PROVO — County leaders maintained their silence Thursday regarding an apparently planned paper plant for southwestern Utah County, while calling a press conference to instead explain how the area has been planned for future growth.

Up to 750,000 people could someday live in the Goshen Valley now accessed by U.S. 6 and state Route 68, Utah County Commissioner Larry Ellertson said.

"Right now, your only neighbors would be jackrabbits and occasionally Mormon crickets," Ellertson said.

A published report identified the paper-plant developer as First Quality Enterprises Inc. of Great Neck, N.Y. However, neither state economic development officials nor county officials would confirm the report. Calls to the company for comment were not returned.

First Quality Enterprises makes adult incontinence diapers, children's diapers, feminine hygiene products, baby wipes, adult washcloths, tissues and paper towels under various brand names.

"Nobody's committed to go out there," Commissioner Gary Anderson said.

Officials say they signed a confidentiality agreement with whomever they are negotiating that prohibits them from revealing the name of the company.

Instead, officials focused on how they were planning the area for future growth rather than reacting to it — a departure from the county policy to have development occur in cities, not unincorporated areas.

Ellertson said that is still the policy, but the county has an opportunity now to plan for growth. Utah County's population could approach 1 million people in 10 to 20 years, compared with about 550,000 now.

Rather than allow residential communities to develop on their own, county officials said they're taking the opportunity in the Goshen Valley to plan an industrial base and let residential communities follow. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints owns much of the 60,000 acres in the planning area.

Ellertson described the size of the area as about the same as from North Temple in Salt Lake City to Draper.

"At some point, it may be incorporated," he said.

The area owned by the church is now exempt from taxes, but as it develops, it would become taxable, Commissioner Steve White said.

The landowners are cooperating with the development concept, "and that makes it ideal," Ellertson said.

A new east-west freeway from I-15 to the Elberta area is anticipated as part of the plan, and the Nebo School District is also cooperating, he said.

"It makes more sense to plan and preserve (rights of way)," White said.

e-mail: rodger@desnews.com