it’s who you know

By Sun Advocate

I remember one of my professors in college talking about “It’s who you know,” in reference to getting a job after graduation. Of course that was long before the Internet and most hiring back in those days, at least in Montana, often had connection with who you may know in the school district or business world. While attending an economic development meeting last week that phrase “It’s who you know” rang clear.
Delynn Fielding, Carbon county’s economic development director reported how a call center, owned by U.S. Field Services, is finding it’s way to Carbon County. According to his report, someone from the call center indicated to a neighboring business in Orem that they were interested in expanding to rural Utah. That person is an employee of Peczuh Printing and was aware of Frank Peczuh’s involvement with the Carbon County Small Business Alliance. A call was made, meetings were set up and as they say, the rest is history. But the point is, an alert employee recognized an opportunity and passed on the lead.
We all know people who at some point expand their businesses or even start new ones. We have children, nephews, nieces, high school and college friends and former classmates who sometimes give us clues that they are looking at re-establishing their businesses. My challenge to you is, if this ever happens, contact someone in economic development, either through the city, county, Small Business Alliance group, Carbon County Chamber of Commerce or CEU.
The Southeast Utah Small Business Investment fund idea was originated and managed from Carbon County. The program started 41 small businesses in Carbon County and another 26 in Emery County.
Classy Closets, which operated a business called Castle Valley Cabinets for a couple years had roots to this area. One of the owners grew up in Green River and the manager also came from here. A local banker, Bart Hansen, knew the owners and traveled with Fielding as they negotiated getting the business here.
The idea of Utah’s targeted business tax credit originated in Carbon County and of the nine participating businesses that qualified in Utah, six are Carbon County businesses, and received $600,000 cash over three years.
In Mayor Joe Piccolo’s “State of the City” address last week he touched on some challenges that go hand-in-hand with this message. He asked people to watch for public meetings and hearings and encouraged people to get involved. He charged the audience to work hard to help fellow community members be successful and encouraged us to catch a vision of the future and help determine what the future will hold for Carbon County. Getting involved and being informed are the keys.
Keep your ears open and pass on any inquiries to the groups that are trying to encourage economic development locally. Together we can make a difference and we all know people who are looking for the many things we offer.