DISTRIBUTION
• GEMCO Medical, a national wholesale distributor of medical supplies, has announced it will open a new distribution center in West Jordan this summer. The facility will expand capacity, accelerate delivery times, and enhance service levels for customers across the western United States. The West Jordan distribution center will operate as a fulfillment facility and support the company’s growing health care-compliant third-party logistics services. The site will receive, store and distribute a range of medical supplies. Among partners involved with landing the facility are the Economic Development Corporation of Utah, NUEA, Kelsie Akiyama of Newmark MW, Rand Sargent of Mountain West, Stokes Stevenson, Hunt Electric, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices, Horrocks, VCBO, Okland Construction, Your Employment Solutions, Jon Schreck of Cushman & Wakefield and West Jordan City.
ECONOMIC INDICATORS
• The average tax refund for tax filers in Salt Lake County is $3,623, according to a study by Upgraded Points and based on IRS data. Upgraded Points provides advice on credit card rewards programs and other financial products. Nationally, about three-quarters of all tax filers receive refunds, averaging nearly $3,600. In Salt Lake County, about 66.1 percent of filings result in a refund. About 92 percent of refunds are issued via direct deposit. In Salt Lake County, the average refund amount for people making below $50,000 a year is $2,161. It is $2,843 for those making between $50,000 and $100,000; $4,773 for those making between $100,000 and $200,000; and $21,617 for those making over $200,000. The state with the highest average refund is Florida, at $4,433. The county with the largest average tax refund is Teton County, Wyoming, at $15,156. Summit County comes in No. 3 among counties nationally, with an average of $8,481. Details are at https://upgradedpoints.com/news/average-tax-refunds-by-state-county/.
• Washington Square Park in Salt Lake City is the state’s “best spot to escape the noise,” according to a survey by A Mission for Michael. It surveyed people about everyday places they seek out when they need a little stillness. Coming in No. 2 in Utah is Conservation Garden Park in West Jordan and at No. 3 is Centennial Park in West Valley City Details are at https://amfmtreatment.com/blog/city-solitude-best-places-to-disconnect-in-cities/.
HOSPITALITY
• The Domain Cos., a real estate development, management and investment firm, in partnership with private equity real estate firm Cottonwood Group, has closed on $102 million financing to develop Kimpton Hotel, a 216-room luxury lifestyle hotel in Salt Lake City that will feature an upscale restaurant and a rooftop bar with year-round access. The hotel, at 370 S. West Temple, will operate under IHG Hotels & Resorts’ Kimpton luxury lifestyle brand. The 10-story mid-rise project is expected to be complete by the first quarter of 2028. It will feature a fitness center; 7,000 square feet of meeting space; valet parking; indoor and outdoor terraces; and regular programming including live music, curated events and seasonal pop-ups. The general contractor is Wadman. Solomon Cordwell Buenz (SCB) is the architect and Goodrich is the interior designer. Stonebridge Cos. will manage the project. Brokers on the financing deal include Matt Weiner, Jay Morrow and Dustin Stolly at Walker & Dunlop.
MANUFACTURING
• YESCO, a Salt Lake City-based company involved in creating, repairing and maintaining signs, has completed restoration and modernization of the iconic Encinitas Gateway Sign spanning Coast Highway 101 in Encinitas, California. As part of the restoration, YESCO replaced the existing sign letters, which had experienced corrosion after years of exposure to coastal elements. The project also included repairing rust and structural wear and repainting the sign and updating of the sign’s lighting system from its original neon tubing to modern LED technology. The current gateway sign was installed in 2001 in tribute to an earlier version erected in 1928 by the Encinitas Chamber of Commerce. Remaining in place until 1937, that original 1928 structure was removed to accommodate road widening. The 2001 sign measured roughly 80 feet across.
• Genpak, a North Carolina-based foodservice packaging manufacturer, has announced the closure of its manufacturing facility in Cedar City, citing rising legislative polystyrene bans in neighboring states. In place for over 30 years, the plant, which produces polystyrene containers and has about 200 employees, is scheduled to close by May 23. The company said legislative restrictions on polystyrene foam foodservice containers are in effect in several states and prohibit the sale of single-use foam foodservice containers, tableware and cups.
MINING
• U.S. Critical Materials Corp., a Salt Lake City-based rare earth exploration and process technology company, has executed a non-binding memorandum of understanding with REalloys Inc. to collaborate in advancing domestic rare earth and critical mineral supply chain independence for the United States. Ohio-based REalloys Inc. is advancing a fully integrated North American mine-to-magnet supply chain encompassing upstream resource development, midstream processing and downstream manufacturing. Under the MOU, the companies will combine their respective strengths in mineral resources, processing technology and downstream capabilities to accelerate the development of a fully domestic rare earth supply chain. The collaboration is expected to include potential offtake agreements with REalloys and access to its existing rare earth processing and metallization capabilities at its Department of Defense-supported facility in Ohio. The MOU also establishes a framework for potential strategic investment and equity exchange, joint pursuit of government financing and coordinated government relations.
NONPROFITS
• Columbus Community Center in Millcreek has completed its newly rebuilt Connor Street residence at 3087 S. Connor St., Salt Lake City. It is a four-plex designed to support adults with developmental and cognitive disabilities in a setting that prioritizes independence, dignity and community connection. It incorporates universal design elements throughout, including step-free entryways, ADA-compliant layouts, accessible kitchens and bathrooms, and visual cues that support navigation and independence. The home will serve eight residents with 24/7 support tailored to individual needs.
PARTNERSHIPS
• FatPipe Inc., a Salt Lake City-based company offering software-defined wide area networking and Secure SD-WAN and cybersecurity solutions, has announced a new partnership with TD SYNNEX, a Florida- and California-based global distributor and solutions aggregator for the IT ecosystem. The partnership aims to expand the reach of FatPipe’s networking and cybersecurity solutions to enterprise partners and customers worldwide. FatPipe’s platform is designed to help organizations simplify network management; improve application performance; strengthen cybersecurity; and support increasingly distributed, cloud-driven environments.
• Neighbor, a Lehi-based marketplace for storage and parking, and QuikStor, a California-based company offering an operator-built management software platform for the self-storage industry, have announced a partnership. Through the integration, QuikStor customers can seamlessly list available storage units on Neighbor and receive new renters. Through a native API integration, QuikStor customers publish any available inventory — standard self-storage units, climate-controlled spaces, drive-up units and vehicle storage — directly to Neighbor’s marketplace. Renters discover the facility on Neighbor, and customer information syncs back into QuikStor with full attribution.
PHILANTHROPY
• DoTerra Healing Hands, in partnership with the Lāhui Foundation, has launched a relief campaign to support individuals and families navigating the aftermath of flooding in Hawaii. The initiative combines immediate, on-the-ground aid through doTerra community members with a fundraising effort for Lāhui Foundation to help deliver timely, meaningful support. The effort includes 1,150 72-hour emergency kits being distributed across impacted areas through the doTerra Hawaii Fulfilment Center and local wellness advocates. The center is mobilizing locally, donating a range of doTerra On Guard products, including cleaner concentrate, laundry detergent, hand soap and throat drops to help maintain hygiene and cleanliness as recovery efforts continue. Healing Hands also has committed to matching all donations made through its Givebutter fundraising page, dollar-for-dollar, up to $25,000, doubling the impact of each contribution and expanding the reach of relief efforts. Details are at www.doterrahealinghands.org.
• Owlet Inc., a Lehi-based company focused on smart infant monitoring, recently donated $39,000 in products to the Children’s Hospital Los Angeles as part of Babylist’s 11th annual “Make March Matter” campaign benefiting pediatric care. The products will be used by CHLA’s Newborn Intensive Critical Care Unit. Make March Matter is CHLA’s annual fundraising campaign, mobilizing individuals, families and companies across the country to support the hospital’s life-saving work. Babylist, a baby registry and parenting resource, serves as a key campaign partner. Owlet’s advocacy arm, Owlet Cares, has donated over $2.5 million in product and charitable support since 2021 and works with more than 40 global nonprofit partners to improve the lives of babies and families.
REAL ESTATE
• Manova Partners, a boutique international real estate investment manager with a presence in Europe, North and South America, and Australia, has purchased 60 Park Ave., a Class A office building in Sugar House in Salt Lake City. It is the company’s first property in the city. The six-story building is 97 percent leased. The 143,806-square-foot building sits on just over four acres and was completed in 2020. Tenants at 60 Park include FTP Power, Filevine, Arena Communications, RBC Capital Markets and Sotheby’s Realty. 60 Park Ave was marketed for sale by CBRE.
RESTAURANTS
• Beans & Brews Coffee House, a Salt Lake City-based coffee franchise, has announced that in the first quarter of the year alone, the brand opened six new locations across three states, with seven total openings in the first 100 days of 2026. That is the most successful development period in company history. New first-quarter locations include coffee houses in Colorado, Nevada, Utah and Texas. The new location in Price delivered the strongest opening weekend in brand history. The company plans to open a record 25 new locations in 2026, building on the momentum of 11 openings in 2025. In March, one of the brand’s largest franchisees committed to eight new locations over the next 16 months, bringing its total footprint to 14 units. The company has over 94 locations across six states, with over 75 more in development.
• Bonrue Bakery, a St. George-based European-style patisserie, has announced plans to open 10 new locations across Utah through 2027. The expansion will begin in Utah County, with new locations in Provo and Orem opening later this year, as well as a central kitchen built in Springville.
• Mo’ Bettahs, a Salt Lake City-based Hawaiian-style fast-casual brand, has announced plans to enter three new markets: Phoenix, Indianapolis and Minneapolis. Founded in 2008 in Bountiful, Mo’ Bettahs operates nearly 80 corporate-owned restaurants across nine states.
RETAIL
• Clean Simple Eats, a Draper-based brand in the health and wellness industry, has launched at Walmart. A selection of the brand’s product lines will be available for purchase at select Walmart stores nationwide and online at walmart.com. CSE’s protein powder is available in 2,000 Walmart stores and on walmart.com, with the hopes of expanding to all Walmarts nationwide.
SERVICES
• Sparkle Grooming Co., an option for keeping pets clean, comfortable and healthy, has opened its first Utah location at 1822 W. 9000 S., Suite B, West Jordan. The owner is local resident Benjamin Crawford Jr. Founded in 2022, the company is pioneering the quick-service pet care (QSPC) category, combining salon-quality hygiene and grooming with a membership-based model and hospitality-driven experience.
TRANSPORTATION
• Ken Garff Automotive Group has opened a new location, Porsche Lehi, at the Lehi Auto Complex at 2252 N. Auto Drive, Lehi. The location was previously within the Audi Lehi dealership. The 36,800-square-foot dealership features new and pre-owned Porsche inventory; an expert service center; and a refined experience designed around personalized service, expert guidance and a seamless journey from first visit to final delivery, the company said.