Mayor Becker Scores BIG for Economic Development

By Lane Beattie, President & CEO, Salt Lake Chamber

Mayor Ralph Becker announced yesterday his selection of Bob Farrington as Salt Lake City’s new economic development director. Once again, Mayor Becker scores a big win for Salt Lake City by selecting this very capable and talented man as our capital city’s new economic development boss.

I’ve worked closely with Bob for just over four years in his role as the Executive Director of the Downtown Alliance. He has led the Alliance since the start, a phenomenal 16 years of progress for Utah’s largest city. Bob guided downtown economic development through significant events and changes like the 2002 Olympic Winter Games, the introduction of TRAX light rail, the development of The Gateway mixed-use development, and the current resurgence of investment in the city core.

They say, “Still waters run deep.” Bob Farrington, more than anyone I know professionally, matches this metaphor. In his quiet, capable and organized way, he relentlessly applies his talents to accomplish big things.

Consider community amenities like the Downtown Farmers Market, which is currently one of the largest seasonal markets in the country. Bob founded the Market, fostered its development, and, in the process, created a community gathering place that is without peer. He is well on his way to establishing a permanent public market downtown, something that his successor at the Downtown Alliance must continue.

First Night Salt Lake – the city’s New Year’s Eve celebration – is another Bob Farrington legacy. This annual gathering attracts thousands of people and gives everyone a fun, safe and community-oriented way to count down the New Year. Bob not only plans the event, he lives the event – dancing in a bear costume or tooting a horn as the New Year arrives.

Raised in New Orleans and attending school in San Antonio and Houston, Farrington has made Utah his own. As a black diamond skier, avid backpacker in Utah’s red rock country, and polished promoter of downtown Salt Lake City, he has adopted the Beehive State. His love for Utah extends from the corridors of Main Street to the narrow slot canyons of the Escalante. I know he will apply this love as he becomes Salt Lake City’s economic development chief.

At the news conference announcing Bob’s new role, Steven Rosenberg, with Liberty Heights Fresh, mentioned how many times he has pulled up in his pickup truck to the Downtown Farmers Market and thought, “This is what Salt Lake City’s neighborhoods need.”

Indeed, Steven, and now you have it. Bob brings in-depth experience, critical knowledge, superb problem-solving skills, and business know-how to City Hall. Salt Lake City’s neighborhoods will all be advantaged by his abilities.

But Bob’s talent and charge extend way beyond the neighborhoods of Salt Lake City. Salt Lake City can and must be THE regional leader for economic development in the Intermountain West. Let me explain.

Economies do not follow political boundaries. We live in one, large urban marketplace, with strong connections to activity centers throughout Utah and the Intermountain West. Moab is very much linked to Salt Lake City economically, as are other cities throughout the state, in southern Idaho, in western Colorado, and in Wyoming and Nevada.

At the dead center of this large marketplace is Salt Lake City, Utah’s capital and largest city. The entire region benefits economically from central city assets such as a vibrant international airport, superb institutions of higher learning, leading health care facilities, an outstanding transportation system, and a lovely city that is filled with people, teaming with energy, and full of great attractions.

It is incumbent on all Utahns, and especially economic development professionals, to recognize the economic linkages to the city core, take steps to nurture regional assets, and never become complacent about the vitality of the urban center.

In the same way, it is essential that the capital city be a force for regional prosperity, working to grow the region and recognize the interconnections. For all of Utah to prosper, we need visionary and effective economic leadership in the largest city.

Mayor Becker understands this and yesterday he delivered. The Blueprint Man has said that Salt Lake City has the potential to be a “Great American City” and he is taking deliberate steps to make this happen. He has endorsed Downtown Rising and the eight signature projects (see downtownrising.com). He has asked Bob, within his first 90 days, to meet with economic development directors from all of the major cities and counties, as well as the state.

In the business community, we whole-heartedly endorse Mayor Becker’s regional approach to economic development. We eagerly support the selection of Bob Farrington, and pledge to do our part to foster regional economic development, solidly grounded in the urban core.

What a pleasure it is right now to be apart of a city that is “on the rise.”