EDCU says over 20 firms grew in Utah

The Economic Development Corp. of Utah said Wednesday that more than 20 companies — including eBay, Microsoft and GE Financial — made the decision to come to or expand in Utah during its 2008-09 fiscal year.

The organization is under contract with the state to recruit to and grow companies in the state. The investor-based public-private partnership also provides economic data.

During its annual meeting, EDCU said that during the most recent fiscal year, its efforts helped create 4,082 jobs, down from 5,370 the prior fiscal year; retain 1,093 jobs, up from 867; lead to $1.46 billion in new capital investment, up from $1.33 billion; and absorb nearly 4.5 million square feet of real estate, up from 2.6 million a year earlier.

Over the past three years, EDCU said, it has helped with the creation of more than 15,000 jobs.