Utah Defense Alliance
T
he Utah Defense Alliance is proud to be able to continue to partner with GOED in the support of the Defense and Homeland Security Cluster in general and of the country’s military missions, organizations and installations in particular. The Utah Defense Alliance (UDA) began in the early 1990’s as a group of volunteer citizens and businesses who came together to ensure the long-term viability of Hill Air Force Base, especially during the military’s Base Closure And Realignment (BRAC) processes. Their hard work, vision and planning resulted in Hill Air Force Base, not only remaining open, but thriving, while other communities across the nation dealt with the impacts of military installations closing or significantly downsizing. In early 2006, UDA broadened its efforts to look at all military activities across the entire State, including U.S. Army Dugway Proving Ground, Tooele Army Depot, Deseret Chemical Depot, and National Guard and Reserve organizations. UDA remains a volunteer board, comprised of board members from local businesses, defense and aerospace industries, concerned citizens, academia, and local, state and federal government, all committed to advocating for the military installations and growing the defense industry in Utah. The overall mission of UDA is to strengthen and support all appropriate governmental and private enterprises in their accomplishment of national defense objectives and expand investment and employment opportunities in defense and aerospace related industries. To that end, UDA has had a busy year. During FY2009, UDA engaged in two contracts with GOED. The first was for UDA Operations. The objectives of this contract were to support UDA ‘s overall mission and goals and provide staff support to the Military Installation Development Authority (MIDA). MIDA, created by the State Legislature in 2007, was created to encourage the proper redevelopment of aging and deteriorating infrastructure on any military installation in the State, particularly at Hill Air Force Base (HAFB) through viable Enhanced Use Leasing (EUL) projects. Specifically, MIDA is working to further solidify HAFB as a world class military installation and making Falcon Hill Development, a 550-acre parcel of land along I-15, a world class business park targeting aerospace, composites and defense industries. This past year UDA/MIDA engaged with numerous officials representing local and State government, Hill Air Force Base, Headquarters Department of the Air Force and the private developer for the property to set the conditions for a successful project. UDA continued to advocate for continued mission growth at Hill Air Force Base engaging with numerous Air Force officials.
F-16 fighter jets train over Hill Air Force Base.
Governor’s Office of Economic Development • Annual Report 2009
The second contract was to continue to provide Procurement Services in support of GOED’s Procurement Technical Assistance Center. The objectives of this seven hundred and fifty thousand dollar contract is to improve the awareness and success rate of Utah businesses in competing for federal, state and
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