North Ogden Council reviews Placer AI for enhanced economic development analytics

In a recent North Ogden City Council meeting held on March 11, 2025, city officials discussed the potential implementation of Placer AI software, a tool designed to enhance proactive economic development efforts. The meeting highlighted the city's commitment to improving its economic landscape, particularly through data-driven decision-making.

Scott Hess, representing the planning department, emphasized that economic development is a core focus for North Ogden. He pointed out that the city has been in discussions with Placer AI for approximately 18 months, exploring various applications of the software. The software utilizes anonymized location data from mobile devices to provide insights into visitor patterns, which can inform decisions related to economic development, park planning, and traffic management.

During the presentation, Chris from Placer AI explained how the software can track visits to specific locations, such as shopping centers and parks, offering valuable metrics on visitor demographics and behaviors. For instance, the data revealed that the Crossroads shopping center attracted over 251,000 unique visitors in the past year, underscoring its significance as a retail hub. This information can be instrumental in attracting new businesses by demonstrating the area's market potential.

Council members expressed a mix of enthusiasm and caution regarding the software's cost, which is proposed at $21,200 annually for a two-year contract. Some members raised concerns about whether this investment would yield a sufficient return compared to hiring consultants for specific studies. However, proponents argued that the ongoing access to real-time data could ultimately save costs and improve city planning and resource allocation.

The discussion also touched on the software's potential to assist in grant writing and sponsorship acquisition, as it provides concrete data to support funding requests. Council members noted that having access to such detailed analytics could enhance the city's ability to attract businesses and improve public services.

As the meeting concluded, the council acknowledged the need for further evaluation of the software's benefits and costs. The decision on whether to adopt Placer AI will likely be revisited in future meetings, as city officials weigh the long-term advantages of integrating this technology into their economic development strategy.