saltlakebusinessjournal.com
September 21, 2026 | Volume 4, Issue 35
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INSIDE LAYTON Kihomac expanding its operations Page 5 KEARNS Improvement District marks a 10year milestone Page 5 EAGLE MOUNTAIN Meta data center campus set for major growth Page 7
PEOPLE ON THE MOVE Page 11 INDUSTRY BRIEFS Pages 12-13 BUSINESS CALENDAR Pages 14
OF NOTE
PGA returns The PGA returns to Utah starting Oct. 1 when the Bank of Utah Championship is played at Black Desert Resort in Ivins. Many regular tour players, like Davis County native Patrick Fishburn, shown here from last year, are expected to compete over four days. (Tom Haraldsen/Salt Lake Business Journal)
A B-21 “Raider” stealth bomber prototype conducts an aerial refueling test beneath a KC-135 Stratotanker. The 600-mph jet has a range of 6,000 miles and a 20,000-pound payload capacity. “Significant” parts of the plane will be manufactured at a new Northrop Grumman facility in Layton. (U.S. Air Force photo)
Northrop Grumman operations to focus on B-21 ‘Raider’ program John Rogers and Brice Wallace Salt Lake Business Journal Before showing its metaphorical guts in the skies around the world, the U.S. Air Force’s B-21 “Raider” aircraft will get some of its literal guts in Layton. Components for the sixth-generation stealth aircraft will be produced at Northrop Grumman’s manufacturing facility at East Gate 3, just east of Hill Air Force Base. Company executives, employees and government dignitaries gathered recently to mark the latest building in the B-21 program, bringing the company’s East Gate 3 manufacturing space to about 845,000 square feet and a capacity for 1,500 employees by 2032. “East Gate 3 is an investment in this mission, an investment in our workforce and, of course, an investment in the state
of Utah. Our highly skilled workforce continues to grow here in the state, and Utah will be critical along our path to delivering this capability at speed,” Chris Adams, Northrop Grumman’s B-21 vice president and program manager, told a crowd gathered for the milestone ceremony. “The B-21 Raider will define U.S. strategic air power for years to come, and we’re proud to build key components of that system right here,” More than 8,000 industry and Air Force personnel are working to design, build, test and deliver the aircraft. The figure includes more than 400 suppliers across 40 states. Final assembly will take place at the company’s facility in Palmdale, California, and other manufacturing operations across the nation, with hopes that the first B-21 will arrive at Ellsworth Air Force Base in South Dakota next year. “This building represents a continuation and Northrop Grumman’s com-
mitment to the B-21 program. … It is a phenomenal machine, and it is a phenomenal program,” said Tom Jones, corporate vice president and president of Northrop Grumman Aeronautics Systems. “We do need platforms like the B-21, and I believe it will be the predominant deterrent weapons system of the future,” he said. “This is what is going to help keep peace and stability in the world, the platform that we’re building here.” Northrop Grumman hasn’t confirmed exactly what parts of the B-21 will be manufactured at the East Gate site, but the B-21 Raider is one of the largest current U.S. Air Force programs. The company’s manufacturing operations in Clearfield and Layton have reached more than 2 million square feet, part of the company’s overall manufacsee B-21 page 2
Intermountain Health to open new West Valley City medical campus Tom Haraldsen Salt Lake Business Journal A second major medical building is coming to West Valley City. Intermountain Health announced on Sept. 15 its plans to open a new medical campus in the Fairbourne Building, located near the city government center at 3535 Market St. The 235,000-squarefoot building will be converted into “a major healthcare hub and medical campus,” according to a news release. This comes as construction continues on the University of Utah’s Eccles
Health Campus on 5600 West, near Centennial Park. That facility is looking at an opening date in 2028. “As communities across Utah’s west side continue to grow, the need for convenient access to healthcare has never been greater. Many families balance work, school, caregiving responsibilities, transportation challenges, and busy schedules that can make traveling across the valley for care difficult,” said Heather Wall, president of Intermountain Health LDS Hospital, in a release. “By expanding services closer to home, we aim to reduce barriers to care, improve patient convenience, and help ensure residents
can access the services they need when they need them the most.” The new building will be named the Intermountain Health Fairbourne Campus. West Valley City Mayor Karen Lang, who was at the announcement event, said “we are thrilled to welcome Intermountain Health to the Fairbourne Station City Center District. It will provide our residents with convenient access to outstanding healthcare close to home, which is vital, because when people have access to high-quality care, see INTERMOUNTAIN page 2
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SALT LAKE BUSINESS JOURNAL
This building is part of Northrop Grumman’s 845,000-square-foot manufacturing campus at East Gate 3 in Layton, where parts for the B-21 “Raider” stealth aircraft will be manufactured. (Courtesy Northrop Grumman)
Dignitaries cut the ribbon for Northrop Grumman’s latest manufacturing building at East Gate 3 in Layton, where the company will manufacture components for the B-21 “Raider” stealth aircraft. (Courtesy Northrop Grumman)
B-21
The facility in the East Gate business park is adjacent to Hill Air Force Base, which already serves as a major hub for Air Force logistics, aerospace maintenance and repair via its Ogden Air Logistics Complex. East Gate 3 is set to reach full operations by 2032, the company said. Northrop Grumman’s Layton facility specializes in the manufacture of “sixth-generation” aircraft, with the B-21 as its principal program. Neighboring company sites in Clearfield produce composite structures and provide sustainment services for military and commercial aircraft. Clearfield supports the B-21 as well as the F-35 Lightning II, Sentinel intercontinental ballistic missile and Airbus A350 XWB programs. The proximity of the two sites gives Northrop Grumman a concentrated manufacturing presence in Northern Utah. Designated as the first sixth-generation bomber, the B-21 is now nearly a decade in the making. Northrop Grumman first attained the contract for the next-generation bomber in 2015, and the company then quickly assembled a nationwide team to build it. The Raider — named for the 80 men who participated in the 1942 “Doolittle Raid” on Tokyo — was developed using the aerospace firm’s pioneer-
from page 1 turing footprint of over 30 million square feet nationally — the equivalent of more than 500 football fields. Utah’s largest defense contractor, Northrop Grumman directly employs over 11,000 Utahns, has over 600 suppliers in the state, and, according to a recent study, supports more than 46,000 jobs across the state. The company generates over $12.4 billion in economic impact in Utah, “which I think is a pretty big impact,” Jones said. “And with buildings like this and other plants in the future coming online, that presence and that impact in the state of Utah is only going to grow.” In a news release, Kathy Warden, chair, chief executive officer and president of Northrop Grumman, said the strong performance of the B-21 program “has our Northrop Grumman and Air Force team ready to accelerate production of this game-changing capability for our nation. Northrop Grumman has invested more than $5 billion in digital engineering and manufacturing infrastructure, and we are ready to produce B-21 faster.” Utah Senate President Stuart Adams
INTERMOUNTAIN from page 1
they are healthier, families are stronger, and communities are more resilient.” Planned services for the medical new campus include advanced imaging, ambulatory care, laboratory services, infusion treatments, outpatient services, specialty physician clinics, diagnostic services, rehabilitation services, pharmacy services, endoscopy services, and a future freestanding emergency department affiliated with Intermountain LDS Hospital. Construction on the interior of the building is underway with the city and
told the crowd that Northrop Grumman is one of the country’s most important defense contractors “and Northern Utah has become probably one of the biggest defense contracting hubs in America.” Adams noted military conflicts occurring in Ukraine, Israel and Iran. “There’s never been, in my opinion, a more important time for military superiority in the free world than today, and that’s what we’re doing here,” he said. To address those threats, Utah has “the best of the best engineers, technicians, manufacturing professionals, skilled workers, who come through this facility and build the technology to keep America safe,” he said. Layton Mayor Joy Petro said the city has been looking forward to the East Gate 3 milestone for several years. “It’s not just simply a development,” she said of the business park, “but it’s really Layton’s future.” She lauded Northrop Grumman bringing to the area high-quality jobs, advanced manufacturing, technology and new opportunities, “and the company has become a part of our community and an important partner in the continued growth in Northern Utah’s aerospace and defense sectors.” “Keep it going,” Petro told the company. “We need you. America needs you.”
Intermountain working closely together on the campus. Several clinics and services will open later this year. The freestanding emergency department is planned to open in late 2027.
The Fairbourne Building in West Valley City is being converted into a medical facility by Intermountain Health, with some services set to open later this year and a complete opening set for late 2027. (Courtesy Intermountain Health)
ing digital engineering practices and advanced manufacturing techniques. In late 2023, the U.S. Department of Defense approved the B-21’s move into low-rate initial production (LRIP), and Northrop Grumman was provided a Pentagon LRIP contract in January 2024. The LRIP phase is currently on track to deliver five “lots” of the aircraft and will run through the end of this decade. The Air Force has set a goal of acquiring a fleet of at least 100 B-21s, but some analysts have called for that number to be double that, according to a report on the defense watchdog website The National Interest. Northrop Grumman has built three B-21 prototypes, and development is well underway at the company’s highly classified manufacturing facility near Palmdale. The Air Force awarded Northrop Grumman the contract to develop and build the B-21 in 2015, and the company has invested more than $5 billion to date, it said. It has accumulated more than $2 billion in total pre-tax losses producing the first prototypes. The East Gate 3 project celebration follows the July groundbreaking on a “Legacy Building” at its Roy campus to support the Air Force’s Sentinel intercontinental ballistic missile program. Construction on that building will be complete at the end of 2028.
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SALT LAKE BUSINESS JOURNAL
Work toward actionable workforce solutions — together. Weber State’s Northern Utah Employer Exchange (NUEX) is an industry-driven event that builds the bridge between industry and higher education. At NUEX, northern Utah business and nonprofit leaders collaborate with Weber State faculty and administration to discuss some of today’s most pressing workforce challenges.
NUEX 2026 speakers and topics include: Balancing Empathy & Accountability: How Do We Build Genuine Care While Maintaining High Standards?
Closing the Intercultural Divide: How Do We Go Beyond Just Sharing Resources to Grow Real Relationships and Understanding?
Building a Critically Thinking Culture: How Do We Foster Continuous Improvement in Order to Meet Customer Expectations?
Jason Bradshaw, Director of Operations for Clearfield Recycling
Jonathon Call, Operations Manager for Richard Manufacturing Company
Beyond Standard Practices: What Operational Frameworks Can We Use to Help Creative Problem Solving?
Removing Silos, Building Bridges: How Do We Leverage Partnerships to Enhance Collaboration?
Manager, Mentor, or Coach: How Do We Choose the Right Role in Order to Develop Resilience in Our Employees?
Jamie Pitt, Victim Coordinator Supervisor for the Weber County Attorney’s Office
Enos Cummings, Engineering Director for 309th Software Engineering Group (SWEG), Hill Air Force Base
Sterling May, Vice President of Human Resources for the Bank of Utah
Hannah Pierce, HR Director for Young Automotive Group
Stepping Up, Moving Forward: How Do Employees Take Initiative and Influence Others, Even Without Formal Authority? Jordan Lang, HR Director for Intermountain Health
Join the conversation. Register at
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4 | September 21, 2026
SALT LAKE BUSINESS JOURNAL
‘Modernization’ efforts at University of Utah may cost up to 855 staffers their jobs John Rogers Salt Lake Business Journal As part of what is being characterized as “modernization” and a “strategic effort to better prepare the institution for the long term,” the University of Utah has announced a significant reduction of its workforce over the coming year. In a blog post at the school’s weekly newsletter @theU, officials said between 5 percent (285 jobs) and 15 percent (855 jobs) of the university’s 5,700-person, non-faculty and non-clinical (healthcare) workforce would be cut. The post said the jobs would be “consolidated, simplified or eliminated.” Leaders have not made decisions about how many positions will be cut, stating the scope and timing will depend on job functions. Including faculty positions and those employed by the university’s healthcare infrastructure and hospitals and clinics, the school’s total workforce numbers more than 47,000 people. The announcement said that University of Utah Health will follow a similar path of reduction in parallel with the broader university effort. The new strategy is apparently driven in part by projections that college-aged students and state college enrollment are both poised for a multi-year decline beginning early in the next decade. According to estimates from the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education, Utah’s population of high school graduates will drop by 6 percent from 2023 to 2041. At the beginning of the current academic year, the UofU enrolled 38,261 students, an all-time high for the university ahead of projected declines. School officials are also hoping to rein in skyrocketing operating costs. The university’s $8.6 billion operating expenses for fiscal 2025 reflected a 62 percent spike from five years earlier. Operationally, the UofU lost $448.6 million in the most recent year, 80 percent higher than fiscal 2021.
However, with state funding, investment income and other nonoperating revenue sources added, the university showed a $921 million total surplus in fiscal 2021. In its latest treatise, the university said expenses have been growing faster than revenues, “a trajectory that is not sustainable over the long term.” Leaders emphasized the need to grow margins in that environment, to provide money to invest in the University of Utah’s mission. As it stands, the institution’s operating margin is estimated at 5.3 percent for fiscal 2027, 20 basis points below 2025 levels, according to an August presentation in preparation for the announcement. “The University of Utah has never become stronger by standing still,” said President Taylor Randall in the blog post. “One of the most important responsibilities of being a leader is stewardship. We inherited a remarkable university that was shaped by those who came before, and we have an obligation to leave it stronger for those who follow.” “Like colleges and universities across the country, the University of Utah faces some of the most significant challenges in its 176-year history,” the post continued. “Public trust in higher education and belief in the need for a college degree have declined. The federal government has scaled back research funding. And Utah’s elected leaders continue to push higher education to reduce costs and reinvest savings in high-demand degree programs and emerging fields of study.” The university post emphasized that while the UofU remains financially strong, maintaining healthy operating margins is critical to its ability to invest in faculty, students, research, facilities and other strategic priorities. Leaders said acting now, from a position of strength, provides more options and allows the UofU to make thoughtful changes rather than waiting until financial pressures become more acute. “Every dollar and every hour we can redirect from unnecessary complexity is ca-
The sign at the head of President’s Circle on the University of Utah Campus is shown in a recent photograph. The school has announced efforts, including significant staff reductions, to prepare for future student reductions and budgetary pressures. (Adobe Stock photo) pacity we can put back into our mission of creating impact,” Gary McArthur, university chief financial officer said in a statement. In addition to the workforce reduction, the university is taking other budgetary control initiatives. The school announced in August it would it would cut back retirement benefits for newly hired employees, in line with its “university-wide modernization effort.” Along with enrollment and cost pressures, the university is also navigating changes to the state’s funding model. Last year, it announced it would ax 81 courses and degree programs as part of a legislative mandate to cut costs and reinvest in high-demand fields. The university will also close its satellite Sandy campus on Jan. 1 in response to the state directive to reallocate nearly $20 million in funding. The closure is in response to a state directive to reallocate nearly $20 million in funding to programs designed to meet workforce needs. The decades-old Sandy Center, located 15 miles south of the university, primarily offers general education courses that are also available at the main campus and online.
Other modernization efforts include changes in the school’s Office of Advancement; centralization of the colleges of Liberal Arts & Sciences; institution of Operational Excellence initiatives; more efficient centralized and integrated human resources, IT, financial services, marketing and communication functions; and a new model for university athletics through the establishment of Crimson Brand Partners, led by a non-university private equity firm. The school’s retirement contribution formula has also been restructured to free up funding for more competitive employee salaries. “Uncertainty about job changes and organizational structure creates deeply personal questions for employees and their families,” said Jeff Herring, chief human resources officer at the UofU. “The teams doing this work are moving quickly and thoughtfully to meet the goals of our modernization project while always remembering that our employees are the university’s greatest asset. There will be changes, I want to be clear about that. But anyone impacted will be supported throughout the process.”
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Kihomac expanding operations in Layton Brice Wallace Salt Lake Business Journal A military and aviation engineering and manufacturing company will build a second facility in Layton, creating 177 jobs over the next seven years. Virginia-based Kihomac Inc. is a veteran-owned small business that focuses on aerospace engineering, reverse manufacturing, custom fabrication and lifecycle support for military and commercial aviation. The $36.2 million, 78,000-square-foot expansion project at Layton’s East Gate business park was announced after the company received a tax credit incentive from the Governor’s Office of Economic Development board at its September meeting. “Utah has been an important part of Kihomac’s growth for many years, and we continue to see tremendous opportunity to expand our capabilities here,” Adam Grimm, company president and COO, said in a prepared statement. “The state provides an exceptional combination of a highly skilled aerospace and defense workforce, proximity to key customers and partners, and a business environment that supports continued investment. This expansion will allow us to grow our engineering and advanced manufacturing capabilities, create high-quality jobs, and increase our capacity to deliver innovative, mission-critical solutions to our customers. We appreciate the support of the state, Davis County, Layton City and our economic development partners as we con-
tinue investing in Kihomac’s people, capabilities and future in Utah.” Founded in 2003, Kihomac provides engineering, advanced manufacturing, reverse-engineering, sustainment and lifecycle support solutions across the aerospace and defense sectors. With more than 400 employees, Kihomac supports customers across the full system lifecycle — from engineering and reengineering aging systems to manufacturing complex components and assemblies and developing platform upgrades. The company’s capabilities help improve aircraft availability, extend the service life of critical weapon systems, strengthen the defense industrial base, and ensure platforms remain mission-ready as operational requirements evolve. The company’s core competency is extending U.S. investments in major aerospace weapon systems through complete lifecycle support. Kihomac develops solutions for aging weapon systems by reverse-engineering and reengineering then manufacturing systems and assemblies to keep weapon systems mission-ready. The company has over 400 employees at six facilities and offices, including those in Texas, Oklahoma, Utah, Georgia, Maryland and Virginia. Its website indicates it supports 26 military weapons systems. The company’s subsidiaries include TCB Composite LLC in Layton. It designs, prototypes and produces composite aerospace products at its 142,000-square-foot composite center, which includes offices; conference rooms; and a production floor with machinery, tools and instruments.
The company was approved for a state incentive in 2015 tied to the creation of 70 high-paying jobs in a $9 million project in Layton. The incentive was for up to $212,525 over five years. Ki Ho Kang, the company’s CEO, told the GOED board that that 140,000-squarefoot project actually created 120 jobs. “That facility for us has been responsible for about $300 million worth of revenue over the last 10 years, and we believe the expansion is going to help us even to further and better our work,” he said. The company, he said, has had several military contract wins this year “and we currently have $200 million in manufacturing backlog, and we would like to do that, as much as we can, in Utah.” The state incentive is in the form of a tax credit of up to about $1.55 million over seven years. The project is expected to generate new total wages of nearly $85 million over seven years, with the new jobs paying an average of $93,199. New state tax revenue during that time is projected at over $5.7 million. The expansion project involved GOED, the Economic Development Corporation of Utah, Layton City, Davis County and R&O Construction. Layton Mayor Joy Petro commended Kang for being “such a great community partner.” “I want to make sure that we continue to have him there and to help him with anything he needs, because he has been a fabulous partner, not only in Layton but throughout the county…and also the state,” Petro told the GOED board. “I
think there’s no doubt in my mind that this is a win for all of us.” “Because of what he’s done and the environment he’s built at East Gate, it’s allowed other people to expand and come to us,” said Alex Leonardi, Davis County economic development director. “So, it’s not just beneficial for Layton and for David County, but it’s also beneficial for Utah and the United States Air Force.” “Utah’s aerospace and defense sector is a key component of our long-term economic plan,” Jefferson Moss, GOED commissioner, said in a prepared statement. “Kihomac’s growth in Davis County highlights our commitment to supporting high-tech manufacturing, ensuring a strong supply chain, and delivering mission-critical capabilities for national defense. Their investment opens up skilled engineering and fabrication jobs that support our statewide economic goals.” “We’re excited to see Kihomac continue to grow and invest in Utah,” said Ryan Starks, executive director of EDCUtah. “Layton City and Davis County have demonstrated a strong commitment to supporting Utah’s aerospace industry and creating an environment where companies like Kihomac can thrive. We’re thrilled to see Kihomac choose to expand in Utah and look forward to the new opportunities this investment will create for the community and our state.” 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.
Construction: KID’s 10-year-old water tank changed the game Peri Kinder The City Journals
2026
Kearns Improvement District recently celebrated a milestone: the 10th anniversary of the completion of a 5 million-gallon water tank that paved the way for future growth. Located at 5350 W. 5400 S., near the KID offices, the original concrete tank, complete with a wooden roof, was a remnant of the World War II era and served Camp Kearns around 1942. Replacing the tank meant rethinking how it could maximize capacity while working within the constraints of the existing facility. “It was quite a large tank and we still had to keep the business open, but situate the tank so that it fit back there in the corner,” said KID General Manager/CEO Greg Anderson. “In some places on the site, there was only 5 feet of separation between the fence and this large tank.” The 2016 water tank project was done through Gerber Construction, with Structural Technologies providing the design that used post-tensioning systems and reinforcing steel for the tank. The project replaced two tanks at the location — one of 1 million gallons and another of 2 million gallons — utilizing tendon technology that reduced the amount of concrete used and eliminated cracks to prevent leaks. Struc-
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tural engineers had to get creative when placing the tank that measured 192 feet in diameter and 24 feet deep. It worked so well that all new KID water tanks have used the same technology. Over the next 10 years, KID plans to build four new tanks, with two of those holding 5 million gallons. Locations for those tanks include two near Mountain View Corridor (one at 6200 South and the other at 5400 South). “That is in anticipation of the growth we’re experiencing out on the west side,” Anderson said. “[The design] actually saves the district money because it uses less concrete. So it’s cheaper to build and the crack-free aspect of it has been great.” Aging infrastructure is another ongoing challenge for the water district. KID replaced the original 16-inch steel line that was used to supply water to Camp Kearns from the east side of the Salt Lake Valley, with a 30-inch water line to address increased capacity. The district serves more than 60,000 people across Kearns as well as areas in West Valley, West Jordan and a small part of Taylorsville. Anderson said KID aims to provide high-quality water despite economic and supply challenges. He said KID is always looking for grants and federal funding to help reduce the costs of these projects while providing residents on the west side of the valley with the “highest quality of water they can get.” He said it’s an
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Kearns Improvement District celebrates a decade of growth that began with the 2016 water tank project at 5350 W. 5400 S. (Courtesy KID) honor to serve the community by providing safe drinking water and sewer services. “There are a lot of obstacles that we’re facing with additional tariffs and with additional costs that seem to escalate,” he said. “We recognize how difficult that is on our customers. We try and absorb as much of that as we can, but we are striving to make sure that we are providing the best value that they can get.”
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6 | September 21, 2026
SALT LAKE BUSINESS JOURNAL
A Utah land rush: New record price set in the state for geothermal land lease John Rogers Salt Lake Business Journal Developers of geothermal electricity generation are in an all-out bidding war to lease Utah land where subterranean heat makes their industry run. Efficient Markets, a Houston-based broker of government land leases, has reported a new record-high price for the lease of Utah land for geothermal development. An August lease sale by the company produced a high bid of $1,207 per acre for one parcel in a 37-parcel offering, a 70 percent increase over the previous high bid. The previous high was $701 for a parcel in a New Mexico sale in June. The sale on Bureau of Land Management land, conducted on Aug. 18, was for land in Central Utah where there is known geothermal potential. One of the parcels was in Beaver County, while the remaining 36 were in Millard County. Bids were received on 32 of the properties for high bids totaling $24.5 million. The parcels total 72,398 acres. Ormat Technologies, a renewable energy company based in Reno, Nevada, and operator of the Cove Fort Geothermal Plant in Millard County, submitted the record bid for a 3,121-acre parcel near its current Utah operations. Ormat was also the high bidder on at least eight other sites, including a 5,052-acre property for which it bid $825 per acre. Other major high bidders in the BLM auction included Chicago-based Invenergy Geothermal Development LLC, which
bid won a pair of parcels, totaling about 8,000 acres, with bids around $400 per acre; and Suncoast Land Co., of Louisiana, which submitted high bids on several Millard County parcels. “The recent results … highlight strengthening private market demand for clean, low-cost, reliable power generation and thermal management, driven by technology advancements and data center development,” Efficient Markets said in its release. “Geothermal is a critical and fast-growing renewable energy source. Going forward, with continued government support and accelerated technology advancements, we expect increased investment in geothermal projects, driving stronger competition and momentum in geothermal power generation,” said Gus Rivero, chief ventures officer of Efficient Markets. Winning the lease bids does not guarantee that the bidders will develop a project, but it opens the door for companies to explore the parcels and determine viability. Under the federal geothermal program, revenues collected from the auction of federal lands for power plant development are divided among the state of Utah (50 percent), the counties where the leases reside (25 percent) and the U.S. Department of the Treasury (25 percent). Geothermal energy development continues to be a growth industry in Utah. The power source has a history that dates to the state’s first commercial generation in 1984. That year, the Blundell Geothermal Power Plant, developed by Utah
Steam rises from a section of the Cove Fort Geothermal Plant in Millard County operated by Ormat Technologies. The company submitted the highest bid ever for a geothermal land lease in an August BLM sale at $1,207 per acre. (Courtesy Ormat Technologies) Power & Light and Phillips Petroleum, began supplying power to the grid from Beaver County. In recent years, further development included the Cove Fort operation and more recently, Fervo Energy’s Cape Station plant has garnered headlines with its major Beaver County project. The University of Utah operates Utah Forge (Frontier Observatory for Research in Geothermal Energy), a dedicated underground geothermal field laboratory in Beaver County sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy. Located near the town of Milford, it is designed to research, test and improve the techniques
needed for enhanced geothermal systems. Geothermal energy taps heat from within the Earth to generate electricity, and Utah’s geology — particularly in areas managed by the Cedar City and Fillmore BLM field offices — makes it a strong candidate for development. The BLM determined that the 37 parcels in the recent sale met a “no significant impact” threshold following environmental impact studies for possible geothermal development. That finding is a standard threshold under the National Environmental Policy Act and clearing it allowed the sale to move forward.
Zions Bank Foundation donates $10K to Blood Cancer United
The Zions Bank Foundation has donated $10,000 to Blood Cancer United’s Utah office. Christina Miles, Zions Bank director of sales, and Kyle Ariotti, Zions Bank commercial banking relationship manager presented the check on Aug. 25 to Kristen Anderson, executive director for the Mountain Region of Blood Cancer United. Miles serves as corporate walk chair of Blood Cancer United’s “Light The Night” event in Boise, and Ariotti serves as an executive committee member of the “Light The Night” event in Utah. The funds will support Blood Cancer United’s mission to help cure blood cancer and improve the quality of life for blood cancer patients and their families. The organization hosts the annual “Light The Night” Walk, which honors those affected by blood cancer. In-
dividuals or companies may sign up as a team to participate and raise funding to support lifesaving cancer research. Utah’s event will be held Oct. 8 at Sugarhouse Park. “This donation means so much because Blood Cancer United has a bold goal of adding 1 million years of life to blood cancer patients by 2040,” said Anderson in a release. “Donations like this from the Zions Bank Foundation will enable us to do just that.” Supporting health and human services is a key focus of the Zions Bank Foundation’s charitable giving. “As someone with a loved one fighting blood cancer, I personally understand the impact that Blood Cancer United makes,” said Miles. “I’m proud to support their mission to cure blood cancer and give families more time and cherished memories together.”
From left, Kyle Ariotti, Kristen Anderson and Christina Miles pose with a donation from Zions Bank. (Courtesy Zions Bank)
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September 21, 2026 | 7
SALT LAKE BUSINESS JOURNAL
Meta announces major expansion of its data center campus in Eagle Mountain John Rogers Salt Lake Business Journal Social media giant Meta has announced a major expansion its Eagle Mountain Data Center. Full details haven’t been released, but the company said the new buildings will use closed-loop liquid cooling systems with dry cooling for its massive computer arrays, assuaging public concerns about water usage in the desert state. “With this expansion, we are increasing our investment in Utah to more than $3 billion and will support more than 1,200 construction workers at the peak of construction, as well as more than 300 jobs at the data center once completed,” the company said in a Sept. 14 release. Meta uses the Eagle Mountain facility to power traffic and infrastructure for Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp and other Meta family apps and services. The company said the site is designed to be supported by 100 percent renewable energy from local Utah solar projects. The new facilities will add more than 1.7 gigawatts of computing power and will support a 600 megawatt-hour battery storage system. Approval for the expansion was already being worked through Eagle Mountain’s government process in 2025, well ahead of
recent uproar over data center development in Utah, particularly a proposal in Box Elder County for a massive center. The city approved a development agreement with Meta in October 2025, allowing expansion onto property immediately south of the existing campus. Eagle Mountain subsequently created Sweetwater Industrial Park No. 4, a 567acre community reinvestment area specifically for the Meta expansion, according to minutes of the Eagle Mountain City Council. When Meta publicized the expansion earlier this month, most of the governmental approval work had already occurred. Meta broke ground on the original Eagle Mountain campus in 2018 and the site went live in 2021. The initial installation was announced at 1 million square feet at a cost of $750 million. Meta added 500,000 square feet in 2019, 900,000 square feet in 2021 and two more buildings totaling 2 million square feet in 2022. Construction and expansion work is already underway, according to Meta’s announcement. The expansion calls for three new data center buildings, an administration building and a warehouse south of the existing campus. As part of Meta’s $1 billion Future is for Everyone Fund commitment to invest directly in U.S. communities where Meta owns and operates data centers, the com-
Workforce Services to hold job fair Oct. 6
Utah’s Department of Workforce Services is holding a Work Ability career exploration and job fair on Oct 6 at the Robert G. Sanderson Community Center of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, 5709 S. 1500 W., Salt Lake City. The event is designed for individuals with disabilities, part of the People With Disabilities Network. It runs from
9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., and lunch will be provided by Disability In Utah. Employees who wish to participate must reserve space by Oct. 2, and there is no cost to participate. Registration is online at https://tinyurl. com/4xb9dpjy. More information is available by contacting Josh Rodeback at 385-266-0509 or jrodeback@utah.gov.
A rendering depicts three new data center buildings, an administration building and a warehouse being built at Meta’s Eagle Mountain Data Center campus. As part of the expansion, the company has also made major commitments to Eagle Mountain schools and other organizations. (Courtesy Meta) pany will continue its Eagle Mountain contributions. Included are an additional $450,000 grant to the city for construction of the Walden Park Astronomy Park. The center will feature seven telescopes, a retractable roof and year-round STEM education, community programming and public stargazing. Meta will also spend $600,000 to acquire three acres for a future elementary school in partnership with Lake Mountain School District, will commit $1.5 million to the Lake Mountain Education Foundation and make an ongoing annual contribution of $50,000 to support initiatives that directly enhance student learning experiences, including early childhood literacy. Prior to the new commitments, Meta has contributed more than $6.2 million to local schools and organizations, it said in its release. The closed-loop cooling system Meta plans to use in its new facilities is a sealed, self-contained setup that recirculates a fixed volume of coolant to absorb and remove heat from high-temperature hardware without exposing the fluid to the outside environment. It uses no water,
unlike earlier data center cooling systems that required large volumes of water to cool computer components. Meta said the new buildings will use “no operational water in the cooling system. Water used onsite will be limited to domestic uses, fire protection and equipment maintenance. Our continued annual operational water use is projected to be less than one typical golf course in the region.” Meta said that rather than using local water resources, it has invested in area water restoration projects that have returned more than 726 million gallons of water to the local watershed, including the Provo River Flow Restoration project, Hobble Creek Flow Restoration and a partnership with Eagle Mountain. A portion of the water used to cool Meta’s older servers has been diverted to irrigate Cory Wride Memorial Park in Eagle Mountain. Meta has more than 30 self-built data center campuses in operation and in development around the world and is targeting tens of gigawatts of new computing power within the next decade. The company is also a major leaser of third-party data centers and cloud capacity.
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8 | September 21, 2026
SALT LAKE BUSINESS JOURNAL
Sports Giving Day a huge success for Bees, Utah nonprofits Tom Haraldsen Salt Lake Business Journal Organizers of the first Utah Youth Sports Giving Day had a plan in mind when it was announced earlier this summer: work with local businesses and ask for public donations to raise money for support of youth sports programs. Their goal was ambitious — raise $3 million in total support over a two-week period. It took nine minutes. The Sept. 12 event at The Ballpark at America First Square saw public donations coupled with $1.5 million in matching funds from three organizations raise a total of $3.3 million, with still days to go before the campaign draws to a close on Sept. 26. “We had 150 nonprofits sign up, and the public donations online once we began were phenomenal,” said Jenny Teemsma, head of communications with Miller Sports & Entertainment. “The goal is to raise essential funds to help more kids access quality sports experiences. It will help many families with the cost of youth sport participation.” The inaugural campaign is led by Miller Sports & Entertainment, the Larry H. & Gail Miller Family Foundation and the Daniels Fund. The Organizing Committee for the 2034 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games has also joined the effort. “It was a great beginning, but the public can still help out with donations through 11:59 p.m. on Sept. 26,” Members of the Salt Lake Bees welcomed youth athletes of all abilities Teemsma said. Donations can be made online at utahy- to the Utah Youth Sports Giving Day prior to the Bees’ game on Sept. 12, helping raise more than $3.3 million for athletic programs. outhsportsgivingday.com.
Now
OPEN
CONGRATULATIONS
2026 TITAN AWARDS HONOREES
A new feature in the Salt Lake Business Journal is this list of new businesses that have opened or plan to open shortly in our area.
Andrea Kendell
President and CEO, Swire Coca-Cola, USA
Fraser Bullock
President and Executive Chair, 2034 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games Organizing Committee
Buzz gave a supportive hug to athletes who participated in the event. (Photos courtesy Miller Sports & Entertainment)
Jim Olson
President, Utah Jazz
OCTOBER 27, 2026 | 6:00 PM THE GRAND AMERICA HOTEL
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Expansion Capital Group, a financial technology company, has opened a new office at 200 W. Civic Center Drive, Suite 120, Sandy. It works with small businesses to help expand their working capital and is based in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Bank of Utah has opened its fifth branch in Utah County, with a new location at 2292 W. 1930 N., Lehi. Bank representatives presented a $1,000 check to Ronald McDonald House as part of its opening ceremony. The bank also has branches in Spanish Fork, Lindon, Orem and Provo. British Swim School, a provider of water safety and survival-first swim instruction, has opened a new location in the EoS Fitness facility at 52 E.
University Parkway, Orem. The company has been franchising its business for 45 years, coming to the Provo/ Orem area for the first time. The Vitamin Shoppe is open at the Westlake Shopping Center, 173 W. Lake Drive, Saratoga Springs. The store offers mobile checkout as well as regular services, offering help for health enthusiasts. Columbia Bank, a subsidiary of Columbia Banking System Inc, has opened a new commercial office and retail branch at 13947 Minuteman Drive, Suite 175, Draper. It’s the first of three new Columbia branches planned to open in the Salt Lake City area by year’s end. Linrose Dental & Vitalite, a family dental practice that integrates mindbody wellness with general medicine, aesthetics and mental healthcare, is now open at 2177 N. Hillcrest Road, Saratoga Springs.
Want to see your business reported here? Send news or a release to nowopen@slbusinessjournal.com.
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SALT LAKE BUSINESS JOURNAL
DOWN to TO BUSINESS Down Business
September 21, 2026 | 9
Attention, reporters: AI makes things up, too
Think back to when those two magic letters “AI” first entered your consciousness. Unless you’re a computer scientist of some sort — or a sci-fi geek — I’d bet it wasn’t more than five years ago. Now, hardly an hour goes by without some mention of it — often in a negative sense. Whether it’s the creation of special effects — even full scenery sets — in movie making, “deepfakes” in social media, surveillance and privacy concerns or the backlash against the construction of the massive data centers where artificial intelligence lives, AI dominates our current news cycles and culture. The systems we’re most familiar with go by the scientific moniker “large language model” (LLM). These are artificial intelligence systems “trained” on vast amounts of text and data to understand, summarize, translate and generate human-like language. The process is known as “generative artificial intelligence.” Popular LLMs include “AI answer engines” like OpenAI’s ChatGPT and Google Gemini, available without cost. You can simply type out a question, and the answer engine almost instantaneously spits out an extensive reply. It’s almost addictive. Recent reports cite teens foregoing sleep to “chat” with AI engines through the night. Usually, those answers are thorough and correct — “usually.” But far too often, an AI engine will return bogus material. And that’s not good in my industry.
Case in point: A year or so ago, a young reporter at a Utah publication was assigned to write a recap of the recently concluded legislative JOHN session. The stoROGERS ry was to include a list of significant bills affecting a specific sector of the economy. The article was completed, submitted and an overly busy editor ran it pretty much as it was turned in. It turned out that the story was virtually all written by ChatGPT (there are apps available that check that sort of thing). A lazy cub reporter simply asked the answer machine to find the bills that fit her assignment, wrote an original lead and turned it in. Trouble was, at least two of the bills cited were never passed. One died in committee and another was only a proposal. LLMs often make those kinds of errors — finding a reference somewhere online and citing it as fact without follow-up. The ramifications for journalists who rely on AI go far beyond the necessity of running a correction or an apology. At the very least, the reporter’s — and even the publication’s — credibility can be drawn into question. A whole word salad of other negative results comes to mind: defamation, invasion of privacy, copyright infringement, false attribution, fi-
nancial liability or reputational damages. As a sidenote, AI feeds on itself. In this case, within a few days, ChatGPT was using the Utah publication as a source, citing the phony bills as having passed the Utah Legislature. There are quite a number of widely publicized instances where news organizations relied on generative AI and ended up publishing fabricated facts, nonexistent sources or misleading material. In 2025, the Chicago Sun-Times published a syndicated summer reading list that included books that did not exist. The list was generated by AI and contained fabricated titles and authors. The newspaper subsequently apologized. The incident was particularly embarrassing because the material appeared in a mainstream newspaper under the publication’s editorial umbrella. In an interesting twist, the Italian newspaper Il Foglio deliberately published an AI-written edition to show its readers what artificial intelligence could do. Il Foglio had the Italian version of ChatGPT produce an entire four-page newspaper section, with human journalists checking the material. Even with that human overview, the experimental paper contained factual errors, plagiarism and other problems. The demonstration turned out to be accidental proof of why AI output requires careful editing. The BBC was among news organizations caught up in AI-related publishing
problems in the past year. A review of the 2025’s AI failures by the Financial Times of London identified the BBC, the Chicago Sun-Times and Pakistan’s Dawn among news organizations that published false or skewed AI-generated material and subsequently had to issue corrections or apologies. The underlying problem is that AI can turn a nonexistent fact into something that looks like a legitimate primary source. Although LLMs now profess to have cleaned up most of the problems with false information, a recent incident saw an unnamed newspaper quoting a governor saying something he never said. The chatbot returned a polished answer containing a quotation that sounded completely authentic. A deeper dive into what was actually written by the engine found it reporting that the governor may have said it — it sounded like something he would have said. At the Salt Lake Business Journal, we follow the journalism style found in the Associated Press Style Book. AP give us this advice: “Output from generative AI should be treated as ‘unvetted source material’ and journalists must apply normal editorial judgment and sourcing standards.” So, for any journalist who will listen, put a sign on your desk that says: “AI can tell you where to look. It can’t tell you what is true.”
John Rogers is a 50-year veteran of Utah media. He retired as managing editor of the Salt Lake Business Journal in 2025.
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10 | September 21, 2026
SALT LAKE BUSINESS JOURNAL
Office of Energy Development signs MOU with microreactor developer
Utah’s Office of Energy Development (OED) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with a Houston, Texas-based developer of compact, transportable nuclear microreactors. The MOU establishes a non-binding framework for cooperation and information exchange as the parties explore siting Deployable Energy Limited’s Unity nuclear reactors within the state. Deployable Energy is a clean energy company that develops and manufactures compact portable nuclear reactors that it markets as “a product, not a project.” The result is a system that can be produced in volume, deployed quickly and operated across a wide range of applications. The two sides further agreed to explore potential opportunities for research, testing, demonstration and commercial deployment of the technology. The Unity nuclear battery is a 1-megawatt microreactor that can fit inside a standard 20-foot shipping container. It is factory-built and designed to be quickly transported wherever electrical power is needed. Its modular design means that single reactors can be combined into arrays of hundreds of units, with five-year refueling cycles. “The MOU marks an important step in advancing research, development
and commercial deployment of Deployable’s Unity nuclear battery,” the company said in a statement. “Utah is demonstrating the kind of leadership that can make it a national hub for advanced nuclear energy,” said Bobby Gallagher, CEO and co-founder of Deployable Energy. “The state isn’t simply working to attract new technologies and companies — it is building an ecosystem that brings together industry, government, communities and the workforce needed to turn innovation into real economic opportunity. “Just as importantly, Utah recognizes that successful energy development starts with meaningful engagement with the communities where these projects may ultimately be located,” Gallagher continued. “That combination of ambition, collaboration and community engagement is exactly what we look for in a partner, and we’re excited to work with the state to explore what Deployable Energy can contribute to Utah’s energy future.” “Utah is leading the nation in energy innovation, and our partnership with Deployable Energy is another step towards an abundant energy future that is reliable, secure and clean,” said Emy Lesofski, director the Utah Office of Energy Development and energy advi-
A team from Houston-based Deployable Energy meets with Gov. Spencer Cox in Salt Lake City recently. From left: Mike Zurlo, vice president of projects development at Deployable; state Sen. Derrin Owens, R-Fountain Green; Bobby Gallagher, Deployable CEO; Cox; Sanjay Mukhi, chief commercial officer at Deployable; and energy consultant Suzanne Baker. (Courtesy Office of Gov. Cox) sor to Gov. Spencer Cox. Utah officials emphasized that the MOU does not indicate that Unity reactors have been approved for manufac-
ture in Utah. It provides a framework for the state and Deployable Energy to examine whether and how the technology could eventually be deployed.
Why aren’t more Americans using their vacation days?
U.S. employees leave an average of six vacation days unused each year. Now leaders are trying to find out why so many desks often left unoccupied in summer months were full this past year. A study by a company called Breathe HR said “holiday hoarding” may be to blame, as there’s a growing tendency for workers to hold onto their paid time off (PTO) rather than use it. New data from Breathe shows that
around half of U.K. workers didn’t take their full PTO last year, and U.S. figures from Pew paint a similar picture. And the trend is worsening: At Breathe HR, they found that 1 in 4 workers plan to take less vacation time this year than last year. There are a plethora of reasons why workers are choosing to forgo PTO, but it can be partly attributed to the tough job market on both sides of the pond. It’s fueling a wave of job insecurity that’s prompt-
ing many employees to worry that stepping away from work — even briefly — will be perceived as a lack of commitment. According to the Breathe poll, 1 in 5 workers admit they’re worried about redundancy and the tough job market, so they hold back from taking their full PTO in case it negatively impacts how managers view them. The causes of holiday hoarding also stretch into the cultural and structural fab-
ric of organizations, as a fifth of workers say that their employer doesn’t encourage them to use their PTO. A third say their workload prevents them from taking a vacation, and Pew reports nearly half feel guilty knowing their colleagues may have to pick up the slack in their absence. When workloads are unsustainable, and rest is seen as an indulgence rather than a necessity, staff won’t feel able to take the time off that they have earned.
SALT LAKE BUSINESS JOURNAL
PEOPLE on ON THE People the MOVE Move “People on the Move” information should be submitted at brice.w@thecityjournals.com. Submissions are for subscribers only.
ADVISORY
• BDO USA, an accounting and professional services firm, has added Eric Evans as a principal in the firm’s tax practice. Evans has over 18 years’ experience and advises private equity-backed, publicly traded and founder-led companies on complex tax strategy, transaction Eric Evans structuring, growth, M&A, capital structure, and enterprise value creation. He helps clients navigate complex business and financial decisions. He previously was a relationship and tax partner at Crowe and tax director at PwC prior to that. Evans earned a bachelor’s of science (accounting) and a Master of Accountancy (tax), both from Brigham Young University.
ASSOCIATIONS
• ULI (Urban Land Institute) Utah has hired Emory Schwieger as marketing, events and program coordinator; welcomed Connie Zylstra as Relationships, Engagement and Value (REV) Committee co-chair; and welcomed Dylan Fitzgerald to the ULI Emory Utah Advisory Board. Schwieger Schwieger is a 2025 graduate of the University of Utah, where she double-majored in environmental studies and urban ecology and planning. Zylstra is a vice president in public finance at D.A. Davidson & Co., where she Connie Zylstra works with the Development Finance Group on real estate development financing across Utah, specializing in tax increment financing, infrastructure financing districts and debt structuring. She also served as chair of the ULI Utah Young Leaders Dylan Group. Fitzgerald is a Fitzgerald senior broker at Colliers and founder of Oerith, where he focuses on commercial real estate, development strategy and energy infrastructure, identifying strategic land opportunities and building the teams and partnerships behind them. He is currently assembling and guiding the Utah Civic Housing Alliance.
EDUCATION
• Weber State University has welcomed Aimee Martinez Thoman and Emmett Busby to its board of trustees. They will contribute to the trustees’ primary goals of establishing university policies, collaborating with university leadership on strategic direction, and strengthAimee Martinez ening ties between WSU and its commuThoman nity. Thoman is presi-
dent of the WSU Alumni Association, a Utah attorney, public servant and longtime university volunteer. Her legal career spans criminal prosecutorial work, discrimination and sexual Emmett Busby harassment investigation, civil firm practice and private practice. She serves as investigative counsel for the Utah Judicial Conduct Commission, as well as on the executive committee of the WSU Alumni Association board of directors. Thoman earned her bachelor’s degree from WSU and J.D. from the J. Reuben Clark Law School at Brigham Young University. Busby is the newly elected student body president. He is pursuing a degree in political science. He previously served as the College of Science student senator, a WSU admissions ambassador, a user services assistant at Stewart Library, and a FAFSA coach. Thoman and Busby serve in non-appointed positions for one- and two-year terms, respectively.
INNOVATION
• The Nucleus Institute, which helps Utah innovators connect with the partners and resources they need to grow, has hired Hannah Cancino as manager of partnerships and business development, and Rebecca Gerth as program manager for NucleHannah us Grow. Cancino will Cancino lead the work of building and strengthening the partnerships behind Convergence Hall (an innovation campus at The Point in Draper) and Nucleus’ broader slate of programs. She studied psycholoRebecca Gerth gy at the University of Utah and spent several years in wealth management and financial planning before joining Nucleus. Nucleus Grow helps Utah companies pursue and win federal Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) awards. Gerth will work directly with Utah founders on agency fit, proposal strategy and the SBIR/STTR application process. She’s a deep-tech founder and an NIH SBIR and STTR awardee.
LAW
• Dorsey & Whitney LLP has added Dan Higgs in Salt Lake City as of counsel in its patent group. For more than 20 years, Higgs has practiced patent law in both private practice and as in-house counsel. He represents clients in building and managing U.S. and international Dan Higgs patent portfolios, conducting product clearance analyses and intellectual property due diligence, preparing non-infringement and invalidity opinions, and navigating post-grant proceedings at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. His industry experience, while focused on medical devices and other healthcare technologies, spans a range of technologies. Prior to joining Dorsey, Higgs was a partner at a pat-
ent boutique firm. He previously served for more than seven years as chief intellectual property counsel of MedVenture (now Wasatch Health), where he worked directly with MedVenture portfolio companies at every stage to manage all aspects of their IP. Higgs’ education includes a B.S. degree in physics from the University of Utah.
NONPROFITS
• Alterra Mountain Company Community Foundation has appointed Robert Foley as executive director. The foundation is a public charity originally founded and inspired by Denver-based Alterra Mountain Co., which includes Deer Valley Resort and Solitude Mountain Resort in Utah. The foundation focuses on supporting mental health initiatives in its mountain communities. Foley will advance the foundation’s mission and oversee its core programs supporting mental health initiatives in those communities. Foley has multiple decades of experience in nonprofit leadership and community-centered philanthropy, as well as extensive work with behavioral health systems within rural and urban communities. In addition to his recent work at the Colorado Trust addressing housing, food and mental/behavioral health in a range of under-resourced communities, he previously served as senior project director at the CDC Foundation. Foley previously also worked as chief program officer for the National Indian Health Board, served as president and CEO of the National Native American AIDS Prevention Center, and dedicated his early career to effective health prevention at the Denver STD/HIV Prevention Training Center and the Tri-Ethnic Center for Prevention Research at Colorado State University.
REAL ESTATE
• Evergreen Development, an Arizona-based regional commercial real estate developer, has promoted four people to principal, including Matt Nielson, based in the company’s Salt Lake City office. Nielson, principal, retail acquisitions, has been with Evergreen for 10 Matt Nielson years. He sources and executes development and acquisition opportunities, with a focus on grocery-anchored shopping centers, and mixed-use projects in Utah and Idaho. He is a member of the ICSC Next Generation Leadership Network and a graduate of the Small Giants Leadership Academy. He received his bachelor’s degree in English and a Master of Real Estate Development degree from the University of Utah. Founded in 1974, Evergreen has completed more than 650 projects across 21 states. It has offices in Arizona, Colorado, Utah and California.
SERVICES
• Aptive Environmental, a Provo-based provider of residential pest control services, has named Shane Hansen as chief financial officer, Ivona Adkins as chief people officer and Viviana Harrington as deputy general counsel, compliance. Hansen will lead Aptive’s finance, technology and data functions, drawing on more than two decades of financial and operational leadership in
September 21, 2026 | 11
technology and consumer services. He most recently served as chief financial officer and executive vice president of Transformco, where he led financial and operational strategy across five distinct business units. Earlier in his career, Hansen held senior finance and strategy roles at technology companies, including Planful, Vivint Smart Home and Symantec. Adkins will lead Aptive’s people and talent strategy, building on a career focused on leadership development and organizational transformation. She joins from Bagel Brands, where she served as chief people officer for six years. Adkins previously held senior human resources and talent roles across consumer and technology companies, including as chief people officer of International Car Wash Group. Harrington has been at Aptive for more than six years, most recently serving as vice president, corporate and compliance counsel. Prior to joining Aptive, she held legal and compliance roles at Sunnova Energy and Vivint Smart Home.
TECHNOLOGY
• Elementum, a Lehi-based AI-native platform replacing legacy enterprise SaaS, has named Phil Duggan as chief revenue officer. Duggan will run Elementum’s global sales and revenue organization and lead the company’s next phase of growth. Duggan has two decades of enterprise technology and go-to-market experience, most recently helping scale Astronomer’s international business and building its EMEA revenue organization. Duggan has experience building enterprise sales teams, expanding into new markets and turning emerging technology categories into repeatable revenue engines.
WEALTH MANAGEMENT
• Highcountry Wealth Management, a Northwestern Mutual wealth management firm based in Ogden and serving clients throughout Utah, Idaho and beyond, has added Landon Cleverley as a partner. He is the company’s fourth partner. Cleverley began his career in finanLandon cial services as a tax acCleverley countant before joining Northwestern Mutual in 2020. He transitioned into financial planning and established himself as a trusted advisor. His experience includes working with business owners, family farms and ranches, and physicians.
TOURISM
• The St. George Dinosaur Discovery Site at Johnson Farm, which houses thousands of fossilized footprints and other fossils, has appointed Mindy Plumlee as its executive director. Plumlee succeeds Diana Call, who is stepping down as executive director. Plumlee has over 25 years of nonprofit executive leadership experience, including 22 years as executive director of Ronald McDonald House Charities of Idaho. She has extensive experience writing and managing grants, cultivating major gifts and donors, and building sustainable membership and planned giving programs. Plumlee has also recruited and led large boards, including a 22-member statewide board with eight committees, along with staff and volunteer teams of up to 30 staff and 450 volunteers.
12 | September 21, 2026
SALT LAKE BUSINESS JOURNAL
INDUSTRY BRIEFS Industry Briefs Company news information may be sent to brice.w@thecityjournals.com.
ACQUISITIONS
• Truelink Capital, a Los Angeles-based private equity firm, has completed its acquisition of JT Thorpe Group Inc., a Salt Lake City-based provider of specialty industrial maintenance and thermal management services supporting infrastructure and industrial end markets across North America. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed. JT Thorpe’s management team, led by CEO Kevin Howard, will continue to lead the business and will retain a significant ownership stake in the company. Founded in 1906, JT Thorpe has more than 30 locations. Goldman Sachs and Harris Williams served as financial advisors to JT Thorpe in connection with the transaction.
ECONOMIC INDICATORS
• Utah is ranked No. 10 on the American Legislative Exchange Council’s fourth edition of its “States That Work: A Labor Policy Roadmap Across America” report, which ranks all 50 states on policies centered around worker freedom and economic mobility. The report highlights where workers enjoy the most economic freedom and where big government mandates hold them back. The report grades states based on 10 key labor policies vetted and recommended by ALEC’s Commerce, Insurance, and Economic Development Task Force and featured in ALEC’s Essential Policy Solutions, including the Right to Work Act and Occupational Licensing Review Act. The top-ranked state is Arizona. The bottom-ranked state is Alaska. In breakout lists, Utah trailed only Idaho for average 10-year private-sector employment growth, at 27.89 percent. Utah also is No. 5 for lowest private-sector union membership, at 2.16 percent. South Dakota led at 1.46 percent and Hawaii was last at 13.17 percent. Details are at https://alec.org/publication/ states-that-work-a-labor-policy-roadmap-across-america-4th-edition/. • Utah is ranked No. 2 on a list of states where it is cheapest to have an electric vehicle, compiled by Zutobi. The Zutobi EV Miles Report is based on the estimated cost of charging and running a Tesla Model 3 in each state. Utah’s ranking is based on electricity cost of about 13 cents average per kilowatt-hour, a full charge costing $7.45, the driving cost of $3.17 per 100 miles, and traveling 3,154 miles per $100. The top-ranked state is Idaho. The bottom-ranked state is Hawaii. Details are at https://zutobi.com/us/driver-guides/ the-electric-vehicle-miles-report. • Utah is ranked No. 31 on a list of “best states to retire” in the U.S., compiled
by home care agency 24 Hour Caregivers. It analyzed air quality, life expectancy, violent crime, environmental quality, Medicaid spending, the proportion of residents aged 65 and older, and nursing home quality across every state. The topranked state is Hawaii, with a life expectancy of 80 years. The bottom-ranked state is Oklahoma, at 73.8 years. Utah life expectancy is 79. • Wasatch County is the top-ranked county in the U.S. where people feel the least lonely, according to a study by CBD company Mood. It ranked 1,996 counties across the United States on the share of adults who say they feel lonely. It analyzed CDC estimates covering 184.2 million adults across 39 states. Wasatch County’s loneliness rate is 27.3 percent. Holmes County, Mississippi, is the loneliest county in America, with 43.8 percent of adults saying they feel lonely. That is 8.9 percentage points above the national figure. • Two Utah junctions are on a list of “the most feared in the country among motorcycle riders,” compiled by personal injury law firm Bisnar Chase. Riverside Drive and River Road in St. George is ranked No. 45 nationally, and State Street and 4500 South in Murray, No. 117. The firm asked riders to identify the intersections, highway interchanges and merging areas where they feel most vulnerable to being struck by another driver. The top-ranked location is the Golden Glades Interchange in Miami/Dade County, Florida. Details are at https://www. bestattorney.com/motorcycle-accidents/ motorcycle-safety-study.html.
EDUCATION
• Big-D Construction, a Salt Lake Citybased construction firm, has added to its contribution to the Big-D Construction Management Endowment at Weber State University to develop construction professionals. The endowment supports students enrolled in Weber State’s Parsons Construction Management program who have declared a major in construction management. Scholarship recipients are nominated and selected by the Program Scholarship Committee based on academic achievement, leadership, and potential for success within the construction industry. The scholarship was established in 1995. Big-D significantly expanded its support in 2022 to help ensure the program’s long-term impact. This year’s recipient, Fardusa Hamud, a sophomore at Weber State, is using the scholarship to continue her construction management studies, with an interest in sustainability and large-scale housing development.
EXPANSIONS
• Co-Diagnostics Inc., a Salt Lake City-based molecular diagnostics compa-
ny, has launched its integrated cloud infrastructure in India. The deployment is intended to support the company’s ongoing clinical studies for its point-of-care Mycobacterium tuberculosis test while establishing the digital foundation for future deployment of the Co-Dx PCR platform throughout the country. The company intends to replicate its test data architecture in additional markets, including the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and South Africa. Data generated through the platform can be securely aggregated to support public health surveillance and future analytical applications. The India deployment, supported in part by funding from the Gates Foundation, includes samples being processed on the PCR Pro instrument with analysis conducted directly on a mobile device, and results securely synchronized to the localized cloud environment.
HOUSING
• The Utah Housing Preservation Fund, a public-private partnership backed by the state of Utah and operated under Utah Non-Profit Housing Corp. that acquires and preserves existing multifamily affordable housing, has acquired Ascent at Marmalade, a 72-unit multifamily community in Salt Lake City’s Marmalade district. The fund purchased the property at auction and will hold it as the long-term owner, investing in capital improvements while keeping the homes affordable in perpetuity. The phased capital improvement program will address deferred maintenance and building systems while residents remain in place. Over the long term, the fund will evaluate the site’s capacity to accommodate additional homes without displacing the people living there today. The acquisition brings the fund’s portfolio to 13 properties and 1,156 units preserved statewide, serving more than 2,700 residents. Across the portfolio, residents save a weighted average of $270 per month compared to market rents — savings that have now totaled more than $13 million.
INVESTMENTS
• Peterson Partners LLC, a Salt Lake City-based private equity firm investing in lower middle-market businesses, has closed a capital raise of $510 million for Peterson Kelso Coinvest LP, a single-asset continuation vehicle for Kelso Industries, a Draper-based Fund VIII and Fund X portfolio company. NorthSands Capital, a New York City-based investment firm focused on investing in single-asset continuation vehicles, was the sole lead investor and committed more than $450 million to the transaction. As part of the transaction, Peterson Partners Fund X, Peterson’s current flagship private equity fund, rolled its position and made an additional investment in Kelso.
Kelso was founded in 2021 through Peterson’s partnership with Steve Carroll and Steve Nicholson. The company operates across more than 40 states with more than 4,000 employees nationwide and delivers mechanical, electrical and plumbing services to commercial, institutional and industrial customers. The proceeds of this capital raise will support Kelso’s continued growth through strategic acquisitions, investment in people and capabilities, and expansion into new markets and business opportunities. Jefferies LLC served as exclusive financial advisor to Peterson. Mayer Brown and Honigman LLP served as legal counsel to Peterson and Kelso. Kirkland & Ellis LLP served as legal counsel to NorthSands.
PARTNERSHIPS
• Instructure, a Salt Lake City-based learning ecosystem and maker of Canvas LMS, has announced a partnership with Veriff, a global identity verification provider, to build identity verification directly into Parchment by Instructure Transcript Services. The new capability allows institutions to require learners to verify their identity before a transcript request is fulfilled. Parchment runs the largest academic credential network in the world, connecting more than 6,200 colleges and universities with 6,700 K-12 schools and districts, and has exchanged more than 165 million credentials. • SiMa.ai, a California-based company focused on physical AI, and Ark Electronics, a Murray-based designer and manufacturer of drone and robotics electronics, have announced a partnership to accelerate the deployment of next-generation autonomous drones. The companies are launching the Ark-SiMa. ai Modalix MLSoC Bundles, which are production-ready, affordable, high-performance solutions designed to simplify the development of intelligent drones for commercial and defense markets. The SiMa.ai physical AI platform combines hardware and software in one offering: the Modalix System-on-Module, built on the Modalix MLSoC, and Palette Neat, an agentic development environment that compresses AI development from months to days.
PHILANTHROPY
• The Zions Bank Foundation, a charitable organization funded by Zions Bank, has donated $10,000 to Blood Cancer United’s Utah office. The funds will support Blood Cancer United’s mission to help cure blood cancer and improve the quality of life for blood cancer patients and their families. The donation will help fund the nonprofit’s goal of adding 1 million years of life to patients by 2040. Christina Miles, Zions Bank director of sales, and Kyle Ariotti, Zions Bank
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SALT LAKE BUSINESS JOURNAL
INDUSTRY BRIEFS Industry Briefs commercial banking relationship manager, presented the check to Kristen Anderson, executive director for the Mountain Region of Blood Cancer United. Miles serves as corporate walk chair of Blood Cancer United’s “Light The Night” event in Boise, and Ariotti serves as an executive committee member of the “Light The Night” event in Utah. The organization’s annual “Light the Night Walk” honors people affected by blood cancer. Utah’s event will be Oct. 8 at Sugarhouse Park.
RECOGNITIONS
• Seven people were honored as recipients of the 2026 Kinect Capital Icon Awards during the 43rd annual Investors Choice Conference. The group of entrepreneurs, investors, operators and ecosystem builders were recognized for making an impact across Utah and far beyond. Fraser Bullock helped lead the 2002 Salt Lake Olympic Winter Games as COO and CFO, was an original partner at Bain Capital, co-founded Sorenson Capital, and now serves as executive chair and president of the Organizing Committee for the 2034 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. Ted McAleer has helped build Utah’s startup community for more than 25 years. He co-founded and chairs Park City Angels, Utah’s largest and most active angel investment group, and founded SPARC Health, where he continues helping early-stage healthcare entrepreneurs build and grow companies. Jeanette Bennett founded Utah Valley Magazine and Utah Valley BusinessQ and built Bennett Com-
munications into a leading Utah publishing organization. Today, she serves as CEO and executive managing director of Colliers Utah and is a 2023 Silicon Slopes Hall of Fame inductee. Scott Frazier is the founder of Frazier VC, a multiple-exit entrepreneur, and a longtime technology investor. Frazier VC’s portfolio includes Ancestry, GitHub, Filevine, Omniture, Domo, Galileo Financial Technologies, Hirevue, Weave and many others. He also co-founded UtahAngels. Tara Rosander has built, operated, advised and invested in early and growth-stage companies and today serves as COO at the Utah Governor’s Office of Economic Development. She also chairs the Nucleus Fund Investment Committee. Kai Huang co-founded RedOctane, the company behind Guitar Hero, and continued as president and CEO after its acquisition by Activision as Guitar Hero grew into a multibillion-dollar franchise. He later co-founded 886 Studios, where he continues his work as an entrepreneur and investor supporting the next generation of technology founders. Kevin Lin was co-founder and COO of Twitch, helping grow it into one of the world’s leading live-streaming platforms before its acquisition by Amazon. He later co-founded 886 Studios, where he serves as managing partner, and Lifelike Capital, where he serves as general partner, and continues as an active technology investor. • Pip Pop Post LLC of American Fork is on a list of “CO-100,” a program of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and CO-, a
digital platform for small businesses, that recognizes the top 100 small businesses in the U.S. Honorees were selected from more than 12,000 applicants by a panel of judges for their impressive growth, innovative strategies and commitment to their customers. The full list generates more than $340 million in annual revenue; employs more than 2,500 workers; represents 36 states and Washington, D.C.; and spans 15 industries. Each honoree receives a one-year paid membership to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, national brand exposure, exclusive access to expert insights and networking opportunities, and entry into a community of fellow business leaders. Honorees will also participate in the CO-100 VIP Experience at the U.S. Chamber’s headquarters in Washington, D.C., from Oct. 19-21.
RESCUE EQUIPMENT
• Siddons-Martin Emergency Group, a Texas-based fire and emergency apparatus and equipment dealer, will host an open house Sept. 23, 7:30 a.m.-3 p.m., at its new service center at 5439 W. 150 S., Salt Lake City. A ribbon-cutting ceremony takes place at 10 a.m. The facility was built to provide enhanced service support to fire and emergency response agencies across Utah. Siddons-Martin Emergency Group serves Texas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Utah, Nevada, Arkansas and Tennessee. Its products include custom and commercial pumpers, aerials, rescue trucks, wildland trucks, mini pumpers, tankers, homeland security apparatus, ambulances, patrol and com-
mand vehicles, aftermarket parts, and fire rescue equipment. Established in 1974, it employs more than 750 people across 34 locations. It also operates eight subsidiary companies related to diesel, automotive and heavy-truck parts; construction equipment; and emergency vehicle sales and service.
RESTAURANTS
• Through September, Cafe Rio Fresh Modern Mexican is offering University of Utah students and faculty a “buy-one, get-on-free” School Meal Deal at its 532 E. 400 S., Salt Lake City, location. For the entire month, employees of the new restaurant on the UofU campus can get a free meal at Cafe Rio by showing valid proof of employment. Students and faculty with a valid school ID can purchase one qualifying $10 School Meal Deal and receive a second one free.
TRAINING
• ETS Performance, focused on youth athlete performance training, has been approved as a provider for Utah Fits All, the state’s universal school choice scholarship program. The approval opens ETS’s specialized training programs for homeschool student athletes to families across the state, who can direct Utah Fits All scholarship funds toward the cost of qualifying ETS Performance sessions. ETS currently operates four studios in Utah: Centerville, Ogden, Springville and Logan. ETS serves thousands of youth and professional athletes across more than 80 locations nationwide.
Utah’s housing market stabilizes slightly, but affordability remains problem
Utah’s housing affordability improved modestly over the past year, but homeownership remains beyond the reach of many residents, particularly prospective first-time buyers, according to the latest “State of the State’s Housing Market” report from the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute at the University of Utah. The report found that Utah remains among the nation’s 10 most expensive states for single-family homes, and although the estimated income needed to purchase a median-priced home declined slightly, elevated home prices and mortgage rates continue to create significant barriers to ownership. “Utah’s housing market has entered a period of more stable price growth, but stability should not be mistaken for affordability,” said Dejan Eskic, senior research fellow at the Gardner Institute. “Meeting Utah’s future housing needs will require thoughtful action today to expand supply and deliver options that consider the incomes, ages and
circumstances of Utah households.” The research found that the Utah’s median sale price across all housing types increased from $500,000 in the first quarter of 2025 to $520,000 in the first quarter of 2026. Utah’s median home price is now $559,900. Average equity among Utah homeowners with a mortgage reached a record of approximately $304,570 in the first quarter of 2026. Delinquencies and foreclosures increased slightly but remained well below long-term averages, while the estimated number of underwater homes fell from nearly 60,000 in 2013 to about 600 in 2025. As home prices rise, so do single-home rental rates. From March 2024 to March 2026, average asking rents across Utah’s five most populous counties rose 8.5 percent for detached homes and 8.3 percent for townhomes. Apartment asking rents declined 2.3 percent as new supply helped ease pressure in that segment of the market.
The estimated annual income needed to purchase Utah’s median-priced home with a 10 percent down payment declined from $149,000 in 2025 to $147,000 during the first half of 2026. Rental affordability also improved, with approximately 108 affordable units available for every 100 households earning no more than 80 percent of area median income in 2025, up from 100 units in 2023. The study found the estimated monthly payment on a median-priced home reached $3,725 in 2025 before easing to a preliminary $3,669 in 2026 — more than $1,200 above the 2021 level. Approximately 91 percent of Utah renters cannot afford that payment, and only 4.9 percent of homes sold in 2025 were affordable to a renter household earning the median income of $64,000. Utah’s homeownership rate stood at 68.3 percent in 2025, compared with 65.3 percent nationally. While Utah continues to outper-
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form the nation, its advantage has narrowed over the past decade, with particularly pronounced challenges among households occupied by people younger than 35. Approximately 26.1 percent of homes sold in 2025 were affordable to households earning 100 percent of area median income. The report finds that newer homes become more affordable as home and lot sizes decrease, underscoring the importance of providing a wider range of housing choices. The long-term demand for housing in Utah will remain strong, according to the report. Utah’s population is projected to exceed 4 million by 2035, requiring approximately 280,000 additional housing units. That total includes an estimated 61,500 units for households headed by people ages 35 and younger, 120,000 for those ages 35 to 64, and 98,000 for those age 65 and older. The full Gardner report can be found through the institute’s website at gardner.utah.edu.
14 | September 21, 2026
SALT LAKE BUSINESS JOURNAL
CALENDAR Calendar Information about upcoming events may be sent to brice.w@thecityjournals.com.
Sept. 21, 4-6:30 p.m.
“Boots to Business Reboot (Part 1),” a Small Business Development Center event. Location is Salt Lake SBDC at Salt Lake Community College. Details are at https:// clients.utahsbdc.org/events.aspx.
Sept. 22, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
Business Women’s Forum. Presenter Emily Griesing, owner and chief strategy officer at Bossible, will discuss “Beyond the Profile: Making LinkedIn Work for You.” Location is Salt Lake Marriott Downtown at City Creek, 75 S. West Temple, Salt Lake City. Cost is $50 for members and $70 for nonmembers. Details are at slchamber.com.
Sept. 22, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.
“The Future of Utah: Innovative Development Districts Redefining the Wasatch Front,” a ULI (Urban Land Institute) Utah event. Speakers are Sam Elder, senior vice president of public finance, D.A. Davidson & Co.; and Brad Holmes, Larry H. Miller Real Estate. Location is 95 State at City Creek, 95 State St., Salt Lake City. Cost ranges from $25 to $55. Details are at https://utah.uli.org/events-2.
Sept. 22, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.
Women in Business, a South Valley Chamber of Commerce event. Mayoral panel, with the theme “Beyond the Blueprint: Women Leading with Vision,” includes Jen Robison (moderator), manager of government relations, Enbridge Gas; and mayors Natalie Hall, Bluffdale; Gay
Lynn Bennion, Cottonwood Heights; Tish Buroker, Riverton; Monica M. Zoltanski, Sandy; and Dawn Ramsey, South Jordan. Location is Zions Bancorporation Technology Center, 7860 Bingham Junction Blvd., Midvale. Cost is $23 for members, $35 for nonmembers. Details are at southvalleychamber.com.
Sept. 23-24.
Sept. 22, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.
“Scaling Workshop,” a Small Business Development Center event. Speakers Lynette Williams and Jay Elliot will discuss “Core Excellence to Market Dominance: AI, Systems & Repeatable Growth.” Location is The Mill Entrepreneurship Center at Salt Lake Community College. Cost is $49. Details are at https://clients.utahsbdc.org/events.aspx.
Professional Development Series, a ChamberWest event titled “Beyond the Headlines: The Reality of Public Safety on the West Side.” Speakers are Levi Hughes, chief of police, Kearns; Kent Stokes, deputy chief of police, West Valley City; Jeremy Robertson, chief of police, West Jordan, and Brady Cottam, chief of police, Taylorsville. Location is Element Event Center, 5658 Cougar Lane, Kearns. Details are at chamberwest.com.
Sept. 22, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.
Women in Business, an Ogden-Weber Chamber of Commerce event. Speaker Charli Osborne of Action Recovery Group will discuss “Mental Health, Burnout Prevention & Sustainable Success.” 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.
Sept. 22, 6:30-9:30 p.m.
“Fall Into the Flame,” an Ember Women event. Location is HK Brewing Collective, 370 Aspen Ave., Salt Lake City. Cost is $79 (event is for ages 21 and older). Details are at southvalleychamber.com.
Worksite Wellness Specialist Certificate Course, a Utah Worksite Wellness Council event. Location is Viridian Event Center, 8030 S. 1825 W., West Jordan. Cost is $1,125. Details are at hello@utahworksitewellness.org.
Sept. 23, 8 a.m.-noon
Sept. 23, 8 a.m.-2 p.m.
Women in Business “Nine and Dine,” a ChamberWest event. Location is The Ridge Golf Club, 5055 S. Westridge Blvd. (5600 West), West Valley City. Details to be announced at chamberwest.com.
Sept. 23, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.
“Chamber Connections,” a Davis Chamber of Commerce event. Location is Davis Chamber of Commerce, 450 S. Simmons Way, Suite 220, Kaysville. Free. No RSVP required. Chamber membership required for continued attendance. Details are at davischamberofcommerce.com.
Sept. 23, noon-1 p.m.
“Walkable Wednesday,” a ULI (Urban Land Institute) Utah event focused on Montaire Student Living, a new twosite student living project in the Sugar House neighborhood of Salt Lake City. Location is Montaire Student Living, 1132 E. Ashton Ave., Salt Lake City. Free for members, $20 for nonmembers. Details are at https://utah.uli.org/events-2.
Sept. 23, 4:30-6:30 p.m.
“Speed Mentoring,” a BioHive Women in Tech & Science (WITS) event. Location is Nelson Labs, 6280 S. Redwood Road, Salt Lake City. Details are at https://luma.com/biohive-gw5n.
Sept. 23, 5-6:30 p.m.
“Connect After Hours,” a South Valley Chamber of Commerce event. Location is Ikea, 67 W. Ikea Way, Draper. Cost is $15 for members, $25 for nonmembers. Details are at southvalleychamber.com.
Sept. 23, 5-6 p.m.
Legal Workshop (in English and Spanish), a Small Business Development Center event. Location is Orem/Provo SBDC at Utah Valley University. Details are at https://clients.utahsbdc.org/events.aspx.
Sept. 23, 6-7:30 p.m.
“Facebook/Instagram Ads: Create and Manage Ads like a Pro,” a Small Business Development Center event that takes place online. Details are at https:// clients.utahsbdc.org/events.aspx.
Sept. 24, 9:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
Mountain West Buildings & Facilities Management Trade Show & Conference, featuring companies displaying products and services necessary for the operation, management, maintenance and renovation of buildings and facilities in the Salt Lake City region and beyond. Location is Mountain America Expo Center, 9575 S. State St., Sandy. Free (18 and older only). Details are at https://mwbfm.net/.
Sept. 24, 10-11 a.m.
Statewide Manufacturing Roadshow, presented by the U.S. Small Business Administration Utah District Office, in co-sponsorship with the Utah Manufacturers Association and 47G. “Access to Capital Webinar” takes place online. Free and open to the public (registration is required). Registration can be completed at Eventbrite.com.
Sept. 24, noon-1 p.m.
“Conversion Rate Optimization,” a Commerce Catalyst event focused on CRU and website design. Presenters are Mike Schmutz, the founder of DataXGrowth, and Tyler Jorgensen of RevLift Labs and Pupford. Event takes place online via Google Meet. Details are at https://luma.com/commerce-gohl.
Sept. 24, 5-7 p.m.
“Business After Hours Mixer,” a Park City Chamber/Bureau event, in partnership with the Women’s Inspired Network. Location is Shake Shack, 6699 Landmark Drive, Suite K110, Park City. Free for members, $25 for nonmembers. Details are at https:// www.parkcitychamber.com/events/.
Sept. 24, 6-7:30 p.m.
“AI Productivity and Marketing Workshop,” a Small Business Development Center event that takes place online. Details are at https://clients.utahsbdc.org/ events.aspx.
Sept. 24, 6-9 p.m.
Business Awards Banquet, a Davis Chamber of Commerce event. Location is Davis Conference Center and Hilton Garden Inn, 1651 N. 700 W., Layton. Details to be announced at davischamberofcommerce.com.
Sept. 25, 8 a.m.-noon
Golf Classic, a South Salt Lake Chamber of Commerce event that is a nine-hole, four-person scramble format tournament. Check-in and breakfast begin at 8:30 a.m., with shotgun start at 9 a.m. Location is Glendale Golf Course, 1630 W. 2100 S., Salt Lake City. Cost is $125 per person, $240 for a twosome and $450 for a foursome. Details are at sslchamber.com.
Sept. 28-Nov. 2
“Next Chapter Leadership for Underemployed and Unemployed Women in Utah,” presented by Sego Next (formerly the Women’s Leadership Institute) and taking place 10 a.m.-noon on Mondays. Location is 7181 S. Campus View Drive, West Jordan. Cost is $195. Details are at siliconslopes.com.
CAREERS SENIOR DATA ANALYST Castlight Health, Inc. in Sandy, UT seeks Senior Data Analyst. Responsible for gathering systems data requirements and drawing out the objectives and scope of systems solutions through systematic analysis of business needs. Telecommuting allowed for this position. $140,109 / year. Email resume to: immigration@mosaichealth.com. Must specify job code 92635 in reply. EOE.
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September 21, 2026 | 15
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