CEDAR CITY — A 700-acre business park to be constructed about four miles west of downtown Cedar City is a good example of meeting the economic-development needs of the 21st century, a senior Bush administration official said Thursday.

The business park is projected to bring 7,000 new jobs with good salaries to Cedar City and is expected to generate more than $28 million in tax revenue. Construction is planned over the next 17 years.

"There are some great examples of initiatives here in the Cedar City region that align well with the Economic Development Administration's priorities," said Sandy K. Baruah, U.S. Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development, who spoke to the Cedar City Chamber of Commerce at the groundbreaking for the first phase of the park.

The development of the business park, called Port 15 Utah, is a partnership of the State of Utah School and Institutional Trust Lands Administration and Quantum Development of Cedar City. The project will connect railroad lines, trucking and air service in a central hub location for the production and transportation of goods in the western United States, said Kevin Carter, Trust Lands Administration director.

"As a Cedar City native, I am very pleased with the prospect that this venture will profit both the trust beneficiaries and the Cedar City area," he said. "This new economic development area serves many, many people. We are excited to be part of it."

Baruah said the development of Port 15 Utah "will be important to the economic future of not just Cedar City, but the greater region of southern Utah, southern Nevada and northern Arizona as it expands rail service in the West and further opens a gateway to the worldwide economy."

He outlined what he called the "five new realities" of the 21st century economy: competition is truly global, innovations will accelerate change, regional collaborations are essential, partnership with the private sector is critical and America's ability to innovate will foster growth and opportunity.

"These are some of the factors we must consider as we work to ensure that America retains its lead in innovation, competitiveness and prosperity," Baruah said.

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