Life in Utah 2016

Quality Living
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WORK LEARN LIVE PLAY
Utah’s Premier Lifestyle and Relocation Guide
2016 SLCHAMBER.COM
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8 LIFE IN UTAH 2016 | SLCHAMBER.com
welcome
GARY R. HERBERT
GOVERNOR
STATE OF UTAH
OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR
SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH
84114-2220
SPENCER J. Cox
LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR
Welcome to Utah!
The word is out. Both Forbes and the U.S.
Chamber of Commerce have named Utah
the No. 1 state for business and careers.
Even though Utah is a relatively small state in
terms of population, it leads the nation
economically because government, business,
education and community leaders work in
tandem to build the workforce of tomorrow and
ensure our state's lasting success.
Life in Utah magazine, published by the Salt
Lake Chamber, gives you an up close and
personal look at Utah's economic and cultural
landscape. Governor Gary R. Herbert
Stories cover everything from global business, fair housing, and dynamic nightlife
to skiing powder and hiking slot canyons, getting down to the details of what it is
really like to live, work and do business here. You will find a high quality of life and
a high quality of business climate to match. Our strong spirit of innovation,
collaboration and entrepreneurship continue to propel us forward.
If you are just thinking about coming to Utah-it is time to plan a visit. Life in Utah
will provide a glimpse of the possibilities, but we welcome you to come and
experience Utah's "Life Elevated" for yourself.
Sincerely,
�(4(��+-
Gary R. Herbert
Governor

When you come to Utah, be sure to visit
in the heart of Salt Lake City
Tours are available in more than 30 languages • Many venues to choose from, and all are free
Discoveryour roots in the
FamilySearch Center, where helpful
volunteers can assist in retrieving family
history information from the world’s
largest repository of genealogical records.
Your tour group can:
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.
For information on these and many other fascinating venues on Temple Square,
go to visittemplesquare.com, lds.org/placestovisit, or call 800-453-3860.
Step into the past,where the
story of family life of yesteryear will unfold room by
room in the Beehive House, the seat of government in
early Utah.
Listento 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.
TEMPLE SQUARE
© IRI. PD50020206
MarkCannon,©1989IRI©Busath.com

welcome
14 work
Building on Utah’s thriving
economy and business
42 learn
Education is the foundation
of Utah's future
48 live
Highlighting a few of Utah’s
favorite places to live
66 play
Discovering adventure in
an all-season playground
table of contents
peopleTrail_Ut

Call 866.223.8822 or visit peopletrail.com to chat live or
schedule your own complimentary consultation today.
Like all of our Utah based clients, Peopletrail feels fortunate to have our roots established in
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Over the years we’ve enjoyed growing along side many of our
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continue to grow, and more and more companies are realizing
the importance of working with an accredited provider of reliable,
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Discover the Peopletrail difference and get the information you need, and
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© Copyright 2014 Peopletrail, LLC. Peopletrail and the Peopletrail logo are
registered trademarks or trademarks of Peopletrail, LLC. All rights reserved.
Employment Screening – ATS Integration
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12 LIFE IN UTAH 2016 | SLCHAMBER.com12 LIFE IN UTAH 2016 | SLCHAMBER.com
welcome
VOLUME XXXI ISSUE 2016
175 E. University Blvd. (400 S.), Suite 600
Salt Lake City, UT 84111
801-364-3631 | slchamber.com
EDITORS
Marisa Bomis, Maria Loftis, Matt Lusty
CONTENT PROVIDED BY
Uintah County Tourism, Utah Association of Realtors,
Utah Media Group, 1-800 Contacts, CBRE, Inc., Envision
Utah, Governor’s Office of Economic Development,
Prosperity 2020, Salt Lake Chamber, SelectHealth, STEM
Action Center, Utah Office of Tourism, Utah System
of Higher Education (USHE), Women’s Leadership
Institute, World Trade Center Utah
Life in Utah is an official and yearly publication of the Salt Lake
Chamber and is distributed throughout Utah. Copyright ©2016
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.
PUBLISHED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH
90 South 400 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84121
801-839-1404 | utahbusiness.com
4770 South 5600 West, West Valley, UT 84118
801-204-6300 | utahmediagroup.com
ADVERTISING SALES REPRESENTATIVE
Amber Cooley
EDITORIAL/CREATIVE TEAM
Jed Call, VP of Business Development
Megan Donio, Project Manager
Tyler Pratt, Design Manager
Jeni Fitzgibbon, Content Coordinator
COVER PHOTO
Albion Bason, Wasatch Mountains
by Charlie M. Lansche
CONTRIBUTORS
Marisa Bomis, Jason Brown, Hillary Bowler, Sarah
Ryther Francom, Trish Hatch, Elenor Heyborne,
Melanie Heath, Justin Jones, Rod Lacey, Kathleen
McMillan, Jessica Nield, Sue Redington, Greg Reid,
Mikael Short, Ann Marie Wallace
PRESIDENT & CEO
Brent Low
PUBLISHER
Sam Urie
Welcome to Utah
Whether you are here for a quick visit or you’re considering Utah as
your new home, it won’t take long for you to realize that our state is
unlike any other.
No matter how long you plan to be here, we want to make you feel
welcome. The Salt Lake Chamber is committed to maintaining Utah
as not only the strongest economy in the nation, but to also as a
welcoming, inclusive and caring community. That’s why we’ve created
the Life in Utah magazine, which is designed to give you a taste of
what makes Utah so unique.
You may already know we’re the home of the Greatest Snow on
Earth©, the Sundance Film Festival and the Delicate Arch, but
don’t forget to come play in our mountains and lakes in the summer,
or visit one of the “Mighty Five” spectacular national parks on your
way to our vibrant capital city. We would love nothing more.
We hope you’ll enjoy your time in our great state!
Lane Beattie, President and CEO
Salt Lake Chamber
Lane Beattie, Salt Lake Chamber, President and CEO.
Image courtesy of Busath Photography©
PRESIDENT & CEO
Lane Beattie
BOARD CHAIR
Lori Chillingworth
TWITTER: @saltlakechamber
FACEBOOK: Salt Lake Chamber
INSTAGRAM: slchamber
WEBSITE: slchamber.com

er
com

work
Utah’s Voice of Business
A
s the state’s largest and
longest-serving business
association, the Salt Lake
Chamber works to build an engaged
business community and promote
an exceptional statewide business
climate through a mixture of
collaboration, advocacy and service.
We aim to create an environment
for economic success by creating a
gathering place for business leaders
and the community.
The Chamber strives to be the
“Voice of Business” in Utah by
supporting policies that help
businesses thrive and by providing
leadership on issues facing our
state. We strengthen Utah’s
economy through strategic and
targeted initiatives to invigorate
our state’s industrious workforce,
entrepreneurial spirit and innovative
talents. This includes providing
business leadership to invest in our
future workforce and infrastructure,
streamline regulations, strengthen
our competitive advantages and
improve our world renowned quality
of life.
Thanks to the Chamber, its
partners and other chambers of
commerce throughout the state,
Utah continues to stand out as a
great place to live and do business.
Member benefits: Discover the
advantages of belonging to the
chamber at slchamber.com
Our mission: We stand as the voice of business, we
support our members’ success and we champion
community prosperity
of interest
BUSINESSES REPRESENTED: 8,000+
EMPLOYEES REPRESENTED: 500,000+
STRATEGIC PARTNERS: Downtown
Alliance, World Trade Center Utah
MEMBERSHIP: 222 businesses that have
been members for 25+ Years
INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENTS: 13
EVENTS & SEMINARS HOSTED: 171+
COMMUNITY MEMBERS DIRECTLY
ENGAGED: 400,000+
PASSAGE OF PRIORITY BILLS: 82%
Salt Lake Chamber Facts
Photo by Josh Brown, Salt Lake Chamber

work
I
f there’s anything Utah is known
for on the economic front, it’s
our ability to create game plans
for growth and tackle tomorrow’s
issues today. In Utah, we collaborate.
Thanks to the leadership of a business-
minded governor, coupled with the
strong presence of the state’s largest
chamber of commerce, the SaltLake
Chamber, Utah leads on unprecedented
partnerships between the government,
business and education community.
That is what keeps Utah’s economy at
the top.
While the rest of the country has
struggled with navigating an uncertain
post-recession economy, Utah has
gone on to excel in job growth,
unemployment rate and economic
diversity.
The Hachman Index, a formula that
measures the similarity and diversity
of different regions, and the nation as
a whole, shows that Utah has the third
most diverse economy in the country.
In addition to that, a month-to-month
job growth of nearly 4 percent this year
demonstrates that Utah understands
the best practices for maintaining a
dynamic economy.
The Governor’sOfficeofEconomic
Development (GOED) maintains
a holistic approach to economic
growth, nurturing entrepreneurship
and expanding local businesses
while attracting new businesses and
investments to the state. GOED targets
their work and resources to stimulate
the six Utah Strategic Industry Clusters:
financial services, energy, outdoor
recreation, life sciences, IT/software,
aerospace and defense. When looking at
the big picture, GOED aims to grow both
the business and workforce for each of
these driving sectors.
Utah has one clear advantage
in regard to long-term workforce
development: the approximately
665,000 K-12 students attending
education institutions in the state.
The STEM Action Center, a program
within GOED, drives research
Proactive Problem Solving
Businesses in every industry are noticing the strong
economic opportunities Utah provides
Left: Capitol Reef Fremont Gorge overlook, Top: The 2015 Summer Outdoor Retailer Show at the Salt Palace, Bottom: Applied Composite Technology in Gunnison, UT
Images courtesy of GOED

17LIFE IN UTAH 2016 | SLCHAMBER.com
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and implementation of science,
technology, engineering and math
education best practices for K-12
students statewide. The STEM Action
Center also utilizes everything from
STEM Fest fairs to grant programs to
generate resources and opportunities
for the state’s workforce of
tomorrow. For all we know, the
world’s next leading synthetic
biologist is in the third grade at one
of our schools right now. It’s our
responsibility to make sure that
students have the ability to succeed.
GOED is also focused on filling
needed jobs today. For example,
UtahTechNetwork.com is a new
website that works with a digital
ad campaign designed to attract IT
and software professionals to the
state. This campaign extends Utah’s
“Life Elevated” global brand as a
part of GOED’s larger workforce
attraction and development
strategy. The website contains
everything from testimonials to
job listings to links to the hottest
breweries. The IT and software
sector has some of the most
immediate needs, with unfilled jobs
estimated in the thousands.
Another solution is the Utah
Aerospace Pathways (UAP)
program, which enables students
to graduate from high school
with a certificate in aerospace
manufacturing and the opportunity
to move right into a high-paying
job within the aerospace industry.
The program was developed
through an unprecedented
collaboration involving GOED, the
Utah Department of Workforce
Services, the Utah State Office of
Education, Salt Lake Community
College, Davis Applied Technology
College, Granite and Davis
School Districts, along with
Boeing and Orbital ATK—just to
name some of the many industry
partners. The UAP program will
be expanded in 2016 to include
training for underemployed and
unemployed adults. The intent is to
apply the program’s model to the
state’s other strategic industries.
During the course of the aerospace
program’s development, industry
representatives of national
companies were quick to point out
that this was the first time they’d
seen something like this actually
pulled off – and in only six months.
Utah has welcomed a number
of new companies and exciting
expansion projects this past year, and
every year for the last decade—even
during the recession. For example,
EMC Corporation and Procter and
Gamble are expanding. SolarCity,
one of the world’s top solar energy
companies, joins our energy sector
with some 4,000 jobs in the coming
decade. Vivint Solar anticipates
more than 3,000 jobs. To date, the
recruitment and post-performance
incentives program has generated
more than 13,000 jobs, more than
$220 million in new state revenue
and more than $6 billion in capital
expenditures.
Companies are noticing the
opportunities Utah provides.
Learn more about GOED at
utah.business.gov
Photo by Sophia DiCaro
GOED encompasses 16 programs that
do everything from attracting global
companies and foreign direct investment
to providing grants for entrepreneurs
and health insurance options for small
businesses. We have a plan to harness our
state’s incredible economic growth and to
improve our residents’ quality of life and
your company’s bottom line.
About the Governor’s Office
of Economic Development
No. 1 Best State for Business and
Careers—Forbes Magazine, 2010-2012,
2014-2015
No. 1 Pro-Business State—Pollina
Corporate Real Estate, 2012-2015
No. 3 Top State for Business—CNBC, 2015
Utah is the only state to rank in Top 10
for all categories (e.g.: Exports, Business
Climate)—U.S. Chamber of Commerce
Enterprising States Report, 2014 and 2015
4 Utah Metros made the Top 10 Safest in
the West—LawStreet Media, 2015
No. 1 Best State for Business—Pollina
Corporate, 2012-2014
No. 1 Economic Growth Potential—
Business Facilities, 2015
No. 1 for Job Creation—Gallup, 2015
No. 1 for Most Volunteering—24/7
Wallstreet, 2015
No. 1 for Economic Outlook—American
Legislative Exchange Council, 2008-2015
Accolades
(Company, Location, Number of Jobs)
Advice Media (Park City)............................................................................100
Cabela’s (Toole)..........................................................................................................................85
CHG Healthcare Services (SLC).............................................503
Connolly iHealth Technologies.....................................................145
Eldon James........................................................................................................................................115
EMC Corporation (Draper)..................................................................700
HealthCatalyst (SLC)................................................................................................291
Jive Communications (Lehi)..............................................................576
Kihomac (Layton).................................................................................................................70
Maritz CX (Utah County)............................................................................425
Prime, Inc. (SLC)....................................................................................................................129
Procter & Gamble (Box Elder County)...............200
Prosper Marketplace...............................................................................................539
Selle Royal (Ogden)........................................................................................................65
SolarCity (Utah County)....................................................................4,000
Vivint Solar (Lehi).....................................................................................................3,143
Look Who's Growing
of interest

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F
ew people would expect a landlocked
state to export four times the national
average, but Utah does. In fact, at a
time when our country suffers from a trade
deficit, Utah is one of a few states to boast a
trade surplus.
In 2010, Governor Gary R. Herbert set the
goal for Utah to be recognized as a premier
global business destination; and in recent
years, that goal has come to fruition. Not to
grow complacent however, the Governor has
set a new goal to diversify our export base and
increase value-added exports by $1.4 billion
by the end of 2019.
International Expansion
The positive economic impact that comes
from companies expanding internationally
cannot be denied. According to the Brookings
Institute, one traded manufacturing job
creates three local jobs. For Utah to continue
to be recognized as one of the top states
economically, companies need to look
beyond state and national borders and grow
internationally.
WorldTradeCenterUtah(WTC Utah) has
been designated as the export promotion
arm of the state. The mission of WTC Utah
is to help Utah companies think, act and
succeed globally. WTC Utah accomplishes this
mission through three key objectives:
• Motivate and educate Utah businesses
to expand their global presence through
training seminars, regional forums and
newsletters focused on international
business development, trade issues and
export opportunities.
• Build capacity of Utah businesses
for international trade through B2B
consultations to identify expansion
goals, assess current capabilities,
determine overseas opportunities and
connect companies with market experts
and potential partners.
• Expand the global network of Utah
businesses through trade missions and
networking with foreign trade officials.
Community Partnerships
WTC Utah wants to make sure its
services, most of which are complimentary,
are accessible to businesses in all areas of
the state. To this end, WTC Utah, partnered
with the DepartmentofWorkforceServices,
kicked off its rural outreach efforts in 2014.
Regional forums have been held in Vernal,
St. George, Logan and Richfield. With
less than 5 percent of total Utah exports
coming from rural small to medium-sized
businesses, rural Utah is well-positioned to
be a source of growth for the economy in the
coming years as companies look to take their
products to international markets.
Partnering with other organizations is
an important part of what WTC Utah does.
Each year, WTC Utah works with the Utah
Governor’sOfficeofEconomicDevelopment
and the SaltLakeChamber to produce the
UtahGlobalForum, the state’s premier
international event. The Utah Global Forum is
attended by more than 400 business leaders,
diplomats and community leaders. The
purpose of the event is to provide businesses
with knowledge and resources, helping to
empower them to export for the first time or
expand into new markets.
Seventy percent of the world’s purchasing
power and 95 percent of the world’s
consumers are located outside of the United
States. There has never been a time where so
much opportunity exists with so few barriers
to entry. There has never been a better time
for Utah companies to go global.
WTC Utah helps Utah companies think, act and
succeed globally. Learn more at wtcutah.com
An International Footprint
Utah emerged onto the international stage in 2002
with the winter Olympics. Since then, Utah businesses
have picked up the torch and haven’t stopped running
of interest
1. Hong Kong
2. Canada
3. United Kingdom
4. China
5. Mexico
• Utah exports exceeded
$12.3 billion in 2014.
• 85 percent of Utah
exporters are small to
medium-sized businesses
(less than 500 employees).
• 50,580 jobs in Utah are
directly tied to exporting.
Utah’s Top 5 Export
Destinations of 2014:
Photo by John McCarthy

The Bingham Canyon Mine is one of the top producing copper
mines in the world. As a result, lights turn on, computers power
up, music is played, cell phones get charged, cars run and
apps can be downloaded. The list goes on and on. The truth is,
copper makes modern life possible.
Will it become a cell phone
or a computer?
riotintokennecott.com

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Rising to the Top
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I
n the past several years, Utah
has staked its claim as being the
“Silicon Slopes” of the Rocky
Mountain region—and entrepreneurs
and investors from around the country
have noticed. Utah has received
numerous accolades for its innovative
culture and startup infrastructure,
including being called the “Next Silicon
Valley” by The New Yorker.
You don’t have to look far in Utah to
see why this bustling state is making
waves in the entrepreneurial community.
Several billion-dollar companies have
been launched in the state, including
Vivint, Qualtrics, InsideSales.com and
Domo. And it isn’t just the high-tech
industry that is booming. Companies
like Stampin’ Up, SkyWest Airlines
and Ancestry were also founded here.
Utah’s robust economic environment has
also attracted outside companies, like
Procter & Gamble, Adobe, Goldman
Sachs and Boeing, all of which have
major operations in the state. It’s not
just one thing that sets Utah apart from
the rest—it’s the unique combination of
business-friendly assets that keeps our
state rising to the top.
Startup Support
There’s a reason Forbes has
named Utah the country’s "Best
State for Business and Careers" for
With an entrepreneurial spirit and dynamic startup
infrastructure, Utah is setting the bar high
of interest
No. 1 Pro-Business State in America
—Pollina Corporate
Best State for Business and Careers
—Forbes
BYU and the U - Top 25 Undergraduate
and Graduate Schools Best
for Entrepreneurship Studies
—Princeton Review
Salt Lake City the No. 1 Hot Startup City
—Entrepreneur
Utah is the Next Silicon Valley
—The New Yorker
Accolades

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several years running. Despite
the increasingly complex national
business and political landscape,
Utah’s entrepreneurial and business
accomplishments remain strong. Local
policy leaders have prioritized creating
a supportive environment where taxes
and regulatory burdens are low and
establishing an infrastructure where
entrepreneurs and small business
owners succeed.
Beyond a business-friendly
government, Utah has several small
business resources to help startups
hit the ground running. The Small
Business Administration (SBA) office
provides a wealth of information and
resources for those considering starting
a business and those already in the
trenches. The SBA’s Small Business
Development Centers (SBDC) help
entrepreneurs realize the dream of
business ownership and help existing
businesses remain competitive in the
ever-changing global marketplace. There
are 13 SBDC offices located throughout
Utah. The SBA also offers entrepreneurs
one-on-one mentorship through its
SCORE offices, also found throughout
the state. Other resources include the
Salt Lake Chamber’s Women’s Business
Center, Governor’s Office of Economic
Development (GOED), National
Association of Women Business Owners
(NAWBO) – Salt Lake Chapter, and
National Federation of Independent
Business (NFIB) – Utah Chapter.
Culture of Collaboration
The Wasatch Front has a
comprehensive network of startup
incubators that breed innovative
thought and action. Downtown
Salt Lake is home to several startup
incubators and co-working spaces
that launch startups into full-fledged
businesses. Impact Hub is a co-working
space that offers ongoing programs
and events aimed at supporting
entrepreneurial work. From networking
socials to skills-building workshops and
one-on-one coaching, Impact Hub seeks
to turn ideas into businesses. Holodeck
provides a creative and educational
co-working office and event space for
inspired people to collaborate and build
great ideas together. Church & State
is a cooperative startup incubator that
connects entrepreneurs with mentors,
management and team members.
BoomStartup is a lean startup
accelerator and mentorship-driven,
seed-stage investment program
for technology-based startups.
BoomStartup was named the No.
12 accelerator in the country by
TechCrunch, and has helped raise more
than $15 million in investments for its
companies.
Education the Works
Utah’s robust higher education
system bolsters entrepreneurism and
innovation, creating a vibrant and
highly skilled workforce. Utah has
three research universities: University
of Utah (the U), Brigham Young
University (BYU) and Utah State
University (USU), as well as several
public and private higher education
institutions.
The U and BYU have comprehensive
programs for students with
entrepreneurial aspirations. BYU
consistently ranks as one of the
country’s top universities for
entrepreneurs. In 2015, Princeton
Review named BYU as the No.
2 best undergraduate school for
entrepreneurism. The U is home to
the Center of Medical Innovation,
Lassonde Entrepreneur Institute, and
Tech and Venture Commercialization
Photos courtesy of the Downtown Alliance

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Office, which consistently ranks as
one of the nation’s leading producers
of startup companies, even beating
the likes of Massachusetts Institute of
Technology.
The U and USU house the state’s
primary USTAR (Utah Science
Technology and Research Initiative)
offices. USTAR serves as a catalyst for
connecting entrepreneurs, industry,
education and the financial community
with the equipment and human capital
assets of the regional schools and
universities. Nearly 250 companies have
received material support from USTAR.
Big Deals
Utah’s exceptional combination of
business-friendly policies, startup
support and educated workforce has
created one of the nation’s most vibrant
economies—and outside investors have
noticed. In 2014, venture capitalists
invested nearly $1 billion in local
startups, making Utah the No. 1 state
in dollar-per-deal average. And at
the end of 2015 Q3, Utah companies
had raised $774.7 million, the largest
amount in the Rocky Mountain region
according to the MoneyTree Report
from PwC.
“We’re in the third generation of tech
here, so the growth of our ecosystem
has evolved,” says Josh James, founder
of billion-dollar companies, Domo
and Omniture. “Not only do we have
a better support system for tech
entrepreneurs—mentors, a richer
talent pool, legal counsel, etc.—we are
attracting more capital to fund and
grow businesses.”
Work Hard, Play Hard
Utah doesn’t just boast an
unmatched entrepreneurial spirit and
dynamic startup infrastructure—the
state lives and breathes a "work hard,
play hard" mantra. Entrepreneurs often
come to the state to ski the slopes or
explore its red rock country, and they
end up staying.
“We've got an adventurous, hard-
working, loyal and smart community.
To top that off, our customers always
say they like working with us because
our employees are so nice. You can’t
manufacture that,” says James. “In
addition, Utah's quality of life is the
best anywhere, while our cost of living
is lower than most tech hubs in the
country. I’m proud that we’re part of
that.”
Photos courtesy of Lassonde Entrepreneur Institute at the University of Utah
The Lassonde Entrepreneur
Institute is located at the
University of Utah. All Utah-based
collegiate students are invited to
participate at Lassonde, regardless
of what they are studying or which
university or college they are
attending.
Troy D'Ambrosio, executive
director of Lassonde Institute,
describes it as a one-stop shop
for students with any level of
entrepreneurial aspirations. “If
you’re a student and want to be an
entrepreneur, want to know what
an entrepreneur does, or already
have a business and want to move
it forward, we have a variety of
services for you,” he says.
Lassonde Institute offers
workshops, mentoring sessions
and entrepreneur competitions.
“We want to support these
students anyway we can, from
giving them $500 to build a
prototype to bringing in an
attorney to talk about IP,” says
D'Ambrosio. “We’ll help them go
from having an idea to starting a
business.”
In August 2016, the Lassonde
Institute is opening the Lassonde
Studios, a residential community
of entrepreneurs, innovators and
creators. The living space will be
open to 400 students, and will
serve as a 24/7 site for innovative
collaboration. “We want students
to really learn what it’s like to be
an entrepreneur and live like an
entrepreneur,” says D'Ambrosio.
“Whether it’s 2 a.m. or 2 p.m., we
want students to be able to work
together to solve problems and
collaborate. I’m really excited to
see what comes out of this—there
will be cool things that we never
imagined. We’re doing some
incredible things here.”
Entrepreneurial Spirit
Utah students have access to some of the country’s
top entrepreneurship institutions
Pierre Lassonde, University of Utah

Success Beyond the Ledger Sheet
Larry H. Miller believed that business had a
higher purpose beyond the numbers on a ledger
sheet. He instilled in the Larry H. Miller Group
of Companies the mantra, “Go about doing good
until there’s too much good in the world.” By
giving, working and serving in our communities,
we enrich our lives and the lives of others. We
become the very places where people want to
work and where the community chooses to do
business. It defines how we measure success.
LHM.com

work
W
hether you’re in town
to make a deal, attend a
convention or just see the
sights, there really is something for
everyone.
First Class Infrastructure
You could order a Lyft or take the
TRAX light rail system straight from
the airport into downtown Salt Lake
City in just 10 minutes. Once you’re
downtown, you can hoof it, ride the
FreeFareZone of TRAX, or use
GREENbike, Salt Lake City’s bike
share program.
World-Class Lodging
There are great hotels within walk-
ing distance of the Salt Lake Palace
Convention Center that will make
you feel like you're right at home.
Here are some highly recommended
hotels around downtown Salt Lake
City: Hotel Monaco, Salt Lake
Marriott Downtown at City Creek,
Hilton Hotel Salt Lake City Cen-
ter, the Grand America and Little
America Hotel.
Dining Destinations
Salt Lake City is really making
its mark on the culinary world; you
can always find something fresh
and delicious any day of the week.
From seafood at Current Fish &
Oyster, Spanish tapas at Finca,
vegan and vegetarian fare at Zest
to Copper Onion’s locally sourced
American goodness, you’re bound
to find a place nearby to satisfy
your appetite.
Favorite Watering Holes
After a day full of meetings, some-
times all you want is a nice cold beer.
So try one of our local craft beers
from Red Rock Brewing, Squatters
or Epic Brewery. If you’re looking
for something a bit stronger, try Bar
X or Whiskey Street—where you’ll
find some of the best mixologists in
the city.
With events like the Outdoor Retailer Show, Salt Lake Comic Con and the Sundance
Film Festival, Salt Lake City has become a premier destination in the United States
Free Fare Zone
Ride free if you enter and exit the bus or TRAX
within the boundaries of the Free Fare Zone.
Doing Business in SLC
Photo courtesy of the Salt Lake Chamber

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Community
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Possibilities
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individualsofallabilitiessince1985...Getinvolved!
www.discovernac.org | 435.649.3991
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YEARS
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since 1985
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30
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work
W
hile many businesses talk about
putting associates first, 1-800
Contacts, led by CEO Brian
Bethers, has established a remarkable
associate-first corporate culture. What’s more,
they’ve preserved it over the course of 20 years,
an IPO and three corporate buy-outs. Bethers
understands the importance of an associate-
friendly culture. He also is keenly aware of
how Utah, in particular, has helped elevate the
culture and success of 1-800 Contacts.
Selling contact lenses over the phone and
online has unique business challenges for 1-800
Contacts: eye doctors see their customers first
to prescribe contact lenses, frequently fail to
give patients a copy of their prescription and
have the right to sell what they prescribe.
Additionally, 1-800 Contacts’ customers have
to go back to their eye doctor about once a year
to update their prescription, giving their eye
doctor another opportunity to try to sell them
contacts.
Meeting with co-founder Jonathan Coon
in 2003, Bethers was intrigued with 1-800
Contacts’ response to the challenges facing their
business: overwhelming attention to detail and
tireless efforts to exceed customer expectations.
“I could tell the company’s culture was
remarkable,” Bethers said. “I soon learned that
the customer service stories at 1-800 Contacts
were right up there with what you’ve heard
about Amazon, Nordstrom and Apple. And it
all starts with the associates. When they deliver
outstanding service, customers come back to
reorder their contacts.”
Associates-First Mindset
From the beginning, the company has
focused on taking care of associates. The
tradition of endless free cereal started back
when the company was run out of a house
in Provo. Today, Belgian waffles, steel-cut
oatmeal and locally-baked bread and rolls
are also available to associates all day at no
charge.
Putting
theTeam
First
PROFILE: 1-800 CONTACTS
Brian Bethers, CEO of 1-800 Contacts.
Photo by Brandon Flint

work
For lunch and (if needed) dinner, the
in-house chef and his staff make on
average more than 400 meals per day.
Each of these is expertly prepared and
significantly subsidized. Of the meals
provided, Bethers says with a smile, “If
you want to know how amazing a $4
filet mignon can be, call me and we’ll
have lunch.”
The Food is Just the
Beginning
The on-site Wellness Center includes
free personal trainers and monetary
rewards for healthy lifestyle choices.
Associates, families and friends gather
each summer for a themed company
party. In addition, an annual film
festival treats every employee and his
or her family and friends to a choice
of blockbuster movies in rented-out
theaters, plus popcorn and a theater
gift card for more snacks.
Payroll-deducted dry cleaning,
discount movie tickets and massage
services are all available on-site for
associates’ convenience. Recognition
programs for extraordinary service
to customers, the company and other
associates reinforce the culture. And,
with the company’s relocation to a new
five-story building in west Draper, each
employee may receive a complimentary
UTA pass for their commute.
“Trying to significantly improve
the lives of our associates and their
families has always been our goal,”
said Bethers. “And in turn, they go to
extraordinary measures to take care of
our customers.”
Happy Associates =
Happy Customers
How do free breakfasts and
company parties translate into happy
customers? The contact lens industry
as a whole is growing in the mid-
single digits, while 1-800 Contacts’
new customer base is growing in
double digits and profitability more
than tripling in the last decade. The
company is now the largest contact
lens retailer in the United States.
“We’ve also diversified outside
of our retail contact lens business
to launch Premium Vision, which
provides business-to-business
sourcing, fulfillment and support
for vision-related retail chains such
as LensCrafters, Pearle Vision and
others,” he said. Premium Vision
already fulfills more than 100,000
orders each month.
From a hiring perspective, the
investment in employees is clear:
the single greatest source of new
employees is current employees. “Our
associates are our biggest advocates,”
Bethers said. “It’s something we’re very
proud of.”
Utah’s Impact on
Business
“Our location here in Utah has been
tremendously influential,” Bethers
said. “Talent recruiting is terrific.
Outdoor opportunities and focus on
family make it attractive for people
coming in from out-of-state and,
perhaps most important of all, there
are genuinely good people here who
want to be of service to others.”
In true startup fashion, 1-800
Contacts was started in a dorm
room. Jonathan Coon was
attending BYU when he became
so frustrated with his experience
getting contact lenses he decided
to do something about it. Twenty
years later, the goal of 1-800
Contacts remains the same: always
find better ways to do things.
“We’ve been in Utah since our
founding and have no intention
of leaving,” said Bethers. “With
major colleges just a half hour
in either direction, our location
here at the south end of Salt Lake
County makes it easy to staff our
almost 900-person company.” This
includes associates working at a
north campus near the airport
and approximately 500 call
center agents. “We can’t imagine
outsourcing our call center. It’s one
of our most important customer
contact points and is truly the heart
of the company,” Bethers continued.
“Utah is an exceptional place for
business,” Bethers said. “And Utah-
based companies should aspire
to become world class. Successful
businesses attract more successful
businesses, which leads to better
communities, better educational
opportunities and better employees…
it’s symbiotic.”
Always Better
“I love finding better ways to do
things,” Bethers says. “We started with
a 1-800 number. Since then we’ve
launched a website, a mobile website,
apps across two platforms – three,
if you count our Apple Watch app.
There’s always a way we can make the
contact lens buying experience better
for our customers, and there’s always a
way we can make working here better
for our associates. That’s what gets us
out of bed in the morning.”
Photo by Dana Sohm
We’ve been in
Utah since our
founding and
have no intention
of leaving.”
— Brian Bethers

work
Living
Healthy
Lives
PROFILE: SELECTHEALTH
Pat Richards, SelectHealth
Photo courtesy of SelectHealth
W
hen Pat Richards came to
Utah to serve as president
and CEO of SelectHealth,
a not-for-profit health plan subsidiary
of Intermountain Healthcare, she was
looking forward to the professional
opportunities the move presented, as
well as the chance to learn about a new
part of the country.
“Coming to Utah was an incredible
opportunity,” Richards said. “I’ve
followed high-performing health
systems for many years and have long
admired Intermountain Healthcare.”
Richards arrived at SelectHealth
just prior to the passage of the Patient
Protection and Affordable Care
Act. During this time of significant
change, she led the organization
through a period of deliberate and
visionary growth. Since joining the
organization in 2009, SelectHealth
has grown to serve more than
830,000 members and expanded
coverage options to include Medicare
Advantage and managed Medicaid
plans. Additionally, SelectHealth has
become an active participant in the
online health insurance marketplaces,
offering increased access to insurance
for individuals, families and small
employers. In 2013, SelectHealth
entered into a strategic alliance with St.
Luke’s Health System to provide health
plans throughout southern Idaho.
Richards is quick to give credit for
these accomplishments to the nearly
1,400 employees of SelectHealth. “Our
strength as an organization lies in our
employees,” she said. “The knowledge,
skill and commitment to service they
demonstrate every day is extraordinary.”
That focus on providing superior
service has led to SelectHealth being
ranked “highest in member satisfaction”
from JD Power and Associates six
times. Employees are happy as well.
SelectHealth has been named one
of Utah’s “Best Companies to Work
For” seven times by Utah Business
magazine, and was recognized in 2014
with the “Top Workplaces” award from
Workplace Dynamics and The Salt Lake
Tribune.
Richards began her career in health
care as a staff nurse in general surgery
and trauma at the University of
Michigan Medical Center. “Being a
trauma nurse was wonderful training
for business,” she said. “People often
talk about a business crisis, but working
in nursing, I learned quickly that a crisis
occurs only when someone is bleeding
or has stopped breathing. My training as
a nurse taught me to stay calm in most
business situations I’ve faced.”
Over the course of her career,
Richards moved into the health
insurance field, and then to integrated
health delivery systems. Prior to joining
SelectHealth, she served as executive
vice president and chief operating officer
of Health Alliance Plan of Michigan, a
subsidiary of the Henry Ford Health
System. “As a nurse, I enjoyed caring for
individuals on a one-on-one basis,” she
said. “At the same time, I saw that there
were also opportunities to help people
on a larger scale.”
The desire to serve others is reflected
in her working diligently to help
make health care more affordable and
accessible, and also by being deeply
involved in the larger community.
As CEO of SelectHealth, Richards
led efforts to support community
organizations that promote health
and wellness, education and literacy,
and strong neighborhoods. In 2014,
SelectHealth was honored with the

Corporate Spirit of Giving Award
for financial support, leadership
involvement and volunteer
participation.
“The health and well-being of
our communities affects all of us,”
Richards said. “When there are strong
support systems in place, people can
obtain the help and education they
need to improve their lives. People
in Utah are caring and generous, and
I see that their actions truly make a
difference.”
SelectHealth employees are infused
with a desire to give back. It’s not
uncommon to see volunteers from
SelectHealth donate time to various
non-profit organizations. In 2015
alone, employees volunteered time to
paint schools and homeless shelters,
clear grounds for recreation services,
fill baskets for food donations, and
read and teach in classrooms with low-
income students.
The strong commitment to the
community is also demonstrated
through SelectHealth programs
targeted to address specific needs
in the community. Step Express,
a fourth-grade exercise and fitness
program to combat childhood
obesity, encourages students to
develop healthy habits and is
taught in schools around the state.
Select 25 is a statewide award
program that awards $2,500 grants
to 25 non-profit organizations
each year. SelectHealth is also a
supporter of GREENBike SLC, a
bike share program that supports
physical activity and gives people an
alternative to taking a car on short
trips in downtown Salt Lake City.
Since moving to Utah, Pat has
enjoyed exploring her new home,
especially the downtown area. “The
ballet, symphony and opera, live
theatre and other cultural activities
are vibrant,” she said. “There is so
much natural beauty in every corner
of the state, and there are many
recreational activities that appeal to
individuals and families. The people
are welcoming and friendly. Utah is a
great place to live and to work.”
With some of the lowest health
care costs in the country, Utah is
well-positioned to lead the nation
in transforming the way health care
services are delivered. The state has
one of the lowest rates of obesity
and diabetes in the country. As part
of one of the nation’s top-integrated
health care delivery systems,
SelectHealth strives to provide
high-value health benefits at an
affordable cost.
“Our mission is to help people live
the healthiest lives possible,” Pat said.
“This is an exciting time to be in health
care. We are working to make health
care services more affordable and
accessible, and our future is bright.”
Photo by Michael Schoenfeld
When there
are strong
support systems
in place, people
can obtain
the help and
education they
need to improve
their lives.”
— Pat Richards

work
E
conomists at CBRE
frequently refer to
commercial real estate as
the ‘economy in a box.’ With all
property types, there is a direct
relationship to economic conditions
and the overall makeup of the
economy. Salt Lake City is no
different. Each major commercial
property type comes with its own
market insights and conditions that
illustrate the dynamics between the
local economy and the commercial
real estate market.
Office: Healthy Growth
The primary demand driver for
office space — employment in office
using sectors — continues to grow
at healthy levels. The tech sector is
having a particularly concentrated
effect on office demand in southern
Salt Lake County and northern
Utah County. While growth in the
tech sector is notable, employment
continues expanding across other
office-using sectors.
Consistently healthy demand,
which reflects the area’s strong
economy, is impacting key market
indicators; corresponding rent
growth and falling vacancy has
characterized recent Salt Lake office
market history. Strengthening
market fundamentals elicited a
response from developers in the
form of new construction; several
hundred thousand square feet of
new supply entered the market
in 2015. Although a significant
amount of office construction is
underway in the Salt Lake metro,
the overall relationship between
supply and demand is not expected
to become dramatically imbalanced.
With vacancy falling into the single
digits in many cases, new supply
will enable continued growth.
Retail: Showing Strength
Changes in demographics,
technology and economic realities
continue to shape retail commercial
real estate markets—and Salt
Lake is no exception. These trends
are driving the evolution of the
retail industry and retailers are
responding in ways that affect how
Commercial Real Estate
With businesses flocking to Utah and startups booming,
commercial real estate remains strong
Photos by David Newkirk

decisions regarding commercial
real estate are made. For example,
retailers continue to seek out high-
quality locations and are focused
on creating an upgraded shopping
experience. Also, smaller spaces
that work in tandem with retailers’
online footprints are increasingly
more common.
Fueled by one of the best
performing metro economies in the
nation, Salt Lake’s retail market
fundamentals continue to show
strength. Active retailers in the
market include grocers, gyms and
quick-service restaurants. However,
upon closer examination, the
market is increasingly bifurcated
with large gains in market
fundamentals in high-quality
locations, while less-desirable
locations improve at a slower rate.
With employment growth expected
to remain strong, favorable
demographics and a bright short-
term economic outlook, Salt Lake’s
healthy economy will continue
to positively influence retail
commercial real estate.
Industrial: Strong
Development
The Salt Lake industrial
commercial real estate market
enjoys a tail wind from a strong
local economy, in addition to its
strategic geographic location, which
enables the area to be used as a
regional distribution hub. In recent
years, an increase in the presence
of manufacturing facilities has also
influenced the market.
With perhaps the strongest
fundamentals of the major property
types discussed in this overview,
industrial developers moved to
meet market demand—completed
construction totals were projected
to reach their highest levels in
recent history by the end of 2015.
Healthy demand for new, “Class
A” (higher quality) product gives
reason to believe that a healthy
balance between supply and
demand remains intact. Large
occupiers (more than 50,000 sq. ft.
in size) are also more active than
they have been historically, which is
important to note as new supply is
able to accommodate such growth.
Investment: Capital
Abundance
A variety of factors influence the
demand for commercial real estate
assets in the Salt Lake metro area.
A strong local economy, which is
reflected in commercial real estate
market fundamentals, continues
to underpin investor interest.
Additionally, lower returns in major
gateway markets (e.g. New York, Los
Angeles and Seattle) are pushing
investors to look for secondary
markets (e.g. Nashville, Kansas City
and Portland) with higher returns
and relative safety. Salt Lake fits this
profile on both counts.
An abundance of capital and
investor appetite is supporting
activity in the Salt Lake investment
market. However, a lack of available
high-quality assets is limiting
transaction volumes. This dynamic
of strong demand but limited supply
is expected to continue for the near-
term. Still, due to higher returns and
relative safety, the area’s investment
market will continue to see strong
interest and activity, albeit subdued,
as supply remains constrained.
Outlook: Looking
Forward
Commercial real estate in Salt
Lake will continue to reflect the
strong local economy. Although a
significant amount of new supply
is shaping market fundamentals
across property types, such levels
can be considered healthy at
the present time. In fact, new
supply is needed to accommodate
continued growth, particularly in
high-demand areas where tenant
requirements are not well-served by
existing supply.
From an investment point of
view, this development is a vote
of confidence in the future of
northern Utah. The lifespan of
commercial properties is long;
therefore such investments take a
long-view. This is the case for newly
developed properties as well as
existing properties, as evidenced by
capital flows targeting Utah from
around the U.S. and the globe.
In short, the area’s bright
economic outlook bodes well for
commercial real estate in Salt
Lake. This will continue to fuel
investment in the area in terms of
new development as well as demand
for existing assets.
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 under construction. Learn more at slchamber.com

cbre.com/slc
Kami Taylor | 801 869 8000
When it comes to real estate, we see potential everywhere. CBRE turns scale into strength,
expense into performance, and property into prosperity. How can we help you transform
your real estate into real advantage?
Build on
Advantage

work
Driving Technology
U
STAR supports Governor
Herbert’s vision for the Utah
economy: to be recognized
as a premier global destination.
USTAR seeks to create a technology
ecosystem that enables ideas to seed,
grow and thrive.
Building Our STEM
Workforce
USTAR has enabled the hiring of
commercially-minded researchers,
the building of state-of-the-art
core facilities and the development
of entrepreneur outreach centers
partnered with regional universities.
USTAR provides resources for tech
businesses and entrepreneurs
throughout the state via outreach
efforts.
RESEARCHERS: USTAR-
funded researchers have proven
adept at capturing millions of
dollars in federal and private
research funding and building
world-class research teams including
undergraduate, graduate and post-
doctoral students. To form new
ventures based on their respective
technologies, researchers work
with their respective University
commercialization offices to transfer
these technologies to industries in
the business community.
CORE FACILTIES: The
University of Utah’s James L.
Sorenson Molecular Biotechnology
Building is the centerpiece of a
visionary plan to accelerate research,
development and commercialization
at the interface of medicine,
nanotechnology, engineering,
pharmacology and digital media.
It includes a state-of-the art
The Utah Science and Technology and Research Initiative (USTAR) catalyzes research,
development and commercialization activities to expand Utah’s technology economy
The Sorenson Molecular Biotechnology Building on the University of Utah campus.
Photo courtesy of USTAR

nanofabrication facility with cleanroom
space, a biobay, and a microscopy and
materials characterization suite. These
facilities are available to university
researchers and can also be used on a fee-
for-service basis by commercial partners.
Utah State University’s (USU)
BioInnovations Center houses highly
advanced life-sciences laboratories and
provides lab space in support of synthetic
bio-manufacturing, advanced human
nutrition, veterinary diagnostics and
infectious disease and other innovation
areas. This state-of-the-art facility also
houses a Bio Safety Level 3+ lab. USU has
also added a biomanufacturing facility
to enable industrial-scale production
of synthetic biology products. Both are
positioned for industry collaboration.
USTAR regional outreach offices
support technology commercialization
activities across the state. The offices are
regionally focused and provide support
to community members and USTAR
researchers with innovative technology
ideas to establish spinout companies.
Entrepreneurial Assistance
USTAR ACCELERATORS:
Assists entrepreneurs in accelerating the
development of startup companies by
providing resources and services. Business
accelerators emphasize rapid growth while
providing support for obstacles that the
startup company may encounter.
USTAR BUSINESS INCUBATOR:
Programs focus on speeding up the
growth and success of startup and early
stage companies by providing mentorship
and support during the time it takes a
company to get on its feet. Incubation
time varies for each company.
SBIR-STTR ASSISTANCE
CENTER: Assists entrepreneurs and
startup companies in preparing and
submitting SBIR-STTR applications. The
SBIR and STTR programs offer more
than $2.5 billion annually to support
the development of technology by small
businesses across the nation. USTAR’s
SBIR-STTR Assistance Center helps tech-
oriented businesses with new discoveries
or innovative concepts to get the funding
they need to continue their path towards
commercialization.
INDUSTRY SUPPORT: Includes
working with established companies
and corporations to connect them with
applied research and new innovations,
or to connect startups with valuable
resources helping to facilitate collaborative
partnerships. Industry support also helps
to identify gaps in needed areas such as
education and workforce development.
MENTORING/BUSINESS
SERVICES: Industry experts offer
help and resources to companies for
refining plans and strategies. One-on-
one mentoring can help assist with
setting goals for success while developing
business plans. USTAR regional offices and
a network of experts combine knowledge,
guidance and encouragement to help bring
business possibilities to life.
PROTOTYPING SERVICES:
Provides early stage companies looking to
validate their business model by providing
a functionally limited proof of concept
device. Prototyping support includes
3D printers, engineering assistance and
machine shop time.
STATE AGENCY AND PARTNER
SERVICES: USTAR also works closely
with other state agencies and partners to
provide other services to enhance their
mission where possible, thus allowing
USTAR to fulfill its directive of increasing
innovation through research and business
development. An example of this work
includes the State’s Energy Triangle grant
program, which is a partnership with the
Office of Energy Development and the
Governor’s Energy Advisor.
of interest
USTAR North
218 South 200 West
Farmington
385.226.8457
USTAR South
1071 East 100 South, Bldg C7
St. George
435.216.8364
USTAR Central
815 West 1250 South
Orem
385.335.5300
USTAR East
423 Wakara Way, Ste 300
SLC
801.585.9690
SBIR-STTR Assistance Center
SLCC – Miller Campus
Corp. Partnership Center
9750 South 300 West, Ste. 214
Sandy
801.597.5239
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
Outreach Offices
The BioInnovations Center on the Utah State University campus.
Photo courtesy of USTAR

work
Image courtesy of Envision Utah
I
n short, Envision Utah helps people
envision the future the way they want it,
then they give them the knowledge and
tools to make it a reality.
Utah is thriving. Boasting the nation’s
strongest economy, Utahns across the state
are able to live in safe, friendly neighborhoods.
Because of our state’s prosperity, most Utahns
can take care of their families, live in good
neighborhoods and enjoy a very high quality of
life with those they love.
With success, though, brings its own
challenges. A high quality of life means that
Utah’s population is growing, and it will
continue to grow. In the last thirty years, Utah
doubled its population, and is projected to nearly
double it again by 2050. How will Utah maintain
our quality of life with twice as many people?
Utah isn’t strong today by accident. Utah is
strong because every generation has made the
necessary efforts to ensure the next generation
could succeed. For this generation, that effort is
called Your Utah, Your Future.
Your Utah, Your Future
In October 2013, Governor Gary Herbert
announced the Your Utah, Your Future
process to examine important questions
regarding future quality of life, such as: Will we
have clean air to breathe? Will we have enough
water for our needs? Will we have an affordable
cost of living, with good housing options for
everyone? Will we have open space, including
natural lands, agriculture and world-class
recreational options? How will we educate twice
as many students? Will there be quality jobs for
our children and grandchildren?
Specifically, the Your Utah, Your Future
process examined eleven critical topics:
• Air Quality
• Agriculture
• Disaster Resilience
• Economic Development
• Education
• Energy
• Housing and Cost of Living
• Public Lands
• Recreation
• Transportation and Communities
• Water
Each topic is independently important, but
none stands alone. Envision Utah's goal was to
help Utahns create a vision for the future they
want to see—one that addresses all these topics
and serves as a guide for making this state
better in future generations.
Planning for the Future
Envision Utah engages people to create and sustain communities that
are prosperous and neighborly for current and future residents
of interest
In the late 1990s,
when Envision Utah
was founded, some
parts of the state
failed to meet national
air quality standards,
with pollution
projected to get even
worse. Since then,
Envision Utah and
others have worked
hard to address the
problem. Today,
emissions across all
inventoried pollutants
have decreased by
nearly half, even
as Utah’s overall
population has grown.
A Step in the
Right Direction
Utah is growing. Get
involved and see how
you can help shape the
state's future by going
to envisionutah.org

For more than100 years, USU has been the leading state, national and international voice of
expertise on water-related issues: management, ecology, climate, education and societal impacts.
WATER EXPERTISE AT ITS SOURCE
Choosing Our Future
This vision explores these
and numerous other synergies
and interrelationships that will
determine what Utah's future—and
our children’s and grandchildren’s
future—will look like. In order to
fully explore these topics, Envision
Utah employed the same visioning
process that put Utah on the
community planning map nearly two
decades ago. They convened some of
the state’s brightest minds on each
of the identified topic areas, studied
the values that Utahns hold dear,
developed scenarios that presented
clear and tangible outcomes on each
topic and gave those options to the
public to decide what kind of state
they want.
More than 400 experts worked to
study the outcomes of the various
strategies studied in each of the
eleven topic areas. By understanding
values, Envision Utah was able to
study and assess the strategies
that the public would be most
enthusiastic to adopt. All of the
strategies were then vetted and
substantiated through a record-
breaking public outreach effort and
survey tool which allowed 52,385
individuals to give their direct input
into the shaping of our state.
Shaping Utah’s
Future Together
Taken together, the Your Utah,
Your Future process accomplishes
a few key goals in ways that no
previous community visioning effort
ever has: it provides key decision
makers with a huge, directionally
significant mandate for shaping
the future of Utah and its cities; it
gives Utahns a sense of ownership
for the behaviors and policies that
will influence how we grow; and
it demonstrates that Utahns care
about their state and its future, and
are willing to show it. If Utah's track
record for working together to tackle
tough issues is any indication, it has
a bright future ahead if we harness
the energy, foresight and planning
that went into this statewide effort.
Envision Utah is founded upon
the principle that the public has a
right to choose its future, and when
given the chance and equipped with
the right information, they will
make the right choices to guide their
communities.
Photo by Chad Zavala

work
Breaking Down Barriers
A
s the U.S.ChamberofCommerce
CenterforWomeninBusiness
stated, “Understanding [women’s]
character and impact will contribute
to creating environments that help
more women scale up their businesses
and ultimately serve national and
international markets in unique and
groundbreaking ways.”
However, becoming a successful
business owner is difficult, especially
for women who face existing growth
roadblocks. In general, women have
greater difficulty accessing capital and
finding relevant, helpful resources.
In order to discover opportunities to
overcome and open up paths to success,
women need technical knowledge, a
network and professional development
opportunities. Lastly, women need
examples of those already blazing
the trail and thriving in the business
environment. But this isn’t necessarily
the case in Utah.
According to the 2015 American
Express OPEN Report State of
Women- Owned Businesses, Utah is
ranked #8 in economic clout, which
considers total number of firms,
revenue and employment. By revenue
alone, Utah ranks #4, with higher than
the national average for growth in
women-owned firms.
By creating an entrepreneurial
ecosystem where women find and access
resources, businesses will prosper; not
only elevating the state’s economy, but
inspiring other Utah women.
Women are the fastest growing group of new business owners
in the U.S, with one in three businesses owned by a woman
of interest
New Clients: 221
Total Clients: 252
Consultations: 397
Consulting Hours: 605
Trainings: 127
Attendees: 4,115
81 Business plans completed
92 New businesses started
192 Jobs created
$49.8M Total Revenue
$1.5M Increase in Profit
$2.7M Capital Accessed
Salt Lake Chamber
Women's Business
Center 2015 Statistics
At
it m
Fo
co
fue
ma
To
vis
S
Photo by Alex Adams, Digital Blue Photography

work
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 more than 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.
To refer a patient call 801.536.3500. For more information or to make a donation
visit shrinershospitalsforchildren.org/saltlakecity.
U.S. News & World Report evaluated Primary Children’s Hospital and
Shriners Hospitals for Children—Salt Lake City in Pediatric Orthopaedics

workwork
The ElevateHER Challenge
of interest
Utah Women’s Forum:
utahwomensforum.org
Women’s Business Center:
slchamber.com/wbc
Women’s Leadership Institute:
wliut.com
Real Women Run:
realwomenrundotorg.wordpress.com
Governor’s Commission on Women
Women’s Corporate Boards
Efforts to Elevate Female
Leadership in Utah
Research shows that businesses with a higher number of
women leaders out-perform businesses with fewer women
U
tah is the second state in the
country, behind Massachusetts,
to initiate an organizational
challenge to elevate women’s leadership
in the state of Utah. In May 2015,
the Women’s Leadership Institute
(WLI) was launched with 43 major Utah
businesses, non-profit organizations
and educational institutions accepting
the ElevateHER Challenge – a
commitment to address issues dealing
with recruiting, advancing and retaining
women in the workforce. That number is
now 70.
At the May launch, Utah Governor
Gary Herbert also took the ElevateHER
Challenge on behalf of the state of
Utah, stating that the challenge will
“pay real dividends and shows Utah as
a place where women’s leadership is
valued. Utah is leading other states in
this collaborative approach between
government and business to elevate the
stature of women’s leadership.”
WLI is focused on lifting the image
of Utah, helping women reach their
full potential, improving society’s
understanding of diversity in leadership
goals and the positive impact women
leaders can have on economic
development, vitality and the overall
health of the state.
Inc5000PrintAdResize_1
Photo courtesy of Women's Leadership Institute

Inc5000PrintAdResize_16x20withBleed_PRG_68972_v1Updated_OUT.indd 1 5/12/14 4:08 PM

learn
Class is in
SessionUtah boasts a healthy system of higher education that offers a wide variety of
programs for students in many fields. With both private and public schools, Utah
higher education is both affordable and crucial to sustainable job growth in the state
Images courtesy of individual higher education institutes
University of Utah
Snow College Salt Lake Community College
Utah Valley University
Southern Utah University

learn
U
tah boasts a comprehensive
system of higher education,
which includes eight
public, non-profit colleges and
universities—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.
The Utah System of Higher
Education (USHE) is working on
multiple initiatives to increase
college success and graduation
rates, as well as collaborating with
K-12 partners to improve college
preparation for Utah’s students.
Utah College
Application Week
Each November, Utah's
public high school seniors
throughout the state are given
the opportunity to apply to
college during the school day,
with a special emphasis placed on
low-income and first-generation
college students. This year we
reached over 20,000 students
in 80 high schools throughout
Utah. This program will continue
to expand each year to provide
statewide support.
Pam Jacobsen, a Roy High
School counselor, said “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
that big!”
Regents’ Scholarship
USHE also administers the
Regents’ Scholarship, which
encourages Utah high school
students to prepare for college
academically and financially
by taking a course on studying
and saving for college. Since
its inception in 2008, Utah has
awarded nearly $27 million to
Regents’ Scholarship recipients.
Additionally, Utah Scholars, the
sister program of the Regents’
Scholarship, delivers the college-
prep message to classrooms via
volunteers from businesses, to
more than 32,000 students—76
percent of all public school eighth-
graders—each year.
Concurrent Enrollment
One key program that continues
to grow is concurrent enrollment,
a program that allows high school
seniors to earn college course
credit before graduation. Over
half of the graduating high school
seniors in Utah took advantage of
this opportunity to earn college
credit from USHE institutions.
This saved students millions
of dollars in college tuition.
Concurrent enrollment also gives
these students the opportunity to
experience college instruction and
learn necessary tasks, such as how
to apply for admission, register
for classes and succeed in a college
environment.
StepUp to Higher
Education
StepUp to Higher Education is
a social awareness campaign that
encourages students to dream big
about their future and to include
college in that dream. StepUpUtah.
com contains advice and resources
for college preparation and
success, for students, parents
and educators. StepUp also hosts
various events throughout the
year to raise awareness about
financial aid options available in
the state and increases the FAFSA
completion rates in 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 that big!”
— Pam Jacobsen
of interest
STUDENTS IN THE UTAH SYSTEM OF
HIGHER EDUCATION
• Eight public colleges and universities
• 170,770 students enrolled in Fall 2015
(more than 75 percent of all college
students in Utah)
• 32,549 degrees and certificates awarded
2013-14 academic year (about 75 percent
of all credentials)
• Enrollment projected to increase by
51,000 students in the next 10 years
TUITION AND STUDENT DEBT IN UTAH
• 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, Utah’s nonprofit 529 college savings
plan, received the 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 it was two percent
only for a Utahn with a bachelor’s degree
SOURCE: Utah System of Higher Education
Higher Education in Utah

learn
H
ow often do we hear the
phrase, “I’m not a math
person,” or disparaging
jokes about “tech people” and their
stereotypical lack of social skills?
Educators in Utah, with support
from the STEM Action Center, are
doing something about the issues
facing STEM (Science, Technology,
Engineering and Mathematics)
education. For a long time, teachers
with the best of intentions were
unable or unsure how to best provide
students with engaging STEM
lessons. Nationwide, this has resulted
in a shortage of students prepared to
enter STEM career fields, regardless of
education level.
The STEM Action Center was
created and placed in the Utah
Governor’s Office of Economic
Development (GOED) amidst the
2013 legislative session. During its
development, the mission of the
STEM Action Center was determined
to focus on promoting STEM
education through educational best
practices, professional development
practices and connections with Utah’s
local industries—with the ultimate
intention of aligning education and
workforce efforts.
Programs have included studies
on digital math tools, training in the
applied sciences and efforts to align
high school programs to local STEM
industry needs. As the STEM Action
Center continues its efforts, programs
will include elementary school
teacher STEM endorsements, STEM
certifications for schools, teacher
and administrator professional
development, classroom grants and
grants specifically for students to
encourage STEM participation in
fairs, contests and competitions.
With liaisons in the Utah State
Office of Education (USOE) and
Department of Workforce Services
(DWS), it is clear the STEM Action
Center is serious about its goal to
provide Utah’s STEM industries with
the employees they need.
In Utah, STEM jobs are in high
demand, particularly in health care
and engineering. In the future, it is
projected that STEM job demand
will increase by 17 percent, while
unemployment rates for individuals
with STEM degrees maintains an
average of 1.6 percent. As demand
increases, students need to be
prepared to fill these positions. Even
more, the students of today are
preparing for careers that do not yet
exist.
By focusing on STEM subjects,
which inherently teach critical and
creative thinking skills, as well as
providing explicit instruction on
problem solving, students will be
better prepared for the world as they
will know it.
By providing these opportunities
for collaboration, students will
be encouraged and supported
throughout their education, resulting
in earlier exposure to hands-on STEM
activities and additional retention
of students that express interest
in the STEM fields of study. As
students graduate high school, they
will be better prepared for either the
workplace or higher education.
Watching students have a positive
experience with the STEM fields is
an achievement all its own. After one
6th grade student used a microscope
for the first time to examine pond
water, he exclaimed “This is my kind
of subject!” The microscopes, provided
by a STEM Action Center classroom
grant, are unlike any the school would
have been able to purchase on its own.
By identifying local and state needs
regarding STEM subjects, student
and teacher barriers will be broken
down and replaced with exciting and
applicable learning opportunities
that teach more than just facts and
knowledge, but also valuable skills
about making mistakes, and, more
importantly, trying again.
STEM Education
Student participates in the Graphics and
Robotics Exploration with Amazing Technology
Camp at the University of Utah, which received
a grant from the Utah STEM Action Center.
Photo by Kaitlin Felsted
learn of interest
STEM Fest celebrates
innovations in science,
technology, engineering,
mathematics (STEM), and
introduces Utah kids to
hundreds of activities that
range in complexity to
entertain people of all ages.
utahstemfest.com
STEM Fest

EDUCATION FOR THE WHOLE CHILD. Independent schools
nurture students’ intellectual ability and curiosity, personal and
social growth, and civic conscience.
INDEPENDENT EDUCATION. Independent school teachers and
administrators take the time to know each student to encourage
achievement in and out of the classroom, and to generate
excitement about learning.
HIGH QUALITY TEACHERS. Faculty at independent schools
combine top teaching skills with a passion for their subject areas.
Many teachers bring to the classroom knowledge from advance
degrees and successful careers. Their energy and enthusiasm create
significant learning experiences for their students.
INCLUSIVENESS. Independent schools are diverse and vibrant
communities that welcome and respect each family.
ACCESSIBLE EDUCATORS. Independent schools understand
that parents are important partners in a child’s education.
Parents are encouraged to contact administrators and teachers
with questions or concerns about their child’s school experiences.
SAFE SCHOOLS. Independent schools maintain up-to-date
facilities and provide a safe and nurturing environment for children.
Parents can rest assured that faculty know their students well and
can help them when they are confronted with problems.
REAL-WORLD EXPERIENCE. Independent school leaders
know that students benefit from interaction with people who hold
different perspectives and come from difference backgrounds. They
strive to provide students real-world experiences to prepare them
to achieve not only in school, but also in work, in further academic
pursuits, and in life. In addition to being exposed to a broad array
of courses, independent school students participate in community
service work and keep up with political affairs.
Utah’s Independent Schools
INDIVIDUALIZED EDUCATION
HIGH QUALITY TEACHERS
SMALL CLASS SIZES
CHALLENGING ENVIRONMENT
MOTIVATED STUDENTS
The Independent School Difference
The McGillis School
Accredited Member
K to Grade 8
Salt Lake City
(801) 583-0094
mcgillisschool.org
Park City Day School
Accredited Member
Pre-K to Grade 8
Park City
(435) 649-2791
parkcitydayschool.org
Rowland Hall
Accredited Member
Pre-K to Grade 12
Salt Lake City
(801) 355-7485
rowlandhall.org
The Waterford School
Accredited Member
Pre-K to Grade 12
Sandy
(801) 572-1780
waterfordschool.org
American Heritage School
Accredited Member
K to Grade 12
American Fork
(801) 642-0055
american-heritage.org
latterdaylearning.org
The schools listed are members
of the Northwest Association of
Independent Schools (NWAIS),
an organization which promotes
high educational quality
through the establishment and
advancement of comprehensive
accreditation standards.

The Salt Lake Chamber brought together business, community and education leaders to form Prosperity 2020.
Photo courtesy of Prosperity 2020
learn
Prosperity 2020
From the first day of school all the way through college,
Utah recognizes the importance of education
U
tah’s population hit the 3 million
mark in October 2015. It is
projected that Utah will have 4
million residents by 2031. Presently, about
31 percent of Utahns are under age 18.
For comparison, in the U.S. as a whole, 23
percent are under age 18.
According to Alan Hall, CEO of Tempus
Global and chair of Prosperity 2020,
“Across America, the most vibrant state
economies put education first. Decades
of research show that a person’s earning
power and a society’s wealth are tied to
educational achievement. This applies
now more than ever, as economic
prosperity is driven by those with the
knowledge and skills to compete in a
global market.”
As a state, the entire population of Utah
values education and understands that
Utah’s children are the future, and their
successes will be the state’s success as well.
TheSaltLakeChamber brought together
business, community and education leaders
to form Prosperity 2020, and they are
working to help ensure economic prosperity
of the state.
What is Prosperity 2020?
Prosperity2020 is the largest business-
led movement ever assembled in Utah
to advance educational investment and
innovation. This partnership includes 21
chambers of commerce across the state.
The vision of Prosperity 2020 is to work
collaboratively to ensure education remains
a top focus for our state’s leaders, leading
to increased prosperity and a bright future
for Utah.
Goals of Prosperity 2020
For Utah to continue to succeed, we
must put education first. Prosperity 2020
has established goals to elevate Utah’s
education system to rank among the top
ten states in the nation by improving math
and reading scores and graduation rates.
Learn more about the movement, the plan, the visions and goals, and how you can get involved at Prosperity2020.com
of interest
Prosperity
Through Education
“Prosperity Through
Education” is the business
community's plan to take
Utah's education to the Top
Ten in the Nation. The main
goals include:
• Improve 4th and 8th
grade math
• Improve 4th and 8th
grade reading
• Increase high school
graduation rates
• Increase post-secondary
graduation rates

live
Getting Around
B
ecause 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.
FrontRunner, a high-speed commuter
rails, runs from northern Utah to Provo,
and TRAXlight rail system has extended
its reach by heading further west and
now connects the Salt Lake International
Airport with downtown Salt Lake City.
Both light rail and commuter rail feed into
SaltLakeCentralStation, 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
TransitAuthority (UTA) covers.
In August of 2015, UTA added service
and increased frequency to TRAX, the
S-Line and select bus routes throughout
Weber, Davis, Salt Lake and Utah counties,
and ridership went up by more than 30
percent on weekdays and 20 percent on
weekends.
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
of interest
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
CommuterLink
Image by Doug Barnes

live
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,
Sugarhouse, University of Utah, Draper,
West Valley and to the many points in-
between.
Air Travel
The SaltLakeCityInternational
Airport is situated just west of Salt Lake
City, about 10 minutes from downtown
and is within 2.5 hours from most of the
state’s population. In 2014, 21 million
passengers were served in Salt Lake City.
It also has an increasingly strong record
of on-time flights and a low percentage
of cancellations. The airport ranks 27th
busiest in North America and 80th
busiest in the world in terms of passenger
numbers. As of April 2015, there were
about 318 average daily departures from
the facilities to 88 nonstop destinations.
Interstate Highways
Utah’s transportation infrastructure
includes 45,120 miles of federal,
state and local highways and roads.
Interstate80 (east to New York City/
west to San Francisco), Interstate15
(north to Canada/south to Mexico),
and Interstate70 (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.
Railways
Amtrak provides daily passenger
service on the CaliforniaZephyr 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.
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 plagues the Wasatch
Front.
The Utah Transportation Coalition,
a Salt Lake Chamber initiative,
continues to advocate for adequate
funding of transportation initiatives
that focus on environmental quality
as well as roadway efficiency and
expansion. While the Utah Legislature
has already done a lot 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 for a Utah way of life, go to
visitutah.com

50 LIFE IN UTAH 2016 | SLCHAMBER.com50 LIFE IN UTAH 2016 | SLCHAMBER.com
LIFE IN UTAH 2016 | SLCHAMBER.com
T
he year 2015 may be one of the best in
Utah housing market history. As of the
end of September, Realtors were on track
to break the record for the most homes sold in a
single year. If successful, Utah Realtors will have
sold more homes in 2015 than during any other
year, according to Utah Association of Realtors
records dating back to 2003.
Both sales and prices climbed steadily
throughout 2015 as buyers competed for
a limited supply of homes. At the end of
September, the number of Utah transactions
had increased 19 percent for the year. That’s up
significantly from 2014, which was also a strong
year. Meanwhile, the median sales price rose 7
percent and hit a record high in 2015.
Moving forward, the market is positioned
well for 2016. Economists are expecting
continued growth in sales and prices,
rising mortgage rates and more choices for
homebuyers.
Continued Sales Growth
Several economists are expecting continued
growth in home sales for 2016. The National
Association of Realtors is projecting an
increase in U.S. existing home sales of 3.5
percent for 2016.
Similarly, Fannie Mae expects total home sales to
increase 3.5 percent over 2015 levels.
Although the growth projections are
specifically for the U.S., Utah’s housing market
should also perform well. Freddie Mac recently
listed Utah as the No. 5 housing market in
the country based on its stability in mortgage
applications, affordability, non-delinquent loans
and employment. Likewise, Salt Lake City ranked
No. 4 among metro areas.
More Sustainable Price
Increases
While values will continue to increase, the
gains are expected to moderate a bit. That’s
welcome news for would-be homebuyers who
need prices to remain affordable.
A forecast from the Urban Land Institute says
prices will be up 5 percent in 2015, 4.3 percent in
2016 and 3.9 percent in 2017. Over the past 20
years, U.S. home prices have increased an average
of 3.6 percent per year, which means 2016 is
expected to outperform.
Rising Mortgage Rates
Economists expect mortgage rates to
increase in 2016. Currently, Freddie Mac is
forecasts an increase in the 30-year mortgage
rate next year from 3.9 percent on average to
4.3 percent. A similar prediction from Fannie
Mae suggests rates on a 30-year mortgage will
average 4 percent in 2016.
While the cost of borrowing will likely
be higher than the ultra-low levels of 2015,
interest rates under 5 percent are still incredibly
affordable. Today’s economic situation combined
with improvements in the employment market
should continue to boost housing despite an
uptick in interest rates.
Improved Real Estate
Selection
Finally, homebuyers should expect more
choices in 2016. The last time competition for
houses was as intense as 2015 was the housing
boom. Nevertheless, the shortage situation is
expected to improve in 2016 as builders increase
production.
The Urban Land Institute survey forecasts
U.S. single-family housing starts will increase
to 745,000 in 2015, 842,500 in 2016 and
900,000 in 2017. Although this is below the
20-year average of more than one million
starts, it is a significant improvement from the
extremely low levels of home-building activity
in recent years.
Consumers should expect the following real
estate conditions in 2016: rising home prices,
investment opportunities for rentals, a healthy
economy, below-average interest rates and more
housing choices.
High Times For
Housing in Utah
GettyImages
With the housing market stronger than ever, Utah
is fast becoming the nation’s best for real estate
Would-be buyers and sellers can learn more about the markets in their own areas at utahrealtors.com
of interest
The median sales price
of homes sold in October
2015 registered $229,900,
a nearly 6 percent increase
from the median last year
of $217,700. For the year,
prices are up 6.5 percent.
The counties with the highest
price gains were Iron, Tooele
and Weber with increases
in the median price of 24, 17
and 10 percent, respectively.
Sellers in Utah are receiving
more of their asking prices,
and homes don’t stay on the
market for long. Statewide,
it took an average of 52
days to place a home under
contract. That’s down
significantly from 69 days
last year.
SOURCES: www.trulia.com,
Utah Association of Realtors
Utah Real Estate

51
2015-2016
NATIONAL
OUTDOOR
CHAMPIONSSOUTHERN UTAH UNIVERSITY
SUU.EDU

A
nyone 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. 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.
Downtown Living
While Salt Lake City continues to grow,
downtown Salt Lake has become a hot spot
for housing due to its vibrant culture and
accessibility to the state’s most popular
shopping venues and public transportation
systems. Building upon some of the city's
oldest architecture, ClearWater Homes
has been developing market rate, owner-
occupied housing units and condos. The
Paragon Station in the WestGate Business
live
Faces of the Valley
Surrounded by the stunning Wasatch and Oquirrh Mountains,
Salt Lake City is known for its diverse blend of people
Photo by John McCarthy
of interest
Downtown Living
99 West
99 West South Temple
citycreekliving.com
Broadway Park Lofts
300 South 350 West
clearwaterhomesutah.com
Liberty at Gateway
500 South 500 West
libertygatewayapartments.com
Patrick Lofts
163 West 200 South
patricklofts.net
Providence Place Apartments
309 East 100 South
isyourhome.com
The Regent
35 East 100 South
citycreekliving.com
Richards Court
44/55 West South Temple
citycreekliving.com
Westgate Business Center
300 West 180 South
Downtown Rising: For more
information on downtown
living and new developments
visit downtownrising.com

Life in Utah 2016

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