Utah Valley progresses

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    By Danielle Wood

    Surrounded by the clear blue skies and vibrant foliage that only Sundance in the fall can produce, prominent local business leaders met Thursday for an annual discussion about the progress of commerce in Utah Valley.

    The Provo-Orem Chamber of Commerce Utah Valley Leadership Summit drew leaders from various local establishments, including corporate, academic and government offices. Participants paid $150 to attend.

    ?We want to provide as much info as we possibly can to help you succeed in business,? said Chamber president Steve Densley.

    A new addition for this year?s summit was a series of rapid-fire presentations from the heads of important businesses in the area. Presenters had as little as five minutes to provide a brief explanation of their company?s development and future goals.

    Many of the executives praised the outstanding work ethic among residents that makes Utah Valley a promising place to start a business.

    ?It is not always our products that sell ? it?s usually the people,? said Tom Denton, a senior vice president at DHI Computing Services. ?This is a great place to live and sell.?

    BYU Vice President Brad Farnsworth updated the audience on BYU?s recent changes and challenges, including housing and parking adjustments.

    ?We think that more on-campus housing will be good for BYU, good for the community and good for the neighborhood,? Farnsworth said. ?We want to be good members of your community.?

    One major item of discussion was Utah Valley transportation concerns, including the construction on I-15, funding and light rail possibilities.

    John Njord, executive director of Utah Department of Transportation, answered questions concerning the progress of construction on I-15.

    ?All you have to do is to look out your window and see all the orange cones to know that we?re alive and well and functioning in your own backyard,? he said.

    Njord said that he hoped to extend the life of I-15 by eight years with the addition of new carpool lanes in Utah Valley. After those eight years, he expects the congestion levels to return to their current condition, requiring major reconstruction on I-15.

    ?Long term, we?re looking at a multi-billion dollar concept,? Njord said. ?We frankly just don?t know how to pay for it at this point in time.?

    Provo Mayor Lewis Billings, Utah Senate president John Valentine and state senator Curt Bramble joined with the local businesses in the celebration of Utah Valley commerce.

    ?It was nice for the Chamber to arrange for the explosion of color in the leaves as we drove up here,? Billings said.

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