Officials from three companies gathered indoors Monday to officially announce that their outdoors-focused businesses will add nearly 2,000 jobs in Utah.

At a news conference at the Outdoor Retailer Winter Market at the Salt Palace, Backcountry.com unveiled plans to expand its Utah operations, and Peregrine Outfitters and Smith Sport Optics said they would establish operations in the state and further bolster the outdoor products and recreation cluster.

Those jobs and the combined $6.5 million capital investment represent "wonderful validation of this as an industry thrust as a state," said Jeff Edwards, president and chief executive officer of the Economic Development Corp. of Utah, which recruited the companies for the state.

The companies' Utah plans include:

• Backcountry.com's intention to spend more than $4.8 million to increase operations in Park City and West Valley City and add about 1,250 new jobs. The company is an online retailer of more than 250 outdoor and backcountry brands.

• Peregrine Outfitters' decision to open a warehouse at Business Depot Ogden and generate 25 new jobs. Peregrine is a wholesale distributor of more than 6,000 outdoor accessories. A subsidiary, Peregrine Distribution Services, provides third-party warehousing and other services to outdoor-related companies.

• Smith Sport Optics' opening of a 120,000-square-foot facility in Clearfield that will be the company's primary worldwide manufacturing, assembly and distribution facility. The company, which makes ski goggles and helmets, will add more than 60 jobs over the next 10 years. It could be open as early as March 15.

Company officials cited several factors for choosing Utah, including financial incentives from the state. Backcountry.com received a tax-rebate package of up to $1.37 million. Smith Sport Optics was approved for up to $300,000 in Industrial Assistance Fund money.

But officials also hailed Utah's ability to serve as a test site for products. Charla Brown, director of human resources for Backcountry.com, said the state is "a fantastic place to test the gear" the company produces.

"We have an amazing test facility here," said Jason Perry, executive director of the Governor's Office of Economic Development. "Research and development is happening here. Whatever your passion, you find it here in the state of Utah."