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Tooele's economic update: Smith's Marketplace touted as major job source as staff push business park marketing
Summary
Economic Development Director John Perez reported steady media attention, modest retail vacancy changes, an industrial vacancy improvement, and said Smith's Marketplace had the largest grand opening of any Smith's (spokesperson estimated 200'250 new jobs); he said statewide RFI activity had slowed but the city is working with EDC Utah and GOED to market its business park.
Tooele City's economic development director told the council on Jan. 21 that local media coverage and outreach are yielding leads and visibility, and that the city is actively marketing available sites while reporting mixed vacancy trends across property types.
John Perez said local appearances on KSL and Fox 13 and increased social-media engagement have helped lead-generation. On commercial metrics he said retail vacancy edged up slightly while office vacancy remained at zero and industrial vacancy improved; he highlighted one industrial flex space that went from about 50% occupied last year to only four of 16 spaces available this quarter.
Perez also pointed to the recent Smith's Marketplace opening, saying it was "the largest grand opening out of any Smith's" and that a Smith's spokesperson estimated "200 to 250 new jobs." He said the city is actively marketing its business park and has sent an Ulta survey to prospects; he plans meetings with EDC Utah and GOED to boost outreach. When council members asked about specific opening dates for restaurants, Perez said Tropical Smoothie and a pizza restaurant were expected in February but that confirmed dates were not yet available.
Perez summarized that while statewide RFI activity has slowed, Tooele City's combination of available sites and targeted outreach could yield more activity this year.
