Unlocking Prosperity: Why Local Economic Development Matters

June 2025

Economic development is often viewed through a macro lens—statewide promotion, national rankings, and major corporate relocations. While top-down efforts play a critical role in shaping Utah’s economic landscape, overreliance on them can ignore the nuanced needs of individual communities. For cities and counties serious about sustained economic success, a tailored, ground-up approach is not just beneficial—it’s essential.

The Limits of Top-Down Approaches

State agencies and nonprofits like the Economic Development Corporation of Utah (EDCUtah) and the Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity are critical in promoting Utah, coordinating with site selectors, and administering incentives. However, their statewide mandate necessitates neutrality; they cannot favor one community over another without compromising objectivity. This broad focus often leaves individual communities without the high-touch, customized support needed to gain advantage in the competitive field of economic development.

The Rise of Regional Collaboratives

Recognizing this gap, regional initiatives have emerged to provide more localized support. The Northern Utah Economic Alliance (NUEA), a joint venture between Davis and Weber Counties, exemplifies this approach by promoting quality job growth and capital investment in the region. Similarly, the recently formed Southern Utah Economic Alliance (SUEA) serves Washington, Iron, Beaver, Kane, and Garfield Counties, with the aim of bringing sustainable economic growth through regional collaboration.

These alliances demonstrate how regional collaboration can address the unique economic development needs of specific areas, offering targeted support that state-level organizations are structurally unable to provide.

Empowering Local Leadership

At the heart of successful economic development is proactive local leadership. Municipal and county officials are uniquely positioned to understand their community's strengths and challenges. By investing in strategic planning, providing resources to economic development teams, and fostering an environment conducive to business growth, local governments can unlock their community's potential.

This proactive stance not only attracts and retains jobs but also leads to broader benefits: an expanded tax base, improved infrastructure, and enhanced quality of life for residents.

Alpen Associates: Your Partner in Tailored Economic Development

At Alpen Associates, we specialize in providing the strategic tools, technology, perspectives, and relationships necessary for municipalities and counties to drive their own economic growth. We believe that while top-down initiatives set the stage, it's the tailored, community-specific strategies that truly make a difference.

By partnering with local governments, we aim to empower communities to take control of their economic futures, ensuring prosperity that is both sustainable and reflective of their unique identities.