Company news information may be sent to brice.w@thecityjournals.com.
CHEMICALS
• American Pacific Corp., a manufacturer of specialty chemicals serving the aerospace and defense industries, recently held a groundbreaking at its capacity expansion project in Cedar City. The project represents a $100 million capital commitment. The event follows the recent approval of a Rural Economic Development Tax Increment Financing (REDTIF) incentive by the Utah Governor’s Office of Economic Development. When complete, the project will significantly increase production capabilities, ensuring that the company continues to meet the growing needs of defense and aerospace programs.
ECONOMIC INDICATORS
• Workers in the Salt Lake City/Murray metro area saw their pay increase 3.1 percent between August 2025 and August 2026, according to ADP Pay Insights. That was No. 36 among 56 metro areas tracked. The national median base pay for job-stayers grew 3 percent year-over-year. Nationally, median base pay for job-changers grew 4.7 percent year-over-year. The sectors with the highest year-over-year pay growth in August nationally were construction with 4 percent base pay growth, financial activities with 3.5 percent base pay growth, and manufacturing with 3.5 percent base pay growth. ADP is focused on HR and payroll solutions.
• Construction workers in the Salt Lake City/Murray metro area earn a median annual wage of $60,150, compared with a national median of $59,540, according to a study by Construction Coverage, an online publisher of construction industry research reports. When factoring in its 0.9 percent cost of living, Salt Lake City metro construction workers earn the equivalent of $59,632 annually. For context, the median annual wage for all workers in the Salt Lake City metro is $55,240. On a national level, full- and part-time wage and salary construction workers earn nearly 17 percent more than the overall median wage of $50,980 across all U.S. occupations. The highest cost-adjusted median annual wage is in Illinois, at $80,604. The lowest is in Florida, at $47,740. The local metro has total construction employment of 46,030, part of a national total of more than 5.4 million. Researchers analyzed the latest wage data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics alongside regional price data from the Bureau of Economic Analysis, ranking more than 350 metropolitan areas and all 50 states by cost-of-living-adjusted pay. Details are at https://constructioncoverage.com/research/best-paying-cities-for-construction-workers.
• Grocery Outlet Bargain Market is Utah’s most-wanted budget-friendly retail operation, according to a survey by Lenspricer.com, a site for contact lenses. It was followed by Price Rite Marketplace and Lidl. Details are at https://lenspricer.com/news/budget-retail-chains-people-want-study.
• Utah is ranked No. 43 on a list of states with the highest average student debt, compiled by digital personal finance company Achieve, which used data from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. In Utah, the average was $4,090 per capita in the 2024 fourth quarter and $3,900 in the 2025 fourth quarter, or down 2.7 percent year over year. The U.S. average was $5,460, down 1.8 percent. Student debt declined in 43 states. Georgia has the highest average, at $7,120. Wyoming has the lowest, at $3,180 per capita. Details are at https://www.achieve.com/.
• Coworking spaces in Salt Lake City are among the most affordable in the nation, according to a study by CoworkingCafe. For meeting rooms, Salt Lake City is among the most affordable metros in the nation, at $27.50 per hour, tied with Asheville, North Carolina. Only the three metros at $25 per hour are cheaper, and the rate remains well below the national median of $45. For virtual offices, Salt Lake City is below the national median of $179 at $159 per month. The most affordable, College Station, Texas, costs $50 per month. For memberships, Salt Lake City sits in the middle of the pack at $199 per month, just above the national median of $190. The most expensive, Anchorage, Alaska, reaches $340. For day passes, Salt Lake City sits in the middle of the pack at $35, slightly above the national median of $31. The most affordable, Deltona-Daytona Beach, Florida, and Syracuse, New York, charge $20. CoworkingCafe is part of Yardi, a global coworking and flexible workspace discovery platform. Details are at https://www.coworkingcafe.com/blog/coworking-subscription-prices/.
• Fifty-four percent of Utah women regularly feel mentally overwhelmed at least a few times a month, according to a survey by AMFM Mental Health Treatment. That equates to an estimated 703,439 adult women statewide. The percentage ranks Utah No. 38 among states. The highest percentage is in Maine, at 82 percent. The lowest is in Nevada, at 25 percent. Details are at https://amfmtreatment.com/blog/where-women-carry-the-heaviest-mental-load-in-america/.
• Utah is ranked No. 21 on a list of “saddest” states, compiled by sensory wellness technology company Sagespacetechnologies.com. It used data from the U.S. Census Bureau and the CDC’s National Center for Health Statistics. Its study indicates a 33.01 percent average rate of adults reporting symptoms of anxiety or depression. That is 1.9 percent above the national figure of 32.4 percent. The largest percentage is in Louisiana, at 37.49 percent. The lowest is in South Dakota, at 27.51 percent.
• The Salt Lake City/Murray metropolitan area has only 0.8 percent of all homes as vacation homes, used for seasonal, recreational, or occasional use, according to a study by global marketplace SellMyTimeshareNow. The national figure is 3.3 percent. The local area has 3,775 total vacation homes, from a national total of more than 4.7 million. It has a 48.5 percent share of renters that are cost-burdened, defined as spending at least 30 percent of their income on rent, compared with 51.1 percent nationally. Nationally, after peaking in 2018, vacation homeownership has declined every year since. Florida has the most vacation homes by volume, while Maine and Vermont lead in concentration. Details are at https://www.sellmytimesharenow.com/blog/cities-states-most-vacation-homes/.
• The Saratoga Springs Fall Fest is Utah’s favorite free fall event, according to a survey by financial media company MarketBeat. The event is ranked No. 69 in the nation. Research also indicates that 65 percent of Utahns believe traditional fall activities are becoming unaffordable, while 57 percent expect to spend less on them this year. Almost half have actively searched for free alternatives because of the cost of living, and 81 percent want local governments and community groups to offer more free seasonal events. The top national event is the North Carolina Folk Festival in Greensboro, North Carolina. Details are at https://www.marketbeat.com/articles/survey-reveals-americas-top-autumn-activities-that-are-free-2026/.
ENERGY
• Utah City, a 700-acre mixed-use development in Vineyard, has commemorated a milestone in sustainable infrastructure with the ribbon-cutting of its district energy system. The heating and cooling system is hailed as the first of its kind in Utah. Known as thermal energy networks, the systems involve central plants that produce hot and cold water that are then directed through a network of pipes to provide hot water, space heating and air conditioning for nearby buildings. Corix engineered the infrastructure, and the system will provide renewable energy to the emerging development through geothermal heating and cooling technology. Upon completion, Utah City will feature five unique districts, including an extension of Utah Valley University and a Huntsman Cancer Institute campus. Corix’s energy system will serve each building. The system is expected to eliminate the need for more than 17,000 individual water heaters and HVAC units and 20,000 individual building systems, and save developers over $100 million in capital savings over 15 years of expansion. At full build-out in 2040, Utah City is expected to provide 20 million square feet of residential, retail, commercial and medical research development on a 350-acre former brownfield site.
EVENTS
• The Intermountain Critical Minerals Summit and UMA’s 111th Annual Convention, a Utah Mining Association event, takes place Nov. 4-5 at the Salt Palace Convention Center in Salt Lake City. The event brings together mining leaders, academic partners, policymakers, national laboratories, researchers, suppliers and other industry stakeholders for conversations focused on the future of mining and critical minerals in the Intermountain West. The event theme is “Innovation to Independence: Building America’s Critical Minerals Future.” Tracks will focus on processing and smelting, investment and trade, workforce, national and economic security, and federal and state policy. Details are at https://members.utahmining.org/events/.
• The 2026 NREDA Annual Conference, a National Rural Economic Developers Association event, will take place Nov. 4-6 at the Salt Lake City Marriott City Center, 220 S. State St., Salt Lake City. The theme is “Elevating Innovation from the Ground Up.” Details are at https://www.nreda.org/2026-annual-conference.
EXPANSIONS
• Rasa Legal, a South Salt Lake legal technology company that helps people clear eligible criminal records, has expanded into Oregon. The company said estimates indicate that more than 1.3 million people in Oregon are struggling with a criminal record that may hold them back from good housing, jobs and other opportunities. Rasa pairs a free online eligibility tool with support from trained specialists and licensed attorneys. If someone is eligible to clear their record, Rasa provides a low-cost lawyer starting at just $500. Rasa’s service is available now in four states. Since its launch in late 2022, over 35,000 people have used Rasa’s platform to check their eligibility, and the organization has fully cleared more than 7,000 records.
GOVERNMENT
• September is officially Utah’s Own Month, following a declaration by Gov. Spencer Cox establishing an annual celebration beginning in 2026. The designation recognizes the farmers, ranchers, food producers and local businesses that feed Utah and contribute to communities across the state, while encouraging Utahns to discover, celebrate and support local products. Throughout September, Utah’s Own will celebrate with markets, events, and promotions across the state highlighting Utah producers and products. People may visit utahsown.org to find local farms and farmers markets and to shop for local products on the Utah’s Own member directory.
HEALTHCARE
• Intermountain Health Primary Children’s Hospital Behavioral Health Taylorsville Campus recently marked its one-year anniversary and announced that more than 9,000 children have benefited from expanded mental health access and care. The 90,000-square-foot campus at 5770 S. 1500 W. also has provided care for more than 1,100 pediatric patients in its 24/7 Crisis Walk-In Center, the only unit of its kind in the state, and had 12,600 outpatient visits. Over the past year, the campus has significantly expanded access to behavioral health care for children and adolescents, including adding 50 percent more inpatient beds and 25 percent more outpatient appointment capacity.
PHILANTHROPY
• Swig, a Sandy-based beverage company, has begun its seventh annual “Save The Cups” campaign, created to support women navigating breast cancer treatment while also promoting early detection. The company aims to raise at least $650,000. Through Oct. 10, proceeds from Swig’s fall menu and merchandise will support the campaign, and customers can also contribute by rounding up their purchase at participating Swig locations. Save The Cups is also accepting nominations for women currently fighting breast cancer. Details are at SaveTheCups.org. The campaign launched in 2020. Founded in 2010, Swig operates more than 170 locations across 17 states.
RECOGNITIONS
• Canary Speech, a Provo-based company focused on vocal biomarker technology, has been included in the World’s Top HealthTech Companies 2026 list, presented by Time and Statista Inc., a statistics portal and industry ranking provider. It is the second time that Canary Speech has been recognized. Companies were evaluated using three primary data sources: financial performance metrics, reputation analysis and online engagement. Out of thousands of HealthTech companies reviewed, the top 500 were recognized for their outstanding performance across those critical areas.
RESTAURANTS
• Local entrepreneurs and brothers Art and Nick Depole recently celebrated the openings of Mooyah Burgers, Fries & Shakes locations in Riverton and Provo. The Provo restaurant officially opened its doors on June 15 and Riverton followed on July 13.
RETAIL
• CenterCal Properties and Perry Commercial have announced that The Collective at Morning Vista is on track to open late next year. The Collective is a 134,000-square-foot, open-air gathering place with shops, restaurants, fitness and more. The site broke ground in May at the northeast corner of Timpanogos Highway and Morning Vista Road. The current tenant roster includes Whole Foods Market, Sephora, Lovesac, Bamboo Sushi, PopUp Bagels, Solidcore, VIO Med Spa, Petfolk and Bohme. CenterCal’s Utah portfolio includes Station Park in Farmington and Mountain View Village in Riverton. Murray-based Perry Commercial specializes in the development, construction, brokerage and long-term management of office, retail, industrial and multifamily properties.
SERVICES
• National daycare franchise The Learning Experience is expanding across Salt Lake City with two new locations opening over the next year, adding 20,000 square feet of freestanding commercial real estate across the region. The Saratoga Springs location is slated to open in the second quarter of 2027, followed by Highland in the third quarter. Each location will consist of up to 10,000 square feet of indoor building space with up to a 5,000-square-foot playground. Each new center will also employ as many as 30 staff members and certified teachers to serve up to 180 children between 6 weeks and 6 years of age with daycare and early childhood education. The Learning Experience currently has two locations open and operating in the Salt Lake City market. The Florida-based franchise, which is owned by the private equity group Harvest Partners, now has 491 centers open and operating, including 488 in the U.S. and three in the U.K. The Learning Experience opened 57 new centers in 2025 and 29 so far in 2026, with another 305 centers currently under development.
