Regional Business News

"This is a great honor for the state of Utah to be recognized in this way," said Jason Perry, executive director of the Governor’s Office of Economic Development. "The six factors that were used to rank the states are tremendous economic development indicators, and our high ranking validates our message that Utah is open for business."

Montana’s national parks, excluding Yellowstone, had 2.5 million visits in fiscal year 2005, stimulated benefits of $111 million to local economies and supported 2,631 local jobs, the study showed.

The outdoor industry "is a dynamic partner with economic muscle" whose position warrants attention in ongoing discussions of public-lands policies.

Home shopping is on the rise this summer: 27% of U.S. adults are more likely to shop from home—online, catalog or TV—because of busy schedules and 25% because of rising gas prices, the poll finds.

"The summer load is growing faster than the winter load," said Ron Peterson, vice president of energy resources for Avista Utilities.

The 175 workers at the call center will have the chance to transfer to other call centers, including a new one in Utah.

In technology hubs across the country, companies are hiring, salaries are rising and the black clouds that have hovered over tech sector job-seekers since the dot-com bust are starting to clear.

America’s appetite for organic food is so strong that supply just can’t keep up with demand.

Its departure represents a setback as Oregon tries to turn the state’s open source activity from a cultural phenomenon into an economic one.

Telecom jobs, on average, pay $76,000 a year. In Denver, every Qwest job generates almost five jobs in other industries, said Adams.