With the opening of Procter & Gamble’s new manufacturing facility in Bear River City, evidence continues to mount that the Top of Utah is one of the best areas in the country to open or expand a business. Utah enjoys a gross domestic product (GDP) growth rate about one percentage point higher than the national average, and an unemployment rate that is more than two percentage points lower than the national average.
While being better than average is wonderful, we still have too many unemployed workers and too few jobs. Organizations such as the Ogden/Weber Chamber of Commerce and the Weber State University Small Business Development Center provide training and networking opportunities. Other groups, such as Weber State University and the Ogden/Weber Applied Technology College, prepare skilled workers. All of this helps businesses to succeed.
For people with disabilities, the Utah State Office of Rehabilitation (USOR) is nationally recognized as one of the nation’s most successful rehabilitation agencies and is often looked to by other states striving to improve their rehabilitation programs. This also adds to the base of dedicated and skilled workers in Utah.
A recent study by the University of Utah (by Sarah Wilhelm and Jennifer Robinson) concluded that for every state dollar spent on rehabilitation of people with disabilities, Utah gained $5.64.
One of the reasons Procter & Gamble chose Utah was the availability of a skilled workforce. It seems that we have earned our better-than-average economic status in good measure to the groups mentioned above, and the reputation that the Top of Utah has for providing a dedicated and skilled workforce to both large and small employers.
Utah also enjoys a state budget that, looking ahead, will not spend more than it brings in. With the economic challenges facing most states, this is a strong position to be in when trying to attract new businesses and provide a stable environment to grow and expand.
Another positive for businesses is the fact that the Ogden-Hinckley Airport is currently Utah’s busiest municipal airport. An all-weather, 24-hour approach capability gives the airport top FAA credentials as a general aviation airport. The airport is regularly used for cargo and charter operations as well as corporate flights and general aviation flights.
During the 2002 Olympics, the world’s eyes were on Ogden and its beautiful mountains and outdoor facilities. The area has grown into a recreation metropolis and has set a new goal to become the high adventure recreation capital of the world.
All this adds up to the Top of Utah being able to attract new businesses and sets up a positive environment for existing businesses to expand, all of which ultimately leads to those very much needed new jobs.
Ron Campbell has worked extensively in the job preparation and job search industry. He can be reached at 801-386-1111 or campbellrv@gmail.com.
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