More This Week's News from G O O G L E........ 
 
ECONOMISTS CALL HOUSING KEY '07 ISSUE
Desert News, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
After a banner year for the economy in Utah, labor, wage rates and housing affordability loom as the big issues of 2007, Wells Fargo economists said Thursday......

New license plates sought
Deseret News - Salt Lake City,UT,USA
So, economic development officials hope, is "Life Elevated," announced a year ago to mixed reviews as the slogan for a multimillion-dollar advertising ...

Urquhart gives public a say
St. George Daily Spectrum - St. George,UT,USA
Steve Urquhart, R-St. George, has woven the wiki into his business on and off the Utah House floor, asking the public to comment on in-progress legislation ...
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Study Shows Utah is a Good Place to Do Business
KSL-TV - Salt Lake City,UT,USA
The study, commissioned by the Real Estate Professionals for Economic Growth, found several benefits to doing business in Utah. ...

UTAH HOUSING MARKET STRONG
Deseret News, SLC, UT
Housing starts in the greater Salt Lake region rose 17 percent in the fourth quarter of 2006, to 4,570 units, according to a new report by Metrostudy.

Bills aim to cut food tax further
Salt Lake Tribune - Salt Lake City,UT,USA
Jon Huntsman Jr. that would offer a refundable filing credit to lure families to a 5 percent flat tax. Huntsman's proposal, which could bring about 60 ...

Vouchers bill goes online before it goes to Legislature
St. George Daily Spectrum - St. George,UT,USA
Utah Rep. Steve Urquhart, R-St. George, has called on the public - and technology - to change the way the Legislature does business. ...

Fourth seat for Utah still possible
St. George Daily Spectrum - St. George,UT,USA
ST. GEORGE - Despite partisan pressures, Utah's fourth congressional seat remains a priority for the coalition lobbying to give the District of Columbia its ...

Utah's success too much for economy?
Deseret News - Salt Lake City,UT,USA
Tauni Everett, director of communications for Economic Development Corp. of Utah, a private organization contracted by the state to bring new jobs and ...

Huntsman's economic adviser leaving
Salt Lake Tribune - Salt Lake City,UT,USA
Then the director of the Economic Development Corporation of Utah, Roybal had engaged in turf battles with executives in the state Department of Economic ...
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County joins foes of Divine Strake
Deseret News - Salt Lake City,UT,USA
ST. GEORGE — The Washington County Commission on Monday issued a formal statement opposing the federal government's plan to conduct a non-nuclear weapons ...
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SG City Council gives thumbs-down to Divine Strake
St. George Daily Spectrum - St. George,UT,USA
ST. GEORGE — Assurances that Divine Strake will pose no risk to the public sound too familiar to a city that has already suffered "incalculable loss" from ...
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WANT YOUR VOICE HEARD?

Email Governor Jon Huntsman, Jr. at www.utah.gov/governor  or call 1-800-705-2464 and they will put you on a list with your opinion.

Email Senator Orrin Hatch at www.hatch.senate.gov 

Email Congressman Jim Matheson at www.house.gov/matheson

Email the Defense Threat Reduction Agency at PublicAffairs@nv.doe.gov

Email the Dept. of Energy at The.Secretary@hq.doe.gov or call 1-800-342-5363

Email Nevada Senator Harry Reid at reid.senate.gov/contact

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GOED Business Development Board Approves Incentives for Companies Adding Over 550 New Jobs Across the State .....Salt Lake City – At its monthly board meeting today, the Business and Economic Development Board of the Governor’s Office of Economic Development (GOED) approved Economic Development Tax Increment Financing (EDTIF) incentives for
four companies who are adding jobs in various manufacturing and distribution businesses. 
 
St. George will be the recipient of a $170 million plant that will convert waste paper into tissue paper.  The company, ST Paper was formed in 2005 as a result of the merger of two major firms in the industry.  It will be one of the five largest tissue manufactures in the United States.  The company will hire 140 new full time employees and will generate over $6 million in new wages in the community.  It will also pay over $14 million in new state tax revenue.  As a consequence of this investment the company will receive a post performance rebate of up to $1.9 million in taxes paid over 10 years.
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Rental ordinance gives city right to dictate aesthetics, land values
St. George Daily Spectrum - St. George,UT,USA
The St. George Rental Ordinance is established to 1) protect the quality of life for those who are tenants, 2) protect the property of the landlord against ...

Disney is high on 'Musical 2'
Deseret News - Salt Lake City,UT,USA
"High School's" Zac Efron and Vanessa Anne Hudgens have both signed on for the sequel, which will be shot in St. George. The Disney Channel is marking the ...

Governor Proposes 3.5 Million Dollar Motion Picture Incentive Program
KSL-TV - Salt Lake City,UT,USA
Leaders in Utah's film industry say Utah will profit by doing the same. The governor plans to boost the state's economic development by attracting more ...


Legislature begins general session
Deseret News - Salt Lake City,UT,USA
The Utah Legislature started its annual 45-day general session today with speeches, prayers and praise of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. ...
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Land set aside for 2 rare plants in St. George area
Deseret News - Salt Lake City,UT,USA
... habitat for two endangered pea plants in the St. George area, pleasing environmentalists — yet not upsetting the Utah Department of Transportation, ...

Ccc-cold in Utah breaks, ties records
Deseret News - Salt Lake City,UT,USA
According to KSL meteorologist Dina Freedman, today's forecast calls for: Salt Lake City, minus 1 as a low, 18 as the high; St. George, 15 and 34; Ogden, ...

For the people, by the people
St. George Daily Spectrum - St. George,UT,USA
When the Utah Legislature convenes this week, lawmakers from around the state will have 45 hectic days to conduct business.Few residents will allow those ...

Watch our lawmakers
St. George Daily Spectrum - St. George,UT,USA
The Utah Legislature opens its new session Monday in Salt Lake City, and it will be important for the state's residents to pay close attention to what ...

Divine Strake gets blasted
Salt Lake Tribune - Salt Lake City,UT,USA
Mortensen was one of about 300 residents of southwestern Utah who gathered at the Dixie Center in St. George on Thursday night to ask questions, ...
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Legislature is facing odd tax dichotomy
Deseret News - Salt Lake City,UT,USA
Utah legislators convene Monday for their annual 45-day general session, and the 2007 version will face an odd dichotomy. GOP Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr., wants a ...
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Economic summit draws big crowds
St. George Daily Spectrum - St. George,UT,USA
ST. GEORGE - More than 900 people filled the Dixie Center on Wednesday for the 10th annual Washington County Economic Summit. ...

What's up down south?
St. George Daily Spectrum - St. George,UT,USA
MILLIKEN - Plant Leader Allen Hinson shared the history of Milliken & Co. and explained the company's mission in Southern Utah. The St. George plant, ...
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MANY JOBS, LITTLE HELP
Southern Utah's booming economy is producing more than profit for various business owners — it's also creating a serious shortage of qualified employees, according to information presented at the Washington County Economic Summit Wednesday in St. George.
http://deseretnews.com/dn/view/1%2C1249%2C650221933%2C00.html

Special Events:


1/20 - World Focus Gallery Grand Opening Gala - World Focus Gallery, Main Street Plaza
20 North Main Street.  An evening with fine art photographer, William Carr.  FREE -  Info @ 688-9994

2/10....2007 Women's Conference - "A Song Within You".  DSC Eccles Fine Arts Center, 100 S 700 East, $25 or $15 for students
8:00 am to 2:30 pm