Economic Development

During my tenure as a City Council and Redevelopment Agency member, I am proud to have voted for tax incentives to businesses that bring jobs and tax revenue to Ogden.

Investment in our downtown is critical to our success as a city, because it’s Ogden’s collective neighborhood. Historic 25th Street is one of our greatest assets and we must support existing businesses, recruit new businesses from regional rather than national markets, and enforce ordinances that protect the historic integrity of the buildings there.

Branding Ogden as an outstanding recreational destination is something I have always supported. But not all recreation has to be “high-adventure.” Many of Ogden’s residents enjoy a quiet walk on the trails, an afternoon of fishing on the river, or just quiet contemplation in one of our many beautiful canyons.

Among the many projects that I have voted to support:

• Business Depot Ogden
• Redevelopment and investment on Historic 25th
• Ogden Eccles Conference Center
• Kemp Development
• Fresenius Medical
• Williams International
• The Junction
• The American Can Development.

Most of these have been good investments on behalf of the citizens of Ogden. However, as a council and RDA member, I rely on accurate and complete information from Ogden’s Administration and sadly we don’t always get that.

The administration’s estimates for revenues from the Junction are a good example and unfortunately, now lease revenues from BDO are going to pay off the bonds that helped finance the Junction; and tax revenues that should have been going to our schools have been delayed until 2027.

Future tax investment in economic development projects must be done in the open – not behind closed doors and with an eye on reality, not pie-in-the-sky, wishful thinking. Let’s tighten our belts, focus on completing projects that are in progress and work to recruit companies that bring good jobs at a fair wage.