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ASSOCIATIONS
• The South Jordan Chamber of Commerce has named Boyd Petersen as president and CEO. Petersen is owner of BP Media in South Jordan, a company that builds social media and digital solutions for businesses. Petersen has implemented unique programs, including marketing and public speaking training, podcast and social media spotlight, digital tools to enhance business following and awareness, “mini” and full Mastermind programs, and a unique hiring event and member promotional programs.
CONSTRUCTION
• Construction has begun on High Valley Transit’s first permanent administration and maintenance facility in Park City. The organization has been using a temporary structure since it started serving the Summit County community in 2021. Upon completion, the eight-acre transit maintenance and operations campus will allow High Valley Transit to enhance and expand its regional service across the Wasatch Back. Approximately 61,277 square feet, the project will include administrative and operations offices; a four-bay maintenance shop featuring storage areas, vehicle lifts and an automatic wash bay; enclosed bus parking for 24 full-size transit buses and covered parking for smaller transit vehicles; a fuel-dispensing station; and facility generator. The project is expected to be completed in the spring of 2024. The $24 million project’s contractors are Big-D Construction. GSBS Architects is the project architect.
CORPORATE
• The Larry H. Miller Co., a Sandy-based company involved in real estate, healthcare, finance and lending, and entertainment and sports, has elected Debbie S. Brown to its board of directors. Brown is the board chair of Laird Norton Co., with a portfolio of investments in real estate, wealth management and consumer products. She also is board chair of Laird Norton Co.’s largest subsidiary, Laird Norton Properties, a real estate company. Prior to being named board chair, she served as a director of the Laird Norton Co. from 1996-2007 and in 2011 was elected to a second term. In addition to her involvement with her family company, she has served as an independent director for other family-owned companies. She also previously served as a director of the North America chapter of the Family Business Network; a not-for-profit network of family businesses committed to enhancing family governance and generational success. In 1990, Brown founded and served as CEO of Pacific Preschools Inc.
ECONOMIC INDICATORS
• Salt Lake City is ranked No. 6 and Provo-Orem is No. 9 on a list of metro areas where the housing market has cooled, compiled by SmartAsset. It analyzed the 100 largest metro areas to uncover the housing markets that have cooled down the most by comparing 2021 and 2022 data across eight metrics, split into two categories: price reduction and decreased demand. It said Salt Lake City has the eighth-largest decrease in demand and 16th-largest price reductions. Provo-Orem has the second-highest share of listings with a price cut and the largest increase in this figure relative to one year prior. In terms of demand, there was a 57.38 percent decrease in houses sold in the area from August 2021 to August 2022 and there were nearly double the new listings compared to houses sold in August 2022. The most-cooled market is Boise. Details are at https://smartasset.com/data-studies/where-housing-markets-are-cooling-off-most-2022.
• The average driver in Utah would expect a cash payment of at least $3,479 from the government if they were forced to switch to an electric car, according to a survey by Gunther Volkswagen Delray Beach. It asked drivers to determine how much they would expect to be subsidized in cash to swap out their gas-powered car for a zero-emission vehicle. The national average is $5,988. The highest amount is $12,698 in New Hampshire. The lowest is in Wyoming, at $3,131. Details are at https://gunthervwdelray.com/electric-car-policy-survey.htm.
• Utah is ranked No. 40 on a list of “best options for those looking to retire,” compiled by TOP Data. Its study used 38 metrics study that identifies which states are the most affordable, the safest, and have the highest quality of life for seniors. Utah was No. 31 for affordability, No. 29 for safety, No. 38 for wellness and No. 23 for both healthcare and entertainment. On a breakout list, Utah was No. 47 on a list of bingo halls. The top-ranked state overall is Connecticut. The bottom-ranked state is Alaska. Details are at https://topagency.com/report/best-state-to-retire/.
• The average Utah traveler would accept no less than $230 to compensate for the inconvenience of having their booking cancelled or rescheduled on a different flight, according to a study by FamilyDestinationsGuide.com. This compares to a national average of $283. The highest figure is in Alaska, at $534. The lowest is in Delaware, at $86. Details are at https://familydestinationsguide.com/cancellation-compensation-survey/.
• Salt Lake City is ranked No. 14 on a list of “2022’s Best Cities for Mental Wellness,” compiled by LawnStarter. It compared over 190 of the biggest U.S. cities by considering 33 metrics based on mental, physical, social, financial and environmental factors. They include factors like access to therapists, cost of living, average sleep levels, meditation classes, and urban gardening-friendliness. The top-ranked city is Naperville, Illinois. The No. 192 city is Detroit. Details are at https://www.lawnstarter.com/blog/studies/best-cities-for-mental-wellness/#rankings.
• Utah is ranked No. 47 on a list of states for collegiate athletic scholarships, compiled by Betsperts. It analyzed states for the number of athletic scholarships per 100,000 people, the number of athletic departments and the average athletic scholarship amount. Utah has 56 scholarships available per 100,000 people and an average scholarship amount of $11,737. The top-ranked state is California. Details are at https://www.betsperts.com/scholarship-states/.
FINANCE
• Petros PACE Finance, a Texas-based C-PACE (commercial property assessed clean energy) provider and focused on innovative and structured finance, has closed on a record $153 million C-PACE financing as part of the $820 million, 580-acre development Black Desert Resort in Ivins. Phase 1 of Black Desert Resort will include a luxury resort hotel, approximately 1,000 condos, 190,000 square feet of retail, restaurants, and commercial space, 25,000 square feet of event space, a clubhouse, and a 19-hole golf course. The development is currently under construction. Phase I is set to open in the fall of 2024. The company said the Black Desert Resort funding is the largest single transaction in C-PACE history and approximately 50 percent larger than the previous record deal size. Petros is partnering with the project’s developer, Reef Capital Partners. The $153 million capital is being used by Reef to fund numerous eligible energy-efficient and resiliency solutions.
GOVERNMENT
• Warrior Rising, based in South Jordan, has been awarded $105,000 by the U.S. Small Business Administration, part of $300,000 in funding to four organizations to deliver existing training programs through the SBA’s Service-Disabled Veteran Entrepreneurship Training Program. Warrior Rising is a nonprofit dedicated to training, educating and supporting veteran entrepreneurs. Since its inception, Warrior Rising has trained over 5,400 veteran-owned businesses through a 40-lesson educational curriculum. The program is designed to be delivered online or at locations with appropriate access for those who are disabled.
• U.S. Sen. Mitt Romney, R-Utah, has named Mandee Grant to serve as his next Utah state director. Grant previously served as Romney’s business outreach director, where she worked with business owners, economic development directors, chamber presidents, and business and community leaders throughout the state. Prior to that, she spent more than 25 years in the private sector working as a strategy consultant to Fortune 100 companies.
• The Central Wasatch Commission, an inter-governmental entity that seeks to engage the public, build consensus and coordinate the actions in the Central Wasatch Mountains, has welcomed the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest as an ex-officio member of its board. Dave Whittekiend, Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest’s forest supervisor, was appointed as an ex officio commissioner representing its interests. Ex officio commissioners represent government entities with specialized expertise that provide input relevant to the CWC’s goals or objectives. They participate in board discussions but do not vote on any matters. Unlike other board members, the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest will not be asked to contribute funding in support of the commission.
HEALTHCARE
• Nomi Health, an Orem-based direct healthcare company, has appointed Sara Ratner as president of government programs. Ratner’s background includes healthcare policy, innovation and regulation. She joins Nomi Health after serving on the executive team of healthcare company Icario. She previously was an executive advisor to venture-backed organizations to develop Medicare and Medicaid program strategies for emerging markets, leveraging CMS and state frameworks to generate opportunities for program development and expansion, and she held executive positions at RedBrick Health and Prime Therapeutics. Earlier in her career, Ratner served as general counsel and vice president of strategic partnerships and human resources at CVS CareMark, where she joined the leadership team that grew the MinuteClinic division. She is also co-founder and board director of Proximal Health.
HOSPITALITY
• Lodging Dynamics Hospitality Group, a Provo-based hotel management company, has been appointed to manage the Park City Peaks Hotel in Park City. The Peaks Park City features 123 guest rooms, with a restaurant, bar, and on-site ski and snowboard rentals. In conjunction with the announcement, Lodging Dynamics appointed Ezequiel Guzman as the general manager. Guzman has more than 25 years of experience.
HOUSING
• Stack Homes’ first accessory dwelling unit was installed by crane Oct. 11 in the Granary District of Salt Lake City. In October 2018, Salt Lake City passed an ordinance allowing ADUs to be placed in backyards. The design selected by the property owners offers 640 square feet with one bedroom, one bath, and a living and kitchen area.
MANUFACTURING
• Traeger Inc., a Salt Lake City-based wood pellet grill company, has appointed Steven P. Richman to its board of directors. He also will serve on the compensation committee. Richman is group president of Milwaukee Tool, a position he has held since January 2007. Richman has over 25 years of experience in the management of industrial, electrical, plumbing and retail distribution channels. He has held management positions with Black & Decker, served as president of SKIL and Bosch Power Tools, and as president and CEO of Werner Co.
NONPROFITS
• Hunger Free America, a national nonprofit service and advocacy group, has elected five new members to its board of directors, including Priya Fielding-Singh, a sociologist, ethnographer and assistant professor of family and consumer studies at the University of Utah. Her research, teaching and writing examine issues of social, economic, and racial justice, with a focus on food and nutrition equity alongside maternal and child health. Her research has been published in sociology, public health and medical journals, including Social Science and Medicine, American Journal of Clinical Nutrition and the Journal of Adolescent Health.
• Registration has opened for Utah Food Bank’s 17th annual Utah Human Race, held on Thanksgiving morning (Nov. 24) in Sandy. Participants in the family-friendly 5K/10K fun run have a direct impact on the 410,000 Utahns facing hunger. Utah Food Bank expects nearly 5,000 participants. The race route begins and ends at the Sandy Promenade at 10200 S. Centennial Parkway. All ages and ability levels are welcome. Details are at www.utahhumanrace.org.
• Best Friends Animal Society, a nonprofit operating a no-kill animal sanctuary in Kanab, has broken ground on a staff housing project, becoming what it says is the first nonprofit organization in America to do so. The nonprofit has 850 employees, half in Kanab, making it the largest employer in Kane County. On Sept. 22, Best Friends began construction on 24 units (12 duplexes) of staff housing. The first is scheduled to be completed in early 2023, with one more duplex being completed every two weeks until all 24 units are available. Best Friends will charge rent within the range of fair market value for the area. The $6 million project will employ a local contractor.
OUTDOOR RECREATION
• Snowbird will open Nov. 30, conditions permitting, and will have new tram cabins in use. Manufactured by the Swiss manufacturer CWA, the cabins include floor-to-ceiling windows, automated doors and gates, and a new drive system. The new Snowbird Tram cabins are blue and red, like the originals installed in 1971. Snowbird also installed five new Wyssen avalanche control towers for a total of nine towers spread out over Mineral Basin and Gad Valley.
• Grandvalira Resorts Andorra and Sun Peaks Resort in British Columbia have been added as destinations available through the Ikon Pass for the upcoming winter season. The Ikon Pass offers more than 50 worldwide destinations, including five in Europe and nine in Canada.
PARTNERSHIPS
• Cotopaxi, a Salt Lake City-based adventure gear and apparel company, has announced a partnership through the Cotopaxi Foundation with CARE Ecuador. Funding will support CARE’s efforts in Ecuador supporting immediate disaster relief as well as community food security through agricultural and business training for women to increase resilience, yields and access to the marketplace.
PHILANTHROPY
• Employees from Nomi Health, an Orem-based healthcare company, recently partnered with the Lehi chapter of Sleep in Heavenly Peace and West Valley City to assemble beds for Utah children and families in need. Sleep in Heavenly Peace is a group of volunteers dedicated to building, assembling and delivering hand-made bunk beds to children and families in need.
REAL ESTATE
• St. John Properties has broken ground on the 12th Street Exchange, at 1200 S. 1900 W., Marriott-Slaterville. It is the company’s fourth Utah development and first construction project north of Salt Lake City. Once completed, the 19-acre business community will offer 170,000 square feet of commercial flex/research and development and retail space. Earlier, St. John Properties celebrated another Class A office tower in Pleasant Grove. Once constructed, Valley Grove III will bring St. John Properties’ commercial real estate portfolio in Utah to over 1 million square feet. It will feature Class A office, flex/R&D, restaurants, and retail buildings. Development of Valley Grove broke ground in 2017.
• Highland Real Estate Partners, a private real estate investment manager, has announced the final close of Highland Multifamily Opportunities, the firm’s debut U.S. real estate fund. Highland Multifamily Opportunities raised $44 million, which surpassed its initial target of $35 million and grows Highland’s equity capital under management to $65 million. Highland Real Estate Partners has already begun constructing the fund’s portfolio, with nine acquisitions completed to date comprised of 211 apartment units in the Chicagoland and Salt Lake City markets.
• Toll Brothers Inc., a builder of luxury homes, has opened its first two new home neighborhoods in the Desert Color master-planned community in St. George. Its Mirada collection offers luxury single-family homes, while its Regency at Desert Color community offers a 55-plus active-adult living experience. Mirada, in the Sage Haven enclave of Desert Color, consists of 24 home sites and offers four single- and two-story home designs. Regency at Desert Color consists of 550 home sites featuring four collections of single-family homes. Desert Color is a 3,350-acre master-planned community.
RECOGNITIONS
• Tanner LLC, Salt Lake City, has been named to a list of “Best of Best Accounting Firms for 2022” by Inside Public Accounting. The annual list recognizes 50 CPA firms across the country on their performance in specific key areas of management, growth and strategic vision. Tanner was among more than 600 accounting practices that participated in the IPA’s survey and an analysis of top firms in the United States and Canada. In addition, Tanner was recognized as a “National CPA Firm to Watch in 2022.” There are more than 46,000 public accounting firms in the U.S.
RESTAURANTS
• Crisp & Green, a fast-casual restaurant, will open this month at Towne Ridge Retail, 9710 S. State St., Sandy. It is the company’s first Utah location. Crisp & Green has restaurants in Minnesota, Colorado, Florida, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota and Texas. There are 195 stores built or in development across 20 states. Five more locations are planned to open in the Salt Lake City metro area in the next two years.
SCHOLARSHIPS
• Western Governor’s University, a Salt Lake City-based online nonprofit, and the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce have announced a partnership that features a scholarship to broaden access to education for Hispanic populations. The WGU/USHCC Partnership Scholarship will award $5,000 to each recipient working to complete an online bachelor’s or master’s degree. Under the terms of the partnership, USHCC members, or anyone who is informed by employees or members, are eligible to apply for the scholarship.
TECHNOLOGY
• Consensus, a Lehi-based intelligent demo automation platform company, has appointed Rex Galbraith as chief revenue officer. Galbraith has been with Consensus for more than six years, most recently as senior vice president of sales. He also has sales experience at InfoTrax Systems, Global Access and HireVue.