can experience life as a paleontologist—take a walk though time and explore the dinosaur gardens (home to several full-size replicas of Jurassic period dinosaurs). The Ashley National Forest and Uinta Mountains offer year-round recreation. Enjoy camping, hiking and four-wheeling during the summer and snowmobiling, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing in the winter. If you enjoy mountain biking, peddle over for some of the best trails. A whitewater rafting trip down the Green River for one-day or multi-day trips is an experience you will not soon forget. If spending time on the lake is

something you enjoy, your boat can be launched and in the water within 15 minutes from town. Steinaker State Park is only five miles out of town. Also enjoy water sports at Red Fleet State Park and Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area. World class fishing, ancient Native American petroglyphs, scenic drives, hunting, wildlife viewing and much more await you in beautiful Uintah County. Want to know more about recreating and living in the Uintah Basin? Visit us at visitdinosaurland.com

E AIM TO EAS

SAND, ROC K & LANDSC APE PR ODU CT S

BUILDING THE FOUNDATIONS OF UTAH'S ECONOMY FOR GENERATIONS

STAKER PARSON COMPANIES (801) 731-1111, OGDEN (801) 871-6600, DRAPER

READY- MIXED CONCR E T E

JACK B. PARSON COMPANIES (800) CONCRETE

WESTERN ROCK PRODUCTS (435) 628-4384

HALES SAND & GRAVEL (435) 529-7434

BURDICK MATERIALS (435) 722-5013

REYNOLDS EXCAVATING (801) 556-2110

STAKERPARSON.COM

ASPHALT & PA V ING

C ONSTRUC TIO N S E R V ICE S

live

Discovering Hidden Treasures Cache Valley is comprised of a variety of hidden gems—rich history, beautiful buildings, vibrant arts, stunning scenery, eclectic shopping, tasty dining, and a profitable and thriving economy. There’s a little something for everyone. Cache Valley is often referred to as Utah’s hidden treasure. Comprised of mainly dairy farms, small towns stunning mountains and modest cities, Cache Valley offers excitement and adventures for everyone. Logan, the heart of Cache Valley, also houses a large student population thanks to Utah State University, where agricultural, aerospace, science and engineering programs reign. Locals and visitors enjoy performances at the Ellen Eccles Theatre in Logan, which is also home to the Utah Opera Festival and features world-famous operas, Broadway productions and other musical performances. The Ellen Eccles Theatre and the surrounding cultural arts complex, including the Thatcher-Young Mansion and the Bullen Center, are gathering places for

the community to enjoy tradition and family entertainment. The American West Heritage Center, a living history attraction in Wellsville, offers a taste for early Cache Valley farm life with hands-on historical exhibits. Rockhill Creamery in Richmond is another must-see and operates out of a historic farmstead. The creamery uses traditional cheesemaking techniques and offers samples to Saturday visitors. Nearby recreation includes boating and water sports at beautiful Bear Lake, camping, canoeing in the Cutler Westlands Maze and exploring natural cave formations in the half-mile tour through Minnetonka Cave. Fishing locations in Cache Valley include Blacksmith Fork River, Logan River and Bear Lake.

Skiers and snowboarders can enjoy the perfect powder at Beaver Mountain Ski Resort, and at Sunrise Campground on U.S. Hwy. 89, which overlooks Bear Lake and is near the Logan Canyon summit. You can also enjoy cross-country skiing and snowshoeing on a beautiful winter day in the Wasatch-Cache National Forest. Many Utahns flock to Hardware Ranch in Blacksmith Fork Canyon, bundling up for a sleigh ride to meet hundreds of grazing elk. The area (just southeast of Logan) is the winter feeding area for Utah’s official state animal. Up north: Looking for a getaway close to home? Check out Utah’s top-tier region at explorelogan.com

“Guys and Dolls” performance at the Utah Opera Festival, Logan / Family hiking at Tony Grove, Logan Canyon / Water skiing at Bear Lake / Picking raspberries in Garden City / Autumn in Logan. Images courtesy of Utah Office of Tourism

LIFE IN UTAH 2015 | SLCHAMBER.com

WATER EXPERTISE AT ITS SOURCE

For more than 100 years, USU has been the leading state, national and international voice of expertise on water-related issues: management, ecology, climate, education and societal impacts.

getaway! d n u ro r a e y r u e yo Make Bear Lak ck out our e h c d n a e n li n Visit us o ckages. “HOT DEAL” pa

www.bearlake.o • 7 2 3 -2 8 4 -4 0 80

LIFE IN UTAH 2015 | SLCHAMBER.com

live

Southern Utah is a mecca for recreation enthusiasts with baseball (St. George), golf (Entrada, St. George), mountain biking (Cedar City), hiking (The Narrows in Zion National Park). / Scenic vistas have long been a draw for filming and is celebrated with the Western Roundup, (PHOTO BY LAUREL BEESLEY) Kanab.

Amazing Adventures

Images courtesy of Utah Office of Tourism and Kane County Tourism

With its stunning red rock, vast canyon lands and desert climate, the “down south” part of the Beehive State possesses a big “wow” factor. With the north rim of the Grand Canyon located along its southern edge, Utah includes 10 national parks and monuments, Lake Powell, Brian Head Ski and Summer Resort, the world famous luxury hotel Amangiri, and countless opportunities to enjoy arts and outdoor recreation around the friendly cities of Kanab, St. George and Cedar City. Now an internationally-recognized hub for outdoor recreation, Southern Utah offers visitors the adventure of their choice. Zion National Park, Bryce Canyon National Park, the rugged Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument and many state parks offer the most scenically diverse landscape found in any one state. Rent a houseboat on Lake Powell, or take an evening cruise to Rainbow Bridge National Monument. Dare yourself 62

LIFE IN UTAH 2015 | SLCHAMBER.com

on Angel’s Landing in Zion, one of the best-rated hikes in the world. Be amazed by the strange and colorful hoodoos of Bryce Canyon. Explore on ATVs across the Coral Pink Sand Dunes or around Cedar Mountain. Go horse-trekking in real cowboy country. Take advantage of the exceptional outdoor adventure guides throughout the region, and enjoy everything from rappelling to visiting ancient petroglyphs and dinosaur tracks. At the end of the day, unwind at a luxury spa like Red Mountain or Green Valley, or take a memorable private flight over the national parks. Whether your choice is to bring hiking shoes, an ATV or fishing rod, everyone brings a camera. The arts play their part in the rich diversity of activities here. The Tony

Award-winning Utah Shakespeare Festival in Cedar City, Tuacahn Amphitheatre in Ivins and music under the stars at the O.C. Tanner Amphitheatre in Springdale are a few of the good choices for performance arts. In Mount Carmel, the Thunderbird Foundation provides historic tours and gallery exhibits honoring Maynard Dixon, America’s “Father of Western Art.” In Kanab, the annual Amazing Earthfest celebrates the Colorado Plateau with a week of outdoor activities and performances. Western Legends Round-Up, also in Kanab, is an authentic celebration of early western life. Down south: Explore Utah’s red rock country for recreation or doing business at visitsouthernutah.com or visitstgeorge.com

Luxury Suites within steps of the Zion National Park Entrance reserve one of our new conference rooms Easy access to outdoor recreation, restaurants and more! for group information: sales@cablemountainlodge.com

147 Zion Park Blvd - Phone: 877.590.3366 www.CableMountainLodge.com

LIFE IN UTAH 2015 | SLCHAMBER.com

play

 

Hikers gaze out at Delicate Arch in Arches National Park / Sunrise Arch in Canyonlands National Park (pictured on front cover). Images courtesy of Utah Office of Tourism

Inspiration by Nature With five national parks, all in the state’s southern half, Utah is a treasure trove of endless possibilities for outdoor adventure enthusiasts. Residents and visitors alike have come to enjoy the rich natural resources and wonders that make up Utah’s stunning and diverse landscape.

BRYCE CANYON NATIONAL PARK

LIFE IN UTAH 2015 | SLCHAMBER.com

CAPITOL REEF NATIONAL PARK

ZION NATIONAL PARK

play arches

national park INSPIRATION: Your adventure in Arches

National Park follows 300 million years of patient erosion. More than 2,000 arches give the park its name, but Arches also contains fields of spires, pinnacles, domes and ridiculously balanced formations that seem to defy the laws of physics, igniting the imagination. Every trail leads to something spectacular, every arch a window into time. There are about 40 miles of paved scenic roads from the park entrance to the campground at Devil’s Garden and spurs to the Windows Section and Delicate Arch. ACTIVITIES: At just over 290 feet at its

maximum opening, Landscape Arch is considered the longest arch in the world. The popular trail is a 1.6 mile round-trip. For dedicated hikers, continue along to Double O Arch and the Devils Garden Primitive Trail. Of course, there may be no arch in the world more celebrated than Utah’s Delicate Arch. When you first round the corner and see it, you’ll know why. The “magic” hours near sunrise and sunset are among the best times to experience the brilliantly colored sandstone of Arches. Nearby Moab is a gateway to some of the world’s best mountain biking, including Slickrock and Klondike Bluffs.

bryce canyon national park

INSPIRATION: Bryce Canyon National

Park’s view from 9,000 feet is unlike any other in the world. The park is a series of natural amphitheaters with its distinctive red rock pillars of stone called “hoodoos” carved into pink cliffs of the majestic Paunsaugunt Plateau. Whether you reach the canyon floor on foot or on horseback, or stick to the overlooks by car, Bryce Canyon’s brilliantly colored landforms defy description and will find a home among your most enduring memories.

ACTIVITIES: The 37-mile round-trip

scenic drive accesses key overlooks and vistas, such as Sunrise, Sunset, Rainbow, Yovimpa and Inspiration Points. The visitor center is open year-round. The Navajo Loop Trail is a family-friendly hike from Sunset Point with an option

to add the Queen’s Garden trail for a combined three miles. Fairyland Loop is an eight-mile hike that accesses the best of Bryce Canyon with less of the crowd. Visit during a full moon and sign up early for a free guided moonlight hike, or experience the awesome “Dark Skies” in blissful solitude.

canyonlands national park

INSPIRATION: Imagine wave after

wave of deep canyons, formed by the currents and tributaries of Utah’s Green and Colorado rivers. The rivers divide towering mesas, pinnacles, cliffs and spires, which spread out over tens of thousands of acres of some of the world’s most breathtaking red rock country. Now times that vision by a factor of three. In addition to hiking, horseback riding, stargazing and random bursts of creative writing within sublime nature, experience world-renowned, four-wheel drive and mountain bike routes and some of the West’s best whitewater. At 337,598 acres, Canyonlands is Utah’s largest national park. ACTIVITIES: The phenomenal 100-

mile White Rim Trail is a bucket-list destination for mountain bikers, giving riders the grand tour of the Island in the Sky district. Several trails are half-day journeys—or longer—into the rugged country. To really get a sense for the mesa geology, take the strenuous Gooseberry Canyon trail off the edge of the island down 1,400 feet of switchbacks in the face of the mesa to the White Rim—then return. The Needles offer an additional range of short-but-rugged or backcountry options while The Maze is only for selfsufficient travelers with high-clearance vehicles and lots of time.

capitol reef national park

INSPIRATION: The magnificently colored

and rugged rock formations of Capitol Reef National Park rise from Scenic Byway 24, immediately capturing your imagination. It is no wonder the Navajo called this the Land of the Sleeping Rainbow. The contrast of red Entrada and white Navajo sandstones and the impressive rip in the crust of the earth

known as the Waterpocket Fold create surreal landscapes unlike any you have seen—and it dives nearly 100 miles into the heart of Utah’s best red rock country.

ACTIVITIES: Capitol Reef is largely

fortified and beautiful backcountry, but there’s plenty to experience along the main road. Consider family-friendly hikes to Hickman Bridge and the Grand Wash or the U-Pick fruit orchard, then reach for the top on Navajo Knobs, a 9.5-mile out-and-back that racks up some serious elevation to overlook the fractured and tilted terrain that defines the park. Once you’re ready for more, take your highclearance vehicle on the park’s more remote, unpaved roads. Nearby Torrey and Boulder feature unique local shopping and farm-to-table cuisine experiences.

zion

national park INSPIRATION: Zion translates to “The

Promised Land.” For you that means some of the most spectacular hiking of your lifetime and unforgettable landscapes. Carved by water and time, Zion National Park is a canyon that invites you to participate in the very forces that created it: hike through the Virgin River and see the strata record of the epochs rising for thousands of feet up to a narrow strip of sky. Climb to places and heights you never thought you could.

ACTIVITIES: Angels Landing and the

Narrows are bucket-list hikes you won’t want to miss. Hike to a spectacular precipice along a narrow spine, then negotiate the rocky bed of the Virgin River. With a permit and a guide, you can get deeper into the Narrows and get acquainted with “canyoneering.” There are several gentle and moderate hikes as well, including Pa’rus Trail, Grotto Trail, the Riverside Walk to the mouth of the Narrows, Emerald Pools, Keyenta Trail and Watchman. Also explore eclectic Springdale, the gateway town to Zion, and the lesser-visited Kolob Canyons section.

LIFE IN UTAH 2015 | SLCHAMBER.com

play

Play. Discover. Explore.

of interest:

From shifting sand dunes to tree-covered mountains, Utah’s 43 state parks highlight diverse regions.

CAMP FLOYD-STAGECOACH INN

From the turquoise waters at Bear Lake State Park on the Utah/Idaho border to the 1,000-year-old kiva at Edge of the Cedars State Park Museum in the Four Corners area, Utah’s state parks offer adventure for all ages. Only 460 miles separate Bear Lake State Park, Utah’s northernmost park, from Coral Pink Sand Dunes near the Utah-Arizona border, yet the scenery is vastly different. The striking deserts in the south and conifer-covered mountains in the north exhibit Utah’s diverse natural landscape. Some state parks are famous for being locations in major films. Snow Canyon State Park made a cameo in Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid; Galaxy Quest was filmed at Goblin Valley State Park; and Dead Horse

Point State Park offered breathtaking scenery in Mission Impossible 2 and Thelma and Louise. Pitch a tent or park an RV in one of 2,000 Utah state park campsites from primitive to full hookups. Or enjoy the comforts of home while staying in a cabin or yurt. Reservations can be made four months in advance online or by telephone. Utah’s state parks staff also administers the off-highway vehicle (OHV) and boating programs. Whether you’re looking to ride on the 80,000 miles of OHV trails and routes or spend a weekend riding the waves in your boat, seek out a route on the state parks’ website. Trail maps, boating education courses and safety tips are also available at stateparks.utah.gov

four state parks Experience history by attending special events like history camps, Pony Express exchanges, Civil War encampments and school programs. FREMONT INDIAN Discover artifacts, petroglyphs and pictographs left behind by the Fremont Indians. Museum preserves treasures from the site, including pottery, baskets and arrowheads. UTAH FIELD HOUSE Discover the prehistoric world, dig for fossils and explore the dinosaur garden while revealing the Earth’s geologic story with hands-on activities. FRONTIER HOMESTEAD Relive the pioneer and early industrial history of central Utah through an extensive horse-drawn wagon collection, historic buildings, Paiute native camp, sawmill and replica blast furnace. 43 state parks: Find a park, make a reservation or discover a new adventure at stateparks.utah.gov

Exploring the “hoodoos” at Goblin State Park, Hanksville / Paddleboarding at Jordanelle State Park, Heber /Racing ATVs at Pink Coral Sand Dunes, Kanab. Images courtesy of Utah Office of Tourism

LIFE IN UTAH 2015 | SLCHAMBER.com

W E L C O M E TO

destination your next E X P L O R AT I O N

PLAY, SHOP AND EXPLORE OVER 85 AMAZING SPECIALTY SHOPS WITH THE AREA’S LARGEST SELECTION OF

SPORTS, FASHION & FOOTWEAR

SANDY SCHEELS • 11282 SOUTH STATE STREET • SANDY, UT • 801.948.7080

play

Continue the Adventure Many outdoor adventures in Utah begin in Salt Lake City. Then visitors spread out to experience infinite recreation opportunities across some of the nation’s most diverse landscapes. Here are some hot spots to get you started. HIKE LOGAN CANYON

of interest: canyoneering

ADVENTURERS COME FROM ALL OVER the world to hike through the many unique slot canyons found in Southern Utah. Nowhere else on earth is such a dense concentration of slot canyons to be found. Some of these mesmerizing slots can easily be hiked by a reasonably adventurous person, including Wire Pass, Buckskin Gulch and Peek-ABoo. Others are better enjoyed with the guidance of a professional outdoor adventure guide expert in canyoneering. Canyoneering uses a variety of techniques such as walking, scrambling, climbing, jumping and rappelling (“walking” down a rock face using a rope and harness) to travel through the fascinating canyons. Rappelling (in the hands of your experienced guide) is safer than it may look at first and provides a remarkable experience. Many guides offer preliminary classes, or clinics, and have taken children as young as six years old to adults as old as 87 out into some of the most beautiful and hidden places to be found in a region known for its beauty and mystery. Get off the beaten track, challenge yourself and be prepared for adrenalinepumping exhilaration. Canyoneering adventures: Locate highly-qualified guides throughout southern Utah by checking regional visitor offices or start your search at seldomseenadventures.net

LIFE IN UTAH 2015 | SLCHAMBER.com

The 41-mile Logan Canyon National Scenic Byway rises into the UintaWasatch-Cache National Forest from the beautiful agricultural lands of Cache Valley. Th is section of historic Highway 89 carves a winding path through 500 million years of breathtaking geology before hitting a summit at nearly 8,000 feet. The Tony Grove area of Logan Canyon is a great start, where you can reserve a campsite and find accessible nature trails or more strenuous climbs to nearby peaks, like the splendid Mount Naomi and the adjacent Mount Naomi Wilderness. Continue the adventure … Stand Up Paddleboard on Bear Lake BIRD WATCH AT BEAR RIVER MIGRATORY BIRD REFUGE

The 75,000-acre Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge is 45 minutes from Brigham City (which is about an hour north of Salt Lake City) and offers an exciting reminder of this natural space we share with wildlife. Millions of migrating birds pass through the area each year, though spring and fall witness the peak migrations. For maximum tranquility, you can never go wrong with a visit at sunrise. Then learn more at the wildlife education center during regular hours. Continue the adventure … See Golden Spike National Historic Site and the Spiral Jetty EXPLORE FLAMING GORGE NATIONAL RECREATION AREA

With more than 200,000 acres of land and water, Flaming Gorge is a scenic playground for boating, waterskiing, windsurfing, camping, wildlife viewing and fishing from boat or shore, especially for trophy trout. You’ll also find quaint, hospitable communities like Manila and Dutch John as your basecamp for great backpacking, hiking, biking and backcountry adventures on the Ashley National Forest and High Uintas Wilderness. Nearby Vernal also easily accesses Dinosaur National Monument.

Canyoneering near Kanab (PHOTO BY NICK SMITH) / Fishing the Provo River, Heber Valley / Petroglyphs in Nine Mile Canyon, Green River.

Images courtesy of Seldom Seen Adventures and Utah Office of Tourism

Continue the adventure … Experience Blue Ribbon Fishing on the Green River MOUNTAIN BIKE THE WASATCH CREST

Salt Lake’s backyard canyons are natural gems of the highest order. The Cottonwoods are an elemental part of the valley’s fervent outdoor passion, in no small part thanks to four world-class ski resorts. In the summer, they come alive with verdant splendor and readily accessible recreation distinctive to Utah’s Wasatch Mountain Range. The top of Big Cottonwood accesses the celebrated Wasatch Crest trail. Though Wasatch Crest is all about the downhill into nearby Mill Creek Canyon, the Crest is a package deal of endless alpine views and that feeling you get right before vanquishing something. Continue the adventure … Try a Salt Lake City Cultural Exploration by stopping to explore distinctive farm-to-table cuisine, blossoming nightlife or a wide range of museums PLAY IN THE HEBER VALLEY

Heber Valley astonishes with its alpine splendor and access to endless outdoor recreation, only 45 minutes from Salt Lake City. Exclusive resorts, authentic dining and world-class golf round out the valley’s extensive list of incredible accommodations and vast trail network, which means your Heber Valley sanctuary

play can be built on luxury (European-style resorts like Zermatt and Blue Boar Inn Bed and Breakfast), off the road (Wasatch Mountain State Park), or a combination of both. Have your pick of adventures like fly-fishing on the Provo River, paddleboard yoga, scuba or just a dip in the geothermal waters of Homestead Crater, or a ride on the historically significant and beautiful Heber Valley Railroad. Continue the adventure … Drive Mirror Lake Scenic Byway ESCAPE TO THE SAN RAFAEL SWELL

For all its outdoor splendor, geologic singularity and top-quality recreation, this place could be a national park. As it stands, the San Rafael Swell is the lesser-known masterpiece of Utah’s outdoor portfolio. Th is means relative solitude and incredible hiking and mountain biking paired with endless views across the sweeping Little Grand Canyon, where the San Rafael River carves its seasonal home 1,200 feet below. In short: adrenaline charging stations are free and abundant. Continue the adventure … Discover the petroglyphs and pictograms rock art in Nine Mile Canyon

DRIVE ALL-AMERICAN HIGHWAY 12

SEE THE SAN JUAN

Bluff, Utah, is an important stop on the Trail of the Ancients National Scenic Byway and is the beginning point for adventures on the San Juan River. There are single day or multiple day options for the San Juan, but you’ll need to reserve a guide or apply for a permit. Once on the river, the San Juan accesses incredible petroglyph panels, wildlife viewings and an all-around unique river experience through the spectacular corner of Utah. Goosenecks State Park offers spectacular views of an “entrenched meander,” where the San Juan River carved 1,000-feet deep twists.

Between the breathtaking engineering of the ridge-traversing “Hogsback” and some of world’s most startling geography, Scenic Byway 12 is simply one of America’s most beautiful drives. Peer into the vast Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument and drive through national forest lands and state parks unlike any you’ve ever seen. Introduce yourself to the unique communities of adventurous and welcoming folks who call it home. From endless backcountry to Zagat-rated organic cuisine (Hell’s Backbone Grill), you’ll want to slow down and enjoy this journey. Continue the adventure … Take on the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument Plan your trip: Prepare for your Utah vacation or perhaps prepare for a Utah way of life, go to visitutah.com

Continue the adventure … Find yourself in Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park, an iconic symbol of the American West

LIFE IN UTAH 2015 | SLCHAMBER.com

play

of interest:

utah ski resorts Snowshoeing in Park City / Downhill skiing in Park City / Snowboarding in Big Cottonwood Canyon / Getting the family on board in Park City (BY ADAM BARKER). Images courtesy of Utah Office of Tourism

Hitting the Slopes Abundant powder, diverse terrain and unparalleled access draw winter enthusiasts to Utah’s Greatest Snow on Earth. With 11 resorts less than an hour from the Salt Lake City International Airport, visitors as well as residents spend more time enjoying the slopes and less time in the car. Utah is known for its snow and boasts some of the greatest snow in the world. An average annual snowfall of 500 inches of “The Greatest Snow on Earth®” and a host of on- and off-hill improvements in previous seasons make unparalleled access just the icing on the cake. From December through March, you can usually expect more than a foot of snowfall every five days. In the 2015-2016 season, Vail Resorts plans to invest $50 million on an ambitious and game-changing plan to connect Park City Mountain Resort and Canyons Resort, which would create the largest single ski area in the country. It would boast 7,300 acres of skiable terrain, an interconnected gondola, upgraded lifts, new restaurants and snowmaking improvements. This plan is subject to 70

LIFE IN UTAH 2015 | SLCHAMBER.com

approval of Park City and Summit County. At the World Ski Awards in 2014, for the second year in a row Deer Valley Resort was awarded the United States’ Best Ski Resort, and Stein Erikson Lodge was named World’s Best Ski Hotel. These are decided through a rigorous voting process by hundreds of thousands ski consumers across the globe. Created by Robert Redford and made famous by the annual film festival, Sundance is a beautiful and secluded resort at the base of the majestic Mount Timpanogos. Sundance is a haven for discovery and inspiration that offers diverse mountain recreation all year long. And if visitors want to go further afield, an additional four resorts dot the Wasatch Range. Utah’s national forests and other scenic places also lure snowshoers, cross-country skiers, snowmobilers—even kite skiers.

Alta Ski Resort, (skiers only) Little Cottonwood Canyon Alta.com Beaver Mountain, Garden City SkiTheBeav.com Brighton Ski Resort Big Cottonwood Canyon BrightonResort.com Brian Head, Cedar City BrianHead.com Canyons Resort, Park City CanyonsResort.com Deer Valley Resort (skiers only) Park City, DeerValley.com Eagle Point, Beaver SkiEaglePoint.com Park City Mountain Resort Park City, PCSki.com Powder Mountain, Eden PowderMountain.com Snowbasin, Huntsville Snowbasin.com Snowbird Little Cottonwood Canyon Snowbird.com Solitude Ski Resort Big Cottonwood Canyon SkiSolitude.com Sundance Resort, Sundance SundanceResort.com Wolf Creek Resort, Eden WolfMountainUtah.com Ski and snowboarding spots: Find the winter playgrounds in Utah by visiting skiutah.com

We Go Heber Valley to Gain Perspective.

One Valley. Endless Possibility. GoHeberValley.com Ryan Starks

Director

Discover Utahâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s aDventUre escape. ryanstarks@gohebervalley.com 475 N Main Street Heber, Utah 84032

T O U R I S M & E C O N O M I C D E V E L O P M E N T

Office: 435 654 3666 Cell: 801 458 5372 Fax: 435 654 3667

GoHeberValley.com

Situated only 45 minutes from Salt Lake City, the Heber Valley is a quick, convenient and fun family escape that offers a wide-range of adventures and activities year-round. 5555 5585 550 552

4625

475 North Main, Heber, Utah 84032 â&#x20AC;˘ 435.654.3666

www.GoHeberValley.com Follow Heber Valley on:

play

Sitting on the Edge Utah’s spectator sports and collegiate teams bring out the competitive spirit of Utahns and keep them cheering year round. You don’t have to spend much time in Utah to understand how much residents of the Beehive State love their sports. Two major league professional teams, a variety of minor league clubs and top-notch collegiate sports keep Utahns cheering year round. Plus, here in Utah world-class facilities aren’t only open to the public, they’re also affordable and— even more importantly—approachable. The Utah Jazz (nba.com/jazz) is the most popular team in town. From November to April (and often beyond), the Jazz fills EnergySolutions Arena to capacity and captures the attention of basketball fans throughout the state— and the world. Real Salt Lake (realsaltlake.com) is Utah’s Major League Soccer franchise. Real (pronounced RAY-al, the Spanish word for royal; also known as RSL) claimed the MLS Cup in 2009. The team plays at state-of-the-art Rio Tinto Stadium (the RioT), which hosted the 2009 MLS All-Star Game. With an incredible 10 Olympic records and eight world records, the Utah Olympic Oval, located in Kearns,

stands uncontested as the Fastest Ice on Earth following the 2002 Olympic Winter Games. The Utah Olympic Oval is home to the U.S. Speedskating team (usspeedskating.com) and also hosts regular speedskating competitions, including the World Cup in long and short track. Each September, hundreds of triathletes descend on Ogden to participate in the Xterra Games USA Championship race (xterraplanet.com/utah). This grueling test of endurance calls Utah home, thanks to our challenging mountains, a vast variety of lakes and boisterous fans. The Utah race serves as a qualifier for Xterra World Championship held in Hawaii. Tour of Utah (tourofutah.com), the state’s world-class bicycle race, has attracted top-level international talent for years with a picturesque course that winds through some of Utah’s most exciting places. The Tour of Utah is a sixstage journey through Utah, spanning from Miller Motorsports Park to a mountaintop finish at Snowbird, that attracts the top names domestically as well as international professional teams.

Utah has a significant history in racing starting with the Bonneville Salt Flats in 1925. Since then, Utah’s need for speed has not only endured, but grown significantly. Countless professional race series come to the Miller Motorsports Park (millermotorsportspark.com) racetrack each year from the Lucas Oil Off-Road Series to World Superbike series and NASCAR K&N Pro West series. Rocky Mountain Raceways (rmrracing.com) is home to drag racing, motocross and more. And the Bonneville Salt Flats are still home to many land speed records. Utah is also home to some great minor league baseball like the Salt Lake Bees (Triple A), the Orem Owlz and the Ogden Raptors (both short season A-ball), that keep fans entertained during the summer. The Maverik Center hosts our minor league hockey team, the Utah Grizzlies. Go team! For a jumping off point on viewing sporting events in Utah, check out utahsportscommission.com

Professional racing at Miller Motorsports Park, Grantsville / Utah’s Real Salt Lake plays at Rio Tinto Stadium, Sandy. Images courtesy of Miller Motorsports Park / Real Salt Lake

LIFE IN UTAH 2015 | SLCHAMBER.com

play

 

Conceptual renderings courtesy of Pelli Architects / Downtown Alliance

A Dramatic Development

WRITTEN BY :

Melissa Fields

The George S. and Dolores Doré Eccles Theater is a long time coming and represents unprecedented cooperation and collaboration between Salt Lake City and Salt Lake County governments. It will be a vital and very complimentary component of Salt Lake City’s already vibrant performing arts community.

LIFE IN UTAH 2015 | SLCHAMBER.com

play It’s still nearly two years until the first curtain rises on the George S. and Dolores Doré Eccles Theater. But for many throughout Utah, the day dignitaries and donors turned the first shovelfuls of dirt at the theater’s Main Street building site—held all the excitement, anticipation and realization of the prototypical opening night. Salt Lake City Mayor Ralph Becker and his staff took a leading role in getting the new 2,500-seat touring Broadway production theater built. Once complete (slated for spring 2016), management of the new theater has been entrusted to Salt Lake County’s Center for the Arts (CFA), the longtime operator of other CFA facilities, including Abravanel Hall, the Rose Wagner Performing Arts Center and the Capitol Theatre. “From the beginning, we’ve wanted to ensure that the exciting new programming offered at the new theater enhances the great event schedules at the other performing arts facilities found in downtown Salt Lake City, and CFA is uniquely positioned to play that role,” says Art Raymond, deputy director of communications for Mayor Ralph Becker. At first glance, the idea of a government entity overseeing arts organizations seems a bit oxymoronic. However, if you’ve ever visited any of the aforementioned venues, you know that the experience offered at each is far from institutional. The legacy organizations housed in CFA umbrella theaters—Ballet West and the Utah Opera at the Capitol Theatre; the Utah Symphony at Abravanel Hall; and Ririe-Woodbury Dance Company, Repertory Dance Theatre, the Gina Bachauer International Piano Foundation, Pygmalion Theater Company, SB Dance and Plan-B Theater Company at the Rose Wagner Performing Arts Center—have not

only thrived under CFA management and support, but were likely shielded from the effects of the recent economic downturn that shuttered many similar arts organizations elsewhere in the country. “Managing these incredible arts facilities under one umbrella provides a level of thoughtful programming that lifts the whole. Our overarching goal with the addition of this new theater is that everyone will be successful,” says Erin Litvack, Salt Lake County community services division director. This “rising tide lifts all ships” philosophy is shared by County Mayor Ben McAdams, who says the new theater will serve as a cornerstone to raise awareness for all the arts offerings in what’s been dubbed downtown Salt Lake City’s cultural core. “My first Broadway-level experience was seeing Les Miserables at the Capitol Theatre in 1991. Though I was aware of the Utah Symphony before then, it wasn’t until I heard the music of Les Mis played live that I considered going to see the symphony perform. With the new theater, we have a chance to capture those audiences from across the Intermountain West who previously went to Las Vegas or Denver or even Chicago to see Broadway shows, and expose them to all of downtown’s arts and cultural offerings,” McAdams says. The CFA will build on a multi-decade relationship with MagicSpace Entertainment—known locally as Broadway Across America-Utah—to program the new theater. MagicSpace COO Steve Boulay says the new theater will allow growth and fulfi ll a demand that’s existed in Utah for many years.

for that show, which to this day is the most tickets sold for an event in the state’s history.” And though claims have been made that the new theater could drain audiences from other CFA and private sector venues, in the more than 30 years Boulay has presented and produced shows in markets across the country similar to Salt Lake City, he’s witnessed exactly the opposite. “In places like Denver, San Diego, Sacramento and now Salt Lake City, performing arts theaters that are the most successful are the ones built nearby one another. Co-location is the same logic automobile dealers and shoe stores utilize. If somebody is thinking about buying a car, then why not give him or her one place to find a lot of cars?” Jordan says. “To grow participation in the arts, the best thing we all can do is to get people into all of our theaters any way we can and then, when they realize how easy it is to get downtown, to park, eat at one of our dozens of wonderful restaurants and then see a great show, they’ll want to come back and see something else. ” Centralized management under the Salt Lake County Center for the Arts also offers a number of efficiencies, including the ability to avoid booking the new theater in conflict with other local performances and access to a centralized ticketing system through ArtTix. Savings that CFA Division Director Phil Jordan says improves the CFA’s ability to not only reinvest in the venues and programming, but translates into cost savings for patrons as well. “ArtTix will be ticketless within the next few years, a service that would likely take much longer if all these venues were managed separately.”

“The first long-run, gigantic touring Broadway show we brought here was Phantom of the Opera in the late 1990s,” Boulay says. “We sold 215,000 tickets LIFE IN UTAH 2015 | SLCHAMBER.com

play

Ballet West’s “Swan Lake” / Concert at The Complex / Selection of spirits at the Copper Common Bar. Images courtesy of Utah Office of Tourism and Dowtown Alliance

Experiencing the Nightlife Whether it’s a concert, clubbing or a chill lounge, there’s plenty of unexpected entertainment to discover and while away the evening hours. Utah is known for its family-friendly entertainment, but surprisingly, the myriad of happenings—music, sporting, dancing and live performance art—will keep night owls hopping into the late night hours. Sports are a big deal in Utah and you can ﬁnd sports fans at the EnergySolutions Arena in Salt Lake City or the Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy to catch evening games for the Utah Jazz and Real Salt Lake teams, respectively. For ice hockey action, the Maverik Center in West Valley houses the Utah Grizzlies team. EnergySolutions Arena is also home to a variety of shows throughout the year, like Disney on Ice, big-name music concerts and more. Downtown in the summer, the Twilight Concert Series lights up Thursday evenings in Pioneer Park with artists known around the country and even the world. Other concerts also make up the marquees at the USANA 76

LIFE IN UTAH 2015 | SLCHAMBER.com

Amphitheatre, The Depot, In the Venue, The Complex, Red Butte Garden and the Maverik Center. For more of the local music scene, you can find Utah artists jamming in Kilby Court, The Urban Lounge, The Garage, The State Room, along Park City’s historic Main Street and more! If what you crave is live performance art, Utah can more than satisfy with theater, music and dance. In Salt Lake City, you can find Pioneer Theatre, which brings in both local and national talent for award-winning theater, as well as Capitol Theatre, which houses Ballet West, Utah Opera, touring theater companies and more. Also downtown is Abravanel Hall, where Utah Symphony performs when they aren’t doing their Summer Concert Series in Deer Valley. Other performing groups you won’t want to miss in Utah’s capital city include Repertory Dance Theatre, Rose Wagner Performing Arts Center, Salt Lake Acting Company, Ririe-Woodbury

Dance Company and Odyssey Dance Company. Local universities and colleges also provide great nights out with their variety of performances. If you want the bars and clubs, downtown Salt Lake City is definitely the best place to be with a wide variety within a five-block radius. You can find local brews at Red Rock, Epic Brewing or Squatters, or lively libations at The Red Door, Copper Common Bar or Bar-X. Places like the Tavernacle and Keys on Main provide a fun atmosphere with dueling pianos as you sip, while Lumpy’s Downtown and Dick ’n Dixie’s are the bars to be at to get your sports fill along with a pitcher of your favorite. If you want a fun taste test, hit The Bayou for the largest collection of beers in the state. Itching to dance? Area 51 boasts the largest dance floor downtown and hosts themed-nights. You can even find line dancing at the Westerner if that’s more your speed.

LIFE IN UTAH 2015 | SLCHAMBER.com

play

Capital of Cuisine Imaginative chefs have redefined modern cuisine while entrepreneur owners have pushed Salt Lake City to one of America’s great foodie cities—as unique as the food they serve, featuring tastes from all points of the globe. From authentic Italian at Valter’s, Mexican staple Red Iguana, the Taste of India, tapas from Eva, sushi at Takashi to locally sourced favorites such as Pago, Copper Onion and beyond, you can discover an array of restaurants to tickle your taste buds. If you enjoy fresh seafood and great steaks, the various restaurants operated by Gastronomy Inc., are great options: Market Street Grill, Market Street Broiler, Market Street Oyster Bar and The New Yorker. Barbecue is well-loved among Utahns, and Pat’s Barbecue is a good choice for the slow-cooked barbecue flavor. Known for its historic atmosphere, Pallet provides an unexpectedly delicious twist on American cuisine.

For the best brewpub in Utah, you’ll want to hit up Squatters Pub. With award-winning homemade brews (even organic), great burgers and a relaxed environment, Squatters is a staple in downtown Salt Lake City. Red Rock and Uinta Brewing are other favorite local brewers with restaurants. Up Emigration Canyon (only 10 minutes from downtown), you’ll find Ruth’s Diner—a local favorite since the 1930s. A little further south in Millcreek Canyon, Log Haven enchants patrons with exquisite scenery and awardwinning New American cuisine. Some of the best Chinese can be found at Mandarin in Bountiful. For exquisite French fare, La Caille in Cottonwood Heights will transport you straight into

a classic French novel. In fine dining, The Mariposa at Deer Valley is a must during winter. In the mountain town of Park City, the High West Distillery & Saloon comes highly recommended for dinner and drinks. In the good ol’ down south part of the state, you can enjoy award-winning gourmet cuisine at Camille’s Sidewalk Café in St. George. The Painted Pony is also an old favorite down there, and Hell’s Backbone Grill in Boulder serves food that also benefits the world. What’s on the menu? For a listing of places to eat in downtown Salt Lake City, check out downtownslc.com

Innovative chefs are redefining dining in downtown at places like: selection at BTG / Fish tacos at Bistro 222 / Deli fresh sandwiches at Caputo’s Deli & Market / Lobster tail at Market Street Grill & Oyster Bar / Outside dining at Caffé Molise. Images courtesy from the Downtown Alliance / featuring BTG, Bistro 222, Caputo’s Deli & Market, Market Street Grill and Caffé Molise

LIFE IN UTAH 2015 | SLCHAMBER.com

Red Ledges is a private community only minutes from Park City, Utah. We offer the ideal balance of convenience, privacy and luxury along with a lifestyle to engage the whole family. Owners at Red Ledges enjoy: Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course Jim McLean Golf School Cliff Drysdale Tennis School Private Ski Lounge in Deer Valley Equestrian Center Swim & Fitness Club Dining

RedLedges.com (877) 733-5334

Homesites from $195,000

Homes from $550,000

Custom from $1.2 million

Exclusively Brokered by Red Ledges Realty, LLC. Obtain the Property Report required by federal law and read it before signing No federal has judged the merits or value, LIFEanything. IN UTAH 2015 agency | SLCHAMBER.com 79 if any, of this property. All descriptions, depictions, and renderings are provided solely for illustrative purposes and are subject to change. ÂŠ2014 Red Ledges Land Development, Inc.

play

Open-air shopping at The Gateway, Salt Lake City / Quaint shops on historic Main Street, Park City / Facade at City Creek Center, Salt Lake City. Images courtesy of Utah Office of Tourism

Something in Store For being a “little” big city, Salt Lake City has all you can ask for when it comes to retail therapy, from big national chains to small boutique shops. Utah’s emerging status as a businessfriendly state has resulted with national retailers making their way to the Beehive State, and also allowed small boutique stores to open and flourish. From the outdoor shopping and entertainment experience at The Gateway to the high-end elegance at City Creek Center in downtown Salt Lake City to all the little boutique shops in between, there’s nothing you can’t find. Even a short TRAX ride away can lead you to Trolley Square, a multi-use shopping facility with its own unique shops and businesses as well. You’ll find many specialty and homegrown stores right in Salt Lake City at growing communities like 9th & 9th, 15th & 15, Sugar House and around Main Street and roads extending off of it. 80

LIFE IN UTAH 2015 | SLCHAMBER.com

The downtown urban center is also home to the seasonal agricultural and artisian meccas of the Downtown Farmers Market, Art & Craft Market, Harvest Market and Winter Market. These markets are perfect for finding locally produced food and goods. If you want a complete shopping experience, destinations like The District in South Jordan, Jordan Landing in West Valley City and Station Park in Farmington offer all the shops, restaurants, theaters and other entertainment venues to keep you occupied all day. Main Street in Park City is also a hot spot for great shopping and entertainment. Outside of downtown Salt Lake City, you can find shopping mall centers across the Wasatch Front, most of them located right off the main I-15

highway all the way from up north in Ogden through Salt Lake City and down to Provo. Some popular malls include Provo Towne Center in Provo, South Towne Mall in Sandy and Fashion Place Mall in Murray. For good deals on quality merchandise from well-known brands, you might want to check out one of several outlet malls Utah has: Outlets at Traverse Mountain in Lehi, Tanger Outlets in Park City or the Outlets at Zion in St. George. The possibilities are endless! Where one shop is, there’s probably another close by, so keep your eyes peeled while out and about.

1790 souTh 4800 wesT suiTe d salT lake ciTy, uT 84104 Store HoUrS: Tuesday – Friday: 10 aM—6 PM saTurday: 10 aM—5 PM

Come in & Save Up to 70% off

oUr already low online priCeS* dining • bedding • furniture • clothing • jewelry sunglasses • home goods • & so much more

Visit and like our facebook page for updates on weekly sales: facebook.com/overstockoutletstore *restrictions apply. see store for details. all products on this page are a representation of what can be found at the outlet store and are not guaranteed to be in stock.

play

Learning on Display Curiosity doesn’t have to kill the cat, and learning doesn’t have to come from a classroom, especially in Utah where hands-on adventures abound. Salt Lake City houses several spots ideal for learning, covering all your bases from astronomy, art, science, music, books and more—sometimes integrating two or more of these discovery areas. For art aficionados and pleasure-goers, the Utah Museum of Contemporary Art and Utah Museum of Fine Art make fine places to visit. The monthly Salt Lake Gallery Stroll is also a great way to visit local art galleries. Combine the mechanics of science and technology with the creativity of art, and you get Utah’s critically acclaimed three-story museum, The Leonardo. The Salt Lake City Public Library is also right next-door, so you don’t have

to travel far for research. Be sure to visit the library rooftop garden for the best view of the city and mountains. For younger minds, Discovery Gateway over at The Gateway will turn playtime into learning opportunities with science, art and music exhibits. As for aspiring space cadets, they can find the answers they want about the universe at Clark Planetarium (also at The Gateway). If you dare to uncover past history, the new Utah Museum of Natural History is an ideal spot to go for all of it. It houses advanced research and collection facilities for the scientists who care for and curate the 1.2 million objects on display.

Get up close with dinosaurs by following Utah’s claim to a real-life “Jurassic Park” with museums, sites and even a byway dedicated to showcasing dinosaur skeleton collections, sculptures, dig sites, bones and tracks. The Dinosaur National Monument in Vernal is the ideal place to be—only two hours away from Salt Lake City. An entertainment and learning mecca just 30 minutes south of Salt Lake in Lehi, Thanksgiving Point also has a dinosaur history museum as well as a brand new Museum of Natural Curiosity. This new museum features hundreds of interactive experiences that explore science, arts, history and culture for children and their families.

Gardiner Cabin at This Is the Place Heritage Park, Salt Lake City / Recreation of the joining of the rails at Golden Spike National Historic Site, Promontory Point, Brigham City / Dinosaur exhibit at Natural History Museum of Utah, Salt Lake City (PHOTO BY MATT MORGAN). Images courtesy of Utah Office of Tourism

LIFE IN UTAH 2015 | SLCHAMBER.com

play

Temple Square, landscaped Gardens, internationally-famed Tabernacle Choir. Images courtesy of the LDS Church

Delving into the Past Utah’s most visited attraction is Temple Square, a meticulously landscaped 35-acre block in the heart of downtown Salt Lake City. Historic buildings, libraries, a museum and the Conference Center, along with landscaped open spaces, have been added to the original 10-acre block, creating the 35 acres comprising today’s Temple Square. The centerpiece is the magnificent Salt Lake Temple, a six-spired granite edifice, which took Mormon pioneers 40 years to complete. The unique domed Tabernacle, built in 1867, is home to the renowned Mormon Tabernacle Choir. Organ recitals are presented daily and the public is invited to choir rehearsals on Thursday evenings and Sunday morning broadcasts of Music and the Spoken Word, which is the longest running continual network radio broadcast in the world. Travelers who have layovers at the Salt Lake International Airport can take 84

LIFE IN UTAH 2015 | SLCHAMBER.com

a free shuttle to Temple Square and take a tour while waiting for their next flight. Temple Square includes two visitor centers where people can learn more about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints through art galleries and interactive exhibits. The North Visitors’ Center features an 11-foot replica of Thorvaldsen’s Christus statue. Exhibits at the South Visitors’ Center include a scaled model of the Salt Lake Temple, providing a glimpse inside the historic building. In the southwest corner of the Square, is the Assembly Hall, which hosts free concerts and recitals on weekends. Complimentary tours of Temple Square are offered in more than 40 languages.

of interest:

visitor activities FROM A BIRD’S EYE VIEW Enjoy a magnificent view from the 26th floor observation deck of the Church Office Building and acquaint yourself with the valley’s environs. The observation deck is open to the public and free of charge. ENJOY A TOUR During summer months, visitors can join in a garden tour of spectacular flowerbeds, sculptures and fountains. For the holiday season, visitors can enjoy lights, displays and performances that transform the grounds. TAKE A STEP BACK The Beehive House was the residence of Brigham Young when he was president of the LDS Church and governor of the territory. A 30-minute tour acquaints visitors with family life of yesteryear. DISCOVER YOUR ANCESTORS Visitors are excited to discover some interesting people—their ancestors— in the Family History Library, which houses the world’s largest collection of genealogical materials. A trained and willing staff is there to help. Temple Square visitor activities are free and open to the public. For information, visittemplesquare.com

play

Sharing a Taste of Home The Beehive State’s love affair with Farmers Markets Starting in late spring and continuing through to the fall harvest, local farmers markets emerge in nearly every community in Utah. Utahns have their pick of the seasons’ best local offerings. Since its creation in 1992, the national award-winning Downtown Farmers Market (slcfarmersmarket.org) attracts nearly 10,000 visitors each Saturday. With more than 150 food vendors and 80 art and craft vendors, this market has become one of the West’s largest farmers markets. The Downtown Farmers Market connects local growers to the public, providing not only fresh produce, but also flora, cheeses, eggs, meats, jellies and more.

of interest: farmers markets by area CACHE COUNTY Cache Valley (Saturdays) Horseshoe Park, 500 W. 700 S., Logan Harvest Market (Saturdays) Rockhill Creamery, 536 S. State St., Richmond Paradise Market (Wednesdays) 9000 S. 100 W., Paradise DAVIS COUNTY Bountiful (Thursdays) 100 S. 100 E., Bountiful

South Jordan (Saturdays) South Jordan Towne Center, 1600 W. Towne Center Dr., South Jordan Sugar House (Fridays) Sugarmont Plaza, 2227 S. Highland Dr., SLC University of Utah (Thursdays) Tanner Plaza, 201 S. 1460 E., SLC Wasatch Front Farmers Market (Saturdays) Gardner Village, 1100 W. 7800 S., West Jordan

Utah Botanical Center (Thursdays) 875 S. 50 W., Kaysville

Winter Market-Wasatch Front (1st Sunday of every month) Wheeler Farm, 6351 S. 900 E., Murray

The popular, eco-friendly open air market and street festival, Park Silly Market, is located on Historic Main Street in Park City. The market includes activities for kids and families, live music, art, gourmet food, a beer garden, arts and crafts, local produce and more.

SALT LAKE COUNTY

TOOELE COUNTY

Downtown Harvest Market (Tuesdays) Pioneer Park, 300 S. 300 W., SLC

Benson Grist Mill (Saturdays) Stansbury Park, 325 SR 138, Tooele

IRC Farmers Stand (Saturdays) Horizonte Instruction and Training Center, 1234 S. Main, SLC

UINTAH COUNTY

Held each Saturday in Provo’s Pioneer Park, the Provo Farmers Market brings fresh produce and more to the community. Market shoppers can purchase fresh local, seasonal produce as well as other goodies from local artisans.

Millcreek (Fridays) Held in conjunction with Millcreek Movies in the Park

The Winter Market at the Rio Grande Depot in Salt Lake City runs November through April, featuring fresh local produce, grass-fed meats, artisan cheeses and unique packaged foods. 86

Fresh produce at Downtown Farmers Market. Images courtesy of Downtown Alliance

LIFE IN UTAH 2015 | SLCHAMBER.com

Murray (Fridays and Saturdays) Murray City Park, 200 E. 5200 S., Murray 9th West Farmers Market (Sundays) International Peace Gardens, 900 W. 1000 S., SLC

Ashley Valley (Saturdays) Old Dinosaur Gardens, 225 E. Main St., Vernal UTAH COUNTY Happy Valley (Fridays) Robinson Park, 100 E. Main, American Fork Hee Haw Farms Market (Fridays) 150 S. 200 W., Pleasant Grove Lehi Farmers Market & Boutique (Saturdays) 1870 N. State St., Lehi

Pleasant Grove Promenade (Thursdays) Historic Downtown Park, 200 S. Main St., Pleasant Grove Spanish Fork (Saturdays) 40 S. Main St., Spanish Fork Thanksgiving Point (Fridays) 3003 N. Thanksgiving Way, Lehi SUMMIT L’Oakley Market (Saturdays) 911 W. Center St., Oakley Park City (Wednesdays) Canyons Resort, Park City WASATCH COUNTY Heber Valley (Thursdays) Main Street Park, 250 S. Main, Heber City WEBER COUNTY Ogden’s 25th Street (Saturdays) Downtown Ogden Municipal Gardens CENTRAL / SOUTHERN UTAH Cedar City (Wednesdays) 100 W. Hoover, Cedar City Moab (Thursdays) Swanny Park, 400 N. 100 W., Moab St. George (Saturdays) Courtyard at Ancestor Square, St. George Blvd., St. George

Farmers markets normally follow the growing season between June and October, but schedules change. To find the market nearest to you, visit utahsown.utah.gov

BEST IN STATE. BEST IN WORLD.

Utah Business

Great Place to Work Institute “World’s Best Multinational Workplaces”

EMC, the #1 name in cloud computing, is Utah’s fastest-growing tech company. And we’re investing in the state’s future through STEM research. Could a job here be in your future too? They say we’re a pretty great place to work…

me.emc.com

play

Celebrating Us Utah knows how to celebrate its culture, arts and people. The festivals in Utah are where half the fun is at. Utah’s many cultural events and festivals can be a great way to have a good time and get to know the state’s unique culture. Throughout the year, annual events and festivals for just about everyone— heritage, Native American culture, railroad history, agriculture, arts, music, outdoor recreation—and so much more. Here are some of the festivals you’ll hear most Utahns talk about year after year that you won’t want to miss. Downtown Salt Lake City’s premier summertime festival, the Utah Arts Festival (uaf.org) on the square of the public library features everything between local and internationally renowned artwork. J. A great celebration of the LGBQT community, Utah Pride Festival (utahpridefestival.org) in Utah draws out crowds from all colors and backgrounds to show love and acceptance. J.

The Utah Shakespearean Festival (bard.org) a Tony Award-winning festival in southern Utah featuring remarkable talent paired with the most classic and modern offerings of theater. J  O. Get your fill of classical music in the beautiful summer mountains at the International Music Festival (pcmusicfestival.com) in Park City. J  A. Utahns celebrate the state’s “birthday” on Pioneer Day—July 24—the day Brigham Young and the first group of Mormon pioneers entered the Salt Lake Valley in 1847. Today many communities’ around the state observe their heritage with parades, fireworks, rodeos and a day off. The Days of ’47 (daysof47.org) is the largest gathering with a week of activities. J.

Held at Snowbird Resort, Oktoberfest (snowbird.com) celebrates fall harvest with a vast collection of German cuisine and brews. A  O. The Salt Lake Greek Festival (saltlakegreekfestival.com) is the largest ethnic festival in Utah. It’s held in downtown Salt Lake City and celebrates the Greeks’ heritage with food and performances. S. A remarkable winter wonderland, the Festival of Trees (festivaloftreesutah. org) auctions off more than 800 gloriously decorated trees and other holiday garb with 100 percent of proceeds benefiting Primary Children’s Hospital. D. For more festivals in Utah, go to visitutah.com

Heber Valley Pow Wow at Solider Hollow ( JUNE) / Festival of Colors in Spanish Fork (APRIL) / Utah Arts Festival at Library Square, Salt Lake City (JUNE). Images courtesy of Utah Office of Tourism

LIFE IN UTAH 2015 | SLCHAMBER.com

Wilson Electronics is now weBoost New look. New name. Same great quality. Keep your connection strong with a weBoost cell signal booster.

速

connections www.weboost.com/utah

We’ve been at this for a while. Over 40 years of exceptional commercial development.

40 Years +

Developing and purchasing Industrial, Ofﬁce, Retail, Multi Family and More. www.perrycommercialproperties.com

We are a full service in house development company offering · Entitlements · Construction · Architecture and Design · Property Management · Leasing

PERRY & ASSOCIATES, INC.

play event calendar

activities from around the state feburary DISCOVER UTAH EXPO FEB 27-28: South Towne Expo Center, Sandy, discoverutahexpo.com THE BIG OUTDOORS EXPO FEB 27–MAR 1: Utah Valley Convention Center, Provo, thebigoutdoors.com

march INTERNATIONAL SPORTMEN’S EXPO MAR 12–15: South Towne Center Expo, Sandy, sportsexpos.com

HOLI FESTIVAL OF COLORS MAR 28-29: Sri Sri Radha Krishna Temple, Spanish Fork, utahkrishnas.org

april ST. GEORGE ART FESTIVAL APR 3-4: Historic Main Street, St. George, sgcity.org WHAT A WOMAN WANTS APR 10-11: South Towne Expo Center, Sandy, whatawoman whatsshow.com

LIVE GREEN FESTIVAL MAY 2: Library Square, SLC, livegreenslc.com LIVING TRADITIONS FESTIVAL MAY 15-17: Washington Square, SLC, livingtraditionsfestival. com OGDEN MUSIC FESTIVAL MAY 29-31: Fort Buenavetura State Park, Ogden, ofoam.org

june

SLC MARATHON APR 18: Library Square, SLC, saltlakecitymarathon.com

FREE FISHING DAY JUNE 6: Utah statewide, wildlife.utah.gov

US NATIONAL AMATEUR DANCESPORT CHAMPIONSHIPS MAR 11-15: Marriot Center, Provo, usnationals. byudancesport.com

TULIP FESTIVAL APR 17-MAY 1: Thanksgiving Point Gardens, Lehi, thanksgivingpoint.org

UTAH PRIDE FESTIVAL JUNE 6: Washington and Library Square, SLC, utahpridecenter.org

may

SALTCON MAR 12–14: Davis Conference Center, Layton, saltcon.com

YOGA FESTIVAL MAY 9-10: The Leonardo, SLC, downtownyogafest.com

UTAH SHAKESPEAREAN FESTIVAL JUNE through OCT: Southern Utah University, Cedar City, bard.org

TUACHAN JUNE through OCT: Tuachan Outdoor Amphitheatre, Ivins, tuacahn.org UTAH ARTS FESTIVAL JUNE 25-28: Library Square, SLC, uaf.org

july AMERICA’S FREEDOM FESTIVAL IN PROVO JULY 1-4: Provo, freedomfestival.org PARK CITY FOOD AND WINE CLASSIC JULY 8-12: Deer Valley Resort, Park City, parkcityfoodand wineclassic.com UTAH OPERA FESTIVAL JULY through AUG: Logan, utahfestival.org TWILIGHT CONCERT SERIES JULY through AUG: Pioneer Park, SLC, twilightconcertseries.com

For Information Please Contact:

Brian A. Preece Director of City Commerce 801-254-3742 or bpreece@sjc.utah.gov www. sjc.utah.gov

FrontRunner TOD

Pheasant Hollow

Daybreak Commerce Park

RiverPark Corporate Center

“Best Places to Live”—#18 Money Magazine LIFE IN UTAH 2015 | SLCHAMBER.com

play event calendar

activities from around the state DAYS OF ’47 FESTIVAL JULY 20-24: Downtown SLC, daysof47.com NATIVE AMERICAN CELEBRATION JULY 24: Liberty Park, SLC, nacip.com

august TOUR OF UTAH AUG 3-9: around the state, tourofutah.com BEAR LAKE RASPBERRY DAYS AUG 6-8: Garden City, bearlake.org

PARK CITY KIMBALL ART FESTIVAL JULY 31-AUG 1: Historic CRAFT LAKE CITY DIY FEST Main Street, Park City, AUG 7: Downtown, SLC, parkcitykimballartsfestival.org craftlakecity.com Lansche business card brown #2_Charlie Lansc SANDY BALLOON FESTIVAL AUG 8-9: Sandy, sandy.utah.gov

Charlie Lansche Photographer CharlieLansche.com Facebook.com/CMLanscheImages Coni Lansche Gallery Manager photos@CharlieLansche.com 435.640.0309

UT NATIONAL MOTOCROSS CHAMPIONSHIPS AUG 15: Miller Motorsports Park, Grantsville, millermotorsportspark.com WESTERN LEGENDS ROUNDUP AUG 24-27: downtown Kanab, westernlegendsroundup.com OKTOBERFEST AUG through OCT: Snowbird, snowbird.com

september WESTERN LANDSCAPE & WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHY

SWISS DAYS SEPT 4-5: Midway, midwayswissdays.com

UTAH STATE FAIR SEPT 4-12: Utah State Fairgrounds, SLC, utahstatefair.com SALT LAKE COMIC CON SEPT 5-7: Salt Palace Convention Center, SLC, saltlakecomiccon.com

HUNTSMAN SENIOR GAMES OCT 5-17: St. George, seniorgames.net BISON RANGE RIDE & ROUNDUP OCT 23-25: Antelope Island, Layton, stateparks.utah.gov

november DOWNTOWN LIGHTS ON NOV 21: The Gateway, SLC, downtownslc.org

GREEK FESTIVAL SEPT 5-7: Greek Church, SLC, saltlakegreekfestival.com

ZOO LIGHTS ON NOV 27: Hogle Zoo, SLC, hoglezoo.org

DINE O’ROUND SEPT 12-26: Salt Lake City, downtownslc.org

december

XTERRA UTAH OFF-ROAD TRIATHLON SEP 19: Snowbasin, Ogden, xterraplanet.com SLC JAZZ FESTIVAL SEPT through MAY: Capitol Theatre, SLC, slcjazzfestival.org

october UTAH HUMANITIES BOOK FESTIVAL All month long: Utah statewide, utahhumanities.org

FESTIVAL OF TREES DEC 3-6: South Towne Expo Center, Sandy, festivaloftreesutah.org EVE DEC 29-31: downtown Salt Lake City, eveslc.com

january SUNDANCE FILM FESTIVAL JAN 24-31: Park City, Ogden, Salt Lake City, sundance.org

Cottonwood 2985 E 6580 S

Downtown 48 W Market St.

Downtown 54 W Market St

South Jordan 10702 S River Front Pkwy.

South Jordan 10702 S River Front Pkwy

UWSL LifeInUtah-DIRECTORY Ad DEC2014_VFOL.indd 1

SHEEPDOG TRIAL SOLDIER HOLLOW CLASSIC SEPT 4-7: Midway, soldierhollowclassic.com

LIFE IN UTAH 2015 | SLCHAMBER.com

marketstreetgrill.com

12/16/14 11:46 AM

Space does not allow a full accounting of all the reasons Holmes & Co. should create your next advertising campaign. From effficiency to results, the list goes on and on. Please call Lisa Holmes at 801-355-2211 or e-mail lisa@holmesco.com to talk about all the things we would tell you here if only we had the

KUER 90.1, an NPR member station, broadcasts from The University of Utah and provides a commercial-free mix of NPR, BBC, and local news to more than 150,000 listeners across the state.

LISTEN on FM, HD and streamed online at www.kuer.org and with KUER's mobile app.

UTAH’S PREMIER FULL-SERVICE AGENCY Advertising » Digital Media » Brand Development » Media Buying Reputation Management » Social Media

S A X TO N H O R N E .C O M 8 01. 30 4.10 0 0

SAND, ROCK & LANDSCAPE PRODUCTS READY-MIXED CONCRETE ASPHALT & PAVING CONSTRUCTION SERVICES STAKERPARSON.COM | 888-90-ROCKS LIFE IN UTAH 2015 | SLCHAMBER.com

play resource guide

map of downtown salt lake city

LIFE IN UTAH 2015 | SLCHAMBER.com

play resource guide

map of downtown salt lake city

LIFE IN UTAH 2015 | SLCHAMBER.com

Progrexion’s

COMMUNITY IMPACT Donations to Food Banks

Blood Drives benefitting American Red Cross

$63,000 and 8,000

lbs of food

264 units of blood.

Best Place to Work

Roughly benefitting

Rexburg won one of the best places

800 lives!

to work for a 2nd straight year.

Scholarship Program

$15,000

2014

Big Brother Big Sister Raised $16,447 towards matching, mentoring and educating kids in low-income communities.

Relay For Life Walked 168 miles, donated $3,061 towards the fight for a cure and volunteered over 1,800 hours!

Operation Warm

6,290 winter clothing items donated.

Miscellaneous Community Donations

$24,000

Still Hiring Wicked Talented People In most companies, trust and empowerment are usually earned over time. At Progrexion, they’re part of your orientation. Join the team! Call 1.800.353.8954 or visit progrexion.com/careers Opportunities exist in every sales center, war room and IT cave for each of our 2300+ employees to succeed. We’re hiring hardworking, intelligent and wicked talented individuals who are ready to seize opportunity and drive this company forward.

progrexion.com/careers

Smart businesses become wattsmart businesses. Many Utah businesses have already become wattsmart® Businesses. When your business joins the ranks, you’ll find energy-efficient upgrades to save energy and help your bottom line. And with incentives, most upgrades pay for themselves in less than three years. Plus, being wattsmart benefits Utah’s environment and economy with decreased emissions and lower power bills. Learn how to make your business a

wattsmart is registered in U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

wattsmart Business at wattsmart.com.

700+ world-class athletes trust USANA to give them the superior nutritional support they need to compete at the highest levelsâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;but quality supplements can make a real difference for anyone, including you. Learn more about the power of high-quality supplementation at www.USANA.com.