AGP Executive Report

Data Center Power: Utah’s rapid data center buildout is pushing developers to bring their own energy as grid supply falls short; seven centers under construction are expected to use nearly three times the power of existing facilities, with more than half generated behind the meter. Consumer Protection: Utah joined the FTC and 19 other states in suing Dollar General, alleging the chain repeatedly charged customers more at checkout than advertised. Airport Investment: Salt Lake City International Airport completed its $5.1 billion, 12-year rebuild, adding the final seven gates to Concourse B and wrapping a project that employed nearly 25,000 workers. Energy and Manufacturing: Fervo Energy has started commercial geothermal power at its Utah Cape Station project, while LS Electric plans a $168 million expansion of its Utah switchgear production. Critical Minerals: Pinnacle Minerals acquired rights to five Utah tungsten projects, adding to growing interest in the state’s mineral resources.

Energy Services: Star Equity expanded its Vernal operation with a machine-shop acquisition, adding repair, machining and rebuild services for oil, mining and geothermal customers. Critical Minerals: Pinnacle Minerals agreed to acquire rights to five Utah tungsten projects covering about 4,000 acres; Diablo Resources also reported tungsten at its Horn project and is preparing for a 2027 drilling program. Defense Manufacturing: The Navy awarded Northrop Grumman $43.9 million to design Trident missile-material facilities in Magna, with work scheduled through August 2028. Global Trade: Gov. Spencer Cox and Utah business leaders visited Ireland to strengthen trade, research and investment ties. Geothermal: Fervo Energy marked a landmark year, including its IPO, major project financing and a large power purchase agreement with Google. Utah Brands: Bose acquired Park City-based Skullcandy, adding the headphone brand to its audio portfolio.

Airport Construction: Salt Lake City International Airport has completed its 12-year rebuild, closing a major infrastructure project and unveiling a final art installation. Agriculture: Utah farmers face new hurdles for renewable-energy projects under USDA rules, while an avian-flu outbreak at a Utah mink farm has raised concerns about the government response. Energy: Utah State University has doubled its new solar capacity and added its first large-scale battery storage system. Utah Business: Bose has acquired Park City-based Skullcandy, expanding its reach into a more affordable audio market. Southern Utah Growth: Stream Technologies has opened a new headquarters in the region, deepening its local presence. Healthcare Workforce: Chamberlain University has opened its first Utah campus, expanding nursing education in a state with one of the nation’s lowest nurse-per-capita rates.

Airport Infrastructure: Salt Lake City celebrated completion of its $5.1 billion, 12-year airport rebuild. The final Concourse B section adds seven gates and new concessions, with the airport now turning to recruiting carriers and other capital projects. Agriculture & Biosecurity: Bird flu has spread for two months at a Utah mink farm, raising concerns about limited containment rules and a lack of transparency. Experts say the risk is greatest for people exposed to sick animals. Farm Energy: New USDA rules require Utah farmers to finish clean-energy projects and document a year of savings before seeking funding, a hurdle critics say could shut smaller operations out. Technology & Trade: Utah and Ireland signed an agreement to collaborate on quantum technology during Gov. Spencer Cox’s trade mission, which is also exploring student co-ops and apprenticeships. Utah Business: Bose acquired Park City-based Skullcandy, adding the Utah headphone brand to its consumer audio portfolio.

Airport Infrastructure: Salt Lake City International Airport completed its 12-year redevelopment, closing a major construction program and reinforcing the state’s role as a travel hub. Clean Energy: Utah State University doubled its solar capacity and added its first large-scale battery storage system. Manufacturing: LS Electric is investing $168 million to expand switchgear production in Utah, while Moog plans to grow its aerospace and defense manufacturing here. Consumer Brands: Bose acquired Park City-based Skullcandy, adding the Utah headphone brand to its portfolio. Agriculture: A reported bird-flu outbreak at a Utah mink farm is raising concerns about gaps in containment rules for the animals. Small Business: Utah’s small-business credit initiative released a final $24.1 million tranche to support financing across the state.

Flood Recovery: A second flash flood in two months damaged about 80 homes and 50 trailers in Hurricane, while also hitting roads, bridges and electrical infrastructure. Campus Energy: Utah State University added more than 1 megawatt of solar capacity and its first large-scale battery system, bringing new solar capacity to more than 2 megawatts across seven sites. Utah Industry: LS Electric plans a $168 million switchgear production expansion in Utah; Nucor is investing $60 million in its Morgan County facility, and Moog plans to expand aerospace and defense manufacturing in the state. Local Business: Bose acquired Park City-based Skullcandy, while Doppelmayr opened an expanded Salt Lake City headquarters as ski-lift demand grows. Supply Chains: The federal government designated helium a critical material, citing its role in semiconductor manufacturing and growing risks to global supply.

Severe Weather: Flooding across the Four Corners has triggered evacuations and rooftop rescues, including in Utah, with more rain forecast. Manufacturing Investment: LS ELECTRIC plans a $168 million expansion of Utah switchgear production, while Moog is looking to grow its aerospace and defense manufacturing in the state. Park City Deal: Bose acquired Skullcandy, which will remain a separate brand headquartered in Park City. Utah Business Growth: St. George-based Millennial Medical says sales rose about 25% this year and has launched Crutches.com to expand its direct-to-consumer business. Data Center Debate: Utah communities are pressing questions about power and water use as new projects draw scrutiny.

Trade and Investment: Gov. Spencer Cox led a Utah delegation to Ireland to build ties for businesses in tech, life sciences, energy, quantum and research. Southern Utah Business: Stream Technologies has established a new headquarters in Southern Utah, expanding its local presence. Energy and Data Centers: Carbon County commissioners discussed economic development amid concerns about nuclear energy and data center proposals. Small Business Finance: Utah’s Small Business Credit Initiative unlocked a final $24.1 million tranche to support small businesses. Utah Brands: Bose acquired Park City-founded Skullcandy, adding a broader consumer audience to its audio portfolio. Water and Recreation: Rain Enhancement Technologies reported more than 20% warm-season precipitation enhancement at its La Sal Mountains deployment; Carbon County also completed OHV trail improvements to support long-term recreation.

Data Center Costs: Sen. Mike Lee’s proposed “pay your own way” bill would require data centers to cover their energy and grid expansion costs. Delta Gigasite developer Creekstone Energy supports the measure, which awaits Senate committee action. Carbon County Economy: Commissioners weighed new industrial projects against concerns over data centers and nuclear energy, as the decline of coal and power industries shifts more tax burden to residents. Southern Utah Business: Washington City-based Stream Technologies opened a new headquarters to support its growing IT and telecommunications services. Workforce: Chamberlain University opened its first Utah campus in Sandy, with nursing classes beginning Oct. 26, adding training capacity in a state with the nation’s lowest nurse-to-resident ratio. Consumer Technology: Bose acquired Park City-born Skullcandy, expanding its reach into more affordable audio products. Water Innovation: Rain Enhancement Technologies says its La Sal Mountains project produced more than 20% warm-season precipitation enhancement; the company’s preliminary analysis says the results extend its reported winter gains.

Manufacturing Technology: Salt Lake City-based L2L launched an AI-powered platform that combines production, maintenance and frontline workflows to help manufacturers improve plant operations. Utah Brands: Bose acquired Park City-born Skullcandy, which will remain a separate brand as it gains access to Bose technology and global distribution. Data Center Debate: Utah lawmakers questioned MIDA’s transparency and expanding role as it advances a proposed Box Elder County data center with O’Leary Digital. Business Funding: Utah’s Small Business Credit Initiative unlocked a final $24.1 million tranche to support small businesses. Mining: Sage Potash more than doubled its estimated Utah resource, adding momentum to the state’s potash prospects. Consumer Finance: A multistate settlement will cancel about $16.7 million in Utah consumers’ Snap Finance lease payments.

Consumer Audio: Bose acquired Park City-based Skullcandy, which will remain a separate brand as the companies combine Bose’s audio expertise with Skullcandy’s design and consumer following. Small-Business Finance: Utah’s Small Business Credit Initiative opened its final funding tranche, making about $24.2 million available through programs that help lenders extend loans to local businesses. Agriculture: Rocky Mountain Power is offering Utah farms incentives for efficient irrigation pumps and other equipment to help cut energy costs. Food and Drink: Utah’s eight cideries are joining a National Cider Month showcase after a spring freeze destroyed an estimated 90% to 95% of the state’s fruit crop. Consumer Relief: A multistate settlement will cancel $16.76 million in Utah lease payments owed to Snap Finance, allowing affected customers to keep their purchases. Energy and Industry: A state audit found Utah energy providers have mature cybersecurity practices but still face gaps; meanwhile, Moog plans to expand aerospace and defense manufacturing in Utah.

Mining: Sage Potash more than doubled its estimated resource at its Sage Plain project in San Juan County to 771.5 million metric tons. The company is studying solution mining, but the estimate does not establish that the deposit can be mined profitably. Power and Infrastructure: A legislative audit found limited state oversight of cybersecurity at Rocky Mountain Power, which supplies about 78% of Utah’s electricity, and municipal utilities. Lawmakers may consider stronger oversight. Advanced Manufacturing: Moog plans to expand aerospace and defense manufacturing in Utah. Salt Lake City medical-device maker Total Joint Orthopedics secured up to $11 million in debt financing to expand inventory, sales and product development. Engineering: Lynk Engineers ranked as Utah’s top mechanical, electrical and plumbing engineering firm, with $61.5 million in 2025 revenue, and placed second among engineering firms statewide.

Business Regulation: Utah sued prediction-market operator Kalshi, alleging illegal gambling and seeking to stop its operations in the state. Park City Development: Nearly 30 businesses have legal representation as they challenge aspects of a proposed Bonanza Park project, including its parking and building heights. Local Tech: Park City-based Vantory is developing AI tools to help short-term rental operators manage pricing, accounting and operations. Infrastructure: High Valley Transit is preparing a preview of its Bobsled Express bus rapid transit service, part of a project designed to move up to 5,000 people a day between Kimball Junction and Old Town. Investment and Jobs: A U.S. trade adviser touted Texas Instruments’ investment in a new Lehi plant; Utah added 25,200 jobs over the past year, with unemployment at 3.5%. Energy: Utah’s geothermal prospects are drawing attention, but water needs remain a hurdle, while the state’s push for nuclear power faces opposition from some environmental and tribal groups.

Water & Data Centers: Kevin O’Leary’s proposed Box Elder County complex is seeking to redirect an irrigation water right for industrial use, drawing nearly 200 protests over potential impacts on the Great Salt Lake. A separate look at the Central Utah Project traces how more than 100 miles of tunnels and pipelines move Colorado River Basin water to the Wasatch Front. Energy & Infrastructure: Utah’s geothermal prospects are growing, but new projects could add pressure on water supplies. UDOT says its $621 million Lehi freeway project is progressing toward a 2028 finish, while Salt Lake City has outlined a $14.5 million first phase for Rio Grande District infrastructure. Utah Businesses: West Jordan medical-device maker Route 92 Medical secured a $100 million debt facility to support growth. Trader Joe’s plans to open a West Jordan store Oct. 23, and Orem-based payments firm pmtbox added Coupons.com founder Steven Boal to its board. Jobs & Investment: Utah added 25,200 jobs over the past year, with unemployment holding at 3.5%. A trade adviser also touted Texas Instruments’ investment in a new Lehi plant while defending tariffs.

Semiconductors: U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer toured Texas Instruments’ plant under construction in Lehi, arguing tariffs can help domestic manufacturers compete and strengthen supply chains. He disputed that tariffs drove last month’s 3.7% inflation rate. Transit: Park City’s $102 million Bobsled Express bus rapid transit line is planned to connect Kimball Junction and Old Town, with service every 15 minutes when it opens in 2028 and capacity for up to 5,000 riders a day. Energy: Utah’s geothermal prospects are drawing attention, but development faces a key constraint: water demand. A proposed 54-mile power line in southern Utah is also raising concerns about towers near homes. Jobs and infrastructure: Utah added 25,200 jobs over the past year, with unemployment steady at 3.5%. Salt Lake City has outlined a $14.5 million first phase of infrastructure work for the Rio Grande District.

Consumer Products: Salt Lake City-based Washie has raised more than $61,000 on Kickstarter for its tech-enabled toilet seat, topping its $10,000 goal as it expands from commercial restrooms into homes. Biotech: Clene has submitted an application to the FDA seeking accelerated approval of its ALS drug CNM-Au8. Data-Center Supply Chain: LS Electric won a $125 million power-equipment contract for North American data centers; the company has operations in Cedar City. Energy Infrastructure: HF Sinclair’s proposed fuel pipeline through Emigration Canyon and Salt Lake City faces growing opposition over safety, watershed and insurance concerns. The company says it could reduce tanker traffic and steady fuel supplies, but the route is not final and construction is at least two years away. Geothermal: Google agreed to buy 396 megawatts from Fervo’s planned Cape Station project in southwest Utah, adding momentum to a regional geothermal push that will depend on access to water.