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April 27, 2026 | Volume 4, Issue 16
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INSIDE WEST JORDAN Big plans for South Valley Regional Airport Page 3 LAYTON Manufacturing facility to expand Page 5 LEHI Wellness company names new leader Page 11
INDUSTRY BRIEFS Pages 12-13 PEOPLE ON THE MOVE Page 13 BUSINESS CALENDAR Page 14
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In a computer screenshot, Utah Senate President Stuart Adams makes remarks during a recent news conference in Washington. D.C., following the announcement that Utah was ranked highest among states, for the 19th straight year, for economic outlook in an annual report.
Not getting old: Utah again tops for economic outlook Brice Wallace Salt Lake Business Journal If they’re tired of taking an annual victory lap, Utah government leaders aren’t showing it. Gathered for a news conference in Washington, D.C., on Tax Day (April 15), several state and federal government representatives basked in the glory of Utah being ranked in a report as the top state for economic outlook – for the 19th consecutive year. “That’s pretty hard,” said Utah Senate President Stuart Adams. “That’s pretty amazing.” Every year the report has been issued, Utah has topped the economic outlook component of the “Rich States, Poor States: ALEC-Laffer State Economic Competitiveness Index.” The study evaluates states and key areas of government policy in each state to better understand its economic trajectory. The economic outlook ranking is based on a state’s current standing in 15 state policy variables, each influenced directly by state lawmakers through the legislative process. Generally speaking, states that spend less and states that tax less — particularly on productive activities such
as working or investing — experience higher growth rates than states that tax and spend more. In the report’s other main ranking, economic performance, Utah is fourth. The ranking is a backward-looking measure (10 years) based on the state’s performance in three performance variables that are highly influenced by state policy: state gross domestic product, absolute domestic migration and non-farm payroll employment. Utah is behind only No. 1 Florida, No. 2 Arizona and No. 3 Idaho. Stuart highlighted an example of Utah’s economic rise in its median household income, at about $55,000 in the 1970s but now at $93,000. Those decades ago, Utah was tied with West Virginia, but while Utah has seen a large increase since then, West Virginia, in contrast, has seen its figure slip to $52,000. “What an amazing thing for families, for people of Utah, to be able to afford a quality life, take their kids to Disneyland, enjoy life but also take care of the things that families need,” he said of Utah’s median household income. Stuart also noted that in a year that is the 250th anniversary of the United States, “No question about it, America is the hope of the world, and Utah is the hope of America.”
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Utah House Speaker Mike Schultz listed several economic advantages in Utah, including an income tax lowered by 11 percent over the past six years, more than doubling of education spending over the past 10 years, and the creation of an account to enable future tax cuts. “President Adams and I have a goal,” Schultz said. “We want to get out of the 4 percent income tax range and get into the 3 percent income tax range. We know if we’re able to do that, we’ll be able to stay and keep Utah’s economy flowing and, most importantly, keep opportunities for our families, for our kids and our grandkids moving into the future.” Utah Rep. Celeste Maloy was among the speakers saying that Utah can serve as a standard for changes that could occur at the federal government level. “We can see things that the state’s doing that are working for Utahns and then we can copy a lot of those ideas,” she said, including finding inefficiencies, reducing spending, finding ways to cut taxes and implementing regulatory reform. Maloy said that she and others are working on regulatory reform — “reducing regulations that are redundant, that are see RANKING page 2
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onerous, so that places like Utah that have good ideas and are trying to grow, can do that without too much federal interference and too much federal overreach.” “All we need to do in the federal government,” U.S. Rep. Mike Kennedy said, “is for us to follow Utah’s lead. I want Utah strong. I want Washington, D.C., small. Often this place is constantly telling you how to do things, and what really should be happening is you telling us how to do things.” Jonathan Williams, president and chief economist of ALEC, said Utah could be a model for the rest of the nation. “America would be much better off if we took these lessons from Utah, from the policies that you have implemented, and take them to the other 49 states,” he said. But Utah’s high ranking did not happen by accident, he said, instead attributing it to “many years of hard lifting when it comes to policy issues,” including pension reform, the use of federal funds, flat taxes and truth in taxation. “Utah’s a leading light,” he said. “Many times, people ask me, ‘How did Utah do it? What’s the secret to their success?’ And I ask, ‘How long do you have?’” Williams said. While nine states have reached the study’s No. 2 ranking,
Utah has stayed at the top because it has always looked to continually improve, he said. “Utah, they do stay ahead because they analyze the competition [in other states] … but you sharpen the pencils every year, you realize that spending equals taxation, you reprioritize spending, and you keep hard-working families and taxpayers getting back more of their hard-earned money,” Williams said. U.S. Rep. Blake Moore said the credit for Utah’s top ranking “goes entirely to the state Legislature, the leaders, the governor’s team, to continue on what makes our state so great.” U.S. Rep. Burgess Owens said Utah’s culture — its commitment to faith, family, the free market and education — has led to its success. Utah’s young people “are the pipeline,” benefiting from worldwide missions to learn about others and then return to become innovative, risk-taking people. “We have a culture so unique and something I’m so excited about,” he said. “So, I’m not surprised [about the ranking] and we should not be surprised.” In a news release about the report, Gov. Spencer Cox said the No. 1 ranking “reflects years of disciplined policy, a commitment to opportunity and the strength of our people. We’re focused on keeping Utah a place where families can succeed, businesses can grow and the next generation has every opportunity to build a strong future.” The report is available at RichStatesPoorStates.org.
Government representatives and other dignitaries gather in Washington, D.C., to celebrate Utah’s top ranking for economic outlook in an annual report. (Courtesy Utah Legislature)
Resort Town Summit shows focus on legacy development Tom Haraldsen Salt Lake Business Journal There is an increased interest and subsequent investment in resort market development. That was discussed in earnest during the RCLCO Resort Town Summit held in Park City. The real estate consulting company brought together more than 100 developers, architects, engineers and consultants to discuss the state of the industry and what’s coming in the future. “Our focus was on the trends, hot topics and challenges we’re facing in our communities,” said Dana Schoewe, a principal with RCLCO, who feels there is an emphasis on mountain resorts in Utah, particularly with the 2034 Olympic Winter Games coming, as well as in other states. “I do think the long-term trajectory and institutional capital interest in mountain resorts has gained a lot of momentum since COVID because there was such an influx of second-home buyers and people realizing how valuable recreational access is from real estate.” She said there’s a trend of individuals moving to the mountains, which is a secondary wave of institutional interest “renewed from a couple of angles that private equity is going in the direction of resorts.”
That interest is showing itself not just in large mega-resorts, but in the one-off 20to 40-unit condo projects, both from local investors to corporations. One of the panels at the summit centered on the 2034 Games. Schoewe said Utah has a huge advantage in preparation for those Olympic events because so much of the infrastructure from 2002 can be used. “That said, there still needs to be a lot of planning in terms of transportation,” she said, “but the existing venues mean a lot less impact in terms of real estate. Look at the Alterra Co.’s investment in Deer Valley East, and honestly, just the Jordanelle Valley becoming a really desirable place for people to recreate for longer periods of time.” Along with new developments, another focus is the increased investment by developers in workforce housing. She said some employers have targets of being able to house 20 percent of their workforce across an entire resort portfolio. “Super-luxury housing is not for everyone and there’s a finite demand for that type of customer,” she said. “The average home price in Summit County today is over $2 million, which is crazy. So there’s a lot of interest in wanting to provide a more diverse phase of new housing.”
Leaders discussed growth issues in resort towns during a summit held in Park City. (Courtesy RCLCO) One concern all developers are facing is water — the increased use of it with a dwindling supply. “I would say resorts are investing more in being able to recycle snow and making sure they have the advanced technology for snowmaking,” she said. “Those on the Olympic panel are confident that they could host the 2034 Olympics even if it were in conditions like this year. Some of the resorts can recycle 80 percent of their water that they use for snowmaking. I think a much broader concern is about summers and climate change.” Schoewe added that resort developers
are getting more experiential and authentic about placemaking on their properties. “Instead of just putting the most valuable real estate right at the base of the gondolas, there’s a shift towards more open spaces, public realms and really efficient transportation,” she said. “They are looking towards the long-term vibrancy of these communities and why they are important to everyone. There’s a higher level of design and quality that’s being put into them — less than just a pure real estate plan and more thinking about the legacy and how we can create a desirable, memorable place for people.”
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The future is now for South Valley Regional Airport John Rogers Salt Lake Business Journal For the first time in nearly 10 years, the Salt Lake City Department of Airports has someone besides itself to run West Jordan’s South Valley Regional Airport (SVR). The department has signed a long-term agreement with Utah-based SkyShare to become the fixed-base operator (FBO) at the facility, long known as Airport No. 2. SkyShare took over operations at the field on April 1. The airport, in operation since the early days of World War II, is located about 10 miles south of Salt Lake City International Airport and serves as a general aviation reliever for the big airport. It has a 5,862foot runway capable of accommodating a wide range of aircraft, including mid-size jets. SVR supports business, recreational, flight training and charter aviation, with significant Utah Army National Guard helicopter activity.
Utah company SkyShare has become the new fixed-base operator at South Valley Regional Airport in West Jordan.
SLC Department of Airports (SLCDA) has run the airport since failing to reach an agreement for a continuing FBO contract with Leading Edge Aviation in 2016. In addition to the international airport and SVR, SLCDA owns the Tooele Valley Airport and will continue to staff its FBO functions. Under the new agreement with the SLCDA, SkyShare will operate the airport’s full-service FBO and oversee hangar and office leasing and development across approximately 650,000 square feet of property, including existing T-hangars, community hangar space and office facilities. The new executive FBO services include Jet A and AvGas fueling, ground power, lavatory services, overnight hangar options, maintenance support and “white glove” concierge services for passengers and pilots. SkyShare, which began as a fractional aircraft ownership and aircraft brokerage company, has other airport operations, notably at Weber County’s Ogden-Hinckley Airport; Scottsdale Airport in Arizona; and Marin County Airport in Novato, California. But perhaps more important than ground operations to aircraft owners who use South Valley Regional, SkyShare has plans to get started on long-awaited and long-promised upgrades to the airport, including addressing a critical, long-standing lack of adequate hangar space. Demand for hangars significantly exceeds supply, with some aircraft owners waiting more than four years for availability. To meet that demand for hangars, SkyShare plans to begin construction this year on 50 new T-hangars and a large community box hangar, with additional phases of construction to follow. The airport property also has room to extend the runway, an improvement that has been under discussion for many years. “Our goal is to eliminate long waitlists and create real access,” said Cory Bengtzen, founder and CEO of SkyShare.
Private aircraft tied down on the tarmac wait for hangar space at South Valley Regional Airport. This year, new fixed-base operator SkyShare will begin construction on 50 new T-hangars to help alleviate the shortage of indoor aircraft storage. “We welcome SkyShare as the new FBO operator at SVR and look forward to their ability to bring additional hangar capacity to the airport,” said Bill Wyatt, executive director of Salt Lake City Department of Airports. “SVR is a diamond in the rough with an incredible potential for future growth and development.” “South Valley Regional isn’t just another airport to me,” said Bengtzen. “It’s where I learned to fly and earned my private pilot certificate more than 20 years ago. It’s where I kept my first airplane. Being part of its future is incredibly meaningful. This truly feels like coming home.” Bengtzen said SkyShare will also complete a full remodel of the FBO facility, with a focus on elevating the overall customer experience. “At SkyShare, everything comes back to taking care of the customer,” he said. “You will see that in how we operate, how we communicate and how we invest in this airport.”
Rebranding and renovations are expected to begin soon, with a grand opening planned for this fall, Bengtzen added. Day-to-day operations at SVR will be led by Jared Esselman, an aviation veteran with experience at the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association and as director of the Utah Division of Aeronautics. “SVR is an essential part of Utah’s aviation system,” said Esselman. “This airport has the potential to be a true gem in the Salt Lake Valley and presents SkyShare with an opportunity to improve the experience for pilots and tenants and build an airport that better serves the local community as a whole.” “SkyShare’s expansion into South Valley Regional Airport reflects its continued growth and commitment to delivering fully integrated aviation solutions, including fractional ownership, charter, brokerage, aircraft management and FBO services,” the firm said in a statement about the new contract.
Utah to receive $10.7 million in Albertsons opioid settlement
Utah has joined a multistate agreement in principle requiring Albertsons to pay more than $773.7 million to resolve its role in fueling the opioid epidemic. Utah is expected to receive at least $10.7 million from the proposed settlement, adding to the more than $616 million the state is now projected to receive from national opioid settlements combined. The agreement was reached through a multistate coalition of attorneys general. The Office of the Utah Attorney General and the Utah Department of Commerce’s Division of Consumer Pro-
tection collaborated on Utah’s participation in the case. Albertsons Cos. Inc. operated Albertsons grocery stores and in-store pharmacies in Utah throughout the height of the opioid epidemic and continues to operate Utah locations today. While the parties have agreed in principle on the total payment to eligible state and local governments, negotiations over injunctive relief remain ongoing. “Utah families are still living with the devastating consequences of the opioid crisis. Through litigation involving many
states, we reached an agreement in principle with Albertsons in a national settlement over its role in fueling the opioid epidemic. We remain committed to pursuing litigation that protects Utah families and delivers meaningful results,” said Utah Attorney General Derek Brown in a release. Settlement funds will flow through Utah’s opioid abatement fund, directing resources to communities for addiction treatment, recovery services and prevention efforts. “This marks a significant step forward
in our commitment to supporting Utah communities impacted by the devastating effects of the opioid crisis. This settlement with Albertsons not only holds accountable those who contributed to this epidemic but also ensures that vital resources are allocated to address addiction, provide treatment and ultimately save lives,” Margaret Woolley Busse, Utah Department of Commerce executive director, said in a release. “We stand united in our mission to heal our communities and prevent further tragedies from occurring.”
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Blankets by Brian shaped by craft and memory Peri Kinder The City Journals Long before he created Blankets by Brian, Brian Severson used sewing as a way to connect with the people he loved the most. Growing up in Heber, which was then a small, rural community, Severson often felt excluded but his Grandma Beverly and Grandma Bonnie took him under their wings. Their unconditional love and easy companionship taught him a deep appreciation for quilting, sewing, crocheting and Doris Day. Even his Blankets by Brian logo is a tribute to their memory, a lower case “b” (for Brian) nestled between two capital B’s. “They were my best friends and the inspiration for my sewing,” he said. “My grandmas were always my shield. They never treated me like a child. I was always their equal. We talked and, wow, we laughed so hard.” Those hours spent with his grandmothers, creating items with thread and fabric, would later shape Severson’s career path. When he discovered the ultra-soft minky fabric, he became obsessed with the plush texture and would splurge on yards of the material. Severson started Blankets by Brian in 2015, creating products that rival his biggest competitors. When his best friend was going through a terrible divorce, he made her a minky blanket with customized charms sewn into the seams. The charms represented things that mattered most to her. Severson wanted the blanket to be more
Brian Severson, owner of Blankets by Brian, still has his Grandma Bonnie’s original WWII-era Singer sewing machine. (Peri Kinder/City Journals) than a comfort, but a reminder that life is worth living. “I told her, ‘Look, you’re crashing. You’re not even at zero. You’re negative, like you’ve got nothing. All I need you to do is this. You just need to get back to zero to survive. And so the challenge is to look through or feel through the seam of the blanket and find the charms.’” Severson runs his company out of his Midvale home, where he lives with his husband, George. He even used his Grandma Bonnie’s original WWII-era Singer sewing machine when he first started, before upgrading to an industrial machine. His handcrafted, creative and innovative products are made with luxurious
Using bolts of luxurious minky fabric, Brian Severson makes customized blankets, wraps and fidgets. (Peri Kinder/City Journals) minky fabrics, including wraps that button around the shoulders, a travel blanket that comes with a minky pouch that doubles as a pillow, and blankets in all sizes. He also has a line of fidget blankets, perfect for neurodivergent or autistic children and adults. “A friend of mine works with neurodivergent kids and said she could use a fidget toy because the kids have so much energy, it’s like running an engine at full speed in a car that’s on blocks,” Severson said. “But fidget toys are often loud and distracting to other kids. So I worked it out and I made this fidget blanket that was quiet. You can put it on your lap or on your desk.” The minky fidget blankets come in two sizes, a hand-held mini-fidget and a lapsized meditation maze. Both blankets are lined in satin and have free-floating mar-
bles sewn into the layers. “The big one has a maze and you push the marbles through the maze,” he said. “Then it has the embroidery, the satin, a furry side and a flat fur on the other side. There’s just so many different tactile things going on there that if you’re fidgety, you’re going to be good.” Severson said he has a blanket for every budget, desire and theme, from holiday blankets to fan art. With every product handmade with care, he thinks his grandmothers would be proud. “Everything goes through my hands,” he said. “I’m not a mass-producing blanket store. I think about every blanket that I’m making, then I wrap it up in a ribbon. When you buy one of my blankets, it’s made locally and you support local.” To learn more about his products, visit BlanketsByBrian.com.
Bestselling author event at The Lodge at Blue Sky
Gabby Bernstein, New York Times bestselling author, will present an evening on manifestation and self-worth at The Lodge at Blue Sky, Auberge Collection on May 1. The lodge is located at 27649 Old Lincoln Highway in Wanship. “An Evening with Gabby Bernstein: The Power of Joy” brings Bernstein to the mountains for a transformative experience. She will explore how joy can become a manifesting superpower and guide guests into a state of flow, where creativity, synchronicities and well-being become second nature. During the evening, Bernstein will lead a talk and guided meditation, teaching attendees how to recognize and release the voice of fear that keeps them feeling stuck and anxious. Guests will also have the opportunity to ask questions directly. Tickets include the “7-Day Joy Challenge,” created by Bernstein for the Auberge Collection, plus one complimentary month of the Gabby coaching app. The event will take place in the arena at The Lodge at Blue Sky. Ticket information is available at https://auberge.com/blue-sky/.
Author Gabby Bernstein (Courtesy Auberge Collection)
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An artist rendering of The Slope development in Heber City.
Officials broke ground for the resort on April 2. (Images courtesy Angstrom Development Group)
New resort development breaks ground in Heber City Tom Haraldsen Salt Lake Business Journal The first luxury alpine mountain resort to be built in Heber City has begun construction. Ground was broken on April 2 for The Slope at the intersection of Highway 40 and River Road. When completed, it will
offer more than 200 hotel-branded residences and a planned 100,000 square feet of retail space for public gatherings. Angstrom Development Group said it has partnered with GVI Architects to offer year-round recreation, including an architecturally striking tubing hill, modern alpine wellness facilities, an elevated pool deck, and restaurants and shops. Located just 40 minutes from Salt Lake City Inter-
national Airport, The Slope is set alongside the Provo River and minutes from Deer Valley’s new East Village. The Slope will be anchored by Andaz Heber Valley, an 85-key luxury lifestyle resort with hotel-branded residences. Known for its modern, design-forward hospitality and immersive local experiences, developers said the Andaz brand will bring a new level of mountain hospi-
tality to the Heber Valley. Angstrom said the resort will lead to the creation of more than 1,000 local jobs, $4.45 million in annual tax revenue to support city and state services, and a committed $202,000 donation to Wasatch Community Foundation to benefit local youth programs. More information on the development can be found at theslope.com.
Janicki Industries expands Layton manufacturing facility Becky Ginos The City Journals Janicki Industries recently announced a 70,000-square-foot expansion of its facility in Layton that will bring 50 new jobs to the area. The expansion will be on the west side of the current 100,000-square-foot manufacturing site and construction will begin in June. Janicki Industries is a privately owned engineering and manufacturing company based in Mount Vernon, Washington. The addition will house two-story office space, milling equipment, warehouse operations and a shipping dock. “In 2008, Janicki was asked to help machine large composite skins for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program,” said Marketing Manager Erin Hurley. “Within two years, Janicki invested in a stand-alone facility in Layton, Utah, to serve as its dedicated machining services division.” The aerospace industry is growing significantly, she said. “Most of our customers are commercial space and then just
aerospace in general out of our Utah plant, so there’s a lot of demand. Our customers are just coming to us with more challenges, so we need to grow with them.” Janicki both designs and builds composite metallic tooling that builds parts, said Hurley. “We build fly-away parts for airplanes or rockets or whatever the aerospace application is. That could be like actual composite fly-away parts or detailed machines, metallic parts as well as assembling those structures together so that they could be composites and metallics together.” Hurley said they really specialize in Utah for large-scale, high-precision type of work. “So we have pretty large mills up to 100 feet long. Machining those parts and assemblies is something that our Utah plant specializes in.” Janicki will be seeking skilled workers to fill the added jobs, she said. “A lot of these are skilled manufacturing jobs, so they require different degrees depending on what the role is. We don’t have finalized job titles that we’re going to be listing for quite yet, but they are going to be all related to production and manufacturing.”
Janicki Industries’ 100,000-square-foot manufacturing site in Layton will receive a 70,000-square-foot expansion on the west side of the building. Construction will begin in June. (Courtesy Janicki Industries) They’ll be looking for CNC machinists and millwrights, basically for machining and general production, Hurley said. “People definitely need to have some sort of certificate or degree. Occasionally we do hire unskilled workers out of high school, but that’s not as frequent. The HR team in Utah attend some of the career fairs and events at Davis Technical College and Weber State.” The Layton facility is part of a multi-
state growth plan with expanded locations in Washington and Utah totaling more than 270,000 square feet of additional production space, more than 250 jobs and the evaluation of up to 1 million square feet of new manufacturing operations in Idaho and Montana, according to a Janicki release. “I think it just shows that we’re continuing to invest in all of our facilities, both in Utah and Washington,” Hurley said.
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Taffy company ‘chewses’ Utah for expansion Brice Wallace Salt Lake Business Journal A longtime taffy maker has found the pull of Utah to be very strong. The Taffy Shop LLC will expand in St. George, adding 77 jobs over the next seven years. The $15.3 million project is the next step for the company, founded as a concession stand on the shores of the Great Salt Lake in 1974. The manufacturing operations will be at the Fort Pierce Industrial Business Park, with the project aided by a tax credit incentive awarded by the Governor’s Office of Economic Development board. “Saltwater taffy is a really fun product. It reminds people of really good memories and traveling, and it’s just a really great nostalgic treat that we’re trying to bring back with a modern twist on it, and we’ve having some success,” said Jeff Wilson, CEO and founder, who with his wife bought the company in 2012. “We’ve got quite a bit of momentum [and] traction right now. We’re growing very quickly.” Wilson told the GOEO board that the company traditionally was driven by e-commerce and social media but lately has gotten the attention of large retailers, many of which are looking for private-label products or co-branding with customized wrappers. “We have more demand right now than we have capacity for, so we have the opportunity to bring manufacturing from the East Coast to the state of Utah — back to our roots, back to our origin. … We’ve got this
The Taffy Shop offers more than 80 flavors of saltwater taffy and will bring manufacturing operations to St. George. (Courtesy Taffy Shop) proud Utah legacy and heritage and we’re growing extremely quickly.” The family-owned company offers more than 80 taffy flavors, specializing in customizable small-batch taffy in reusable bags, catering to events, gifts and individuals. According to GOEO documents, with the relocation of manufacturing, the company intends to be better equipped to handle high-volume orders for large retailers. The company’s website indicates the company manufactures more than 1.4 million pieces of taffy monthly
and has over a million U.S. customers. Wilson said his goal is to make Taffy Shop the largest saltwater taffy company in the world, “and I believe we’ll get to that goal here in the next 12 to 24 months because we’re moving very quickly.” Chad Thomas, St. George’s economic development director, said the city is “ecstatic” for the project. “While it may not be massive in terms of capex (capital expenditure), it has a huge impact in our community,” Thomas told the board. “It really demonstrates the American dream here, and it helps solidify and maintain the city of St. George’s status as the No. 1 place in America to start a business. ... We’re so thrilled that Jeff is willing to risk it all to bring these types of jobs to Southern Utah and to take a risk on Utah and St. George.” The GOEO board’s incentive is in the form of a tax credit of up to $839,773 over seven years. The project is expected to result in new total wages of $21.7 million during that time, with the new jobs paying an average of $66,656. New state tax revenue is estimated at over $3.2 million over seven years. “This is a great win for our community,” St. George Mayor Jimmie Hughes said in a news release about the project. “We welcome Taffy Shop’s investment in St. George and the creation of new high-paying jobs that will benefit our residents and strengthen our local economy for years to come.” GOEO does not provide upfront cash incentives. Each year that an incentivized company meets the obligations in its contract with GOEO, it will qualify to receive a portion of the new, additional state taxes the company paid to the state.
GOEO, EDCUtah in new relationship
The “Back to the Future” springtime is taking another step at the Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity. First, it was reverting to its former name, the Governor’s Office of Economic Development. Requiring legislative action during the recent general session, that move becomes official May 6. Now the agency has restored a longtime partnership with the Economic Development Corporation of Utah (EDCUtah). The two had a contract in place for several years but it ended in June 2024. GOEO and EDCUtah have signed a new memorandum aimed at enhancing and clarifying their collaboration on economic development throughout the state. “This new agreement represents a forward-facing evolution for Utah and our aim to help people choose to stay, build and grow here,” Jefferson Moss, GOEO executive director, said in announcing the memorandum. “Our goal is to work together to provide a seamless, welcoming experience for any business looking to call Utah home, while also providing the best possible support to our local communities.” “This new agreement plays well to
the strengths of both organizations, and to feedback we’ve received from industry leaders and communities,” said Ryan Starks, EDCUtah executive director and former GOEO executive director. “By leaning into those strengths and unifying our efforts, we’re opening a new, more efficient and effective chapter of economic development in Utah.” GOEO provides resources and support for business creation, growth and recruitment, while also driving increased tourism and film production in the state. While awarding incentives — typically tax credits — for businesses coming into the state or expanding existing operations in Utah, it also administers programs boosting economic development and opportunities for Utahns. EDCUtah was formed in 1987 and has worked with state and local government and private industry to attract and grow companies and spur the expansion of local Utah businesses. It provides business retention and expansion services to help business leaders make their next location decision. That comes in the form of providing economic research and data, hosting site-selection visits, and offering part-
nerships with public- and private-sector organizations across the state. Before 2005, GOEO — then known as the Utah Department of Community and Economic Development’s Division of Business and Economic Development — and EDCUtah competed on corporate recruitment efforts. But that changed in 2005, when then-Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. changed it from a department to part of the governor’s office, named it the Governor’s Office of Economic Development, and had it contract with EDCUtah for corporate recruitment. One of the few changes since the 2024 contract ended is that EDCUtah is now part of the Salt Lake Chamber. The memorandum will shift to a relationship that enhances teamwork, specifies how the two organizations will collaborate, and reduces redundant effort. Among the shared responsibilities are: • Showcasing Utah communities. The organizations will co-host engagements, including familiarization tours, allowing site selection consultants to experience Utah’s unique people and environments firsthand. These collaborations will highlight opportunities across the state’s di-
verse economic sectors and include joint work to engage site selection organizations and professionals. • Streamlined information-sharing. To facilitate access to essential information, GOEO and EDCUtah are launching a shared statewide online opportunity portal for public-sector partners. The new request-for-information (RFI) system will enable both organizations to respond to business inquiries quickly and consistently. EDCUtah’s private-sector partners will continue to receive RFIs via email. • Empowering local cities and towns. GOEO and EDCUtah will continue to provide hands-on support to help local communities prepare for new growth. Together, they will work to ensure that cities and towns receive coordinated, reliable assistance. • Proactive global outreach. GOEO and EDCUtah will collaborate on national and international outreach trips to invite domestic and strategic foreign investment to the state. GOEO will lead strategy and positioning, and EDCUtah will offer vital logistical support to ensure the success of the engagements.
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WORK Daze DAZE Work
Should you feel sorry for saying you’re sorry?
Let’s face it, you’ve got a lot to be sorry for. The mistakes you make on the job. The mistakes you make off the job. The mistakes of omission. The mistakes of commission. The mistake of being in the wrong hallway at the wrong time when the big boss comes bursting out of their office, looking for someone to fire. So, you say you’re sorry and hope it will cover your latest mistake and your next and the one after that. But what if the very act of saying you’re sorry is a mistake? That’s the opinion of Lorraine K. Lee, the author of “Stop Saying Sorry — to Sound Confident and Get Respect, Make These Subtle Yet Powerful Changes,” a provocative article on cnbc.com. It’s a matter of language, really. Saying “Sorry, but can I just say something quick” in a raucous meeting with marketing or responding to a shellacking from the senior vice president of operations with a feeble, “Sorry I exist” will, over time, make an impression and not a good one. Lee does accept that “apologizing has its place: when you’ve actually done something wrong.” The problem arises “when it becomes your default,” leading others to “perceive you as weak.” No question, in today’s workplace, you don’t want to be perceived as weak. Man-
agers are trimming the herd. Being predators, it’s an evolutionary imperative that they will choose the most frail and fragile first when BOB the culling begins. GOLDMAN Insist on apologizing about having an opinion or sending an email or simply taking up space and that would be y-o-u. If you’re feeling sorry about all the times you say sorry, Lee has some good, solid remedies to the problem and I have some significantly less good ideas I will share below. If I turn out to be dead wrong, let me say in advance, I’m not sorry.
No. 1: “Make subtle yet powerful changes.” There are simple substitutions you can make, like replacing “Sorry, I’m late” with “Thanks for waiting,” and “Appreciate you taking the time to read this” instead of “Sorry for the long message.” The idea here is to “show you value the other person’s time without shrinking your presence.” An easier replacement strategy is to adopt one simple, memorable phrase
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that works in all situations. See if you can guess this magic phrase in the following examples: “I’ll tell you why I’m late. It’s because you’re an idiot,” and “Yes, I sent a long message. It’s because you’re an idiot.” By shrinking the other person instead of yourself, you become bigger — gigantic, really. And considering the people you work with, the idiot part is probably accurate.
No. 2: “Trim unnecessary apologies out of neutral interactions.” Don’t apologize because you have opinions. Your bad ideas are no worse than everyone else’s. While your co-workers are dithering, forget phrases like “Sorry to interrupt, but ...” or “I might be wrong, but ....” Instead, boost acceptance with a friendly phrase that encourages team spirit, like “Listen up, losers ...” or “Let’s make this simple. I talk. You obey.” Delivered correctly — that is, dripping with arrogance — this is the kind of statement that says “management material.” No. 3: Break the “sorry” habit. Count how many times you say or write “sorry” during the workday. The total may surprise you, but it isn’t likely to surprise your manager, who — have
you noticed? — acts like you have a lot to apologize for. By freeing yourself of the need to apologize, you will be able to lead your best life at work. No more will you interrupt a meeting to say, “Sorry, but is it OK if I take a second jelly doughnut?” You’ll say, “Yes, I’m taking a second jelly doughnut, and I may take a third. You got anything to say about that, tough noogies.” With your workday no longer an apology-fest, you can stop pretending to be sorry for missing deadlines or failing to meet minimal expectations. “Who are you to judge me?” will be your mantra. It’s an attitude that will solve a lot of problems at your job. When you are suddenly offboarded and find yourself escorted to the parking lot, you can bring the sorry/not sorry strategy home to use with your partner and friends, but never your pets. “Yes, it’s the cheap dog food again,” you can say to your Schnoodle, “and I’m deeply sorry.” It’s humiliating, I know, but it’s the least you can do if you expect them to share. Bob Goldman was an advertising executive at a Fortune 500 company. He offers a virtual shoulder to cry on at info@creators.com. Copyright 2026 Creators Syndicate Inc.
8 | April 27, 2026
SALT LAKE BUSINESS JOURNAL
Middle market companies enter 2026 with unshakable confidence
Middle market companies are stepping into 2026 with an optimism that stands out sharply against today’s unpredictable economic backdrop. While headlines continue to spotlight uncertainty, leaders inside U.S. companies say something very different is happening on the ground. According to the latest KeyBank Middle Market Sentiment Survey of 750 financial decision-makers, 77% of middle market businesses expect their performance to improve over the next year—a level nearing historic highs. What’s driving this confidence? In a word: momentum. Operational excellence becomes a growth engine For many organizations, the last few years forced a reckoning. Leaders had to modernize operations, adopt technology faster than planned, and rethink how their teams work. That shift is now paying dividends. • 66% of companies report improved operational efficiency, up dramatically from earlier in 2025. • 57% cite new technology as a major contributor, and • More than half (51%) are actively implementing AI and automation to accelerate productivity. The takeaway is clear: companies investing in modernization aren’t just keeping up—they’re pulling ahead. As one executive insightfully put it, the technology gap is becoming the competitive gap. Capital deployment is shifting from defense to offense Perhaps the strongest signal of con-
Matt Dent , Commercial Banking Leader for KeyBank in Utah fidence lies in how companies plan to use capital in 2026. After years of caution, middle market firms are preparing to move. • Two-thirds expect to engage in M&A activity within the next three years, • Nearly half are pursuing greater access to capital, and • 67% plan to improve cash flow management to support growth. With valuation gaps tightening and strong companies gaining leverage, the M&A environment is poised for renewed activity. Leaders with a clear acquisition strategy—and the discipline to execute— are positioned to emerge as early winners.
AI adoption accelerates, but challenges remain Artificial intelligence has crossed a threshold: it’s now moving from experimentation to execution. • 75% of companies plan to use AI for task automation, • 71% are applying AI for data analytics, and • 68% expect productivity gains as a direct result. Still, implementation challenges persist. Organizations are grappling with how to integrate AI with human workflows, ensure employees feel secure in a changing environment, and reskill teams for the future. The companies pushing ahead—iterating instead of waiting for perfection—are the ones already showing stronger outlooks. Key risks demand strategic focus Even with strong tailwinds, leaders remain clear-eyed about the challenges ahead. Tariffs and trade policy remain the top concern, followed by inflation and labor costs. Meanwhile, cybersecurity has surged as a critical priority: 66% of companies experienced cyber threats in the past year, prompting most to increase security investments. In a landscape where a single breach can halt operations or upend reputations, cybersecurity is no longer an IT issue, it’s competitive exposure. Three imperatives for middle market leaders in 2026 Based on what is being seen across the sector, three priorities are emerging for
companies ready to accelerate: 1. Move faster on AI implementation. Organizations embracing rapid, iterative adoption will gain measurable advantages over cautious competitors. 2. Use capital offensively, not defensively. With M&A activity heating up, this is a moment for strategic investment, not hesitation. 3. Treat cybersecurity as a core business risk. Companies that elevate cyber preparedness now will create meaningful performance gaps later. The Bottom Line The middle market continues to show remarkable agility, resilience, and strategic foresight. These companies aren’t waiting for macro-level clarity, they’re creating their own pathways to growth. As they continue to adopt technology, invest in their people, and seize new opportunities, I expect this segment to outperform once again in 2026. Matt Dent is the Commercial Banking Leader for KeyBank in Utah. He can be reached at matthew_s_dent@keybank.com. Any opinions, projections or recommendations contained herein are subject to change without notice and are not intended as individual investment advice. This material is presented for informational purposes only and should not be construed as individual tax or financial advice. KeyBank does not provide legal advice. KeyBank is Member FDIC. KeyCorp. © 2026. CFMA #260303-4158778
Great Salt Lake Rising announces major contributions to support lake conservation
Great Salt Lake Rising, a philanthropic effort to raise awareness and funding to benefit the Great Salt Lake, has announced the receipt of significant new philanthropic commitments from the Larry H. & Gail Miller Family Foundation and convenience store company Maverik. The commitments mark “an important step forward in efforts to support conservation, water stewardship and long-term sustainability for the Great Salt Lake,” the organization said in a statement. Both the Miller foundation and Maverik have committed to make $10 million donations to Great Salt Lake Rising to help accelerate collaborative, community-driven solutions aimed at preserving one of Utah’s most vital natural resources. These contributions, along with a previous $10 million commitment by the J. Willard and Alice S. Marriott Foundation, will support efforts to save and restore the Great Salt Lake and include support for Great Salt Lake Rising as it directs these efforts. “The Great Salt Lake is essential to Utah’s environmental health, economy and quality of life,” said Josh Romney, Great Salt Lake Rising board chair. “Recent efforts — including the state’s purchase of U.S. Magnesium’s land and water rights to help keep more water in
the Great Salt Lake — underscore just how interconnected the lake is to Utah’s future. These philanthropic commitments build on that momentum, supporting collaborative, long-term solutions that help protect the lake and the communities that depend on it.” Great Salt Lake Rising reiterated that the Great Salt Lake plays a critical role in supporting wildlife habitats, air quality, recreation and economic activity across the region. However, prolonged drought, population growth and increased water demands have placed the lake under significant pressure. Great Salt Lake Rising brings together philanthropic partners, community leaders and conservation organizations to advance awareness, encourage water conservation and support initiatives that help stabilize and restore lake levels. “Protecting the Great Salt Lake is about protecting the future of our communities,” said Greg Miller, trustee of the Miller Family Foundation. “We are proud to support Great Salt Lake Rising and to join with partners across the state who are committed to ensuring this resource remains vibrant for generations to come.” “At Maverik, we believe in showing up for our communities in meaningful ways, and protecting the Great Salt Lake is an important part of that commitment,” said Crys-
tal Maggelet, CEO of FJ Management, Maverik’s parent company. “Through this investment, we’re proud to support collaborative, long-term solutions that help preserve the lake and strengthen the region for the future.” These major new commitments build on early support for Great Salt Lake Rising from the Clark & Christine Ivory Foundation, the Boyer Co., the Gardner Group and Mitt and Josh Romney, “reflecting growing momentum behind efforts to preserve and protect the Great Salt Lake,” the Great Salt Lake Rising release said. “Our family recognizes that now is the time to step up and support those doing the most impactful work to save the lake,” shared Karen Marriott, a Utah resident and trustee of the J. Willard and Alice S. Marriott Foundation. “We are at a moment that requires everyone to do their part — reducing outdoor water use, adopting water-wise landscaping and supporting organizations working to preserve the lake. The consequences are too great if we do not all act.” “These major commitments reflect something broader: growing support for the Great Salt Lake from families, organizations and companies that recognize both its importance to Utah and its significance beyond our state,” the Great Salt Lake Rising statement concluded.
April 27, 2026 | 9
SALT LAKE BUSINESS JOURNAL
The Great Salt Lake is nearing a record-breaking low for its water level. State lawmakers took some action during this year’s legislative session, but more is needed to preserve the lake. (Courtesy Grow the Flow)
What once was covered with waters up to the shores of Antelope Island has become the new norm: lakebeds exposed and salinity levels considered safe for brine shrimp and other species that depend on the lake. (Photo by Laszlo Otis-Pasternak)
Government efforts good, but more needed to save the Great Salt Lake Tom Haraldsen Salt Lake Business Journal In mid-April, before the record heat wave in Utah, the Great Salt Lake was at 36.4 percent of its desired water level. That day, it was more than 6 feet below its minimum healthy water level of 4,198 feet. Over 53 percent of the lakebed was exposed (1150 square miles), and its salinity was 11.9 percent (12 percent to 6 percent is considered ideal for brine shrimp). In other words, the GSL was, and still is, in serious trouble. Reserving that trend and educating Utahns and the world about ways to prevent that pending disaster is Grow the Flow, a citizen-led movement that unites science with facts and civic action to address the issue. The team monitors all facets of the lake daily, continues to update its website (https:// growtheflowutah.org) with latest developments, and seeks the public’s engagement in efforts to save the lake before it’s too late. The GSL was a big topic of discussion during the recently completed Utah Legislature’s general session, and the good news is that the Grow the Flow team was for the most part optimistic about this year’s session. “By and large, it was the most productive session that I’ve been a part of,” said Jake Dreyfous, managing director of the organization. “Some of the biggest levels of improvement came from focusing on making it easier for farmers to lease water to the Great Salt Lake, and expediting that process.” He pointed to two bills: HB348 and HB410, sponsored by Rep. Jill Koford, R-Ogden. The first addressed dedicated water amendments, and the second water leasing agreements. Both passed and were sent to Gov. Spencer Cox for his signature. “These bills create a process to file a dedicated water right and tell the state engineer that they need to prioritize the processing of change applications,” Dreyfous said. “Where before a single lease agreement could take six months or even a year to process, this cuts that down to six weeks and no more than three months. That’s a big step forward to make sure farmers can make informed decisions to lease their water and be financially compensated for a single irrigation season.”
He said large progress was also made with the increased engagement from the federal government. “We saw President Trump proclaim his support for Great Salt Lake restoration,” Dreyfous said. “That led to the passing of a concurrent resolution from the state Legislature on the last day that explicitly outlines the scope and scale of the problem and the impact it stands to have on the lake. It affects millions of Utah businesses and homes, public health from the increase in dust pollutants, the importance of this migratory bird flyway and ecosystem for 10 million migratory birds, and the role the lake plays in the production of critical minerals and food security. The extraction of things like potassium sulfate, lithium and magnesium where, in a lot of cases, the Great Salt Lake is the only domestic source. We’ve made it clear to our federal delegation that we can’t solve this problem alone. We need federal support and coordination.” Trump intimated a $200 million pledge from the federal government. The state of Utah will seek $1 billion from the feds for the lake. Neither action has been taken thus far. Another huge achievement was the state’s acquisition of U.S. Magnesium in January, The approved $30 million purchase gives the state control over 4,500 acres of land and extensive water rights. “That’s very massive in terms of both water quantity and air quality perspectives,” Dreyfous said. “Historically speaking, U.S. Mag has been the source of 20 percent of our winter inversion pollution in the Salt Lake Valley. The state’s purchased water rights, 40-60,000 acre feet of water, will now stay in the lake.” He said the Legislature’s approval of a settlement agreement between Utah and the federal government allowing transfer of Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge will net the state $60 million. That money is earmarked for GSL conservation efforts, $10 million available this year and the remaining $50 million that will require future appropriations from lawmakers. Dreyfous is confident that future money will be set aside for the lake. But he added there were some missed opportunities this year on Capitol Hill, particularly on the municipal conservation front. “We had really strong policies focused on limiting the use of thirsty grass land-
scapes in new development within the Great Salt Lake Basin,” he said. “There were policies that would have mandated watering ordinances across the basin, and set more aggressive water pricing to conserve. Where we took our eyes off the ball this year was to insure the growth of water-wise programs to help us conserve.” At this year’s Sundance Film Festival, a documentary from director, editor and cinematographer Abby Ellis, who now lives in Utah and was titled “The Lake,” centered on the challenges faced by the GSL. Its showings received standing ovations and it won the U.S. Documentary Special Jury Award for Impact for Change. It profiled three people: microbiologist Bonnie Baxter; ecologist and BYU associate professor Ben Abbott; and the state’s Great Salt Lake commissioner, Brian Steed. It
painted a poignant picture of the lake’s pending demise if strong, aggressive action isn’t taken to preserve it. The film will be shown at other festivals around the country this year. Dreyfous said community engagement is now more important than ever, and that large financial donations to clean up waters and expand leasing programs are critical to helping get more water into the lake. “Investing in water conservation is investing in future growth and prosperity for your city or town,” he said. “Actions on the state level will trickle down to the local level. A common-sense regulation from the state’s population, like waiting a few weeks before turning on our sprinklers and cutting down watering by maybe a third, would help. The most cost-effective proven solution that we can do as individuals is conservation.”
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10 | April 27, 2026
SALT LAKE BUSINESS JOURNAL
Planning ahead for retirement Tom Haraldsen Salt Lake Business Journal There may not be a universal number for how many Americans feel they are prepared financially for retirement, but across major recent studies, the takeaway is that only 25 to 40 percent feel confident about it. And a Pew Research Center story in 2025 found only 26 percent were “very or extremely confident” that they’ll have enough money for retirement. Planning for those days really involves two parts, according to Chad Waddoups, vice president of wealth management for Mountain America Credit Union. “The first part is how someone feels about their savings, and the second is how they are actually doing towards those savings,” he said. “One of the key roles of an advisor is to build confidence in what that person has. We encourage people to really think about what their retirement looks like—their plans, do they want to stay in the same home or move, do they want to travel? There are so many questions that feed into knowing if you really have enough.” He said a 20-year-old has a hard time envisioning life 40 years down the road, but when you reach your 40s or 50s, you
Chad Waddoups, vice president of wealth management for Mountain America Credit Union start to get a good idea of what your plan should look like. He points to former NFL player Odell Beckham Jr. who famously said on”The Pivot Product” podcast that his five-year, $100 million contract is difficult to live on, saying taxes, agent fees, and expenses reduce the net amount to roughly $60 million, or $12 million annually, which can disappear quickly due to high-cost lifestyles and supporting family. “It depends on what you want to do,”
Waddoups said. “Confidence is a big part of that, but most Americans say they don’t feel overly confident in their ability to have the retirement they want.” His advice to clients and customers needing help is simple–start saving, which is more important than where you put your money. “We sometimes get hung up on trying to find the next great investment, but the act of saving is the most important thing,” he said. “Consistency over time beats any kind of aggressiveness over a short period of time. Set some money aside and trust that in the future, your future self will thank you.” Should people save for retirement rather than paying off debt? Waddoups thinks there’s a mix. He said debt is generally not great, but some debt, like getting into a home or driving a dependable vehicle, is necessary. He said he’d never stop contributing to a retirement account in order to pay off a debt, adding there’s very few reasons not to save for retirement. As for investments, Waddoups recognizes that there is constant fluctuation in the economy, which is why it takes a long term approach rather than a short term one. “We’re always going to see fluctuations,” he said. “All those poor people who lived through 2001 and 2008, the two biggest market recessions we’ve seen,
know that if they stayed the course with their investments, they’re just fine today. Panicking when the market declines has proven to be detrimental, because it often recovers very quickly. Look at the COVID panic—the market was back up within a matter of weeks.” Waddoups suggests that individuals or couples can take a “trial run,” living with what they think their retirement income will be—savings, investments, Social Security payments, etc. He said they should try it for a while before “pulling the trigger and heading off in a different direction. They should see how it feels to live on that income number.” If you have access to an employer who offers a 401K program, take advantage of that. It’s free money. If that’s not an option, he suggests looking into an IRA that will also give you a tax advantage. As we get older, Waddoups said we should monitor our investment strategy and make adjustments if needed, with the help of an advisor. Some IRS laws allow those over 50 to make “catch up” contributions to IRAs or 401Ks. He said older individuals should also begin thinking about long term care–as those products get more expensive the older you get. “The key thing is to be consistent,” he said. “Over time, consistency works for most people.”
Young graduates face the grimmest job market in years
The unemployment rate for college graduates ages 22 to 27 soared to 5.6 percent at the end of last year, according to an analysis from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, up sharply over the past three years and outstripping the overall rate of 4.2 percent at the time. The analysis and this story was first published in The New York Times. For those who were employed, more than 40 percent held jobs that do not typically require college degrees, the highest level since 2020. “The appetite for hiring is definitely decreasing,” said Alli Goossens, the assistant director of employer engagement at North Dakota State University. Fewer employers attended the school’s spring career fair, she said, and some told her it
was because they were being more conservative in their recruiting.“It was just reduced hiring numbers,” she said. “They just weren’t hiring quite as many.” The diminished prospects for young graduates are colliding with questions over whether artificial intelligence is destroying the kinds of jobs they have long sought. Fueling those concerns have been dire warnings from AI leaders, including Dario Amodei, chief executive of Anthropic, who predicted the technology could obliterate half of entry-level, white-collar jobs within five years. A report in November from the Stanford Digital Economy Lab found “substantial declines in employment for early-career workers” in fields that were most vulnerable to AI, such as software development.
Although AI may be replacing some entry-level jobs on the margins, there is little evidence it is the main culprit — at least not yet. Rather, many economists believe employment challenges for young people with college degrees stem more from the “low hire, low fire” dynamics in the labor market. Job openings have been trending down and are below prepandemic levels even as layoffs have remained low. A result has been a broad hiring stasis among employers that has hurt all new entrants to the labor market, a group that includes young workers with college degrees — and those without them. “There’s just a general slowdown in hiring and less churn,” said Adam Ozimek, the chief economist at the Eco-
nomic Innovation Group, a nonpartisan think tank. “And so those who need their first jobs are probably disproportionately affected.” Erin Torres, 22, graduated in December from Barnard College in New York with a degree in psychology. When she started looking for jobs, she aspired to work in product management at a technology company. She has broadened her search to include all manner of entry-level corporate jobs and business analyst roles. In the past two months, she said, she had applied to close to 200 jobs and had gotten four interviews. “Things don’t necessarily come to me easily, but I was hoping that at this stage, I would have something lined up,” she said.
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April 27, 2026 | 11
SALT LAKE BUSINESS JOURNAL
What lenders really want: A borrower’s guide to preparing a winning loan application Starting or growing a business often comes down to one key ingredient: access to capital. But before a lender says “yes,” they need a clear, complete picture of both you and your business. While the process can feel paperwork-heavy, each document serves a purpose — helping lenders evaluate risk and, ultimately, your ability to succeed. The good news? If you’re based in Utah, you’re not alone. Entrepreneurs have access to valuable support through organizations like the SBA’s Small Business Development Centers, which can help you prepare your loan package — often at little or no cost (https://utahsbdc.org). For those just getting started, the SBA’s business guide (https://www.sba.gov/business-guide) is an excellent resource for building a strong foundation. Here’s what lenders typically expect when you apply for business financing. Start With Your Personal Financial Story Before lenders dig into your business, they look at you. The process begins with a loan application and an IRS authorization form, allowing lenders to verify your tax returns directly with the IRS. From there, you’ll need to provide a personal financial statement for each owner with at least 20 percent ownership. Additional personal documents include: • Recent personal tax returns (full copies). • Driver’s licenses for all principals. • Professional resumes for each owner. Your resume is more than a formality; it demonstrates your experience and ability to run the business effectively.
tie everything together, giving lenders insight into what your company does, who it serves, and how it generates revenue.
Caryl Eriksson, CEO and president of InterMountain Business Lending If you’ve faced financial challenges, honesty is key. Lenders will ask for explanations of bankruptcies, late payments, or liens and judgments. Clear, straightforward responses can help build credibility rather than raise concerns. For government-backed loans, proof of U.S. citizenship is also required. Define Your Business Structure Clearly Next, lenders want to understand how your business is organized. This includes providing corporate documents — such as LLC operating agreements, articles of incorporation, or trust documents — along with a breakdown of ownership percentages. If your business has affiliates, those relationships must also be disclosed. A strong business history and description
Financials: The Heart of the Application If there’s one area lenders scrutinize most, it’s your financials. You’ll need to provide documentation for your operating business, any real estate holding company, and affiliated entities, including: • Two years of business tax returns (full copies). • A current balance sheet. • A current profit and loss statement. • Accounts receivable (AR) and accounts payable (AP) aging reports. • A debt schedule listing all liabilities. For newer businesses — those operating less than two years — lenders will also expect financial projections, along with detailed assumptions explaining how those numbers were developed. If there are any issues on your business credit, be prepared with written explanations and supporting documentation. Show Exactly How Funds Will Be Used Lenders don’t just want to know how much you need; they want to know why. A detailed use of funds breakdown is essential. Depending on your project, you may also need: • A purchase agreement and addendums for real estate or equipment. • Construction bids or cost estimates. • Equipment invoices. • A gift letter if funds are being contributed by a third party. • Documentation for prepaid expenses.
The clearer your plan, the easier it is for a lender to evaluate your request. Don’t Forget Third-Party Reports Many loans require independent verification through third-party reports, typically paid for up front by the borrower. Common requirements include: • A real estate appraisal to confirm property value. • An environmental report to identify potential risks. These reports help lenders ensure the collateral and project meet lending standards. Local Resources Can Make a Big Difference Preparing a loan package doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Utah entrepreneurs have access to excellent support through the Utah SBDC network (https://utahsbdc. org), where advisors can help organize financials, refine projections and strengthen applications. Pairing that support with SBA guidance can significantly improve your readiness, and your chances of approval. The Bottom Line A strong loan application isn’t just about paperwork; it’s about presenting a clear, organized and credible story. When your financials are accurate, your documents are complete, and your plan is well thought-out, you make it easier for lenders to see the opportunity — and say “yes.” Caryl Eriksson is the CEO and president of InterMountain Business Lending. She is available at ceriksson@im504.com or 801-627-1333.
LifeVantage appoints Terrence Moorehead CEO
LifeVantage Corp., a Lehi-based direct sales health and wellness company, has announced the appointment of Terrence Moorehead as the company’s new president and CEO and as a member of its board of directors. The change will be effective Aug. 5, following the completion of Moorehead’s contractual commitments with his prior employer. Moorehead brings more than 25 years of leadership experience revitalizing brands, accelerating customer growth and delivering financial performance in the direct selling and consumer products industries. He previously served as president and CEO of Nature’s Sunshine Products from 2018 through 2025. From 2015 through 2018, he served as CEO of Carl-
isle Etcetera LLC and from 2013 to 2015, he was CEO of Dana Beauty. Earlier, he served in various leadership roles at Avon Products, including vice president for North America, general manager of Avon Italy, president of Avon Canada and chairman and president of Avon Japan. “Terrence has an outstanding track record of driving growth and scaling leading global health and wellness brands, and we are thrilled to welcome him as our next CEO,” said Raymond Greer, chairman of the board of LifeVantage. “Following a comprehensive search process, the board unanimously concluded that Terrence’s proven ability to lead transformations and his extensive experience in sales, marketing and finance make him the best choice for the company and its
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stockholders, to guide LifeVantage in its next exciting chapter.” “I’m honored to join LifeVantage at this pivotal moment,” said Moorehead. “The company’s uniquely differentiated science-backed products, passionate consultant community and dedicated employees create a powerful foundation for the future. I see tremendous potential to further leverage the strong brand position and capabilities and am excited to work alongside the board and our entire team to sharpen our strategy, drive sustainable growth and deliver meaningful value for our stockholders.” The previously announced retirement of Steve Fife as president, CEO and a member of the board is set to take effect on April 30. The board has appointed cur-
rent director Michael Beindorff as interim CEO until Moorehead joins the company. “On behalf of the entire board, I want to thank Steve for his leadership and many contributions to LifeVantage over the past nine years,” Greer said. “Steve’s vision and dedication were essential in transforming and modernizing our business model, strengthening our financial position, along with expanding our product portfolio and international footprint, ensuring the company is well positioned for long-term success. We appreciate his commitment to supporting a smooth transition and wish him the very best in his retirement.” Founded in 2003, LifeVantage has more than 47,000 independent sales consultants worldwide.
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12 | April 27, 2026
SALT LAKE BUSINESS JOURNAL
INDUSTRY BRIEFS Industry Briefs Company news information may be sent to brice.w@thecityjournals.com.
BANKING
• PNC Bank has executed a lease on new office space at 95 State at City Creek in Salt Lake City. The new office will provide a collaborative work environment for leaders in corporate and institutional banking, including corporate and middle market banking and treasury management, as well as key support functions. Over time, PNC expects to add additional business lines in Utah.
tive elements, physical models and globally sourced stories. The project was developed through a process involving partners across design, media, fabrication and technology, including Donna Lawrence Productions, Cortina Productions, Midwest Studios, Electrosonic and 4Wall.
ECONOMIC INDICATORS
• UTOPIA Fiber, based in Murray, recently released its 2025 year-in-review results, reporting more than 1 million feet of new conduit and fiber laid in Utah, continued subscriber growth, and the completion of Bountiful Fiber one year ahead of schedule. An open access fiber network, UTOPIA Fiber now serves more than 67,000 subscribers across 20 Utah member cities and through its operational partnership with Bountiful City. In 2025, it added more than 1 million feet to its Utah network, including over 1 million feet of underground conduit and fiber-optic cable. Crews also placed 13,728 feet of aerial strand and installed 3,331 handholes. The Bountiful Fiber network is operated by UTOPIA Fiber and owned by Bountiful City. UTOPIA Fiber delivers fiber-tothe-home in 21 Utah cities and provides business-class service in 50 cities.
• Salt Lake City is ranked No. 88 out of 127 midsize cities on a list of hottest housing markets, compiled by Construction Coverage. It said that data through January related to the city signals “moderate demand despite a cooling national housing market.” The analysis ranked markets using key indicators like price growth, days on market, and bidding activity to show where buyers are still facing intense competition heading into the spring housing season. The study indicates that the median home price in Salt Lake City is $613,000, compared with the national median of $422,921. Local prices are up 0.4 percent year over year, which is below the national increase of 1.6 percent. Nearly 23 percent of Salt Lake City homes are selling above asking, with a median 38.5 days on market. Nationally, 27 percent of homes are selling above asking, with a median 48.7 days on market. The local share of listings with price drops is 34.1 percent, compared with the national figure of 18.1 percent. Details are at https://constructioncoverage.com/research/hottest-real-estate-markets-us.
CONSTRUCTION
EDUCATION
COMMUNICATIONS
• THG Creative, based in California, has announced the completion of the Temple Square Visitors’ Center, an immersive experience developed in collaboration with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as part of the site’s broader multi-year transformation. Under the direction of the church, THG Creative led the creative design and full production of the project. The Temple Square Visitors’ Center introduces a first-of-its-kind experience for the church, combining spatial environments and global storytelling to help visitors better understand the history, purpose and significance of Temple Square, including the role of temples and the beliefs central to its global community. At the core of the experience is a series of replicated environments and interpretive spaces that provide rare public access to areas not typically visible, paired with interac-
• Weber State University will offer a new bachelor’s degree for occupational therapy assistants. The program is designed to increase access to training in Northern Utah, strengthen the state’s workforce, and elevate patient care. The occupational therapy assistant program applications are expected to open at the end of April. The program is currently seeking national accreditation, and an initial cohort of 24 students is expected to begin this fall. People interested in the program can contact academic advisor Justin Valdez at justinvaldez@weber. edu to learn more about admission requirements. Applications will close Aug. 7. An initial investment of $2.5 million from the Larry H. & Gail Miller Family Foundation made the new degree offering possible. Weber State’s program is one of fewer than 20 bachelor’s-level
programs across the U.S. Occupational therapy assistants work in hospitals, clinics, schools, community centers and even homes. They assist patients who are recovering from illness, managing disabilities or navigating new assistive technologies by creating and implementing individualized treatment plans. Currently, Utah employs about 260 OTAs. Later this year, Weber State will formally open its OTA Pathways Building on the university’s Ogden campus. The space features hospital, clinic and home environments, and was designed to simulate the challenging situations students will face outside the classroom. The space will also be home to a community clinic, where students provide free services under professional supervision.
REAL ESTATE
EVENTS
RECOGNITIONS
• Silicon Slopes has made announcements about a pair of its events. StartFEST, a festival focused on startups, will return June 23-24 at the Mountain America Event Center at Loveland Living Planet Aquarium. It will feature six tracks: AI, funding, self-leadership, marketing, sales, and operations. It will include keynote presentations and workshops. Tickets are $50, with proceeds going directly to fund Silicon Slopes’ Start School, a free entrepreneurship program. Details are at https://www.siliconslopes.com/c/events/ startfest-2026-0a4774. Stacked Summit will take place Sept. 11 at Salt Lake Community College. It will focus on AI, cybersecurity, SaaS and data analytics. Details will be announced.
INVESTMENTS
• Route 92 Medical Inc., a West Jordan-based, privately held medical technology company focused on neurovascular intervention, has announced a $50 million growth financing. New investor Sectoral Asset Management joined lead investor Novo Holdings and returning investors U.S. Venture Partners, Norwest Venture Partners, InnovaHealth Partners and The Vertical Group in the financing round. The company said proceeds from the financing will support the next phase of Route 92 Medical’s growth strategy by helping to accelerate global commercial expansion, advance clinical evidence to support broader adoption of the company’s neurovascular procedural approach and invest in continued product innovation across its platform.
• JLL Capital Markets has secured financing for Northpoint Innovation Park, a 94.51-acre master-planned industrial development that will deliver 15 padready sites for small industrial users in Salt Lake City’s Northwest Quadrant. The project is at 3200 N. 2200 W. JLL worked on behalf of the borrower, the joint venture between OCC Industrial and Xcel Development, to secure the loan through a Utah-based community bank. The JLL Capital Markets team was led by Senior Director Will Haass and Director Jeff Pew. The JLL Salt Lake City industrial leasing team, led by Managing Director Culum Mills, will market the individual pad-ready sites to industrial users upon completion of horizontal improvements.
• The Utah Worksite Wellness Council has announced the recipients of the 2026 Healthy Worksite and Innovation Awards. Winners were recognized at an awards luncheon April 22 at the Zions Bancorporation Technology Center in Midvale. Titanium-level Healthy Worksite Award recipients are BD Medical, Cambia Health Solutions, Cigna Healthcare, Davis School District, G&A Partners, HealthEquity Inc., Intermountain Power Service Corp., Lucid Software, Merit Medical Systems Inc., Mountain America Credit Union, Nightingale Education Group, O.C. Tanner, Orriant, Salt Lake Community College, Uintah County, Utah County Government, Utah Retirement Systems/PEHP and Utah Valley University. Gold-level Healthy Worksite Award recipients are Access Development, Big-D Construction, Ensign Engineering & Land Surveying Inc., Harmons Grocery, Sacred Circle Healthcare, Salt Lake County, Squire and Co., The Synergy Co., Tooele County, Weave, Weber School District, Weber State University and Zions Bancorporation. Silver-level Healthy Worksite Award recipients are Box Elder County, Brigham Young University, Davis County, Duchesne County, Lendio and Utah State University. Bronze-level Healthy Worksite Award recipients are Alpha Warranty Services, Associated Food Stores, Becklar, Central Utah Water Conservancy District, Herriman City, Jordan Valley Water Conservancy District, Kent Outdoors and Marine Products. The 2026 UWWC Worksite Innovation Awardee for
April 27, 2026 | 13
SALT LAKE BUSINESS JOURNAL emotional wellness is Lendio. The 2026 UWWC Worksite Innovation Awardee for organizational wellness is Nightingale Education Group. • Several awards were presented recently at the Intermountain Sustainability Summit at Weber State University. Sarah Wright, formerly with Utah Clean Energy, is the recipient of the Building Resilience Award. The Bicycle Collective received the ISS Collaboration Award. Student poster contest winners are Thi Kim Nguyen of Utah State University in the Graduate Sustainability Research category; Norlito Ranchez Jr. of Weber State University in the Undergraduate Sustainability Research category; Kendra Bitton, Sabrina Despain, Kylie Stuart and Tyler Underwood of Weber State University in the Green Design category; Marisol Solorio, Lauralei Gerber and Sandra Barba of Weber State University in the Sustainability Education category; and Kilee Rich, Megan Stout, Landree Evans and Aletvia Lopez of Weber State University in the Sustainability in Action and People’s Choice Awards categories. • Several companies and individuals recently received Best of BioHive awards. They are Undergraduate Student of the Year, Miles Anderson, Brigham Young University; Graduate Student of the Year, Steven Valdez, University of Utah; Rookie of the Year,
RefloDX; Community Partner of the Year, bioMérieux and Biofire Defense; Storyteller of the Year, Struck; Community Impact Award, Good Medicine Podcast; Patient Advocate of the Year, Myriad Genetics; Customer Advocate of the Year, Canyon Labs; Mentor of the Year, Allison O’Mahoney, Seek Labs; Ecosystem Excellence Award, Center for Medical Innovation, University of Utah; Women in Tech & Science, Eris Biotech; People First Award, Charlie Mendes, Blackrock Neurotech; Returnship Champion of the Year, ARUP Laboratories; Innovation of the Year, Wrapsody, Merit Medical; Visionary of the Year, Ryan Watts, Denali Therapeutics; and BioHive Legacy Award, Chris and Summer Gibson. • Nuvia Dental Implant Center, Salt Lake City, has been selected as the 2026 Dental Implant Restoration Company of the Year by Healthcare Business Review. It is the third consecutive year that Nuvia has earned the honor. Healthcare Business Review is a publication covering innovations and providers across the health care and dental fields and has previously highlighted Nuvia’s approach to full mouth dental implants and patient experience in 2024, 2025 and 2026. • Everee, a Salt Lake City-based payroll software company, has been named to Fast Company’s 2026 Most Innovative Companies List. Everee was ranked No.
11 in the Human Resources category. Everee’s platform is designed for businesses with flexible workforces. With Everee, companies can pay W-2 employees and 1099 contractors the moment work is done — daily, weekly or on-demand — without the manual processes, fixed pay cycles or compliance headaches that come with legacy systems. • The Dream Duo 3, by Owlet Inc., a Lehi-based smart infant monitoring company, has been named “Best for Monitoring Baby’s Health” in the Parents 2026 Best for Baby Awards. The awards program is a guide to the best new baby gear, as well as the top products designed to help caretakers during pregnancy and beyond. Parents editors vet and review hundreds of products, enlisting industry experts and real-world parent testers to evaluate each on safety, durability, effectiveness and ease of use. Dream Duo 3 pairs two products into one platform: Dream Sock, an over-the-counter baby monitor that tracks pulse rate, oxygen levels and sleep patterns in real-time, and Dream Sight, offering 2K HD video, night vision and room temperature and humidity monitoring.
RESTAURANTS
• Fini Pizza, a New York-style slice restaurant, will have a grand opening celebration May 2 at its Utah City location in Vineyard. The restaurant will offer pizza, salads, beverages and Italian ices. It is
the first restaurant location outside of New York. The grand opening will simultaneously launch the neighboring Fini Café, offering espresso, pastries, treats and light bites. An outdoor extension of the Fini experience, Fini Hoops, is a community basketball court that will debut in June. Utah City is a 700-acre mixed-use development.
SERVICES
• Sparkle Grooming Co., an option for keeping pets clean, comfortable and healthy, has opened its first Utah location at 1822 W. 9000 S., Suite B, West Jordan. The owner is local resident Benjamin Crawford Jr. Founded in 2022, the company is pioneering the quick-service pet care (QSPC) category, combining salon-quality hygiene and grooming with a membership-based model and hospitality-driven experience.
TRANSPORTATION
• Ken Garff Automotive Group has opened a new location, Porsche Lehi, at the Lehi Auto Complex at 2252 N. Auto Drive, Lehi. The location was previously within the Audi Lehi dealership. The 36,800-square-foot dealership features new and pre-owned Porsche inventory; an expert service center; and a refined experience designed around personalized service, expert guidance and a seamless journey from first visit to final delivery, the company said.
PEOPLE on ON THE People the MOVE Move Company news information may be sent to brice.w@thecityjournals.com.
GOVERNMENT
• The Utah Department of Workforce Services has named Michael Pekarske as director of the Refugee Services Office. Pekarske succeeds Mario Kljajo, who served in the role since 2023. Kljajo will be staying at Workforce Services in a new role Michael directing the AdminisPekarske trative Support Division. Pekarske has spent more than a decade with the Utah Refugee Services Office. His time with the state began as an Americorp VISTA and grew to his most recent role as assistant director
for the Refugee Services Office. In this role, he has been responsible for overseeing division operations, managing state and federal contracts, leading a large multicultural staff and driving program development to support refugee integration across Utah. His work has spanned direct service, grant administration, community partnerships and strategic planning.
HEALTH CARE
• Larry H. Miller Senior Health, a Sandy-based provider of post-acute and senior living services, has named Jeff Harper as chief financial officer. He most recently served as vice president of accounting. Harper will oversee the company’s financial strategy, stewardship and reporting, and will partner closely with operational, clinical and support leaders. Harper has more than 24 years of expe-
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RESTAURANTS
• Bonrue Bakery, a St. Georgebased patisserie, has hired Emily Benson as executive chef. Benson will focus on back-of-house operations,
supporting menu development across both sweet and savory offerings, refining systems and processes, and helping to scale Bonrue’s kitchen operations. She also will play Emily Benson a key role in mentoring team members and fostering a strong kitchen culture. Benson has over two decades of experience spanning both pastry and savory kitchens. Her background includes owning and operating a café and bakery for six years, where she developed menus from scratch and led teams centered on consistency, quality and care. Founded in 2021, Bonrue Bakery recently announced plans to open 10 new locations across Utah through 2027.
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rience in accounting and finance across health care, automotive and professional services organizations. At the Larry H. Miller family of companies, he served as corporate controller and Jeff Harper later vice president of finance and accounting for Larry H. Miller Dealerships. In 2023, Harper joined Advanced Health Care as vice president of accounting. Harper earned a Master of Accounting degree from Brigham Young University.
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14 | April 27, 2026
SALT LAKE BUSINESS JOURNAL
CALENDAR Calendar Information about upcoming events may be sent to brice.w@thecityjournals.com.
April 28, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.
Professional Development Series, a ChamberWest event. Speaker Sharlene Wells, chief public affairs officer at Mountain America Credit Union, will discuss “Managing Change with Grit and Grace: Lessons from Sports, the Military and the Stage.” Location is Utah Trucking Association, 4181 W. 2100 S., West Valley City. Details are at chamberwest.com.
April 28, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.
event. Aperture Residences is a high-design boutique mixed-use residential development with 48 one-bedroom flats and multi-story penthouse residences, groundfloor commercial use, a residential partnership with adjacent Edison House, original art curated in partnership with UMOCA, and a 360-degree rooftop open space component. Location is Aperture Residences, 210 W. 300 S., Salt Lake City. Free for ULI Utah members, $20 for nonmembers. Details are at https://utah.uli.org/events-2.
April 29, 3-5:30 p.m.
Women in Business, an Ogden-Weber Chamber of Commerce event. Location is Jeremiah’s Lodge & Garden, 1329 W. 12th St., Marriott-Slaterville. Cost is $25 for members and first-time guests, $35 for nonmembers. Details are at ogdenweberchamber.com.
“Point of Leadership,” a Point of the Mountain Chamber of Commerce event featuring the UIP Pit Crew Challenge. Location is Mountainland Technical College, Trades & Technology Building, 2353 Triumph Blvd., Lehi. Cost is $30, $150 for a team of six. Details are at thepointchamber.com.
April 28, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.
April 30, 9-10 a.m.
Women in Business, a South Valley Chamber of Commerce event featuring the Junior Women in Business graduation program. Keynote speaker is Chelsea Fairbourn, executive director, Tony Finau Foundation. Location is Salt Lake Community College’s Miller Campus, Karen Gail Miller Conference Center, Building 2, 9750 S. 300 W., Sandy. Cost is $23 for members, $35 for nonmembers. Details are at southvalleychamber.com.
April 28, noon-1:30 p.m.
Global Business Briefing, co-hosted by the Salt Lake Chamber and World Trade Center Utah. Briefings will be focused on expanding market access and global competitiveness for Utah companies, supporting businesses in identifying international production and supplier partners, and positioning Utah as a destination for foreign investment. Event takes place online. Free (registration is required). Details are at slchamber.com.
April 30, noon-1 p.m.
“Czech Republic,” a World Trade Center Utah “Crossroads of the World” event. Location is World Trade Center Utah, 60 E. South Temple, Suite 300, Salt Lake City. Free (registration is required). Details are at https://luma.com/z5zuruij.
Start School, a Silicon Slopes event. Speaker Brock Blake, founder of Lendio, will discuss “$1 Billion to 50,000 Small Businesses and Counting.” Location is Silicon Slopes, 2600 W. Executive Parkway, Lehi. Details are at https://app.siliconslopes.com/events.
April 29
May 5-7
2026 Business Expo, a Davis Chamber of Commerce event. Location is Davis Conference Center & Hilton Garden Inn, 1651 N. 700 W., Layton. Details to be announced at davischamberofcommerce.com.
April 29, 9:30-11:30 a.m.
AI Workshop, a West Jordan Chamber of Commerce event. Speaker Robin Huling of People-First AI will discuss “Learn How to Build Agents and ‘Vibe Code’ Your Apps.” Location is Feigh Realty/ Cannon & Co., 9089 S. 1300 W., Suite 130, West Jordan. Free for chamber members, $30 for nonmembers. Details are at westjordanchamber.com.
April 29, noon-1 p.m.
“Walkable Wednesday: Aperture Residences,” a ULI (Urban Land Institute) Utah
HIPE (Hill Industry Partner Exchange), offering aerospace and supply chain professionals an opportunity to meet and discuss current issues, trends, lessons learned, technology, requirements, and the future of the U.S. Air Force supply chain. Theme is “Rapidly Changing Environments.” Attendees will hear from industry innovators, academia, state representatives and military keynote speakers. Location is Ogden Eccles Conference Center in Ogden. Cost is $550. Details are at https://hipeogden. com/?utm_source=luma.
May 5, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
Business Women’s Forum 2026. Speaker Mindy B. Young, CEO of Constructive Alchemy, will discuss “The Courage to Connect: Leadership That
Unites.” Location is Salt Lake Marriott Downtown at City Creek, 75 S. West Temple, Salt Lake City. Cost is $40 for members and $60 for nonmembers. Details are at slchamber.com.
May 6, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.
Business Alliance, a Davis Chamber of Commerce event. Location is Boondocks Fun Center, 525 Deseret Drive, Kaysville. No RSVP needed. Free. Lunch available for purchase. Details are at davischamberofcommerce.com.
May 7, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
2026 UVU Business & Economic Forum, including sessions focused on maximizing business value; preparing for both planned and unexpected transitions; avoiding costly pitfalls; and understanding what buyers, investors and successors truly look for. Location is Utah Valley University, Young Living Alumni Center, 1062 W. 800 S., Orem. Cost is $125. Details are at thepointchamber.com.
May 7, 9-10:30 a.m.
“Sweets & Strategies,” a Women’s Business Center of Utah event. Location is Roots Coffee, 774 S. 300 W., Salt Lake City. Free. Details are at wbcutah.org.
May 7, 10 a.m.
“Business 101: Essential Steps for New Entrepreneurs,” a Women’s Business Center of Utah event that takes place online. Free. Details are at wbcutah.org.
May 11, 7:30 a.m.-5 p.m.
2026 Zions Bank Wasatch Back Economic Summit, presented by the Park City Chamber & Visitors Bureau and the Heber Valley Chamber of Commerce. Theme is “Adapting to Change, Building Resilience.” Keynote topics are “The New Utah” and “Olympic Inspiration and Learnings.” Event also includes breakout sessions. Location is Grand Hyatt Deer Valley, 1702 Glencoe Mountain Way, Park City. Cost is $100. Details are at https://www.parkcitychamber.com/ wasatch-back-economic-summit/.
May 12, 9-11 a.m.
“Pay the IRS Less Without Going to Jail,” a Small Business Development Center event that takes place online. Cost is $19. Details are at https://clients. utahsbdc.org/events.aspx.
May 12, noon-1 p.m.
“Solve The Business Puzzle: Brand Psychology: Increase Your Profits by 30 Percent,” a Women’s Business Center of Utah event that takes place online. Details are at wbcutah.org.
May 13, 10-11 a.m.
“Marketing Playbook: Social Media 101: Building and Maintaining Your Business’s Social Media Prescence,” a Women’s Business Center of Utah event that takes place online. Free. Details are at wbcutah.org.
May 13, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.
“Chamber Connections,” a Davis Chamber of Commerce event. Location is the Davis Chamber, 450 S. Simmons Way, Suite 220, Kaysville. Details are at davischamberofcommerce.com.
May 13, 5-7 p.m.
“Business After Hours,” an Ogden-Weber Chamber of Commerce event. Location is Ray Citte, 1677 W. Riverdale Road, Roy. Free for members and firsttime guests, $35 for nonmembers. Details are at ogdenweberchamber.com.
May 13, 6-7:30 p.m.
“Online Marketing Fundamentals,” a Small Business Development Center event that takes place online. Details are at https://clients.utahsbdc.org/events.aspx.
May 14, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.
Women in Business Luncheon, a Davis Chamber of Commerce event with the theme “She Means Business: Lessons from Entrepreneurial Women. Presenters are Kym Buttschardt of Roosters, Katy Higgins of True Pros Heating & Air and Trish Thomason of Social Buzzerfly. Location is Young Automotive Group Headquarters, 613 W. 500 N., Layton. Cost is $25 for members, $35 for nonmembers. Details are at davischamberofcommerce.com.
May 14, 4-6 p.m.
BioHive HealthTech Hub Collider: “Where Ideas Crash Together,” an event where ideas crash together to spark breakthroughs. Location is Silicon Slopes, 2600 W. Executive Parkway, No. 140, Lehi. Details are at https://www.siliconslopes. com/c/events/healthtech-hub-collider.
May 14, 6-8 p.m.
“Business Essentials,” a Small Business Development Center event that takes place online. Details are at https://clients. utahsbdc.org/events.aspx.
May 15, 7:30 a.m.-2 p.m.
Utah County Business Summit, with the theme “The Utah Advantage: Why Here, Why Now, What’s Next?” Location is Utah Valley University, Clarke Building, 800 W. University Parkway, Orem. Cost is $75 for Utah County Chamber members, $90 for nonmembers. Everyone is welcome. Details are at thechamber.org.
April 27, 2026 | 15
SALT LAKE BUSINESS JOURNAL
After 28 years in Draper, Bullseye Barbershop gets a glow-up Katherine Weinstein The City Journals After 28 years in business in Draper, Bullseye Barbershop is celebrating a new renovation and rebrand. Formerly known as the 9 to 9 Barber Shop, the business is owned and operated by barber Ron Francom and his family. Four generations of Francom’s family have been in the business of barbering. Francom’s daughter and barbershop co-owner, Angela Cruz, said of the rebrand, “We’re getting it set up for the future. We have the long game in mind.” When her dad eventually retires, Cruz plans to keep Bullseye Barbershop open for decades to come in Draper. The shop had a ribbon-cutting event with the South Valley Chamber of Commerce on Jan. 22 to celebrate the renovation. “We redid the floor, lighting fixtures and everything,” Francom explained. “It has a whole new look and feel.” When customers come into the shop, dartboards are immediately visible on the wall. “When our customers finish getting a haircut, we give them three darts,” Cruz explained. “If they get a bull’s-eye, they get a free haircut.” “When there’s a lot of customers, it cre-
Bullseye Barbershop celebrated its renovation and rebrand with a ribbon-cutting event attended by the South Valley Chamber of Commerce. (Courtesy Angela Cruz) ates a fun environment,” she continued. “The guys get competitive, and everybody’s cheering when they win.” The dart game, along with a big-screen TV and a fridge stocked with cold drinks, add to the shop’s welcoming atmosphere. Framed black-and-white photos of Cruz’s grandfather at his barbershop line the walls of the shop. “My dad had a barbershop in Green River, Wyoming,” Francom said. “I’ve
been involved with barbering since 1968 and started cutting hair as a teen. I had a shop in Murray.” Francom saw an opportunity to open a new barbershop in Draper in 1998 when businesses in town were few and much of the area was still agricultural. He recalled that there was a working dairy farm just up the road. He opened the shop with his son, Rick, and Angela. For a time, his granddaugh-
ter, Evelyn, also worked there. “It used to be called ‘9 to 9,’” Francom explained, as the shop was literally open during those hours. When the pandemic hit, the shop had to cut back its hours due to staffing challenges. “We didn’t want false advertising,” he said. “That’s when we thought about rebranding the shop.” “We still have the same barbers,” Francom added. “We have four total, including myself and my daughter.” “I’ve been cutting hair for 30 years,” Cruz said. “I’ve seen lots of styles through the years.” Francom said that they can do everything from the “skin-tight fades” popular today to flat tops and even pompadours. “We’ve seen just about everything and we can do any type of haircut,” he said. It is clear that both Francom and Cruz enjoy their careers. “I like the interaction with people,” Cruz said. “You get to know people on a real personal level. It’s been interesting over the years, seeing the seasons of life. We have customers here who came to us when they were kids and now they’re bringing their kids.” “It’s an honest job,” Francom said. “It’s just a good, friendly place.” Bullseye Barbershop is located at 826 E. 12300 S., Draper. For more information visit bullseyebarbershop.com.
PUBLIC NOTICES NOTICE OF TRUSTEE’S SALE The following-described property situated in Davis County, State of Utah, will be sold at public auction to the highest bidder payable in lawful money of the United States at the time of sale, at the Main Entrance, Second Judicial District Courthouse, 800 West State Street, Farmington, Utah, on May 8, 2026 at the hour of 2:00 p.m., by David L. Pinkston, Successor Trustee under the Trust Deed executed by Belles Nuits, LLC, as Trustor, and Wildcat Lending Fund Two LP, as Beneficiary, recorded as Entry No. 3561524, in Book 8443, at Page 1076, of the official records in the office of the County Recorder of Davis County, Utah, covering the following real property purported to be located at 198 North 2600 East, Layton, Utah 84040 (the undersigned disclaims liability for any error in the address): LOT 97, FERNWOOD HOLLOW NO. 6, ACCORDING TO THE OFFICIAL PLAT THEREOF ON FILE AND OF RECORD IN THE OFFICE OF THE DAVIS COUNTY RECORDER. Parcel I.D. No. 11-029-0097 Notice of Default was recorded June 5, 2025, as Entry No. 3620400 of said Official Records. The record owner of the property as of the recording of the notice of default was Belles Nuits, LLC. The sale is subject to a bankruptcy filing, a payoff, a reinstatement or any other condition of which the trustee is not aware that would cause the cancellation of the sale. If any such condition exists, the sale shall be void, the successful bidder’s funds returned and the trustee and current beneficiary shall not be liable to the successful bidder for any damage. SLC 7878125.1 The sale will be made without covenant or warranty, expressed or implied, regarding title, possession, or encumbrances, and will be for the purpose of paying obligations secured by the Deed of Trust and expenses of sale as provided by law. Bidders must be prepared to tender to the trustee $5,000.00 at the sale and the balance of the purchase price by 12:00 noon the day following the sale. Both payments must be in the form of a cashier’s check. DATED this 3rd day of April, 2026 /s/ David L. Pinkston David L. Pinkston Successor Trustee 10 Exchange Place, Suite 1100 Salt Lake City, UT 84111 Telephone: (801) 521-9000 Office Hours: 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. 2 SLC 7878125.1
LEGAL NOTICE DEADLINE Monday by 5 P.M. week of publication Submit legal notices to:
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Notice is hereby given that on the 13th day of May, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. in the Davis County Administration Building at 61 South Main Street, Farmington, Utah 84025, Room 303. The Davis County Controller, Scott Parke, will offer for sale at public auction and sell to the highest bidder pursuant to the provisions of Section 59-2-1351.1 Utah Code, the following described real property located in Davis County and now delinquent and subject to tax sale. No bid less than the total amount of taxes, penalties, interest and costs which are a charge on the real estate will be accepted. 01-113-0049 Abel, Joe Shannon & Dauneen, Property address: 149 South 350 East, North Salt Lake, UT .26 acres $1,813.05 02-173-0010 Green, Steven R & Kristine C, Property address: Centerville, UT .01 acres $122.70 03-038-0029 Eggett, Jeri Ann, Property address: 1260 South 200 West, Bountiful, UT .49 acres $12,410.86 03-114-3202 Richey, Joshua, Property address: 650 South Main Street #3202, Bountiful, UT .00 acres $9,122.86 04-046-0034 Barela, Manuel Joe Jr, Property address: Mountain Side close to Bountiful, UT 9.40 acres $1,556.55 04-046-0036 Salcido, Merardo, Property address: Mountain Side close to Bountiful, UT 5.15 acres $955.86 05-022-0037 Rawson, Laprele, Property address: 2332 South 300 East, Bountiful, UT .33 acres $33,256.02 05-066-0205 Hatch, Kenneth L, Property address: 571 East Chelsea Drive, Bountiful, UT .449 acres $47,891.02 05-069-0023 Rasmussen, Cory A, Property address: Bountiful, UT .308 acres $3,096.61 05-071-0010 Salazar, Evelia C, Property address: Bountiful, UT .193 acres $1,401.57 06-033-0029 Bobs Tree Service Incorporated, Property address: Woods Cross, UT 5.071 acres $75,017.60 06-034-0168 Illing, Carol Anne, Property address: West Bountiful, UT .05758 acres $470.99 06-249-0012 Uplinger, Jennifer A, Property address: 1561 South 1450 West, Woods Cross, UT .18 acres $16,000.47 08-010-0127 GMW Development Inc., Property address: Kaysville, UT .01 acres $117.91 08-049-0080 Gordon, Michelle E, Property address: 1467 N Cherry Blossom Drive, Farmington, UT .33 acres $13,706.32 08-347-0208 Haun, Andrea, Property address: 516 South 1175 West, Farmington, UT .81 acres $33,512.24 08-639-0001 Clark, Andrew Ellsworth & Megan Oshea, Property address: 368 West State Street, Farmington, UT .46 acres $15,148.97 09-053-0036 Halls, Kenneth C & Susan E, Property address: Layton, UT .148 acres
$872.91 09-067-0322 Young, Frank, Property address: 2264 North 2650 East, Layton, UT .28 acres $20,954.50 09-171-0061 Tingey, Merrill & Nicole, Property address: Layton, UT .02 acres $125.78 09-226-0002 Esskay Investment Company – ETAL, Property address: 2137 North 2800 East, Layton, UT .349 acres $10,835.80 09-310-0004 Gilleland, Brooke, Property address: 2475 East 1900 North, Layton, UT .00 acres $5,477.02 10-139-0031 Peterson, Mikyong, Property address: 1121 North 150 West, Layton, UT .14 acres $9,786.85 11-002-0080 Shurtliff, Robert L, Property Address: Layton, UT .05 acres $239.49 11-232-0920 Dorius, Val E, Property address: 1005 E 750 South, Layton, UT .162 acres $14,025.73 12-325-0730 Dorius, Val, Property address: 1403 North 2525 West, Layton, UT .19 acres $13,114.11 12-660-0312 Gougousis, Chris Tony & Tricia Macy-Chan, Property address: 3001 South 1325 West, Syracuse, UT .34 acres $20,764.52 12-726-0002 - 12-726-0007 CEMKG LC, Property address: 2107 West 1700 South, Syracuse, UT 1.344 acres $59,408.28
13-057-0005 Graham, Shawn D, Property address: Sunset, UT .025 acres $156.16 The above amount is representative of the taxes, penalties, and interest through May 13, 2026. It does not include any costs related to the sale such as advertising, mailings or title reports. For a current payoff, please contact the Davis County Treasurer’s office @ 801451-3243. Payments may be made in the form of check or cash or Card payment including processing fee. Once the County Auditor has closed the sale of a particular parcel of property as a result of accepting a bid on the parcel, the successful bidder or purchaser of the property may not unilaterally rescind the bid. The County legislative body, after acceptance of a bid, may enforce the terms of the bid by obtaining a legal judgment against the purchaser in the amount of the bid, plus interest and attorney’s fees. Section 59-2-1351.1 Keep in mind that the sale is a “buyer beware” sale. If you purchase property, you will later be provided with a recorded Tax Deed, which is similar to a Quit Claim Deed. It is your obligation to have researched each property you’re interested in.
CAREERS ENTERPRISE INSIGHTS ANALYST Swire Pacific Holdings, Inc. DBA Swire Coca-Cola, USA seeks an Enterprise Insights Analyst to develop, manage and implement large company’s overall Business Intelligence (BI) reporting, data sets, pipelines and solutions for overall profitability. Research, analyze and translate business requirements into solutions using PowerBI, Snowflake SQL and Python. Track key indicators, producing descriptive and prescriptive analytics to streamline processes using SSAS. Use Databricks to transform raw data into cognizable information. Ensure data accuracy, consistency and reliability across all reporting solutions. Perform ad hoc impact analysis to support cross-functional teams and validate business decisions. Collaborate with data engineering team to determine enablement requirements. Manage project timelines, requirements, and BI analytics using Agile and Azure DevOps. Review other analysts’ work prior to deployment. #LI-DNI Position requires a Master’s degree in Business Analytics, or equivalent field, and 2 years of experience as a Business Intelligence Analyst. Proficiencies must include a minimum of: experience with Power BI or Tableau; experience with Databricks or Alteryx; experience with SQL; experience with SSAS; experience with Python; and experience with Agile. #LI-DNI Job location: Draper, UT. To apply, please visit https://jobs.dayforcehcm.com/en-US/swirecc/CANDIDATEPORTAL and enter job requisition number 21754 when prompted. Alternatively, please send your resume, cover letter, and a copy of the ad to: Amber Ivie, 12634 South 265 West, Draper, UT 84020.
16 | April 27, 2026
SALT LAKE BUSINESS JOURNAL