Job growth across the nation is finally starting to pick up, and in Utah County the rate of employment is picking up speed faster than most of the country.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Utah County is up four percent in job growth from June 2010 to June 2011. Utah County is third in the nation for job growth behind Ottawa County, Mich., at 4.7 percent and Montgomery County, Texas, at 4.1 percent.
Steve Densley, president of the Utah Valley Chamber of Commerce, said the various projects across the county contribute to this increase.
“A lot of neat things are happening,” Densley said. “Look around from one end of the valley to the other.”
Some of the projects throughout the county include the I-15 project, valued at $1.8 billion and stretching over 26 miles, a large National Security Agency project on the north end of the county, an Adobe complex also in the north end of the county, and the construction of the temple in downtown Provo.
These projects hold great opportunities for both students and recent graduates. Densley said a lot of these projects, such as a possible bridge across Utah Lake, will create more employment opportunities such as retail, food service, hotels and other services for the increase in traffic near project sites.
Danny Carlson, a former BYU student, said companies look to Utah County because of the community reputation of friendship.
“It’s like family, it’s unified.” Carlson said. “There’s a sense of community, especially catalyzed by the Mormon community.”
Densley said in addition to these good vibes, the working students available in the county is an outstanding factor for corporations.
“Utah County has a highly educate workforce,” Densley said. “We have approximately 90,000 college-age students. That workforce means a lot to other companies.”
Densley said he doubts this rise in employment for the county is just a blip or an anomaly. He said a trend is occurring in which more businesses will grow across the county, more jobs and careers will become available and cheaper housing will become available.
It is a buyer’s market right now in the housing market, and if things go as Densley predicts, even more housing options across the county, which he said has decent land values, will be up for grabs.
Kyle Bishop, a junior from Bountiful studying Chinese, said he is glad more jobs are becoming available and people have the chance to choose between jobs they want and do not want.
“If there’s more opportunities, they can compare which one works better with their schedule, interests and future career,” Bishop said.
Bishop said connections are still helpful in this economy. His current job at Northridge Publishing was obtained through his cousin, who also worked there.
Even though many companies are bringing offices into the county, Densley said it’s a better sight when corporations grow from a start within the county.
“Economic development is not all a matter of bringing Adobes in,” Densley said. “It’s a matter of having companies here already get better at what they do and grow.”
