Lehi corrals prize: Cabela's

LEHI — When Lehi Mayor Ken Greenwood goes hunting "for a critter," he goes for a trophy.

He proved that when he and his party brought home an outdoor sporting goods retail giant — Cabela's — a prize that promises to bring with it 400 jobs, more sales and property tax revenue and an anticipated 4 million visitors in the first year.

"We had this critter cornered in Kansas. It liked us. The doggone thing followed us home," Greenwood quipped as the management for what is known as the Disneyland of outdoor adventure — formally announced plans to build its 13th store in Lehi, confirming rumors that have been circulating for months.

"This is a red-letter day for us; we have the most sought-after retail tenant in the country. We hope to see you back here in about 12 months for the ribbon-cutting," said Richard Rozier, vice-president of the Traverse Mountain development project. "And we have other like-minded retailers who'll be coming with them."

Rozier said Cabela's looked at several states and a number of sites within Utah before the management chose the south side of the Point of the Mountain in the Traverse Mountain area.

"The dramatic views had a lot to do with it. The site overlooks both the Salt Lake and Utah valleys and it's the most economic, demographic epicenter in the state," Rozier said. Greenwood said it took a co-operative effort between Utah County officials, Gov. Olene Walker's office and Utah Department of Transportation officials to make his 18-month "hunting trip" a success.

"It's been the doggonest hunt I've ever been on in my life," Greenwood said.

Lehi city has committed to a multimillion infrastructure deal to help the store get situated, and Utah County is planning to issue $2 million in

revenue bonds to help build the indoor public museum that will be associated with the store, funds both government entities promise will be paid back by increased tax dollars brought in from tourists.

Rozier said Traverse Mountain offered Cabela's an attractive deal on the 50-acre piece of land which is part of its 300-acre commercial site.

"This is going to be a great, great project," Gov. Walker said. "Utah is going to be a great destination spot. I challenge anyone to find another spot where you can go skiing in the morning and golf in the afternoon."

Walker said while Utah doesn't offer financial bribes, it can offer a well-trained and hard-working, "renewable" workforce.