Company news information may be sent to brice.w@thecityjournals.com.
COMMUNICATIONS
• All West Communications, a Kamas-based Internet service provider, has changed its name to All West Fiber. The company said the change “reflects the company’s evolution, its leadership in fiber Internet, and its continued commitment to delivering the fastest, most reliable connectivity to homes and businesses.” The rebrand rollout will take place over the coming months, with updates across company vehicles, buildings, uniforms, marketing materials and customer communications.
DIRECT SALES
• DoTerra, a Pleasant Grove-based company offering aromatherapy and essential oils, recently held its annual convention in Salt Lake City, bringing together over 10,000 in-person and virtual attendees. During the convention, the company unveiled four new products. The convention also featured a keynote presentation, breakout education sessions, hands-on product experiences, and a free community open house. Over 850 participants also assembled nearly 20,000 hygiene relief kits to distribute in times of crisis. During a morning general session, attendees raised more than $20,000 for Rising Star Outreach through a live donating experience, an amount matched by the company. DoTerra also announced that the 2026 convention will take place in Orlando, Florida, marking the first time in the company’s history that the annual event will be held outside of Salt Lake City.
ECONOMIC INDICATORS
• Job-stayers in Utah saw their pay increase an average of 4.7 percent in September, compared with a year earlier, according to data from ADP Pay Insights. That puts Utah No. 13 among states for wage growth. The median annual salary for job-stayers in Utah in September was $56,900. Nationally, the wage growth was steady at 4.5 percent. For job-changers, it was 6.6 percent. Details are at https://payinsights.adp.com/.
• Two-thirds of adult children in Utahn have lent money to pay their parents’ bills, according to a survey by MarketBeat. The average loan was $900. Nearly half (48 percent) of parents asked for help with bills or day-to-day expenses, while 34 percent needed support in an emergency. Just 12 percent said the money went toward lifestyle purchases such as vacations or luxury items. Emotionally, most children felt proud to help (78 percent), while 8 percent said it damaged their relationship, 6 percent admitted to resentment, and another 8 percent vowed never to lend again. Twenty-two percent said they would consider charging their parents’ interest. Details are at https://www.marketbeat.com/originals/which-states-have-the-highest-interest-rates-on-family-loans/.
• Utahns need to work an average of 12 days to cover monthly household bills (including child care, food, health care, housing, Internet and mobile, transportation and other necessities), according to a survey of families by loan provider Advance America. The highest number is in Alabama, at 26 days. The lowest is 10 days in Colorado. Advance America also asked Utah families what they would cut to stretch $1,000 further. The answers are dining out and takeout, at 47 percent. The survey reveals that groceries are having the largest price increases. If facing an emergency costing $1,000, half of the Utahns surveyed said they would dip into savings. Details are at https://www.advanceamerica.net/money-saving-tips/money-management/how-many-days-work-to-cover-household-bills.
• White Castle is the brand that Utahns want most in the state, according to a survey by financial media company MarketBeat. Coming in second is Wegmans, third is Levain Bakery and fourth is SoulCycle. Details are at https://www.marketbeat.com/originals/which-national-chains-do-people-wish-were-in-their-state/.
• Logan Canyon, at No. 39 nationally, and No. 81 Fish Lake in Sevier County are on a list of “dream cabin locations,” compiled by Texas Real Estate Source and based on a survey. The top location is Estes Park, Rocky Mountain Gateway, Colorado. Details are at https://www.texasrealestatesource.com/blog/dream-cabin-locations/.
• Approximately three-fourths of Utahns say state lawmakers should require real estate websites and MLS associations to delete interior photos from the Internet once a sale is complete, according to a survey of homeowners by real estate marketing firm Hypewired. They see the images as a direct threat to privacy and safety. Others said private living spaces should not remain online indefinitely and about half cited scams and fraud as a growing worry. Most concerned were expectant parents. Details are at https://www.hypewired.com/real-estate-photo-privacy-survey/.
• Two family-owned Utah companies are on a list of those “most coveted by job-seekers,” compiled by financial media company MarketBeat and based on a survey. They are Sterling Furniture in Salt Lake City, which is No. 114 nationally, and No. 116 Daynes Music in Midvale. The top company nationally is The Breakers in Palm Beach, Florida. Details are at https://www.marketbeat.com/originals/top-125-family-businesses-people-most-want-to-work-for-in-the-us/.
• Squatters Pub Brewery in Salt Lake City leads a list of Utah places where people go “for their ‘fall fix,’” compiled by Gunther Volkswagen Delray Beach and based on a survey. It was followed by The Rose Establishment, Salt Lake City; and Rowley’s Red Barn, Santaquin. Details are at https://gunthervwdelray.com/fall-fix.htm.
• Utah is ranked No. 3 for “tackiest” Halloween décor, a list compiled by Home Essentials. It evaluated search volumes across states based on their demonstrated enthusiasm for Halloween celebrations. The study examined search data for Halloween tacky décor-related keywords across the period from September 2022 through August 2024. The study highlighted oversized inflatables, plastic tombstones, fake blood, cobwebs and neon-colored items as the tackiest Halloween decorations. The “tackiest” décor is in Indiana. The least-extravagant Halloween decorations are in Vermont. The study showed that in 2024, Utah residents were projected to spend approximately 50.6 percent more on Halloween decorations than the year before. The figures were reported as $131 on Halloween decorations, surpassing the average of $87 from data collected
in 2023.
• Utah’s funeral potatoes are ranked No. 27 on a list of “favorite fall foods,” compiled by A Mission for Michael and based on a survey of food-lovers. Topping the national list is chili in Texas. Details are at https://amfmtreatment.com/blog/harvesting-healing-through-comfort-food/.
EDUCATION
• Neumont College of Computer Science has changed its name to Neumont University, which it said “reflects the institution’s growth in academic scope and its continued commitment to preparing the next generation of technology leaders.” It also said the change unites “its enduring strength in computer science with a forward-looking focus on artificial intelligence.” Students can now pursue a path that begins with certificates, advances through bachelor’s degrees, and extends into post-baccalaureate study. Neumont was founded
in 2003.
• Utah Education Network, in collaboration with the national nonprofit Connected Nation, is launching the 2025 Utah School Technology Inventory in order to provide an updated look at how technology is used in Utah’s public and charter schools. Conducted every two years since 2015, the inventory comes from legislation that created the state’s Digital Teaching and Learning program and required a regular review of classroom technology. It tracks the availability and use of devices, digital platforms and other resources that support teaching and learning statewide. For the first time, the upcoming K-12 Tech Inventory will include questions about how schools are integrating artificial intelligence into classrooms and teaching practices. In 2023, CN worked with UEN to collect more than 82,000 data points across 1,034 schools statewide. The inventory found that the device-to-student ratio in Utah’s educational institutions had increased since 2015, but remained the same between 2021 and 2023. More than 878,600 computing devices were available to more than 667,780 K-12 Utah students. The 2023 inventory also found that 38 percent of Utah schools offer mobile learning devices on a 1:1 basis and allow students to take those devices home, maintaining a similar rate from 2021.
HEALTH CARE
• Shed, a Salt Lake City-based health and wellness company, has debuted Shed Community which the company described as “an inclusive and supportive platform designed to transform the weight loss journey into a more connected, empowered and personalized experience.” With Shed Community, members can access a suite of tools, including community spaces to give and receive motivation, access to expert education, webinars, exclusive content, and ways to earn rewards. It also offers features including daily health check-ins, and topic-specific support tailored to challenges such as food cravings, hormone shifts, or navigating new medications. New features will continue to roll out throughout 2025.
INVESTMENTS
• DataJoint, based in Texas, has closed a $4.9 million seed funding round. It was co-led by Salt Lake City-based private equity firm Inoca Capital Partners, Barcelona-based Nina Capital and Austin-based Capital Factory, with additional participation from existing investors. DataJoint offers a computational database and AI platform designed to streamline data management and accelerate research in neuroscience, oncology and systems biology. It said the funding will enable it to scale its operations, enhance its proprietary SaaS platform, and expand its market reach to commercial life sciences and pharmaceutical companies in the United States and Europe. DataJoint’s platform is already used by over 100 labs in the U.S. and Europe.
NONPROFITS
• Park City Community Foundation will host the 15th edition of “Live PC Give PC,” the community’s annual day of giving, on Nov. 7. The goal for this year’s event, which has raised more than $35 million for local nonprofits since 2011, is to raise $5.15 million from at least 7,150 individual donors. Participating this year are 140 nonprofits and causes that enhance lives in the Wasatch Back and beyond and are eligible to receive donations starting at just $5. Donations can be made at LivePCGivePC.org. Early giving is now open for those who want to give before the 24-hour period begins, but there are advantages to waiting until Nov. 7 as nonprofits will be eligible for cash prizes that day. There will also be surprise “power hours” during which all donations made in those timeframes will be boosted by $10, thanks to presenting sponsor Park City Mountain and Vail Resorts EpicPromise. A list of events tied to the campaign are at https://www.livepcgivepc.org/p/eventschedule.
PARTNERSHIPS
• Angel, a Provo-based technology company pushing values-based stories, has partnered with film production and finance company 2521 Entertainment to acquire the “David” franchise from Slingshot USA. Financial terms were not disclosed. “David” is an animated film and television series based on a biblical story. The “David” film will be released in theaters Dec. 19. The animated film and accompanying five-part television series were produced by the same studio and director of “Young David,” an animated series. Angel said it will explore producing additional episodes of the animated television series to extend the franchise. Angel and 2521 Entertainment have collaborated on 14 projects.
PHILANTHROPY
• Utah Valley University has received a $5.2 million gift from the Kahlert Foundation to create the Kahlert Applied Artificial Intelligence Institute, aimed at positioning the university as a national leader in applied and ethical artificial intelligence education. The new institute will seek to unite education, research and workforce development to prepare UVU students for an AI-powered world. Students from across disciplines may access AI tools, mentorship and hands-on experiences that connect classroom learning to real-world careers. With the foundation’s support, UVU will expand faculty training and develop AI-enhanced academic programs.
• Angstrom Development Group has pledged $202,000 to the Wasatch Community Foundation, in connection with Angstrom’s development called The Slope, a luxury alpine mountain village in Heber City. The amount equals $1,000 for each of the 202 planned residential units. The donation will support WCF’s mission to enhance programs in education, health, housing and community development as the organization celebrates its 25th anniversary. Specifically, it will help create a platform dedicated to the well-being of children, with every dollar directly benefiting local youth. Beyond the philanthropic contributions, The Slope is projected to generate $4.45 million annually in tax revenue from the hotel component alone and create over 1,000 local jobs.
• Walmart is expanding its Annual Coat Drive with the Salvation Army to include 35 stores across Utah throughout October. Walmart has collection barrels at select store entrances where customers can donate new or gently used coats, hats, scarves and gloves. To kick off this initiative, Walmart is giving a $2,000 grant to The Salvation Army’s Salt Lake City location. Last year was the first year Walmart hosted a coat drive in the Denver metro area, collecting 800 coats. By expanding the coat drive to Utah, the goal is to collect at least double the number of coats and winter gear. Donations will be distributed through each of The Salvation Army’s program locations, ensuring the support reaches families in local communities. The Salvation Army Intermountain Division serves people in need across Colorado, Utah, Wyoming and parts of Montana.
REAL ESTATE
• Garbett Homes has begun infrastructure work on two new energy-efficient communities: Mosaic in South Jordan and Urbana in Draper. Mosaic will have 76 two- and three-bedroom townhomes. It is expected to open during the summer of 2026. Urbana is a community of 30 single-family homes that will range in size from 1,777 to 2,739 finished square feet. It is expected to open during the spring of 2026.
RETAIL
• BuyWander, a retail returns marketplace, will have a grand opening celebration Oct. 30, 3-7 p.m., at its fourth warehouse store, at 2589 S. 2570 W., West Valley City. The company aims to make retail returns affordable, sustainable and accessible while giving large and small retailers a better way to resell returned and overstocked items. Every item starts at $1 in a no-reserve online auction, and every purchase is picked up locally at the warehouse.
• The Smart Fit Method, a data-driven fitness and recovery experience, will have a grand opening celebration and ribbon-cutting ceremony Oct. 22 at its second location at 6546 N. Landmark Drive, Suite A, Park City. The Smart Fit Method was founded by father-and-son team Connor and Mike Darnbrough, who are Park City residents and professional athletes. The Park City location will feature ARX adaptive resistance training, Vasper conditioning, cold plunges, infrared saunas and red light therapy. The company also has locations in California.
• Carvana has announced that same-day vehicle delivery is now available to customers in the Greater Salt Lake City area. Select local residents can now take delivery of a vehicle purchase as soon as the same day they place an order on Carvana.com. Sellers can also schedule as-soon-as same-day pickup after completing the online appraisal. Salt Lake City is one of 20 markets nationwide with access to same-day delivery.
TECHNOLOGY
• Campbell Scientific Inc. has completed an 82,000-square-foot expansion of its manufacturing facility at 815 W. 1800 N., Logan. The groundbreaking took place in March 2024. The expansion is expected to eventually create up to 268 new jobs and is part of a larger $40 million investment by the company in its Logan operations. Campbell provides measurement and data-acquisition solutions for environmental, renewable energy and infrastructure applications, including those related to weather, water, energy, gas flux and turbulence, infrastructure and soil. The Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity had awarded the company a tax rebate incentive for the project, for up to $7.1 million over 10 years.