126 JANUARY 2018 S I T E S E L E C T I O N

GDP

31st

2016 GDP(in millions of current US$)

$157,671

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2

3

4

5

20162015201420132012

Graph dimensions: 86.52 px W 43.216 px HY-axis: ITC Franklin Gothic Std Medium Condensed 3 ptX-axis: ITC Franklin Gothic Std Medium Condensed 5 pt

Legislative Update• Per-pupil education spending was boosted by 4 percent in order

to accommodate the estimated 10,000 new students coming into the school system every year.

• The University of Utah Medical School was approved for a $190-million expansion.

• A measure to incrementally increase the state’s minimum wage to $15 was defeated.

• The 25K Jobs Tour of rural Utah, which took place in a series of events from July to September, and was organized by World Trade Center Utah and 20 economic development partners, is part of the governor’s initiative to create 25,000 jobs in 25 rural counties outside the Wasatch Front over the next four years.

Business Tax Climate Rank Change 2017-2018: 0

Higher Ed. R&D Expenditure: $574,608

Number of NCRCs: 3,996 | Percent Improvement 2017-2018: 7%

Lowest Electric Power Cost (cents/kWh): 6.56

ITIF Score: 77.3

Economic Development Corporation of Utah

201 S. Main St., Ste. 2150Salt Lake City, UT 84111

Theresa Foxley CEO

801-328-8824

edcutah.org

Utah

“The Talent Ready Utah grant program unveiled today is a collaborative effort to improve both our education system and workforce in Utah. The program seeks to align our efforts to provide a pipeline of future talent and meet the needs of Utah businesses.”— Gov. Gary Herbert, March 21, 2017, announcing a new program backed by $2.1 million from the Utah

Cluster Acceleration Partnership create work-based learning programs for adults and students

Pop. (2017): 3,113,215 Pop. growth 2017–2022: 1.61%Median household income: $62,902 Median age: 30.4Credit Rating: AAA/Stable Right-to-work state: Yes

GDP

50th

2016 GDP(in millions of current US$)

$31,091

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0.0

0.2

0.4

0.6

0.8

1.0

20162015201420132012

Graph dimensions: 86.52 px W 43.216 px HY-axis: ITC Franklin Gothic Std Medium Condensed 3 ptX-axis: ITC Franklin Gothic Std Medium Condensed 5 pt

Legislative Update• Downtown tax credits were increased and six additional

tax increment financing (TIF) districts were authorized.

• A deal was struck on a $35-million housing bond that Gov. Scott said would help the state expand the stock of “decent housing working families can afford.”

• Funding measures included $150,000 to Small Business Development Centers, $100,000 to support regional microbusinesses and $250,000 for economic development marketing.

Business Tax Climate Rank Change 2017-2018: 0

Higher Ed. R&D Expenditure: $121,356

Number of NCRCs: 2,832 | Percent Improvement 2017-2018: 5%

Lowest Electric Power Cost (cents/kWh): 10.03

ITIF Score: 66.8

Agency of Commerce & Community DevelopmentDept. of Economic Development

Deane C. Davis Bldg., 6th Fl.1 National Life Dr.

Montpelier, VT 05620

Joan Goldstein COmmissiOnEr

802-272-2399

accd.vermont.gov

Vermont

“Our workforce is shrinking and this demographic issue is clearly of concern to the rating agencies, to me and my team. Reversing it should be the top priority of every elected official, regardless of party or philosophy. ”—Gov. Phil Scott, speaking at the Promises Made, Promises Kept Conference in

October 2017

Pop. (2017): 642,128 Pop. growth 2017–2022: 0.30%Median household income: $56,578 Median age: 43.1Credit Rating: AA+/Stable Right-to-work state: No

Gov. Herbert (R)

Gov. Scott (R)