Economic future called bright in Utah County

PROVO — Economic development leaders painted a rosy picture of Utah County's economic future Friday.

The proliferation of projects currently under way throughout the county offer reasons for optimism, officials from Provo, Orem and Utah County told the Provo/Orem Chamber of Commerce.

"We're making decisions that will determine the destiny of Provo and Utah Valley," said Dixon Holmes, assistant director of the Office of Economic Development in Provo. "(These projects) will help Provo and Utah Valley be strong economically and help us compete with other regions."

Holmes pointed to the fiber-optic system, iProvo, that will benefit both businesses and residences. Construction is expected to be completed in June, and customers throughout Provo will have access to the system by August, Holmes said.

The Provo Airport, he added, is in the process of building its first control tower, which could allow the airport to handle commercial flights someday. The tower is expected to be finished in October.

Also, there's the Well Fargo building project, which is bringing the bank, housing and 500 parking stalls to a downtown block. In Ironton, located in southeast Provo, crews are constructing infrastructure like a road and utilities, which could eventually turn the area into a business park.

Brad Whittaker, executive director of the Commission for Economic Development in Orem, sang the praises of a new entrepreneurial program that gives money to small businesses. The program has created 2,500 jobs, he said.

Whittaker expressed enthusiasm about Midtown Village, a swanky development with condominiums and a rooftop swimming pool; and Parkway Crossing, a student housing project located near Utah Valley State College.

Whittaker also mentioned the renovation of Carillon Square. Most of everything there will be bulldozed and a Best Buys retail store will anchor the new development, he said.

At UVSC, a new baseball stadium that will become the home of the Provo Angels minor league franchise is under construction.

Russ Fotheringham, director of the Utah Valley Economic Development Association, says the goal of his organization is to promote the creation of new businesses that bring high-paying jobs to Utah County.

"We're taking a proactive approach to recruitment," he said.