Utah By the Numbers

As the nation continues to experience difficult financial challenges, Utah is positioned to capitalize on the situation. As many surrounding states are being hit hard, our fundamentals as a state are sound.
Forbes.com recently rated Utah as the No. 1 state for “Best Financial Situation,” and Utah’s unemployment rate remains significantly under the national rate of 9.7 percent.
The University of Utah ranks first in the country for creation of new startup companies.
Proctor and Gamble is setting up shop in Utah and creating 300 jobs. Construction in downtown Salt Lake City is drawing in new business from around the West. Nu Skin is expanding in downtown Provo, which is also where a new convention center is being built.
Provo was recently recognized as the highest percent population growth city in America this past decade (47 percent).
With some of the lowest tax rates and operating costs in the nation, access to a highly educated workforce, and high quality of life, businesses are choosing Utah as a place to grow and develop.
In addition to the good news for businesses, the local housing market is stronger than many neighboring states. Buyers are still taking advantage of attractive prices, low mortgage rates and the availability of federal tax credits. Sales continue to climb, creating a strong first quarter for 2010.
The worst of this recession is behind us as experts named Utah the state best positioned to rebound from this economy. That doesn’t mean we aren’t without our challenges, but overall, Utah is a shining example of how strong businesses, a growing housing market, and job growth will keep our economy hopping.
It is good to be Utah in this economy, and that’s good news.
Please visit www.business.utah.gov to learn more about the current economic conditions in Utah.

Oldroyd’s Opinion
Recently Utah was voted as the state least like California. Strange recognition, but while driving to work the morning of April 13 in a blizzard, I thought it might be nice to be in California. But this recognition isn’t about the weather (and for the record, I love the four seasons). It is about fiscal management, conservative leadership, debt management and having a state that has been voted time and again as the best managed in the nation.
Utah has been voted as the best place to start a business and the most likely to come out of the economic slump. Home sales increased 25 percent in the first quarter, and home prices and interest rates are still low, so call a REALTOR® for details. So visit the beach in California, but thank your lucky stars that you live and work here in Utah.

Jon’s Take
Do you need new landscaping? A home repair?
A home equity line of credit is the perfect solution to unlocking the equity in your home and finishing those projects that truly make your house a “home.”
Here are five reasons to choose Family First’s Home Equity program to help you get the job done:
1, Convenient access by VISA
2. Low interest rate
3. Low minimum payment
4. 5-year draw period may be extended
5. Interest may be tax deductible
Not ready to start a home improvement project but have other plans? No problem. Home equity lines of credit may also be used for investments, vacations, automobiles, RVs, tuition, bill consolidation or just about anything. It is also common to set up a home equity line of credit for emergencies.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE MAGAZINE ONLINE