SLC DED’s Successful First Year!

As the 2017 fiscal year ends and we begin anew with a focus on 2018, we want to share with you the highlights and successes of Salt Lake City Department of Economic Development’s (SLC DED) first year.

It was quite an inaugural year as the department was created. Building the Business Development team itself took time, and considered a success with the division now fully staffed. Transitioning the Redevelopment Agency (RDA) and the Arts Council into the department also took some time and getting used to, and under the leadership of Mayor Biskupski and Director Lara Fritts, the three divisions are working in unison and focused on collaboration to protect and grow Salt Lake City’s economic vitality.

In fiscal year 2017, SLC DED had a dozen “wins,” with companies of all sizes and industries:
* Assos
* Big Agnes
* Biomerics
* Cicero Group
* Cotopaxi
* Packsize
* POST Consumer Brands
* Rotor
* Stryker
* UPS
* White Wave
* Wild Tribute

These wins for Salt Lake City total 2,989 jobs as stated by the companies, more than 2.5-million square feet of development, and more than $356-million in capital investment in the city.

We understand our success in the City is a team effort, and appreciate the incredible partnerships we have with the Economic Development Corporation of Utah (EDCUtah), the Governor’s Office of Economic Development (GOED), Downtown Alliance, Salt Lake Chamber, Word Trade Center, and many more.

In fact, our team partnered with many of these organizations the past year to attend the SIA Snow Show (outdoor retail industry) in Denver, RECON (the largest retail real estate convention) in Las Vegas, SelectUSA Summit (attracting Foreign domestic Investment) in Washington, D.C., Urban Exploration in Boston, and several other recruitment missions at the local and national level.

Salt Lake City is also proud to be the first city in Utah to receive not one, but two Main Street America Designations on State Street and the Granary District. The RDA and the department’s Local Business and Entrepreneurship Manager will be working closely with the National Main Street Center to redevelop those areas into vibrant, people-centered places to live, work, and play with a proven track record of generating impressive economic returns for the local economy.

The RDA has also seen a tremendous amount of success, most notable the opening of the new Broadway-style Eccles Theater. The incredible $123-million public-private partnership solidifies Salt Lake City has an arts and culture hub for Utah and the Intermountain West.

The Arts Council saw record-setting sales at the Holiday Craft Market, and through their visual arts and gallery exhibitions, festivals, and grant program, 1,058 artists were served and 118,471 total attendance.

With a three year strategic plan near completion, dedicated staff, and a clear vision moving forward, the future of economic development in Salt Lake City is bright! We are excited for what fiscal year 2018 will bring.