BECED - Strategic Plan: Section 3

Brigham City Economic Development Strategic Plan
Executive Summary
Adopted Brigham City Council May 31, 2001

SECTION 3: STRATEGIC ISSUES

ISSUE SET 1 - Geographic Setting: Brigham City's geographic setting creates advantages upon which the City should capitalize, and disadvantages that need to be mitigated. Brigham City is located on the far northern fringe of what is commonly considered the "Wasatch Front". It is close enough o be within the sphere of influence of the Salt Lake City and Ogden metropolitan areas, but far enough away to retain its status as a discrete city and not a suburb of either. Brigham City is located on an alluvial fan, is the valley floor and floodplains of the Bear River and Great Salt Lake. Wetlands are common and present a challenge to balancing economic development and environmental responsibility.

ISSUE 1-1 - Land Availability: Brigham City has limited land available for development, both for residential and business growth. Much of the available land within the current corporate boundary of the City is either too steep for development, is unsuitable for development due to aesthetic considerations, or is too wet. There is a perceived lack of suitable building and sites with adequate infrastructure for industrial and business park development.

ISSUE 1-2 - Regional Competition and Cooperation: Economic development is a regional issue that crosses jurisdictional boundaries. The solution to economic development issues can seldom be found by looking only with one city's boundary. There is a need of multi-governmental cooperation and integration of economic development efforts and plans where common interests can be identified. Brigham City has a relatively small population when compared to the Wasatch Front as a whole. There is a need to reposition Brigham City on the economic map so that location decisions are not made solely on the basis of population. There is regional competition for economic development. Brigham City needs to balance the need to be competitive within and outside the region, with reaping the benefits of regional cooperation on economic development that will accrue from participating in such efforts. The Wasatch Front attracts attention nationally and internationally with the 2002 Winter Olympics and with its economic and quality-of-life successes of the last decade. Brigham City needs to position itself to take advantage of these benefits. At the same time, there are examples along the Wasatch Front from which Brigham City can learn and mistakes we need not repeat.

ISSUE SET 2 - Quality of Life: Brigham City has a unique character and identity, derived from a number of elements, which makes it an attractive community in which to live. Brigham City is recognized statewide and nationally as a desirable place to live. This creates opportunities to retain, expand, and attract business, and develop a tourism industry based on community assets and heritage products. At the same time, there are weaknesses and threats to the integrity of Brigham City's character and identity, and a lack of certain basic amenities that would further enhance Brigham City's quality of life, for both current and prospective residents and businesses. This quality of life can be lost, but through proper planning it can be maintained and enhanced. Attention to quality of life factors is critical to the ability of Brigham City to compete for "knowledge workers" - and thus for business and industry retention, expansion, and recruitment - in the new economy. These workers are increasingly able to locate anywhere, and show preference for locations with high quality of life and amenities.

ISSUE 2-1 - Arts and Cultural Activity: Arts and culture are components that contribute to quality of life. The retention and recruitment of a quality workforce and employers is enhanced by a healthy cultural life in the community. There are cultural and artistic events, activities, and opportunities in the community, which need to be enhanced and expanded. There are world-class artists and artisans in Brigham City. Brigham City has a City owned and operated museum and gallery. However, other cultural amenities could be added to improve the cultural life of Brigham City residents. Cultural activity can also provide a significant "anchor", particularly in a downtown setting when linked with other entertainment options.

ISSUE 2-2 - Main Street/Central Business District: The Brigham City Main Street district, between 100 N. and 200 S. has gained recognition as an example of late 19th and early 20th century architecture. "Downtown" is central not only to the physical City but also to the character and image commonly associated with the City. With the establishment of RDA Project Area #1, the Main Street streetscape project, the adoption of design guidelines, and demonstrated its commitment to making downtown a viable, attractive place to visit and do business. However, more needs to be done to establish downtown as the economic, cultural, and social heart of the City.

ISSUE 2-3 - Parks, Recreation, and Open Space: Brigham City has an excellent parks and recreation program which provides services for Brigham City residents as well as residents of surrounding communities. These facilities also attract visitors from more distant areas along the Wasatch Front. These facilities should be integrated into economic development efforts by virtue of their effect on quality of life and tourism potential. There is a need to insure that recreational facilities keep pace with an expanding population. There is also a need to protect and maintain open spaces. Open space, including the undeveloped hillsides, the countryside to the north and west, and the undeveloped Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge reinforce the "small town atmosphere" mentioned elsewhere that is so important to Brigham City's character and image. There is also a need for additional outdoor recreational activities and facilities in the Brigham City area.

ISSUE 2-4 - Entertainment/Retail: Brigham City has limited opportunities for entertainment and limited retail outlets. There is currently one Movie Theater in Brigham City with another nearby in Perry. There is a stage theater in Perry as well. There is one destination restaurant, Maddox, also located in Perry. There is considerable entertainment and retail leakage from the Brigham City market to other communities, particularly the Ogden area and Cache Valley. While the existing opportunities are limited, there are many possibilities for increasing the number of opportunities in Brigham City. There are a number of local restaurants that have good quality and reputation. There is the possibility of a town center in downtown Brigham City that would bring together entertainment, shopping, and other services along with artistic and cultural activities and government services. Many communities have successfully transformed their downtowns into such centers. There are many elements that will need to be incorporated, and there will need to be commitment from the City and the private sector in order to make such a center successful.

ISSUE 2-5 - Tourism Resources: Brigham City is located in an area that has natural and man-made attractions for tourism. The Bear River Migratory Bird refuge, the Golden Spike National Historical Site, Willard Bay State Park, Crystal Hot Springs, Thiokol Rocket Display, Peach Days, the Fruitway and other sites and attraction bring visitors from the region and beyond. Brigham City has the potential to become a hub for these visitors and capitalize on much of the economic activity generated by tourism. Brigham City is also located on major tourism corridors to Yellowstone, Jackson Hold, and Sun Valley to the north, and Utah ski resorts and national parks to the south. The 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City will bring unprecedented exposure to the Wasatch Front. Brigham City can use this exposure to increase its visibility and desirability as a tourist destination. In order to take advantage of tourism potential, additional services and amenities are needed. Restaurants, hotels, shopping, etc. are amenities demanded by tourists. Brigham City ahs many historic sites and resources and has the potential to capitalize on heritage tourism, the number one sector of the traveling public.

ISSUE 2-6 - Public Safety: Brigham City enjoys a small town atmosphere. This atmosphere is one of the most commonly mentioned responses when residents are asked what they like about the City. A sense of security and the perception of freedom from crime are part of this small town atmosphere. Although Brigham City, and Utah in general, enjoys a relatively low crime rate, crime is increasing and the City needs to insure that it stays on top of the issue.

ISSUE SET 3 - Infrastructure and Services: Brigham City needs to develop and maintain adequate infrastructure to accommodate the new economy. This infrastructure includes long-recognized city services such as culinary water, wastewater, storm water, and electricity. It includes non-municipal public utilities such as natural gas. It includes transportation infrastructure such as highways, local streets, rail, public transit, and the airport. It also includes the infrastructure of the new economy - high speed, high capacity ground based and wireless telecommunications that are adequately protected and redundant.

ISSUE 3-1 - Telecommunications: Businesses and individuals increasingly rely on high speed, high capacity telecommunications. Fiber optics has replaced copper wiring as the state-of-the-art transmission medium. It is likely that over time, satellite transmission will carry more of the information that is currently sent over land-based lines. With telecommunications access and infrastructure controlled by private companies, it is difficult to determine the capacity and speed of the telecommunications infrastructure Brigham City currently has. Telecommunications companies consider this information proprietary. What is known is that there is a single trunk line running from Brigham City to North Ogden and when that line is broken, Brigham City is isolated. Anecdotal information also indicates that capacity and speed are insufficient for many of the most important needs.

ISSUE 3-2 - Basic Infrastructure (Culinary Water, Wastewater, Storm Water, Electricity, Natural Gas and Streets): Basic infrastructure is the backbone upon which the City is built. Residents and visitors judge the success and responsiveness of the City based in large measure upon the quality of these services. In order to protect the City's investment, this infrastructure must be maintained. Possible deregulation of electric utilities could have a major impact on the City's budget since utility fund transfers from the electric utility supplement the general fund. The City's capital improvement plans for infrastructure specify anticipated investments in infrastructure to meet existing and anticipated needs. Since infrastructure availability can influence location decisions, the City should bring economic development planning and infrastructure planning into harmony. Brigham City provides all essential basic infrastructure with the exception of natural gas, which is provided in Brigham City y Questar Gas. Infrastructure planning should take into account the needs of natural gas provision.

ISSUE 3-3 - Transportation: Transportation is the movement of people and goods from one location to another. Ease of movement and options in the choice of transportation modes are important both for commerce and quality of life. Brigham City is located in a zone characterized by the convergence of transportation routes and modes including I 15, I 80, I 84, US 89, US 91, SR 13, and SR 38. The Union Pacific Railroad has a rail corridor that bisects Brigham City and provides freight service as well as the potential for commuter service. The Brigham City airport is evolving into a regional facility. Utah Transit Authority currently provides transit service to Brigham City. Two routes provide service within Brigham City and to Ogden. The route servicing the city could be improved by the addition of another bus so that two busses travel in opposite direction. The convergence of these routes and modes creates opportunities for economic development that should be recognized and exploited.

ISSUE 3-4 - Public and Community Services: Cities exist in part to facilitate the provision of essential services and amenities to their citizens. Either the public or private sector may provide these services. A well-rounded community will have a good mix of these services and amenities. To the degree that Brigham City is able to do so, it will be perceived as a desirable place to live and do business. Certain services, such as parks and recreation, infrastructure, etc., are discussed elsewhere in this document.

ISSUE 3-5 - Housing: Housing is a basic necessity of life. Without adequate housing, no community can hope to expand its economic opportunity in a meaningful way. Housing should be available for the executive as well as the mid-level and line worker. In each category, housing should be attractive, will planned, and consistent with the character and identity of the community.

ISSUE SET 4 - Economic Development: Brigham City needs to develop an economic development program that works within the constraints of limited resources and personnel. In the past there has been no organized economic development program at the City level. The City has participated with the Box Elder County Economic Development office. At times the efforts of Box Elder County have been consistent with Brigham City goals and interests, and at times they have not. In order to have a greater level of control over guiding its economic future, Brigham City needs to cooperate and participate with the County and other jurisdictions where cooperation is mutually advantageous, but also needs to have the ability to protect its interests when necessary. In order to do this, an economic development program internal to the City needs to be developed.

ISSUE 4-1 - Workforce Development: Anecdotal and statistical evidence indicates that Utah in general and Box Elder County in particular have a highly educated workforce. In order to participate in the new economy, this workforce needs to have the necessary technological skills. Workers need to be prepared to adapt to new industries and occupations with a high degree of entrepreneurs, participate in a global marketplace, and maintain state of the art information technology skills.

ISSUE 4-2 - Marketing and Promotion: In a sense, the City is a product that is in competition with other areas for economic activity. Just as consumers make decisions based in part on the marketing of a product, businesses will make locational decisions based in part on the information provided and portrayed by the City and its competitors. Marketing and promotion in the private sector involves increasing the sales of a product by better positioning of the product in the marketplace through advertising and presentation or packaging. This involves understanding who the customer is, and what motivates the customer to buy. In order to be successful in the economic development marketplace, Brigham City needs to have an understanding of what is has to offer, and get his information to the "customer." In this context, the customer can include site selection consultants, desired industries, and knowledge workers.

ISSUE 4-3 - Expansion and Retention: The majority of new jobs in an economy are generally created by expansion of existing businesses. This is often forgotten when communities assume that economic development means attracting new businesses. Many of the same factors that new businesses take into account in making a locational decision are considered in decisions by businesses to remain at an existing location or to expand. This is because these decisions, whether by a new business or an existing one, are related to the ability of the business to be profitable.

ISSUE 4-4 - Recruitment: Although existing businesses will create the majority of jobs in a local economy, recruitment of targeted businesses is an important component of an economic development program. The lack of certain services and amenities in Brigham City which could be provided through recruitment have been described elsewhere. There is also a sense that more high technology businesses are needed. Certain targeted types of recruitment may also help in expansion or retention efforts, for example recruitment of suppliers to resident industries. Many of the factors involved in recruitment are inseparable from the factors involved in expansion and retention efforts. In fact all of the items listed in issue sets 1 through 3 apply equally well to both since they relate in part to the reasons why businesses and knowledge employees choose to locate and remain where they do. Brigham City needs to determine which types of businesses and industries would be most conducive to accomplishing its economic development goals and concentrate on recruiting them.