California’s Loss is Utah’s Gain: 2 Silicon Valley Companies Coming to Utah
- Image via Wikipedia
I once did some contract work for a business owner in California. I was born there but have never done business there. I blogged about California businesses and it was eye-opening.
The laws sounded good on paper but they were often horrible for business (read: expensive). They legislated laws that were costly and amounted to public welfare. California still suffers from the weight of these decisions.
Though I tend to be more moderate to liberal I live in very conservative Utah – and have since 8th grade. Somewhere along the past few years I’ve really loved living in Utah.
Despite what people say (we’ve been called Utards, close-minded and all sorts of things) it’s one of the best run states in the nation. Utah was voted #2 (again) for the top 10 pro business states.
In fact, we were cheering when my husband’s company decided to choose Grand America hotel in Salt Lake to host their annual sales meeting for financial planners in 2012. We can’t wait to show off the hospitality and beauty of this state (which many of you saw during the Olympics). First rate athletes from all over the world live and ski here.
There are a few recent announcements that have been HUGE for Utah. Let me start with the two tech companies who’ve announced that they are expanding or opening operations here. Neither are lightweights. Both could expand in Silicon Valley but chose Utah. They are companies that I’ve been invested in (starting with Photoshop): Adobe (which bought Omniture last year) and Twitter. Adobe plans to build $100M campus and hire 1,000 workers. And Twitter just posted their first job listing for its new Utah data center.
We already have eBay offices here. I can only hope that Google is next – and that a Utah city is in on their pilot program to offer free high speed internet.
Here are some reasons that Utah is attractive for business:
Relatively low taxes for businesses
Educated young high tech work force who is used to being underpaid
Entrepreneurial spirit
Many people are fluent inbanother language
The airport is close to downtown and will soon be connected via light rail
I worked in HR at Novell several years ago and saw first hand the number of quality applicants we got every day for high tech jobs. Many graduated from BYU or the U and wanted to stay in Utah. Novell has never returned to their former glory but it showed me that tech companies are in a very strong position to recruit here if they are based in Utah.
Now for some other Utah news that has had me cheering. Energy Solutions (formerly EnviroCare) was constantly lobbying to bring foreign waste to Utah, which proved very controversial. Instead they reversed their strategy for the good of their long-term future, Utah and the country. They have withdrawn their application to import nuclear waste.
Instead of taking the waste the company will consult and offer technology to help countries handle the waste on site. Governor Herbert seems to have taken the credit (I couldn’t get the straight story when I asked the company at a recent lunch they held – so I haven’t confirmed this). This is very good news (I bet Terry Tempest Williams and Sam Rushforth were cheering too).
Last of all the LDS church which is based in Utah and a major land owner in the country is testing new building designs for churches that generate as much energy (or more) than they use. Using their purchasing power they have gotten the cost of installing solar energy and other green features to affordable levels. They are going to expose many church members around the world to recycling and solar power. This will have a big affect on their lives and sets a very strong example. I’m waiting for the day when we have solar operated temples (esp for the lights).
I don’t usually write about politics but I couldn’t resist. I was inspired by Holly Richardson’s blog over the weekend and wanted to emphasize what big wins these are for Utah.
Way to go Utah!
4 Responses to “California’s Loss is Utah’s Gain: 2 Silicon Valley Companies Coming to Utah”
Leave a Reply
August 9th, 2010 at 1:06 pm
Nice, informative blog. It would be good to see high tech take a boost in the state, after a long, slow decline at Novell.
August 9th, 2010 at 2:04 pm
Phillip,
It is good to have both of these announcements hit at the same time, along with the #2 spot on the best state to do business in. All during a recession too.
I do wish we had higher wages and that we had more leadership in tech marketing. There seems to be a void when it comes to mid-to-upper level management experience. I hope to see talent move in or move out and come back to cover some of our weaker spots.
Janet
August 10th, 2010 at 12:21 pm
Fabo post, Janet — and such good news for Utah. Especially Energy Solutions giving up their quest to import nuclear waste. WHAT were they thinking?
Sheri
January 2nd, 2012 at 8:57 am
Not only companies moving to Utah for all kinds of reasons, the the bottom line is Right To Work State!. Right to work brings down wages, healthcare, pensions, and will effect the amount of people who will depend on the government to take care of them later, and guess who gives money to the goverment! That’s us! Why should we have to take care of people who don’t have the means to take care of them selfs, because the bottom line is profits by big companies! Let’s see how it comes out in the long run, I bet it will cost us all! Good luck in trying to get healthcare and descent income! People aren’t asking to get rich but only asking to take care of their families! God Bless America!