Purpose: A toolbox chapter tailored for local Economic Development specialists (as well as planners, business leaders and elected officials) to assist and guide in attracting and locating new businesses and to inform the development of infrastructure to support those businesses. Our interest is not just on generic business. Our emphasis is on jobs that pay higher wages than the prevailing wages in a community. This means that the businesses we are seeking to attract and expand are usually characterized as high tech, or new economy, or based on the knowledge economy. Advanced manufacturing is also a desirable target. Our target firms need access to R&D facilities and resources, educational resources that translate into a skilled workforce, reliable and clean energy sources, access to both ground and air transportation, and high speed communications. For Utah to compete successfully in a global marketplace for knowledge based workers, a significant number of our urbanized communities need to demonstrate a regard for these qualitative issues.

The toolbox is intended as a resource for local community & economic development departments (as well as planners, business leaders and elected officials) primarily to:

1) identify infrastructure needs and housing and community design strategies to attract new businesses and grow existing businesses;

2) discuss ways that cooperation among public and private entities can further the economic goal of strengthening job growth for current and future residents;

3) identify ways that cities and counties can minimize long-term infrastructure expenses to work towards economic sustainability;

and

4) to place appropriate emphasis on work place planning as an integral part of the broader community planning agenda.

Related Link: http://www.envisionutah.org

For more information contact:

Gabriel Epperson
Envision Utah
254 S 600 E, Suite 201
Salt Lake City
UT 84102
U.S.

Phone: 801-303-1460
Fax: 801-983-0040
Email: [email protected]
Web: http://www.envisionutah.org