Utah Explores Future Olympic Winter Games Bid

Utah Explores Future Olympic Winter Games Bid

Governor Convenes Committee, Gives Them Four Months to Report

KEARNS, UTAH – In front of what has been called the fastest ice in the world and the athletes who train on it, Utah Governor Gary R. Herbert and Salt Lake City Mayor Ralph Becker joined other Utah officials and Olympic VIPs to announce the formation of an exploratory committee to consider a bid for the 2022 or 2026 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.

“Ten years ago, Utah ‘Lit the Fire Within,’ and today that flame still burns bright,” Governor Herbert said, citing the debt-free success of the Salt Lake City Winter Olympics. “This talented committee will thoughtfully and carefully consider whether we should officially submit Salt Lake City to be considered to host future Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.”

 “The 2002 Winter Games are an exciting chapter of Salt Lake City’s history,” said Mayor Becker. “The outcome was a spectacular success. As we explore the possibility of again hosting the Olympic Winter Games, there is no predetermined recommendation. We believe an investment of meaningful time and effort is worthwhile to make the right decision – not only for Salt Lake City, but for all of Utah.

Co-chaired by Lt. Governor Greg Bell, Mayor Becker, and Utah Sports Commission Chair Steven Price, the exploratory committee will examine specific criteria, including budget and financing, transportation, environment, venues, potential competitors, public support, and economic impact. The committee plans to take three to four months to complete its review.

And timing matters. Should the exploratory committee recommend pursuit of the 2022 Games, Salt Lake City has limited time to become the U.S. nominee. As soon as 2013, the United States Olympic Committee (USOC) may choose to officially submit a candidate city to the International Olympic Committee (IOC).  The IOC will then select the host city for the 2022 Olympic Winter Games in 2015.

“Utah’s world class venues are heavily utilized today by athletes of all ages and skill levels, including elite athletes,” Dr. Eric Heiden, a five-time Olympic gold medalist and world record holder in speedskating, added. “In fact, 40% of the U.S. Olympians that competed in Vancouver in the 2010 Olympic Winter Games train in Utah. These venues are a significant advantage in a potential bid.”

The exploratory committee is comprised of well-credentialed Utahns, including Salt Lake Chamber President and CEO Lane Beattie; Governor’s Office of Economic Development Executive Director Spencer Eccles; five-time Olympic gold medalist and world record holder in speedskating, Dr. Eric Heiden; Utah Athletic Foundation President and CEO Colin Hilton; Salt Lake Organizing Committee Chief Financial Officer Brett Hopkins; the Governor’s Chief of Staff Derek Miller; four-time Olympian in speedskating and USOC Athlete Advisory Council member Catherine Raney Norman; Utah Sports Commission Executive Director Jeff Robbins; Olympic gold medalist in skeleton and third-generation Olympian Jimmy Shea; President and General Manager of the Park City Mountain Resort and Chairperson of the Utah Ski and Snowboard Association Jenni Smith; and City Creek Construction Services Director Grant Thomas. Fraser Bullock, former COO and CFO of the Salt Lake Organizing Committee, will be an advisor to the committee.

Ephraim Exposure!

On Friday February 3, 2012 Terry Wood (Long time Channel 5 News Anchor) and Susan Wood (Channel 4 News) visited Ephraim and filmed a short video covering some of the economic development in Ephraim.  We visited Baily Farms and CO buildings.  Terry and Susan were both impressed by these two great businesses and we appreciated them being here in Ephraim.  The video will be posted in about 2-3 weeks on http://www.salttvnetwork.com/. 

U.S.Snowkite Masters 2012

Today marks the start of the 2012 U.S. Snowkite Masters being held up Fairview Canyon.  The event is runs through Sunday and can be found by mile marker 14 on Highway 31.  Hope to see you there.  Visit www.snowkitemasters.com for more information.

COME BE INVOLVED

ALL: This Friday we have a rare opportunity in Ephraim to first have a Town Hall meeting at the Ephraim City hall at 5:00 pm with 2nd. Congressional District candidate, Chris Stewart.  Then at 6:00 pm at the Snow College Library the Utah League of Cities and Towns will be presenting a legislative update for rural Utah.  Hope to see you there!

Ephraim Youth City Council

On Wednesday January 25, 2012 the Utah League of Cities and Towns held its annual Local Officials Day at the Utah State Capital.  Youth City Councils from around the state are invited to this event.  The Ephraim Youth City Council (best one in the state) attended this years meetings with me.  We participated in a "mock legislative session", toured the capital, and had lunch at the Grand America while listening two wonderful speakers.  First we heard from Liz Murray who spoke about her own "Homeless to Harvard" story which was excellent and inspiring.  Then we heard from Clayton Christensen a noted business professor at Harvard and world leader in "Disruptive Innovation." 

Local Economy

Before addressing some good news for Ephraim City I wanted to share some good news for the State of Utah.  Recently Forbes Magazine rated Utah the "The Best State for Business and Careers."  This is in large part due to the fiscally conservative state that we are.  Businesses appreciate the type of environment this fiscal conservatism has created for their businesses to succeed.

On an more local level, Ephraim City is currently sitting at 13.72% Year-to-Date above last year in sales tax revenue.  Sale tax revenue is the City's number one source of income, so while this is great news, we are still proceeding cautiously entering into 2012.

I would like to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas!   

Intermountain Power Agency (IPA) Annual Meeting

IPA is the owner of the Intermountain Power Project (IPP) located in the Great Basin region of western Utah. IPP generates an average of more than 13 million megawatt hours of energy each year from its two coal-fired units. The energy is delivered over the project's AC and DC transmission systems to 36 participants in the project that principally serve Utah and Southern California.  At the meeting we held discussion on wether to convert the IPP into natural gas.  California purchases roughly 75% of the power generated at the plant and new California state regulations require power useres to retire all their coal generation by 2027.  This could be a big change for this project.  IPP currently is one of the most effective coal genrating facilites in the country.  Those in attendance were also able to hear from Former Utah Governer Norman Bangerter.