Planning for Mega Sites has Mega Benefits
Mega site in Elberta, Utah
Imagine a potential development site where the infrastructure needs, timelines, and costs are already set. Local jurisdictions are aligned and excited for your development. Getting a well-prepared location helps take the guesswork out of site development. Having these pieces in place makes a community more attractive to any large-scale developer.
The Economic Development Corporation of Utah (EDCUtah) is banking that their Site Ready Utah program will incentivize investors and big developers to make their next large capital expenditure in Utah, bringing jobs into Utah’s communities.
Site Ready Utah works with local community stakeholders and landowners to create two types of development-ready offerings, mega sites, and certified sites. A mega site is an area with at least 400 acres where issues have been researched, the infrastructure is established, and the site is set for a landmark project.
Certifying a mega site is a two-stage process: basic information is gathered about the site through computer research (Stage 1) and then detailed, site-specific material is prepared based on that information (Stage 2). When a similar research process is used for a smaller site (50-400 acres), the location can be identified as a certified site.
A 435-acre site in Elberta, Utah, was the first Utah property to become a certified mega site through the Site Ready Utah Program, thanks to the work of both EDCUtah and CRS Engineers. The Utah County community wanted a ready mega site to steer future development and provide a significant economic engine for the area.
See the CRS commitment to site development projects.
Successful Projects
When large manufacturers or businesses are ready to expand into new areas, they don’t want to expend six months of due diligence only to determine that expected timelines are not feasible. The pre-work of the Site Ready Utah Program helps avoid that. Ideal locations are generally in suburban to rural areas and close to transportation, public utilities, and communication services.
A recent mega site success materialized in the South when the Ford Motor Company announced it would create 5,000 full-time jobs for two battery manufacturing facilities in Hardin County, Kentucky. It is the single largest investment in the history of the state at a location that was a 20-year-old, 1,550-acre mega site. The facility will be a game-changer for the area.
Utah’s program hopes to see similar success, even beyond the first mega site in Elberta.
See what Utah mega sites are available for development through this program.
CRS and Site Ready Utah
CRS has been a key contributor to the Site Ready Utah. While EDCUtah evaluated and pioneered the Elberta location, CRS added consulting and oversight services for the site and others that have been added.
Read more about how CRS helped launch the Mega Sites Program in Utah.
Part of CRS’ role has been to work with landowners to provide answers to any questions a potential purchaser would have about the site. The first mega site in Elberta has experienced continued interest from large manufacturers and developers since the location was certified as a Stage 2 site.
To be certified by EDCUtah, mega sites need to meet set criteria (listed on the EDCUtah website) that include utilities, transportation, and geography, customized for the location and potential site use.
The work done on the Site Ready Utah program will help bolster the state’s ability to compete for large-scale projects. CRS is excited to be a part of an initiative that has such significant potential for Utah.
For more information, contact Greg Nelson at greg.nelson@crsengineers.com
