ABB 2006/7 | State Profiles | Western region | Utah

Utah – with its crisp mountain air, friendly people and easy, affordable lifestyle – is quickly becoming one of America’s top technology hot-spots. Here’s why Utah is starting to raise eyebrows – and why you should take a closer look, too.

Growing workforce

Utah workers are young, dedicated and highly-educated. And their numbers are growing at twice the national average.

Education-orientated

Utah is producing more graduates than ever before from its 12 universities and colleges, including three major research universities. And the state continues to lead the nation for investment in research and higher education.

Technical know-how

With thousands of technology companies thriving here, Utah is often ranked among the top high-tech spots in the country. Utah is also known as one of the nation’s most wired states.

Affordable

Thanks to low labour, energy, tax and lease rates, the cost of doing business is lower here than other technology hot spots.

Quality of life

Clean air and water. Free-flowing traffic. Safe communities. Stunning natural landscapes . . . and above all, the best recreation in the world.

Workforce

The US Census Bureau projects that Utah’s labour force will increase at twice the national average between 2003 and 2030. Utah is a right-to-work state, with only 6.2% of employees affiliated with unions. Intermountain Health Care is Utah’s largest private employer. Utah ranks second in the nation for the percentage of households with computers. Utah ranks fourth nationally for the overall health of its workforce, according to the United Health Foundation. Utah’s unemployment rate for March 2004 was 5%, compared to the national rate of 5.6%.

Education

Utah consistently ranks among the nation’s leading states for the percentage of its population 25 years and older who have completed high school. Utah ranks second in the nation for per capita higher education funding.

Transportation

Utah’s strategic location, essentially equidistant from all of the major markets in the Western US, offers significant transportation advantages for companies in the state. The main arteries in Utah’s excellent transportation system include: an international airport; major interstate highways that intersect in the heart of the state’s largest population centre; two railroads; and a steadily-expanding light railway.

Biotechnology

Utah is a leading centre for biotechnology research and industry. The University of Utah has identified more disease-related genes than any other university in the world. Utah is home to superior research from the world’s largest family history database, along with clinical data regarding cancer occurrences in families. Utah’s research universities and companies such as Myriad Genetics and NPS Pharmaceuticals are pioneering groundbreaking research in human genomics. In addition, innovations in proteomics, targeted drug therapies and drug delivery systems, and other advanced technologies will continue to keep Utah on the forefront of biotechnology.

For more information, visit:
Website: www.ecosystems.utah.gov

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