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CONSTRUCTION
- HNTB Corp., an employee-owned infrastructure solutions firm serving public and private owners and construction contractors, has hired Randy Jefferies as an engineering project director and associate vice president in its Salt Lake City office. He will lead complex transportation projects encompassing highways, transit, and active transportation. Prior to joining HNTB, Jefferies spent 25 years at the UDOT, where he progressed from design engineer to program director. Jefferies earned a Bachelor of Science in civil engineering from Brigham Young University.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
- The Economic Development Corporation of Utah (EDCUtah) has appointed Val Hale as a community ambassador consultant. Hale will work to will strengthen EDCUtah’s community relationships, advise on company strategy, and champion EDCUtah’s pivot to prosperity among public and private sector stakeholders. Hale previously served as executive director of the Utah Governor’s Office of Economic Development, as president and CEO of the Utah Valley Chamber of Commerce, as vice president of university relations at Utah Valley University, and as athletic director at Brigham Young University.
ECONOMIC INDICATORS
- Several Utah companies are on a list of “Best Companies for Women to Advance,” compiled by Parity.Org. Among mid-sized companies are CHG Healthcare, Domo, Lucid Software and Overstock. Among small companies are Recursion Pharmaceuticals, United Way of Salt Lake and Weave. Parity.Org also released a list of “Best Companies for People of Color to Advance.” Overstock is on the list of mid-sized companies, and United Way of Salt Lake is on the list of small companies.
- Torrey is ranked No. 86 and Cedar City is No. 112 on a list of “Favorite Affordable Vacation Destinations,” compiled by FamilyDestinationsGuide.com. It surveyed 3,000 families to determine the top 175 affordable destinations they would most like to visit in 2023. The top-ranked destination is Long Beach, New York. Details are at https://familydestinationsguide.com/cheap-us-vacations/.
- The average cost of monthly bills in Salt Lake City is $2,043 per month, according to a recent study by Doxo. The report found that the average household in America now spends $24,557 per year, or 35 percent of their income, on the most essential bills. The national average per month is $2,046.
- Salt Lake City is ranked No. 62 and West Valley City is ranked No. 189 on a list of “Best BBQ Cities in America,” compiled by LawnStarter. It compared the 200 biggest U.S. cities based on five categories and considered barbecue vendors, consumer ratings, competition awards and the number of barbecue festivals among 20 total metrics. The top-ranked city is Kansas City, Missouri. The bottom-ranked city is Yonkers, New York. Details are at https://www.lawnstarter.com/blog/studies/best-bbq-cities/#rankings.
- Four Utah communities are on a list of “100 Most Dog-Friendly Vacation Destinations,” compiled by EuroPuppy.com. They are No. 47 Park City, No. 73 St. George, No. 86 Kanab and No. 90 Brian Head. EuroPuppy.com surveyed 3,000 dog-owning families to rate their preferred summer vacation destinations when traveling with their pets. The top-ranked destination is Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Details are at https://www.europuppy.com/blog/americas-100-most-dog-friendly-vacation-destinations/.
- Four Utah cities are on a “Top 100 Best Places to Live” list, compiled by Livability.com: No. 14 Sandy, No. 31 Salt Lake City, No. 39 Orem and No. 96 Provo. The list is based on research that factored in the economy, housing and cost of living, amenities, transportation, environment, safety, education and health. Livability and Applied Geographic Solutions collected data for more than 2,000 U.S. cities with populations between 75,000 and 500,000. Per Livability’s emphasis on affordability, only cities with a median home value of $500,000 or less were included in the list. Topping the list is Johns Creek, Georgia. Details are at https://livability.com/best-places/2023-top-100-best-places-to-live-in-the-us/.
- Salt Lake City is ranked No. 30 and West Valley City is No. 131 on a list of “Best Cities for New Moms,” compiled by LawnStarter. It compared the 200 biggest U.S. cities based on seven categories, including average delivery costs, access to lactation spaces and reproductive rights. On breakout lists, Salt Lake City is No. 2 for most lactation/nursing spaces per 10,000 new moms and No. 3 for most OB/GYNs per 10,000 females age 15-plus. The top-ranked city overall is Portland, Oregon. The No. 22 city is Pasadena, Texas. Details are at https://www.lawnstarter.com/blog/studies/best-cities-new-moms/#rankings.
- Surveyed Utahns feel 43 is “middle-aged,” according to a study by Mixbook, a design platform for photo books. That compares with the national average of 40. Alaskans report not feeling middle-aged until 49. The lowest age is 36 in Oklahoma. Details are at https://www.mixbook.com/inspiration/study-middle-age-across-america.
EDUCATION/TRAINING
- Twenty-six people graduated in the Class of 2023 at the Master of Business Creation full-time program at the University of Utah’s David Eccles School of Business. It is the fourth group to graduate from the program designed specifically for entrepreneurs. The graduates are leading 21 startups, ranging from cardiac imaging and trucking software to vintage sneakers and pickleball gear. The MBC program is an academic offering provided by the Department of Entrepreneurship & Strategy, in partnership with the Lassonde Entrepreneur Institute.
FOOD
- Swig, a Lehi-based customized beverage company, has appointed Chase Wardrop as chief operating officer and Dylan Roeder as chief marketing officer. In 2015, they co-founded The Soda Shop in Arizona and the brand was acquired by Savory Fund in 2017. In 2018, when Savory acquired Swig, The Soda Shop merged with Swig, and Wardop and Roeder became part owners and vice presidents in the brand. Founded in St. George in 2010, Swig has 52 stores in five states.
INVESTMENTS
- Limble, a Lehi-based provider of modern computerized maintenance management systems, has announced today a $58 million Series B funding round led by the Growth Equity business within Goldman Sachs Asset Management. It brings the company’s valuation to $450 million. The company said the funding will be used to expand its product portfolio, further develop its user interface for asset monitoring and maintenance, and accelerate its go-to-market strategy. The company also announced John Connolly, senior advisor to the Growth Equity business within Goldman Sachs Asset Management and a five-time CEO, will join Limble’s board of directors, as will Brendon Hardin from Goldman Sachs’ Growth Equity business.
LAW
- Dentons Durham Jones Pinegar has added shareholder Brian Cheney to its real estate practice. Cheney has more than 20 years of experience providing counsel to a broad range of clients in commercial real estate transactions. Prior to joining Dentons Durham Jones Pinegar, Cheney was a partner at Snell & Wilmer until 2018, and thereafter ran a small, boutique real estate firm in Salt Lake for the past five years.
MANUFACTURING
- The Geared Solutions business of Pennsylvania-based Triumph Group Inc. has been selected by Piasecki Aircraft Corp. to design and build a prototype main transmission for PiAC’s hydrogen powered PA-890 eVTOL compound helicopter. This project will begin this summer at Triumph Geared Solutions in Park City. Geared Solutions specializes in the design and manufacture of commercial and defense complex aerospace gearing components, integrated gearboxes and housings for fixed wing, rotorcraft, aircraft engine and ground vehicle applications. PiAC develops vertical lift aircraft.
MEDIA/MARKETING
- The E.W. Scripps Co., an Ohio-based media company, has appointed Merri Hansonto vice president and general manager for KSTU, Scripps’ Fox affiliate in Salt Lake City. Hanson has over 25 years of sales and broadcast experience, including serving as vice president and general manager of KIVI, Scripps’ local ABC station in Boise, Idaho, since January 2021. Before that, she was station manager at KIVI. She joined the station in 2016 as a local sales manager. Prior to joining Scripps, Hanson held roles including vice president of business development with Stevenson Advertising in Seattle; regional marketing executive with Tegna; anchor and producer with KTRV in Nampa, Idaho; and general manager for KSVT in Hailey, Idaho.
OUTDOOR RECREATION
- Black Deseret Resort Golf Course, Ivins, has opened. It features an 18-hole course designed by Tom Weiskopf and architect Phil Smith. It features fairways with ancient basalt rock formations integrated into the landscape. The LPGA recently named Black Desert as a future host of an LPGA Tour competition beginning in 2025. Reef Capital Partners is developing Black Desert Resort. Upon build-out, Black Desert Resort will offer a hotel and conference center overlooking Snow Canyon State Park and the course; more than 1,000 residences; miles of on-property trails; a wellness spa; and 80,000 square feet of retail and restaurant space. The property will also feature 75 single-family estate lots and approximately 214,000 square feet of commercial space.
PARTNERSHIPS
- Pluralsight, a Draper-based technology workforce development company, has announced that its social impact organization, Pluralsight One, has partnered with Apprenti, a nonprofit offering apprenticeship programs to bridge the tech talent and diversity gaps. The partnership will address the opportunity gap for underrepresented populations by building technology skills that create pathways to professional employment. The organizations will identify, train and place talent from non-traditional backgrounds into technology careers through apprenticeship programs supporting in-demand roles such as cloud and software development.
REAL ESTATE
- Private- and public-sector representatives recently held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for Paperbox Lofts, a mixed-use development at 340 W. 200 S., Salt Lake City. It includes 195 residential units, including 39 affordable housing units, 14 units qualifying as live-work spaces, and four units made ADA-compliant. The project consists of three structures grounded with first-floor retail spaces. The co-developers are PEG Cos. and Clearwater Homes. Key players in the project are financial lenders Washington Federal, Micah Peters, VCBO and Rimrock. The Redevelopment Agency of Salt Lake City provided a $3.2 million land-write-down for the development. The site previously was used as the Utah Paperbox production warehouse. That company’s rigid-box production and printing operations have moved to a larger site within Salt Lake City’s Glendale neighborhood.
- Construction has begun on Ameyalli, a well-being resort at 800 N. 200 E., Midway. The developer is Charles Heath of Park City. The multi-phased community has unveiled its first phase of 22 shared ownership residences. The phase is expected to be completed by year-end. Future phases are to include a boutique hotel, restaurant, the Ameyalli Wellbeing Center of Excellence, and more. The Chopra Foundation, a nonprofit entity for research on well-being and humanitarianism, is collaborating on the 50,000-square-foot Ameyalli Wellbeing Center of Excellence.
- Fieldstone Homes, a Salt Lake City-based homebuilder, has announced a model home grand opening at Alpine Springs in Saratoga Springs. Fieldstone and partner IHP Capital Partners, a real estate investment firm, have debuted the first completed and decorated model home along with two completed quick move-in homes that are available for sale. When completed Alpine Springs will offer a total of 63 single-family homes on large lots.
RECOGNITIONS
- The University of Utah’s David Eccles School of Business has inducted Katharine B. Garff into its Hall of Fame. The honor recognizes Garff’s contributions to the automotive industry and her efforts to impact the lives of thousands of employees and community members throughout her career. An alumna of the UofU, Garff graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Business and Economics/Education. Working side by side with her late husband, Robert Garff, she helped build a successful automobile dealership group. Garff Enterprises now has more than 65 auto dealerships across eight states. Katharine Garff also has been an active community leader, giving back through various philanthropic endeavors, and has served on the boards of several educational institutions and championing initiatives that promote access to quality education for all.
- Visit Salt Lake, a private, nonprofit corporation that promotes Salt Lake as a convention and travel destination, recently honored outstanding hospitality employees at the second annual SALT Awards in Salt Lake City. The awards celebrated hospitality workers who exemplify service, accomplishment, leadership and tenacity (SALT), with categories in the lodging and dining industries, as well as an award that encompassed those involved with attractions, venues, caterers and transportation providers. Each award recipient was recognized with an engraved SALT crystal award and a $1,000 check. The “Dining-Behind the Scenes” Award went to Haydar Abu Khamseen, Cook II at Spencer’s for Steaks & Chops and Trofi at the Hilton City Center. The “Dining-Front & Center” Award went to Casey Bard, assistant banquet manager with Log Haven. The “Lodging-Behind the Scenes” Award winner was Sonia Tapia, executive housekeeper at Four Points by Sheraton-Airport. The “Lodging-Front & Center” Award was given to Lauralee Church, reservations manager at Alta Chalets. The “Scenemaker” Award went to Ray Meadows, sales manager for Le Bus. The Best Boss Awardwas presented to Brittany Clelan, vice president of human resources for Grand America. The Overall Spirit of Service Award recipient is Javier Barrera, cook and former kitchen manager for Marriott City Center.
- Traeger Inc., a Salt Lake City-based company that produces wood-pellet grills, has been awarded the 2023 Red Dot Product Design Award for its Timberline XL product. The Red Dot Award recognizes product, communication and conceptual design. The award jury of about 50 international experts tested, discussed and assessed each product individually.
RESTAURANTS
- Panera Bread will open its first Utah stand-alone restaurant in Riverton. Mountain West Commercial Real Estate announced its representation of Panera Bread in the project. Agents Stephanie Buranek, Russ Harris, and J.R Moore represented Panera Bread in the transaction. Panera Bread plans to open several more locations throughout the state. It currently has another location inside the Salt Lake City International Airport. Panera Brands has 3,852 locations and 120,000 employees, including franchisees, across 11 countries.
RETAIL
- Salt Lake City International Airport has announced 12 additional restaurants and retail shops planned for The New SLC Phase 3, which is slated to open in fall 2024. The concession operators selected for the 19,260 square feet of space are Bambuza Hospitality Group, HMSHost, Marshall Retail Group, Paradies Lagardère, SLC Airport Concessions Group and SSP America. They represent (food and beverage) Bambuza Vietnam Kitchen, Freddy’s Frozen Custard and Steakburgers, Maggiano’s Little Italy, Sunday’s Best, The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf, and Thirst; and (retail, news and gift) Cotopaxi, iStore Express, Relay, Travel Right, The Canyon and Weller Book Works. Phase 3 encompasses a nine-gate extension of Concourse B to the east. The first five gates will open in fall 2024, followed by four gates in fall 2025.
SCHOLARSHIPS
- Chartway, a credit union with branches in Utah, Texas and Virginia, has awarded $3,000 scholarships to 12 student members, including four from Utah. The Directors’ Memorial Scholarship recipients were selected based on need, activities, academic achievement, an essay, and a letter of reference. The Utah recipients are Drake Hall, Utah State University, veterinary medicine/chemistry; Kaitlin Cook, Gallaudet University, linguistics; Kimber Condie, Utah Tech University, business management; and Brayden Sofonia, Utah State University, health science/psychology.
TECHNOLOGY
- RizePoint, a Salt Lake City-based company focused on food safety, quality management, compliance and social responsibility, has appointed Robert Hi-Fong as director of business development. He will be responsible for driving business growth, cultivating strategic partnerships, and expanding RizePoint’s market presence. Hi-Fong previously served as a business development executive in the Americas for Safefood 360°-LGC Assure. He also was an account executive at ReposiTrak. Hi-Fong earned a degree in business administration from Salt Lake Community College.
TRANSPORTATION
- XPO, a North American freight trucking company, has expanded its Salt Lake City terminal to increase its local freight transportation capacity in the Pacific Northwest region. The expansion adds 58 doors to the terminal and includes a full office renovation and additional employee parking lot. The project also expands the service center’s yard by approximately 170,000 square feet, creating a more efficient work environment for employees and allowing them to handle more freight and traffic with greater ease. The Salt Lake City service center currently employs over 200 people. The company expects to hire additional dockworkers and driver sales representatives now that the expansion is complete.