Sequel - Fall 2007 - (Page 32) perspectives UVU TO OFFER A STRENGTHENED FOUNDATION FOR UTAH’S ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT BY STEVE DENSLEY ecently, the U.S. Census Bureau rated ProvoOrem among the fastest-growing areas in the nation. By Forbes Magazine, this region was recognized as the second-best location in the nation to start a new business. For the past 25 years, I have worked daily with start-up businesses that have become very successful here in Utah Valley. The battle for a strong, well-educated workforce continues to be the top priority for most of these companies. Without a solid base of qualified employees, new companies would not choose to locate here and those existing would find it difficult to compete in the local, regional, national, and now-morethan-ever, global economy. The fact that we have one of the best and fastest-growing colleges in the country right here in Utah Valley makes this area one of the most attractive in the nation to businesses seeking well-trained and well-educated employees. Brigham Young University is recognized as a world-class institution and its impact and quality cannot be debated. What most people don’t understand is the tremendous impact that Utah Valley State College (soon to be University) is having on the state economy and workforce. UVSC is a tremendous resource for local students in getting a quality education. It has become essential to our local business community as a great resource of quality, young, welleducated, multilingual and diverse students that are likely to remain in Utah upon graduation. Less than 10 percent of our Utah Valley students attend BYU. Many of our students are now lining up to earn a degree from Utah Valley University and are excited about the potential the institution offers. It is the school of choice to students locally, and many students both nationally and internationally are choosing UVSC. And as UVSC rounds the corner to university status, it becomes even more critical to the future of our economic development efforts. Since its foundation in 1941, UVSC courses have been structured to educate employees and train them with skills needed to help our local businesses succeed. UVSC administrators have reached out to the community to identify skills necessary for the present and future job markets, and they have responded by developing classes to educate and train students to be prepared to enter the local job market. I envision Utah Valley University as a dynamic central resource for economic development as our local area continues to grow. UVU will be a place where the business community can go to seek the resources and employees necessary to move new and old business forward. PHOTO BY JACOB SCOTT STEVE DENSLEY: PRESIDENT, PROVO/OREM CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 32 http://thechamber.org/
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