Brice Wallace
The new executive director of the Utah Inland Port Authority promises to help build a very robust logistics and rail system “but we do it in a way that’s complementary and helps to support everybody.”
That includes “especially those neighborhoods on the west side of Salt Lake County.”
Ben Hart made that commitment as he was named to the position by a unanimous vote of the authority board of directors at a recent meeting. Most recently deputy director of the Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity (Go Utah), Hart on Sept. 12 will take on a role that has been a lightning rod for criticism from opponents of the port’s creation and development based on their worries about heavier traffic congestion, air quality issues and possible long-term health concerns associated with them, and land-use authority issues, among others.
Hart succeeds Jack Hedge, who was hired as executive director in June 2019. Earlier this summer, upon his recommendation, the board appointed him to the newly created position of port authority president.
The port authority’s goal is to improve the movement of goods into, out of and through Utah using a statewide, multimodal approach aimed at creating a robust supply chain and establishing a trade and logistics hub for the Intermountain West. Its jurisdictional area includes 16,000 acres in Salt Lake City’s Northwest Quadrant, but it also has pushed for logistics improvements throughout the state.
“I feel the weight of this job,” Hart said before the board vote. “I think the chair has ensured and the board has ensured that I feel that weight prior to me coming on. And I have gotten the question [from] some who have said, ‘Are you sure you want this job? Why do you want this job?’
“Well, let me just say unequivocally that I really do want this job, and the reason being is because I believe this organization has an opportunity to change the future economy of the state of Utah in a very, very powerful and meaningful way. Not only that, but if this organization were to fail in its scope, I think it would damage the state.”
The authority must work to help businesses compete in the global economy, he said.
“The states that get that right are going to win. The states that fail are going to lose. It’s that simple. So if we lose sight of how important the scope of this organization is, we will ultimately hurt future generations of this state, and that’s not something that I want. I want to make sure that we’re doing everything we can to compete and to take our place in the international and global marketplace.”
Hart vowed to work with various stakeholders to not only build out rail and infrastructure, but to balance those interests with those of the community in the port area.
“We’re going to get the Northwest Quadrant area, the jurisdictional area, right. And when I say that, what I mean is, we’ve got to find a really good balance where logistics and rail infrastructure empowers the economy but it does not overpower the community. That is the balance that we have to find.
“If we damn the west side of Salt Lake City to distribution and logistics hell, I cannot live with myself.”
Committing to being very aggressive with rail and logistics development, Hart also promised that the authority will be good stewards of both the economy and the environment.
“I believe this strongly: This area is more important than any other geographic area in the state, bar none. And I’m including Point of the Mountain in that. And I’m including my own region north, closer to Hill Air Force Base. Those areas are very, very close, but if we get this area wrong, we will fail future generations.”
Miles Hansen, port authority board chair, said the organization reviewed 96 applicants from throughout the country for the executive director position.
“Overwhelmingly, the stakeholders that Ben has met with have been very impressed,” Hansen said, noting Hart’s experience at the city and state levels.
“We’re grateful for Ben, for everything he’s done over the years to prepare himself for this position and being willing to take on this challenge at this really critical time at this inland port authority development.”
“We think that we’ve landed on a very solid individual that will be able to move this forward,” added board member Jerry Stevenson, a Republican state senator from Layton. “[He has] a lot of experience working with government entities in the state of Utah and outside of the state.” Hart, he said, is “very well accepted and very well respected.”
Hart has served as deputy director at Go Utah since March 2017 and was formerly a member of the UIPA board. That is part of more than 15 years of government administrative experience. He also has served as director of employer initiatives for the Utah Department of Workforce Services, worked in local economic development for Layton City, and spent time in the private sector as an underwriter for Zions Bank. Hart also teaches urban and regional economics courses as an adjunct instructor at the University of Utah and has served on several boards and authorities.
“Ben has been instrumental in Utah’s economic success and brings a wealth of experience to the Utah Inland Port Authority,” Gov. Spencer Cox said in a prepared statement. “We’ll miss his expertise at Go Utah, but look forward to working with him as he helps build this important piece of Utah’s economic future.”
“I’m excited for Ben to join the team as executive director,” Hedge said. “He is a seasoned and well-regarded executive who brings a wealth of knowledge and relationships to the table. In my estimation, Ben is the right guy at the right time.”
“I trust that Ben will use his business experience, stakeholder relationships, and strong Utah values to ensure the port authority fulfills its promises and safeguards communities surrounding the inland port jurisdiction,” said Victoria Petro-Eschler, Salt Lake City councilmember and port authority board member.
State Senate President Stuart Adams said he is “confident Ben Hart’s abilities and skills make him well-qualified to lead the UIPA team successfully.”
“Ben Hart has served Utah well in his various capacities and will continue to do so in his new position as executive director of the Utah Inland Port Authority,” added Utah House Speaker Brad Wilson. “I anticipate many great things on the horizon and look forward to working with Ben to serve the public good and create opportunities for the state and people of Utah.”