For over 20 years, the Economic Development Corporation of Utah (EDCUtah) has been helping companies create jobs and capital investment in our state. A private nonprofit agency supported by more than 250 partners, EDCUtah provides no cost consulting services to companies who would like to learn about expanding or relocating into Utah.

1. Good Company. Utah’s Life Sciences industry boasts more than 5,200 companies employing over 66,000 people, generating more than $3.6B in annual wages. This places Utah first among the western states for life science businesses per capita and second for overall industry growth ¹. Bard Medical, BD Medical, Boston Scientific, Fresenius, ICU Medical, and Merit Medical are just a few of the companies already doing business in Utah. See our list of major employers.


2. Cutting Edge Research. Utah boasts three research universities: Brigham Young University, Utah State University, and the University of Utah, home of the only medical school in the intermountain west. Utah also excels in R&D, bringing in more than $400 million annually in research grants ². See some of Utah’s research highlights in biotechnology.


3. World-class Innovators & Entrepreneurs. In 2006, Utah launched USTAR (Utah Science, Technology and Research Initiative), a long-term, state-funded effort to recruit top national science teams and establish state-of-the-art research innovation centers throughout the state. In 2009, the University of Utah tied MIT for the most spin-off companies (20), and more than half of those are in life sciences³. See some of USTAR’s impressive results.


4. Dynamic Technology Environment. In 2008, the Milken Institute ranked Utah as the top state for Technology Concentration and Dynamism. Milken has also ranked Utah in the top ten for the State Technology and Science Index since 2002.


5. Competitive Costs. Utah’s cost of doing business is 10% below the national average. Learn what components keep Utah’s cost of doing business competitive.


6. Stable Investment. Utah is the best managed state in the nation ⁴. Utah boasts one of only three state governments with an AAA bond rating from all three rating agencies, and is projected to have a full recovery by 2011 ⁵. Read more about our Governor’s plans to keep Utah’s economy going strong.


7. National Reputation. Forbes Magazine has ranked Utah in the top three “Best States for Business” three years in a row. At the same time, Business Facilities Magazine has ranked Utah as the fourth Best State Business Climate and Pollina Corporate Real Estate has ranked Utah as the second best Pro-Business States for 2009.


8. Financial Incentives. The Governor’s Office of Economic Development (GOED) can provide financial incentives to qualifying companies creating new, high-paying jobs in Utah. Special consideration is given to companies within Utah’s Economic Clusters, including medical device manufacturing.


9. Great People. Utah’s workforce is young, highly educated, and growing. The average age in Utah is 29 – the youngest in the nation – and the population is growing at more than 2% annually. Learn how Utah's public and higher educational institutions are working with life science companies to create nationally-recognized programs to fill our talent pipeline.


10. Life Elevated. We’d be remiss if we didn’t mention Utah’s four-season recreation, “Greatest Snow on Earth,” and unparalleled quality of life. See why people are saying that life in Utah is Life Elevated.

Utah offers a world-class effort in arterial and vascular access devices, producing 70% of all devices used worldwide. In addition, Utah is known for developing the world’s first human artificial heart, the first functional prosthetic arm, the most successful artificial heart transplant to date, and the first successful heart pump implant in 2006. For these and other reasons, three major medical device manufacturers chose Utah in 2009:

Edwards Lifesciences, recently accepted an $11.5M incentive offer from the state of Utah to add more than 1,000 jobs and 200,000 feet of manufacturing and R&D space in a new, state-of-the-art facility. (October 2009)

WorldHeart, a leader in ventricle assist devices, announced the relocation of its corporate headquarters from Oakland, California to Salt Lake City, Utah. (July 2009)

Merit Medical, a Utah-headquartered manufacturer of disposable medical devices added more than 100 jobs in Utah in 2009.

For more information about relocation and expansion opportunities in Utah, contact Michael Flynn, EDCUtah’s California-based Proactive Recruiting Director, by e-mail or phone at 801.891.5755.