100 new jobs every day: Utah governor delivers on 100,000 job promise.

• Author: Sutherland, Spencer

When it comes to business development, Utah Gov. Gary R. Herbert is nothing if not bold. In fact, in the aftermath of the Great Recession, he challenged the state's private sector to create 100,000 jobs in just 1,000 days. "The role of government," Herbert says, "is to empower the private sector to create a stable and predictable business environment, and to stay off your backs and out of your wallets."

It's this pro-business atmosphere and attitude that has allowed Utah's economy to thrive--even during the toughest of times. Though the governor specifically challenged private businesses to accelerate job growth, the state isn't content to sit back and watch. Herbert has promised to reduce the unemployment insurance rate for employers, align public-sector job training with workforce needs, increase access to seed funding for startups, and maintain Utah's AAA bond rating through prudent governance.

Organic growth, however, is not the only way the state has added new jobs. In 2013 alone, 10,000 high-wage, high-value and highly competitive jobs came to Utah from outside of the state. And that momentum will continue, with Herbert focusing his administration on bringing more out-of-state companies to the Beehive State.

FRESH FACES

The recent growth in business recruitment is largely the result of the combined efforts of the Governor's Office of Economic Development (GOED) and the nonprofit Economic Development Corporation of Utah (edcUtah).

GOED and edcUtah actively work with companies across the country-- and across industries such as financial services, IT, outdoor products, life sciences and defense--that are looking to relocate or expand their operations.

It's easy to see the diversity of Utah's recruiting efforts in the list of recent transplants, including hardware and software developer Oracle, German metalworking fluid manufacturer Oemeta, and fresh-tomato grower Houweling's Tomatoes, which recently built an environmentally friendly greenhouse in rural Utah.

Utah is also welcoming the IT world. In 2010, software giant Adobe set up shop in Utah, creating more than 1,000 new jobs. "We've had some tremendous success in the IT sector since the arrival of Adobe," says Jeff Edwards, edcUtah president and CEO. "It's forever changed how IT professionals view us as a state."

What has companies from every industry flocking to Utah? One reason is the enticing tax incentives available for companies that relocate. Another is the state's tremendous...