From Deseret News archives:
$400 million for research?
Chamber study urges funds for 2 Utah schools
That action, supporters said Wednesday, would boost the institutions' current work and lead to economic development gains in the future.
"I've been involved in Utah and Utah economics for the last 15 years, and I will tell you I don't think there has been a more important announcement in 15 years as far as economic development is concerned," said Lane Beattie, the chamber's president and chief executive officer.
The study, compiled by Janice Houston of Houston Consultants and Steve Mecham, an attorney with Callister Nebeker & McCullough, seeks $270 million in facilities and $130 million in non-facility spending over five years for the University of Utah, Utah State University, three Technology Innovation Centers and 25 "research clusters."
The innovation centers would help foster ideas for development and transfer technologies to the private sector. The clusters, 15 at the U. and 10 at Utah State, would be composed of faculty and students working at the new facilities.
Sens. Greg Bell, R-Farmington, and Dan Eastman, R-Bountiful, are expected to sponsor a bill during the upcoming legislative session that incorporates the study's concepts. The study recommends bonding for the new facilities.
Backers on Wednesday said the investment would pay off for Utah because the initiative eventually would be self-sustaining and would be an economic driver.
"Probably one of the key factors to make any business successful is we must invest in the future," said Mark Howell, chairman of the chamber's board of governors and executive vice president at Wells Fargo Bank. "We can't just worry about today, but we have to look forward."
"What we believe and what we argue is that this will generate so much economic activity that there will be revenues produced to more than make up for what the state has to devote to this," Mecham said. "And that's one of the reasons we feel strongly about this.
"And we need to act now. We really can't sit and wait. . . . Other states have moved forward in this area, and we need to move now. We need to take action in this (legislative) session."
Comments
- Ready to retire? Index can help 8:51 a.m.
- Atom smasher sends beams 2 ways 8:35 a.m.
- Beckham promises to return to MLS 8:33 a.m.
- Astronauts take spacewalk No. 3 8:26 a.m.
- Stocks climb on home sales report 8:21 a.m.
- 4 U.S. die in Afghan attacks 8:19 a.m.
- 8 women set out to ski to South Pole 8:18 a.m.
- Iraqi lawmakers amend election law 8:08 a.m.
- Schumer: Dems ready to go-it-alone 7:57 a.m.
- Dispute reveals Catholic divide 7:41 a.m.
- Buttars wants to limit gay rights laws
206 - Glenn Beck to enter politics?
195 - Palin plans tour stop in Utah
178 - RSL wins MLS Cup on penalty kicks
153 - BYU records with win
130 - Palin's book shows she's unqualified
129 - Officer cleared in Cardall Taser case
103 - BYU cuts Women's Research Inst.
101 - Jazz finally win in San Antonio
99 - Utes knock off rival Aggies
93
There's a lot of reason to leave your plastic home as you shop:
I don't pretend to be an expert on global warming. I've met with...
This is by far my favorite issue to listen to members defend. Always good...
The Flat Tax was just a way for the legislature to take money out of public...
Awesome job REAL, awesome...champions!!! amazing, this just made my day,...
When God(Elohim) appeared to Abraham in the(Bom),God told him his personal...
RE: Judy | 4:41 a.m. Nov. 23, 2009 Much like conservatives helped elect...
The GOP just does not want to be part of making history. The party of No!...
You just can't oppose taxes without making an exception for smokers, can ya?
This corrupt government does not deserve the blood of our sons and daughters...
What? is there a football game on Saturday? I thought the season ended last...
This opt-in or out should fit well with the "much much better than the feds"...



You can be the first to comment on this story.