Leaders from Weber, Davis and Morgan counties are joining forces on an initiative with Weber State University to encourage entrepreneurial development in northern Utah. The initiative is part of the Stimulating the Expansion of Entrepreneurial Development (SEED) program, led by the private nonprofit organization Grow Utah Ventures. It is designed to bring in new businesses and cultivate existing start-ups by providing resources, capital and collaboration, officials say.

“We felt like this needed to be a regional strategy, not something that stops at the county line,” says Ann Millner, president of Weber State College. “We are trying to take people that are already here and create and develop growth.”

Each partner organization contributed funding for the project and additional support has been provided by the state’s Utah Science Technology and Research (USTAR) program. Leaders from each organization will participate in work sessions and receive input from expert advisors under the guidance of Grow Utah Ventures project director, T. Craig Bott.

“We feel like we’ve tapped into an area that has great potential and, with just a little bit of tweaking, that potential can be even greater,” says Louenda Downs, Davis county commissioner.

The counties offer many attractive elements to entrepreneurs, including a strong employee pool, space to build facilities and local education to train workers, says Downs. “We have, within three counties just about everything it would take for a new business to be successful.”

Though formally announced last week, the initiative is in the exploration stage to determine what is needed in the area to support new businesses. Program officials are beginning by talking with successful northern Utah entrepreneurs to identify what has helped businesses succeed and what early drawbacks companies faced. Downs says one of the largest hurdles the group is dealing with is getting the word out in the entrepreneurial community about other businesses and resources.

“We need a Wall Street Journal for the top of Utah,” Downs says. “We need someplace where people can go and learn about what’s going on.”

The group is looking at ways to disseminate information to entrepreneurs about where to obtain funding, locate help with training and find guidance in writing a business plan. Officials say a comprehensive strategy to guide future initiatives will be in place by December.

The community leaders hope this will attract new business to the three counties.

Millner says entrepreneurs need the opportunity to build a network to share with other business owners their successes and failures. She says these innovators also need a network of services and people to serve as mentors.

“We have people with ideas; we have an environment that supports businesses and business development,” she says. “What’s been missing is being able to create that support system that can help them succeed.”

Downs says previously there have been several incubator programs in the area, but officials are ready to step up in their effort to make the counties a focus for new business.

“We’ve got a lot of geniuses in the top of Utah and we’re saying you can stay home and grow business right here,” she says. “Utah is a great place to be and these three counties will work together. If you can’t find it in one county, you’ll find it in another.”

For more information: Utah Business Magazine