HAFB deal pops up on radar at Legislature

What's being called one of the "biggest public/private partnerships in Utah's history" popped up Tuesday in the Legislature when lawmakers were asked for $5 million for a project at Hill Air Force Base that legislators had never heard of.

"It's been out there" in the public discussion but flying a bit below the radar, as well, says Jason P. Perry, executive director of the Governor's Office of Economic Development.

In fact, local developer Woodbury was picked by the state three months ago to put together the 700-acre project with the U.S. Air Force. But not until top Air Force brass and state legislative leaders got together did the $5 million state appropriation pop up on a long list of spending priorities examined by Democratic and Republican caucuses in the House and Senate on Tuesday.

"This is a huge development, both in its geographic size — 700 acres — and in its potential for economic development for Utah. It will create thousands and thousands of jobs," Perry said after briefly explaining the project to the 55-member House Republican caucus in an open meeting.

"We will see all kinds of firms that currently do business with Hill, and new businesses that want to do business with Hill, coming in. We're talking aerospace, defense and advance composite contractors," Perry said.

Just as important as job creation and economic development is the fact that new, huge infrastructure at Hill will make it less likely that the Pentagon will consider closing the big base in the next round of base closures.

Hill officials will "move back their fence" to make available 700 acres of vacant land on the base's west side. Although it will be technically outside of the base, the area will be the site of a new industrial/commercial zone.

But in addition, businesses working with Hill — suppliers and others — will invest millions of dollars building new facilities inside the base, Perry said.

"There will be significant, very significant, private-sector construction within the base. This will become the first instance of large-scale public/private partnerships with federal defense agencies," Perry said.

Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. did not include the $5 million appropriation in his recommended budget because the plans had not progressed far enough, Perry said.

But federal officials' interest has now peaked, and now that lawmakers are in session until March 5, funds should be made available to start the redevelopment projects now, legislators said.

"The governor fully supports" what's now being called the west side redevelopment, Perry said.

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