Jobs, sound fiscal and economic policies, the size and role of government -- they are all related and they all affect economic development.

In Utah, we are fortunate to have steady job growth along with sound fiscal and economic policies. Hence, it is fitting that in April the American Legislative Exchange Council, or ALEC, once again ranked Utah No. 1 for its economic prospects. That's the fifth consecutive year ALEC has ranked Utah #1. We do know how to keep taxes low, limit unnecessary regulatory burdens and provide a stable environment for businesses to flourish. Our economy shows it and other organizations recognize it.

According to the ALEC-Laffer State Economic Index, called "Rich States, Poor States," Utah has the best economic outlook of any state in the nation. The ranking was determined by an analysis of 15 variables, including tax rates, tax burden, number of public employees and minimum wage.

Kudos to the many people that have contributed to Utah' economic outlook and helped Utah to consistently rank #1.

'Utah Magic'
Also, on May 22, EDCUtah, the Governor's Office of Economic Development, and CBRE are hosting a reception at the ICSC RECON retail show in Las Vegas. Attendees will be amazed and entertained by Doc Eason, the two-time Close-up Bar Magician of the Year. Please scroll down to the section above the calendar in this newsletter to learn more about the reception.

Further, June is fast approaching and we hope you have reserved your spot in EDCUtah's Golf for Grants tournament. And please call or email Art Franks if you are interested in helping to sponsor the event: (801) 323-4242 or afranks@edcutah.org. For more information about EDCUtah's Community Match Grant Program, please call Sherrie Martell, (801) 328-8824.

Today's Economic Review also includes links to many of the ED-related news stories from the past week. As always, if you have comments, suggestions or topics you'd like to see in the Economic Review, please contact us by clicking the "Comments" link on the bottom of this page. Enjoy!

Jeff Edwards
President and CEO

"It's the end of an era," says EDCUtah President & CEO Jeff Edwards. He's referring to the announced retirement of Utah Valley Chamber of Commerce President & CEO Steve Densley.

Densley, who will retire Aug. 1, is the second longest sitting chamber president in the state's history and is the longest currently serving president in Utah. He leaves a legacy of service and leadership in Utah County, having served over three decades in his current role.

"Steve's leadership and dedication to the business community in Utah Valley will be greatly missed," says Edwards. "He has been a champion of business development and has provided incredible service in so many important areas. Moreover, we have appreciated the strong partnership EDCUtah has enjoyed with Steve and the Utah Valley Chamber."

Provo Mayor John Curtis expresses similar sentiments.

"Steve is a Utah Valley icon. It's hard to imagine attending any major event in the area and not seeing him there. His ready smile and handshake will be missed," says Curtis. "I've known Steve for many years and have been impressed by his dedication not only to the chamber, but to the community as well. He's been a great partner with the city, supporting many of our most important economic development projects over the years. Provo would not be what it is today without him."

Orem Chamber President
Densley began work in 1982 as the President of the Orem Chamber of Commerce and then merged the Provo and Orem Chambers into the Provo-Orem Area Chamber of Commerce. It became the Utah Valley Chamber of Commerce in 2009 and now includes 25 cities. He considers the uniting of Utah Valley with one Chamber of Commerce to be one of the highlights of his career.

"It was no small thing to unite the two chambers. It's a matter of normal life now, but people were initially hesitant," he says. "Provo and Orem had a bit of a rivalry that had to be overcome." He cautions, however, that while the Utah Valley Chamber represents businesses across the valley, there are still several small, part-time Chambers of Commerce in Utah County and the Utah Valley Chamber encourages membership in the smaller chambers as well.

To Orem Mayor Jim Evans and other elected officials, the name Steve Densley is synonymous with integrity. "He has been a champion of local business, supporter of positive growth, and all-around cheerleader for Utah Valley. His dedicated service has truly blessed all the citizens of Orem and he will be greatly missed after he retires," says Evans.

Utah County Commissioner Gary Anderson says Densley is an icon in the business community in Utah Valley and the State. "One of the greatest compliments I've received is being mistaken for Steve -- which has happened more than once. He is so effective -- a Utah County institution. I honestly don't know what we will do without Steve working in our community and I can't imagine replacing him," Anderson continues.

Looking Back
Looking back on his career, Densley talks rapidly and excitedly about the numerous developments in Utah County that have added or soon will add to the fiber of the valley, such as the construction of the county-wide convention center; the work on Frontrunner commuter rail service; the I-15 core project (and the need to carry on the widening of the freeway to Payson); bringing Frontier Airlines into Provo; the expansion of the radar tower at the Provo airport; his involvement with the Utah Lake Commission and the need to restore the glory days of the lake (when over 20 resorts were in operation along its shores); the development of Thanksgiving Pointe and the Children's Museum; IM-Flash; the new NuSkin complex; the Adobe complex; the East Bay Golf Course; the Riverwoods; the Towne Center Mall; and the new baseball field at Utah Valley University, to name a few.

"The list goes on and on," says Densley.

During his decades of leadership, Densley was also elected three times as Utah State Chamber of Commerce President and served on the State Chamber's board of directors for more than 15 years. Some key sections of Utah Valley's fabric did not exist when he took on his role as chamber president, such as Utah Valley University, which is now the state's largest university, and the cities of Saratoga Springs and Eagle Mountain, which have grown out of the desert since Densley's tenure began. One of his few regrets is not being able to woo a major TV and radio station to locate in Utah Valley. "We have over a half a million people here and yet we have no radio or TV stations to represent the interests of the valley and the business community," he explains. "Everything is filtered through the Salt Lake stations. That's my one personal regret."

Nonetheless, he believes the Utah Valley Chamber has been successful because of a decision years ago "to develop our own world and not just take what the Salt Lake Valley throws at us."

Bitter Sweet
His retirement is bitter sweet. "I will miss the challenge and honor of representing the chamber and our business community. This is the most charitable and volunteering county in America," he says. It would be hard to find a better community in America to raise a family and to live."

Val Hale, chairman of the chamber board and vice president for university relations at Utah Valley University, says Densley has been the face of business in Provo, Orem and Utah Valley for three decades. "He essentially built the Utah Valley Chamber of Commerce into what it is today. Everyone in the community owes Steve a huge debt of gratitude for his unflagging commitment to business in this region. His legacy will live on long after he rides into the sunset."

Looking to the future, Densley says his successor has a strong base from which to work, but will face a variety of challenges, such as adjusting to the way people communicate, continuing to help immigrants feel safe, furthering developments that are inclusive of the county's growing minority community, supporting educational improvements, improving Utah Lake, and enhancing the valley's transportation systems.

"Whoever takes my place has a lot of projects underway as the chamber works to make Utah Valley a prime location for business," he concludes.

Honors
Densley graduated from the Institute of Organization Management at the University of Colorado and the Institute of Advanced Management at Southern Methodist University. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce in Washington, D.C. sponsors both educational programs. He has continued his education each summer for 30 years at a number of universities across the nation. His career has been marked by numerous honors. He was chosen by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce to serve on the Western Region Board of Regents for the Institute of Advanced Management at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles. He received the Distinguished Alumni Award from Brigham Young University. He was given the Provo City Mayor’s Medal of Honor. He was honored by the Utah National Parks Council of the Boy Scouts of America with one of its highest awards, the Silver Beaver, and with the Trailblazer Award in Business by Utah Business Magazine.

EDCUtah wishes Steve Densley well in his retirement.