The South Jordan Health Center, the University of Utah’s largest off-campus medical facility, officially opened its doors with a ribbon cutting ceremony on Jan. 18, 2012. The 208,000-square-foot facility is located in the heart of the Daybreak community in South Jordan, Utah and brings much-needed healthcare services to the southwest portion of the Salt Lake Valley. Layton Construction Co., Inc. was the contractor for the project, which was designed by Dixon and Associates.

The facility offers primary, emergency and specialty care services and features a stand-alone emergency department (one of two in the state of Utah, the other of which was also constructed by Layton), AirMed helicopter transport, a full-service pharmacy, in-house branches of the Huntsman Cancer Institute and the Moran Eye Center, a café, espresso bar, and a large conference room with amenities suitable for banquets, seminars and educational trainings. It is one of the first health care facilities in the state of Utah to feature self-check-in kiosks to cut down on wait time and increase patient privacy. Once it reaches full capacity, the medical center will employ 400 physicians and staff. The health center sits on 10 acres, with an additional 50 acres set aside for future expansion of the medical campus.

The Living Planet Aquarium board of trustees selected Beecher Walker Architects and Layton Construction for the development, design and construction of the new Living Planet Aquarium, to be built in Draper City.

The Living Planet Aquarium solicited statements of interest and qualifications from top design teams and commercial contractors recognized for strong experience to develop a complete design and structure for the 130,000-square-foot building off Interstate 15 near 12300 South which will be the permanent home for the popular non-profit attraction. 
“The new Board, consisting of seasoned executives, is excited with the tremendous progress made by the aquarium in the last two years, including fund raising, state appropriations and land acquisition,” said Ragula Bhaskar, Ph.D., chairman of the Board. “The aquarium has raised nearly $7 million and has obtained the support of the City of Draper to bond $11.7 million to complete the Aquarium. It is expected to be one of the best aquariums in the Intermountain West.”

The Aquarium has continued to grow since opening in a small space in 2004 at The Gateway and, since 2006, in Sandy at 725 E. 10600 South. The current 43,000-square-foot aquarium in Sandy lands over 375,000 visitors each year, and provides science education to elementary schools statewide. With the tremendous growth, donor support and a strong leadership team, the aquarium has grown more than 50 percent during the recession, confirming its popularity with local visitors and out of state tourists.

“We are thrilled to be moving to the next phase in the creation of a 130,000-square-foot world class aquarium for the residents of Utah,” said Brent Andersen, founder & CEO. “We have a remarkable board of trustees who have led the way in making the new, larger aquarium possible, and a dedicated team of staff, volunteers and donors working to build what is sure to become a renowned educational, family friendly attraction.” 

The $18 million project will support 317 construction jobs in Utah and generate $1.7 million in tax revenues for the State.

Jacobsen Construction Company  has made significant changes in its corporate structure to respond more effectively to industry dynamics—and, most importantly, to better serve its clients.
 
Douglas C. Welling, president and chief operating officer since 2006, has been appointed as Jacobsen’s chief executive officer. Doug received the mantle from Lonnie M. Bullard, who served as CEO for 15 years as well as Jacobsen’s chairman of the board. Bullard will retain his post as board chairman and continue his involvement in strategic planning, business development and community affairs. He will continue as a member of key public and private boards, and as Jacobsen’s chief public spokesman.

 Did you know Utah has 36 Office/Tech/R&D parks of 100 acres or more within 10 miles of the Salt Lake International Airport, or that there are 10 heavy industrial sites of 100,000 square feet or more that are located within 10 miles of the interstate highway? Such information is just a smattering of the data now only a few mouse clicks away via EDCUtah's new, improved Utah SURE Sites online database.

The Utah SURE (Select Utah Real Estate) Sites program -- a powerful site analysis tool featuring industrial and office buildings and land sites designed to meet the needs of relocating and expanding businesses -- just received a facelift. It's now more user-friendly, more intuitive, and returns search data faster, says Sherrie Martell, EDCUtah program manager.

 EDCUtah's proactive recruitment program is in now in its third successful year, with the past six months being especially fruitful in terms of project development and lead generation. Now the organization is ready to take the program to the next level. 

Over the program's existence, Vice President Michael Flynn has set up numerous meetings with groups of targeted businesses in the Midwest, West Coast, Northwest, Northeast, San Francisco Bay Area and Southern California. EDCUtah economic developers met with a variety of companies in the Northeast last week and the organization has another recruiting trip planned for New York City this winter. During such trips, EDCUtah's team meets with the CEOs and other key decision-makers, as well as corporate real estate executives and site selectors for the companies, to educate them about Utah's story. The recruitment trips have worked well in meeting EDCUtah's objectives. 

"What we have learned through experience is that many of the targeted businesses in our database are constantly doing facility planning and evaluation. They evaluate their facility footprints in regular cycles and are constantly in some phase of the facility planning equation. So we want to be top of mind when they sit down and decide they need a new office somewhere. We want them to know the Utah story well enough that Utah will be one of the states on their short list," Flynn explains. 

The Center for Advanced Energy Studies and Tracy Aviary Visitor Education Center were two of the five recipients. The Tracy Aviary project was the only unbuilt project to receive an award.

The Center for Advanced Energy Studies (CAES) in Idaho Falls, ID, is a 58,000 square-foot, 2-story, LEED® Gold research facility. The CAES facility includes office space with under-floor air distribution, hydrogen labs, advanced materials labs, imaging suites, radio chemistry labs, analytical instrumentation labs, chemistry labs, systems modeling, visualization/power wall, CAVE, instrument shop/repair and office space. Constructed by the design-build team of Big-D and GSBS Architects, this project’s main purpose is to aid the Idaho National Laboratory, Idaho State University, Boise State University, The University of Idaho and their partners as a world-class center for nuclear research and education.

Big-D, in conjunction with ajc architects, is currently completing the Tracy Aviary Visitor Education Center. This design-build project includes new education and guest services spaces, plazas, amenities and extensive site work. The completion of these projects will help to realize Tracy Aviary’s vision in making the north entrance one of its greatest assets as it contains the main entrance, pelican pond which is one of the Aviary’s largest and most popular exhibits, features ample parking and integrates seamlessly with Liberty Park. In keeping with its mission as a conservation organization and to preserve the Aviary’s use for generations, the project is currently being constructed utilizing environmentally responsible building practices and is LEED registered with the certification goal of Silver.

The AIA Design Awards offer professional and public recognition for projects meeting client goals with exceptional design solutions.

 BusinessWire

Say HELLO to one of our long-time Corporate Sponsors: Layton Construction. Layton has pretty much sponsored the Utah Alliance since our inception and we appreciate all their support over the years. In case you don't know anything about this wonderful, Utah-based company, Layton is a nationally-ranked commercial contractor with projects throughout the United States and within many industry and market segments. Layton has office locations in Phoenix, Ariz.; Irvine, Calif.; Orlando, Fla.; Koloa, Kauai, Hawaii; Boise, Idaho; Nashville, Tenn.; and Salt Lake City, Utah. Layton is currently ranked No. 64 on Engineering News-Record’s 2011 list of the Top 400 Contractors in the United States.

Layton has been in Utah for 58 years - they were founded in 1953.

Layton Construction has long been an agent in Utah's economic growth. Working with private and public sectors, Layton Construction team members serve on many boards and contribute to community activities which enhance Utah’s economic vitality and quality of life, including Utah Alliance for Economic Developers, EDCUtah, Utah Sports Commission, Visit Salt Lake, NAIOP Commercial Real Estate Development Association, University of Utah, Associated General Contractors, American Institute of Architects, U.S. Green Building Council®, Design-Build Institute of America, Building Owners and Managers Association, and a wide variety of other community arts, service and charitable organizations.

Seven Utah-based commercial contractors were included 2011 list of the top 400 contractors in the United States, a list published annually by the Engineering News Record.

The rankings are recognized in the construction industry as the standard by which construction companies are rated. Layton Construction, the largest contractor in Utah, led the Utah-based companies at number 64, which included Okland Construction (78), Jacobsen Construction (132), Clyde Companies (202), Big-D (204), R&O Construction (243), and Wadsworth Brothers Construction (399).

ENR senior editor Gary Tulacz said the recession continues to plague large contractors in the U.S.

"ENR's Top 400 Contractors list illustrates the downturn's depth and breadth," Tulacs said. "About two-thirds of this year's Top 400 showed a falloff in revenue in 2010 from 2009."

Utah's construction companies mirror the tough market conditions nationwide, continuing to slide from record-high revenues in 2008. The Cumulative revenue of the top four Utah-based contractors on ENR's Top 400 list fell from $2.94 billion in 2008 to $1.92 billion in 2010, a 35 percent decline.

Local projects such as City Creek Center, the USTAR Molecular Biotechnology building and the Huntsman Cancer Hospital expansion and the NSA Data Center project continue to sustain the local commercial construction industry.

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The economy's gradual recovery during 2010 has resulted in increased business optimism and a refined set of selection priorities among site selection consultants, according to data from the 7th Annual Consultants Survey conducted by Area Development Online.

Since a large portion of EDCUtah's project load comes through its relationships with site consultants, the results of the survey provide an opportunity to compare the priorities of the site consultants with the economic development efforts taking place in the Beehive State. "Utah ranks well in all of the selection priorities identified by the respondents to the consultant survey," says EDCUtah Vice President of Business Development Todd Brightwell. "This is the premier state for business and we are working hard to get that word out."

Salt Lake County will be opening their newest recreation center in Herriman this weekend. The $26 million J. L. Sorenson Recreation Center is one of only 6 buildings in the state that has acheived the Platinum Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification.

The recreation center was built by Layton Construction Company, one of our Corporate Sponsors. The building was designed to use more natural light through the use of windows and skylights. And solar panels on the roof will be used to heat the pools. Read more about this great project. Congratulations to Layton Construction for another beautiful building.

Mountain West Capital Networks (MWCN) announced its annual "Utah 100" list of Utah's fastest growing companies. Layton was recognized as the fifth fastest growing company on the list of the top 15 revenue companies.

"Companies can succeed in any industry in Utah if they are prepared to follow their vision, assemble the right resources and make the sacrifices that required to achieve economic success," says John Knab, MWCN director.

Congratulations to Layton!

The Governor's Office of Economic Development has promoted two of their dedicated employees. Derek Miller will now serve as the deputy director to Spencer Eccles. His position as director of corporate recruitment and incentives will be filled by Christina Oliver. Christina has served as teh GOED incentives manager. In her new responsibility, she will work with targe industry cluster directors to identify key companies that may be looking to relocate to Utah. She will also head up the pro-active recruitment efforts of the state.

On another note, Jason Perry, chief of staff to Governor Herbert and former director of GOED, will resign his post to become the University of Utah's vice president of government affairs. Jason will stay on with the state through the end of the year.

We wish our friends the best in their new endeavors.

The Governor's Office of Economic Development is sponsoring a Renewable Energy Summit designed to propel Utah's cluster of renewable energy businesses forward. Samantha Mary Julian, energy and natural resources cluster director hopes that the summit will connect industry, government and academia around renewable energy opportunities, particularly in wind energy manufacturing. The summit will focus on helping existing and emerging Utah businesses understand the growth opportunities in all aspects of renewable energy.

The summit will be held on November 15th from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Salt Lake Community College, Miller Campus. The cost to attend is $65. You can register for the event at the summit website: www.business.gov/targeted-industries-energy .

The U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) has awarded a more than $20 million development and construction contract to The Boyer Co., Salt Lake City, to accommodate an Internal Revenue Service (IRS) request for approximately 109,000 rentable square feet of office and related space in Ogden.

Groundbreaking ceremonies were held on July 27, 2010 for a new health center that will be located in the heart of the Daybreak community in South Jordan, Utah, which will be part of the University of Utah Health Care system. Layton Construction will serve as the construction manager/general contractor for the project.

"This [facility] has been a dream of ours for the last four years. It establishes services for this part of the valley whose growth is so explosive," Dr. Susan Terry, medical director of the new health center, said at the groundbreaking.

The new three-story facility, the first on a planned 50-acre medical campus, will house primary and emergency health care services, including outpatient examination rooms, a surgical center with four operating suites, pharmacy, a 24-hour-a-day emergency room and an AirMed helicopter landing pad to transport patients to the University of Utah Medical Center. Specialty services at the center will be provided by the University's Huntsman Cancer Hospital, Moran Eye Center, Neuropsychiatric Institute and Orthopaedic Center. The center will be the University of Utah Health Care's largest off-campus facility.

Additionally, the 208,000-square-foot facility will be located at the future site of one of three TRAX stations in the Daybreak community in the southwestern part of the Salt Lake Valley, providing convenient access for staff and patients and the ability to ride TRAX from Daybreak all the way to the University of Utah's main campus in Salt Lake. The site is also adjacent to the future Mountain View Corridor freeway.

The South Jordan Health Center has been designated to achieve a LEED Silver certification, joining the six other buildings within the Daybreak community that have or will be built to meet LEED specifications. Anticipated to open in the late fall of 2011, the health center will employ 300 physicians and staff to serve the fast-growing community in and around Daybreak.

Smith|Hartvigsen attorneys J. Craig Smith, David B. Hartvigsen, D. Scott Crook, Lyle J. Fuller, Matthew E. Jensen, Daniel J. McDonald, and Earl Jay Peck were named again among the 2010 Utah Legal Elite by Utah Business Magazine.

 Mr. Smith, Mr. Hartvigsen, and Mr. Jensen were recognized for their work in the Energy and Natural Resources practice area. Mr. Crook was recognized for his work in Labor and Employment. Mr. Fuller & Mr. McDonald were recognized for their work in Business Litigation and Mr. Peck was recognized for his work in Civil Trials. Utah Business Magazine conducts a yearly survey where attorneys are chosen by their peers to be named Utah’s Legal Elite. This is the fourth year in a row that the majority of the Smith|Hartvigsen partners were chosen as Legal Elite.

Congratulations to one of our Corporate Sponsors!

Big-D Construction, one of the Alliance Corporate sponsors, has been awarded a $30 million contract to build a health sciences education building at Utah Valley University in Orem.  The 160,000 square ft building will feature 27 labs, 12 classrooms and a 400-seat auditorium. It is scheduled to be completed in spring 2012.

Congratulations to Big-D.

source: SL Tribune 7/26/2010, photo courtesy of UVU

Pretty much everyone in the state is touched by this Corporate Sponsor: Rocky Mountain Power. Rocky Mountain Power is our major electric utility company providing service to over 758,000 customers in Utah. The company has been in Utah for over 100 years.

Rocky Mountain Power has a keen interest in participating in Utah’s growth. As the state continues to grow, Rocky Mountain Power is continually investing and expanding the electric system to meet the growing needs of our customers. The investment for the past few years has exceeded $2 billion.

In 2009 alone, Rocky Mountain Power invested $1.5 billion to serve the growing needs of Utah. They support economic growth by ensuring access to safe, reliable and inexpensive electricity – which provides businesses with a competitive advantage and assists in attracting new commerce and industry to the state. The company’s investments in Utah are creating the energy infrastructure that businesses and communities will need in the future while providing substantial employment opportunities for Utah today. 

How they can help economic developers to do a better job is by helping us identify sites with existing infrastructure that will help a new or expanding company keep their upfront costs down and deliver electricity in a timely manner.

How can we, as economic developers, help Rocky Mountain power do their jobs more effectively?  Two ways: By getting Rocky Mountain Power in the loop early on, and by identifying and planning for businesses that might be a good fit for your community. The trend is for site selectors and businesses to look for developments that already have infrastructure or are able to get infrastructure easily. By understanding the strengths of a community, they can target industries and prepare for them.

Rocky Mountain Power has been a great supporter of Utah’s economic development efforts. We appreciate all their support as we all try to work together to make Utah a better place to work and live.