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New initiative hopes to see 'Utah Rising'

'ALL ABOUT MAKING THIS ERA OF PROSPERITY CONTINUE' Brice Wallace About two decades ago, a vision called “Downtown Rising” led to vast changes in Salt Lake City’s core. Now a broader initiative looks to achieve a similar ascension for the entire state. “Utah Rising” seeks to…

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CEOs say Utah best western state for business, 9th in nation

CEOs surveyed for Chief Executive magazine’s annual list of the Best and Worst States for Business ranked Utah as the top western state and the ninth-best state for business overall, moving up from last year’s 10th spot. The rankings, released in the spring issue of Chief…

Staff

May 4

SALES OF EXISTING HOMES DOWN 4.3% IN MARCH, SAYS NAR

Existing-home sales slipped in March, according to the National Association of Realtors (NAR). Among the four major U.S. regions, sales slid in the Midwest, South and West, but rose in the Northeast for the first time since November 2023. Year-over-year, sales decreased in all…

HealthEquity survey: Benefits managers believe in AI for help in their jobs

HealthEquity Inc., a Draper-based health savings accounts administrator with over 15 million accounts, has released the findings of a new survey on the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in benefits administration. The survey provides a benchmark on senior benefit leaders’…

WBCUtah announces three grants

The Women’s Business Center of Utah (WBCUtah) has awarded three grants as part of its 3,000 Grants Giveaway, which aims to boost the number of listings in the Utah Women-Owned Business Directory, raise awareness of the center and provide funding for three women business owners.…

Armstrong World acquires 3form LLC

Salt Lake City-based 3form LLC, a designer and manufacturer of architectural resins and glass for interior applications, has been acquired by Armstrong World Industries, a manufacturer of ceiling and wall solutions based in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. “We are delighted to welcome…

Awardco hires Jackson as president

Awardco, a provider of employee recognition and rewards solutions based in Lehi, has announced the appointment of Ryan Jackson as its new president. Jackson has over 15 years of experience in leadership roles at local companies Qualtrics and MX. Most recently, he led the North…

Diversify buys Delaware's Key Advisors

Sandy-based wealth management firm Diversify Advisor Network has acquired Key Advisors Wealth Management, a Delaware-based fee-only firm with $645 million in assets under management. Key Advisors was founded by Eddie Ghabour and Doug Ferris in 2000. Ferris retired at the end of…

Mihalek new CEO at Champion Safe

Thomas Mihalek has been named CEO of Provo-based Champion Safe Co. Mihalek has been under contract as a strategic consultant to Champion Safe for the past few months to learn, assess and provide recommendations for operational improvements at Champion Safe. Champion Safe is…

WLI celebrates 10 years creating gender diversity in business, political sectors

Peri Kinder The City Journals Five years ago, the Ken Garff Automotive Group had a 112 percent turnover rate for women on its sales team. It was a warning signal that the company’s culture, environment and leadership weren’t as healthy as they should have been. Joe Barnard, vice…

OED gets $62M 'Solar For All' grant

The Utah Office of Energy Development (OED) has been selected to receive $62.45 million from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for the Solar For All program. Utah is one of 60 recipients. The Solar for All program is designed to increase access to the benefits of solar…

FROM THE COACH: Effective leadership - Aloof or engaged?

Richard Tyson Several years ago, I was asked by a client to spend some time with his key executives, providing him with feedback on their respective management styles. I was intrigued by this request; what was this CEO really wanting to know? It wasn’t long before he divulged…

Will food costs keep eating up consumer budgets?

Robert Spendlove While inflation has leveled out, food costs continue to take a big bite out of the household budget. Americans have been spending more than 11 percent of their after-tax income on food, reaching levels similar to the 1980s, according to the U.S. Department of…

The 'New American Dream' may not include home ownership, study finds

Entrata, a Lehi-based AI-enabled multifamily industry operating system, has released its “The New American Dream report,” which found that the American Dream is changing as more people are renting by choice and not because they can’t afford to own a home. In fact, one in five…

Utah Small Business Person of the Year

Not just about building homes: McGregor builds dreams and transforms lives Autumn McGregor, the driving force behind Zion’s Tiny Homes in Hurricane, has been honored as the 2024 Small Business Person of the Year for Utah by the Small Business Administation, marking a milestone…

Utah SBA celebrates impact on state businesses climbing to $2.1 billion over the past year

National Small Business Week is a momentous occasion to honor the spirit of entrepreneurship, resilience and innovation that drives our local economies and communities forward. This year, as we celebrate the achievements of small businesses across the nation, we extend our…

Woman-Owned Small Business of the Year

Entrepreneurship and community engagement: Sun Print Solutions thrives in West Valley City In the bustling city of West Valley City, Sun Print Solutions shines as a beacon of success and community engagement. Recognized as the 2024 Utah Woman-Owned Business of the Year by the…

Utah Small Business Exporter of the Year

Generations-old family recipes now basis for chocolate exports from Utah to Turkey and Canada Oniz Birsoy-Bozkurt is the visionary owner of Deziria Chocolate in Sandy. Her remarkable journey from crafting chocolate built on family traditions to preserving while learning how to…

Side hustles are fueling strong business growth

Tim Negus Whether to supplement their income, pursue their passions or explore new career opportunities, more entrepreneurs are getting their start with “side hustles.” In a state that is fertile ground to small-business success, the opportunities are bright for Utah…

Utah Minority-Owned Small Business of the Year

Thriving Taylorsville bakery born of skill and passion honed as a kid in Mexico In the heart of Utah, Cakes By Edith stands as more than just a bakery; it’s a testament to dreams realized, hard work and a commitment to community. Named the 2024 Utah Minority-Owned Business of…

Utah Rural Small Business of the Year

Soapcreek Manufacturing: Committed to being eco-friendly and community-oriented Fred Johnson and Roxanne Jeffs, the visionary duo behind Soapcreek Manufacturing Co. in Ephraim, have been honored as the Utah 2024 Rural Business of the Year by the Small Business Administration, a…