Company news information may be sent to brice.w@thecityjournals.com.
ASSOCIATIONS
• The Park City Chamber & Visitors Bureau has announced the election results for its board of directors. New board members will be seated for a four-year term on July 22. They are Dan Bullert, Stein Eriksen Lodge; Allison Diamond, Utah Olympic Legacy Foundation; Emily Fisher, Youth Sports Alliance; Heleena Sideris, Park City Lodging; and Joel Zarrow, Park City Community Foundation. The new board chair is Aldy Milliken of the Kimball Arts Center, who succeeds Susie English. Outgoing board members are Rachel Alday, Abode Luxury Rentals; Spencer Byrne, All Seasons Adventures; Jamie Johnson, Park City Board of Realtors; Whitney Ryan, Canyons Village Management Association; Rhonda Sideris, Park City Lodging; Betsy Wallace, Christian Center of Park City; Melanie Welch, Utah Olympic Legacy Foundation; Diego Zegarra, Park City Community Foundation; and Tal Adair, Security National Mortgage.
BANKING
• TAB Bank, based in Ogden, has provided a $2.5 million factoring facility to Ryan Transportation Inc., a Michigan-based truckload transportation provider. The facility will strengthen Ryan’s cash flow and working capital. Founded over 55 years ago, Ryan Transportation specializes in serving the automotive industry and its suppliers across the United States, with a strong presence in the Great Lakes Region. The company provides over-the-road, city driving, cross-dock and industrial switching services.
CONTESTS
• Nominations are being accepted through Aug. 22 for the 2025 BioUtah Life Sciences Summit awards, to be presented at the summit Nov. 12. BioUtah presents the awards annually to individuals and/or companies that have made a significant impact in advancing the industry in Utah. The awards include the following: Lifetime Achievement, Entrepreneur of the Year, Executive of the Year, Innovation Impact, and Friend of Industry. BioUtah board members will then review each nomination and select the winners of each award. Details are at https://bioutah.typeform.com/to/CeJawW0I.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
• The Economic Development Corporation of Utah has announced that three companies have chosen Utah for their operations. Evan Unger, founder and CEO of life sciences startup Microvascular Therapeutics, plans to grow operations into an incubator space at the University of Utah. MT is collaborating with the UofU to advance a breakthrough device and procedure designed to stop brain tumors. Over time, MVT anticipates creating up to 50 jobs in business development, clinical operations, finance and medical specialties. EDCUtah supported the project by hosting a site visit, conducting a market cost comparison through its research team, and outlining available state incentive programs. It also facilitated an introduction to Kelvyn Cullimore of BioUtah. Reencle, a Korea-based producer of sustainable composting technology, is expanding its operations to the United States with a new presence in Springville. The company is leasing a 6,000-square-foot facility, creating six new jobs and investing $2 million in capital expenditures. EDCUtah supported the project by providing customized market data and cost comparison analysis to guide the company’s location strategy and also hosted Reencle’s North America general manager and Korean CEO for a “Why Utah” presentation. The company is also collaborating with Brigham Young University on ongoing research and a commercial pilot project that demonstrates its technology’s ability to convert food waste into valuable compost, reducing landfill dependence and promoting sustainable waste management. Maxtec, a health care technology company that produces respiratory and patient monitoring technologies, has chosen to retain operations in West Valley City. Closely connected to its sister company, Permapure in New Jersey, Maxtec evaluated several consolidation options and ultimately decided to maintain its 70-employee workforce in Utah. EDCUtah supported the project by conducting a market cost comparison among Utah, New Jersey and other potential locations. Rex Buys, business development manager, led the projects for EDCUtah.
ECONOMIC INDICATORS
• Salt Lake City International Airport is ranked No. 9 on a list of the 50 best airports in the U.S., compiled by the Washington Post. It collected data on 450-plus U.S. airports with at least 1,000 passenger departures in 2024, analyzed feedback from more than 2,300 readers to identify their priorities, and weighted the factors. The top 50 were ranked on other data, like gate capacity and parking. Fliers love “The New SLC” for its massive art installations inside and outside of the airport that evoke the area’s canyons, waterfalls and mountain peaks, and they praised its large windows, natural light and mountain views. Details are at https://www.washingtonpost.com/travel/interactive/2025/best-airports-us-ranking/?itid=hp-top-table-main_p001_f011.
• Utah is ranked No. 3 on a list of “most prepared states to win the AI race,” compiled by Brainly and using the most recent data from the Census Bureau, BLS and the National Center for Education Statistics. Utah scores well for businesses’ AI adoption (12.5 percent, No. 2) and households’ ultra-high-speed Internet access (82.2 percent, No. 4). It scores worst when it comes to federal funding for small businesses to pursue tech innovation relative to its economic size ($210 per $1 million GDP, No. 14). The top-ranked location is the District of Columbia, followed by New Hampshire. Details are at https://brainly.com/insights/states-most-and-least-likely-to-win-the-ai-race-2025.
• Salt Lake City experienced a 51.4 percent increase in renters ages 65-plus in 2023 compared to 2013, according to Point2Homes.com. That compares with national growth of 29.4 percent. Nationwide, the number of renters aged 65 and up grew by 2.4 million over the past decade — more than any other age group. Salt Lake City saw a 43.5 percent increase in seniors renting single-family homes. The number of renters ages 18-24 in Salt Lake City grew by 38.5 percent during that time, which is the highest percentage increase for that age group among the 75 largest U.S. metros. Details are at https://www.point2homes.com/news/research/senior-age-group-up-over-2-million-renters-in-a-decade.html.
• Three jobs in Utah are ranked among the “coolest summer jobs” in the U.S., according to a study by Career.io and based on a survey of people ages 18-25. The ranked Utah jobs are mountain biking tour guide at Reid Ranch Resort (No. 101 nationally), part-time adventure guide (art emphasis) at The Lodge at Blue Sky (No. 131) and adventure desk sales team at East Zion Adventures (No. 155). The top-ranked position nationally is food sampler at Cheese Louise in Maine. Details are at https://career.io/career-advice/top-175-coolest-summer-jobs-across-america-survey.
• Two Utah locations are on a list of “Best Stores for ‘Roller’ Hot Dogs,” compiled by Gunther Volvo Cars Daytona Beach and based on a poll about gas station/convenience store hot dogs. Moab Chevron is ranked No. 88 nationally, and Maverik Adventure’s First Stop on State Street in Salt Lake City is No. 96. The top-ranked location overall is 7-Eleven on Commerce Street in Dallas. Details are at https://www.gunthervolvocarsdaytona.com/hot-doggin.htm.
• Two Utah locations are on a list of most desired lakefront real estate in North America, compiled by real estate platform Calgary Homes and based on a survey. They are Bear Lake (No. 72 nationally) and Pineview Reservoir (No. 131). The top-ranked location nationally is Big Bear Lake, California. Details are at https://calgaryhomes.ca/blog/lakefront-real-estate-survey.html.
• Four Utah cities are on a list of places with the “Most Envied Lifestyles” in the U.S., compiled by home-listing platform New Jersey Real Estate Network and based on a survey. They are Park City (No. 21 nationally), Alpine (No. 66), North Ogden (No. 82) and Holladay (No. 115). The top location overall is Beverly Hills, California. Details are at https://www.newjerseyrealestatenetwork.com/blog/suburb-surge-popularity-survey/.
• Residents of three Utah cities are among the “most prepared to walk 1,000 extra steps for mental health,” according to a study by nursing career and education platform BetterNurse.org. The top-ranked Utah city is Lehi (No. 79 nationally), followed by Hurricane (No. 111) and Sandy (No. 143). A study in JAMA Network Open indicates that walking just 1,000 extra steps a day can slash your risk of depression by nearly 9 percent. The top location overall is Post Falls, Idaho. Details are at https://betternurse.org/walking-wins/.
• Two Utah locations are on a list of cities where drivers are most likely to pick up a stranger, compiled by vehicle-buying service CashforCars.com and based on a survey. They are Salt Lake City (No. 13 nationally) and West Valley City (No. 29). The top-ranked location nationally is Cheyenne, Wyoming. Details are at https://www.cashforcars.com/blog/tips/towns-most-likely-to-pickup-hitchikers/.
EXPANSIONS
• LivAway Suites, a Salt Lake City-based extended-stay hotel brand, recently had the groundbreaking for its fourth Arizona property in the past six months, in Tucson. It will open in summer 2026. Over the next few years, LivAway expects to add more than a dozen new hotels across Arizona. West77 Partners, LivAway Suites’ development partner, recently opened its headquarters in Scottsdale.
HEALTH CARE
• Nonprofit Huntsman Cancer Foundation and Sigma Chi International Fraternity have announced a $31 million pledge to create the Sigma Chi Center for Advanced Therapeutics and Innovation at Huntsman Cancer Institute. It would be the largest single pledge in the history of the men’s fraternity. Sigma Chi hopes to reach it within five to seven years, more than doubling the funds raised by the organization throughout their 12-year partnership with Huntsman Cancer Institute. After fulfilling an $11 million pledge in 2019, Sigma Chi then committed an additional $20 million to support women’s research, treatment and prevention. The organization will complete this donation early, finalizing this fall. The center will fuel research as well as propel new clinical trials that will lead to safer and more effective treatments, improved quality of life and potential cures for patients across North America and beyond.
• Canary Speech, a Provo-based AI-powered, voice biomarker health tech company, has announced that its Canary Speech Technology and Services Platform residing at Azure Cloud Services has earned certified status by HITRUST for foundational cybersecurity. HITRUST e1 Certification demonstrates that the platform is focused on critical controls to demonstrate that cybersecurity hygiene is in place. The e1 assessment is one of three progressive HITRUST assessments that leverage the HITRUST Framework (HITRUST CSF) to prescribe cyber threat adaptive controls that are appropriate for each assurance type.
INVESTMENTS
• Unity Partners LP, a Dallas-based private equity firm, has completed a strategic investment in Amplēo, a Lehi-based company providing fractional finance, marketing and HR managed professional services. Amplēo management and Brooks Growth Partners, led by Amplēo Board member Jeremiah Jewkes, partnered with Unity in the investment. Terms of the private transaction were not disclosed. Bennett Tueller Johnson & Deere LLC served as legal advisor to Amplēo on the transaction. Kirkland & Ellis LLP served as legal advisor to Unity Partners.
PARTNERSHIPS
• Arbiter, a Sandy-based company focused on athletic scheduling technology, has announced a partnership with the National Federation of State High School Associations. Through the multi-year agreement, Arbiter has been designated the “official and exclusive event, game and team scheduling partner” of the NFHS through 2028. As part of this partnership, Arbiter will work closely with the federation to promote advanced scheduling tools that support schools, athletic directors and administrators across the country. The two organizations will collaborate on marketing initiatives.
• BambooHR, a Draper-based company offering a platform for HR, payroll and benefits, and Remote, a company focused on compliant global employment, have announced a partnership. The launch of BambooHR Employer of Record, powered by Remote, aims to meet the need for a fast, compliant path to hiring top global talent while minimizing legal red tape, compliance complexity, or spending time and resources to form local entities. The solution provides immediate access to Remote’s network of in-country legal entities, eliminating the need for small- and medium-sized businesses to navigate complex local employment laws or incur costly legal compliance. Workflows are unified within BambooHR’s platform. Customers can hire, onboard and pay international employees within days.
• Major League Soccer’s Real Salt Lake and National Women’s Soccer League’s Utah Royals have named Weber State University as its exclusive educational partner. WSU aims to raise awareness of educational opportunities available via multiple digital, grassroots and in-stadium efforts. Activities include Real Salt Lake hosting “Weber State Title Night” July 5. Partnership efforts are focused on both the Sandy- and Herriman-based training and game event facilities, informing the public about educational opportunities available at Weber State. WSU also has created interactive booths set up before kickoff, where fans can win WSU prizes. The booth will be available at matches July 26, Aug. 23, Sept. 13, Sept. 27 and Oct. 4. WSU will have a continued presence through the 2026 and 2027 seasons.
PHILANTHROPY
• Team members from Bank of Utah, based in Ogden, this spring assembled and delivered more than 1,000 hygiene kits to teen resource centers, shelters and schools throughout Utah. The project was part of a bank-wide initiative to support students and individuals facing financial hardship. Each kit included essential hygiene items, along with a financial literacy booklet and a handwritten note of encouragement from a Bank of Utah team member. The kits were delivered to the Box Elder School District Foundation, Cache School Education Foundation, Ogden School Foundation, Weber School Foundation, Wasatch Education Foundation, Utah Military Academy, Davis Education Foundation, Granite Education Foundation, Youth Futures, First Step House, Alpine School District Foundation and Tabitha’s Way. The organizations work directly with youth and families in need, providing essentials and support services like counseling, tutoring, meals and safe places to go.
RECOGNITIONS
• Visit Salt Lake, a private, nonprofit corporation promoting Salt Lake as a convention and travel destination, has announced the winners of its fourth annual SALT Awards. The awards are presented to Salt Lake’s hospitality workers at local hotels, restaurants and the Salt Palace Convention Center. Winners received a $2,000 prize and a crystal SALT Award. They were selected from over 200 nominations across Salt Lake County. Award recipients are Facility Operations, Daniel Johnston, operations specialist at the Salt Palace Convention Center; Scene Maker, Julissa Breslin, marketing and events director at Vestar Gateway; Lodging Behind the Scenes, David Hawthorne, security staff at Hilton Salt Lake City Center; Lodging Front and Center, Lance Helberg, guest services at Salt Lake City Marriott City Center; Restaurant Behind the Scenes, Scott Fassnacht, executive chef at Embassy Suites West Valley City; Spirit of Service, Sandra Calata, guest services at Residence Inn – Sandy; Restaurant Front and Center, Rinne Connelly, wait staff at Urban Hill; and Best Boss, Kaleb Crafts, co-president at Culinary Crafts.
RESTAURANTS
• The Garden Restaurant in the Joseph Smith Memorial Building in downtown Salt Lake City has reopened after being closed in 2022. It now has direct, street-level entrances: one on South Temple and one onto the Temple Square Plaza. It is the first restaurant to open as part of the Temple Square renovation project. The Garden now offers a quick lunch service. The restaurant is owned and operated by Temple Square Hospitality, a company of Deseret Management Corp.
RETAIL
• Layton Hills Mall has announced a slate of free, family-friendly events on Wednesdays throughout July. Remaining events include “Roar and Explore,” July 23, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., at Center Court. Layton Hills Mall is partnering with Ogden’s George S. Eccles Dinosaur Park for the event, in which families will have the chance to discover the wonders of prehistoric life and enjoy activities and exhibits from the Dinosaur Park. On July 30, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., at Center Court, will be “Wild Wednesday” with Layton Aquarium & Wildlife Encounters. It will feature hands-on animal enrichment crafts, educational activities, and up-close wildlife encounters in timed sessions every 30 minutes. Every child who completes a craft will receive a free child admission pass to the Layton Aquarium, while supplies last. Layton Hills Mall also has the Beehive Buzz Kids Club, offering a free program designed to bring the community together through creative, educational and engaging activities for children and families. Kids Club events take place every Tuesday in July. The program is designed for kids ages 3-10 but all ages are welcome.
SCHOLARSHIPS
• Chartway Credit Union, based in Virginia and with branches in Utah, Texas and Virginia, has announced the recipients of its 2025 Directors’ Memorial Scholarship. This year, 12 student members, including four from Utah, have each been awarded $4,000, which is $1,000 more than last year’s recipients, for a total of $48,000 in financial aid for 2025. It is the largest amount awarded in program history. Recipients include Hannah Dyal of Bingham High School, biomedical engineering; Naomi Lopez, Ensign Peak Academy, finance; Jennifer Ortiz, East High School, nursing; and Paige Stoddard, Crimson Cliffs High School, nursing. Since its inception in 1989, the scholarship program has awarded more than $628,000 to high school seniors, college students and graduate student members. This year’s recipients were selected based on need, grades, involvement and two essays. Chartway also provides $10,000 in ESL (English as a second language) scholarships to students at Salt Lake Community College.
TECHNOLOGY
• FatPipe Inc., a Salt Lake City-based company focused on software-defined wide area networking and hybrid WANs, has been added as a member of the Russell 3000E and Russell Microcap indexes as part of the 2025 Russell Indexes annual reconstitution. The reconstitution captures the 4,000 largest U.S. stocks as April 30, ranking them by total market capitalization. Membership remains in place for one year.