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Current Initiatives
Ogden's New Economic Base (Part 1)
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Standard Examiner Editorial
Written By Brandon Stephenson Posted 02/22/2007
Since 2003, I have talked with hundreds and probably even thousands of Ogdenites that regularly offer their
opinion about what Ogden needs. Inevitably, the majority identify one idea that is paramount in their minds as
the MOST important issue in Ogden. Economic Revitalization. They usually ask questions like, “Why will
businesses not come to Ogden?”, and “Why do businesses keep locating in Ogden’s neighboring
communities?” They also offer statements such as, “We need to get more jobs in this city!”, and “We need
retail...go ask them and they will come!”
Most recognize that Ogden City requires economic revitalization and I agree, it must be a primary focus.
However, what Ogden is really seeking is not just revitalization of our city center. We must establish an
economic base. Simply put, that means we must create a long term reason for businesses to continue to invest
in Ogden City. Ogden must have a competitive advantage that ultimately offers compelling economic reasons for
businesses to locate in Ogden.
For almost a century, Ogden City had an established economic base. Ogden was the railroad hub of the West.
Because of the railroad, businesses came to Ogden, jobs came to Ogden, people came to Ogden. Many
businessmen became wealthy because they learned to utilize the economic advantage of the railroad to prosper
their businesses. In addition, Ogdenites of all classes benefited from the economic prosperity that the railroad
brought to Ogden. Jobs were created, new neighborhoods were built and established neighborhoods flourished. I
sometimes wonder, what would have happened if the citizens of Ogden City in the late 1800’s had accused the
railroad of trying to enrich themselves or of bringing adverse impacts to Ogden and then told them to move on
their way. Had that happened, I expect that Ogden City would have likely prospered little without the economic
base established by allowing the railroad to come to town. The impacts of those past decisions, good and bad,
have become inseparably part of Ogden and its history. The good far outweighed the bad. Ogden prospered!
I hope that everyone in Ogden understands that we must be actively engaged in something bigger than just
downtown redevelopment....WE NEED AN ECONOMIC BASE! Downtown revitalization will create excitement in
the short run, but an economic base will bring long-term prosperity.
The last few years in Ogden have seen some noticeable successes as City leadership has grappled with the
above questions regarding economic revitalization. For many years, businesses have been invited, one after
another, and few came. Recently, because of a city-wide development focus on establishing our beautiful city as
a “High Adventure Hot Spot”, businesses are finally coming to Ogden.
The Ski Hub Concept, which is an organized plan to localize operations of as many ski industry companies as
possible into the Ogden area has taken hold and a dozen companies or so have come.
The Ski Hub Concept is real, and is well on its way to re-establishing an economic base in Ogden City. The
evidence of it’s success is that we are inviting companies to come...and they are coming with jobs, investment
and prosperity. As I have communicated with these company executives, it is apparent that one reason they are
here is because of the relatively easy access to nearby high adventure recreational activities coupled with our rich
natural surroundings. However, most of those that I have communicated with admit that the most compelling
reason they came to Ogden is the excitement generated by projects and proposals currently underway and
because of the progressive and “can do” attitude of the Mayor, his Administration and other City Leadership.
It is one City Council Member’s opinion that the establishment of a High Adventure Recreation “Hot Spot” is just
the economic advantage that Ogden needs to re-establish our economic base for long term prosperity.
Additionally, a solid economic base will assure that our taxes are lower, our schools are better funded, our
service levels are higher and that businesses will find an atmosphere in our city where they can flourish.
We all must actively support it! Ultimately, we must give our newfound economic base every reason to stay and
associated businesses every reason to follow. We must keep progressively moving forward with an attitude that
we “can do” what is necessary to bring into full fruition Ogden’s renaissance of city-wide prosperity.
Click to offer feedback
Written By Brandon Stephenson Posted 02/22/2007
Since 2003, I have talked with hundreds and probably even thousands of Ogdenites that regularly offer their
opinion about what Ogden needs. Inevitably, the majority identify one idea that is paramount in their minds as
the MOST important issue in Ogden. Economic Revitalization. They usually ask questions like, “Why will
businesses not come to Ogden?”, and “Why do businesses keep locating in Ogden’s neighboring
communities?” They also offer statements such as, “We need to get more jobs in this city!”, and “We need
retail...go ask them and they will come!”
Most recognize that Ogden City requires economic revitalization and I agree, it must be a primary focus.
However, what Ogden is really seeking is not just revitalization of our city center. We must establish an
economic base. Simply put, that means we must create a long term reason for businesses to continue to invest
in Ogden City. Ogden must have a competitive advantage that ultimately offers compelling economic reasons for
businesses to locate in Ogden.
For almost a century, Ogden City had an established economic base. Ogden was the railroad hub of the West.
Because of the railroad, businesses came to Ogden, jobs came to Ogden, people came to Ogden. Many
businessmen became wealthy because they learned to utilize the economic advantage of the railroad to prosper
their businesses. In addition, Ogdenites of all classes benefited from the economic prosperity that the railroad
brought to Ogden. Jobs were created, new neighborhoods were built and established neighborhoods flourished. I
sometimes wonder, what would have happened if the citizens of Ogden City in the late 1800’s had accused the
railroad of trying to enrich themselves or of bringing adverse impacts to Ogden and then told them to move on
their way. Had that happened, I expect that Ogden City would have likely prospered little without the economic
base established by allowing the railroad to come to town. The impacts of those past decisions, good and bad,
have become inseparably part of Ogden and its history. The good far outweighed the bad. Ogden prospered!
I hope that everyone in Ogden understands that we must be actively engaged in something bigger than just
downtown redevelopment....WE NEED AN ECONOMIC BASE! Downtown revitalization will create excitement in
the short run, but an economic base will bring long-term prosperity.
The last few years in Ogden have seen some noticeable successes as City leadership has grappled with the
above questions regarding economic revitalization. For many years, businesses have been invited, one after
another, and few came. Recently, because of a city-wide development focus on establishing our beautiful city as
a “High Adventure Hot Spot”, businesses are finally coming to Ogden.
The Ski Hub Concept, which is an organized plan to localize operations of as many ski industry companies as
possible into the Ogden area has taken hold and a dozen companies or so have come.
The Ski Hub Concept is real, and is well on its way to re-establishing an economic base in Ogden City. The
evidence of it’s success is that we are inviting companies to come...and they are coming with jobs, investment
and prosperity. As I have communicated with these company executives, it is apparent that one reason they are
here is because of the relatively easy access to nearby high adventure recreational activities coupled with our rich
natural surroundings. However, most of those that I have communicated with admit that the most compelling
reason they came to Ogden is the excitement generated by projects and proposals currently underway and
because of the progressive and “can do” attitude of the Mayor, his Administration and other City Leadership.
It is one City Council Member’s opinion that the establishment of a High Adventure Recreation “Hot Spot” is just
the economic advantage that Ogden needs to re-establish our economic base for long term prosperity.
Additionally, a solid economic base will assure that our taxes are lower, our schools are better funded, our
service levels are higher and that businesses will find an atmosphere in our city where they can flourish.
We all must actively support it! Ultimately, we must give our newfound economic base every reason to stay and
associated businesses every reason to follow. We must keep progressively moving forward with an attitude that
we “can do” what is necessary to bring into full fruition Ogden’s renaissance of city-wide prosperity.
Click to offer feedback