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SALT LAKE CITY -- Salt Lake County Mayor Peter Corroon, the Democratic candidate for Utah governor, says he wants to be the "jobs governor." Wednesday, he unveiled his economic plan, saying his "back to basics" approach will help create jobs immediately.
"I want to be ‘the jobs governor.' The difference will be that I will be focusing on Utah businesses, new technologies; focusing on the entrepreneurship and infrastructure we have here in Utah already to create jobs," Corroon said.
Utah is currently facing its highest unemployment rate in 26 years. The Corroon plan includes a new jobs tax credit and a $4,000 reward to businesses for a newly-created job paying above $50,000. He says new taxes generated will pay for the program.
Corroon also backs ending "corporate welfare" for firms not creating new jobs and a requirement that companies getting state funds hire Utahns. He also wants to require that firms winning state contracts subcontract a "good portion" of work to Utah businesses.
Corroon gave an example of what's not working, without naming the specific company.
- Creating jobs immediately for Utahns
- Capitalizing on our unique location in the west
- Investing in Utah's Human Capital
- Focusing on our local Utah's high-growth powerhouse industries; and
- Creating a strong backbone of Government that will support economic growth
"A national food distributor company was given a tax incentive to come to Utah. They come here and compete with a third-generation company that's already here in this state. I would call that corporate welfare," Corroon said.
The owner of the company hosting Wednesday's event said he likes the local focus.
"As a local business that's been here 58 years, and never laid anybody off in 58 years, we really like that he's focused on supporting us, not bringing in people to compete with us. That means a lot," said Manoli Sargetakis, co-owner of Silver State Inc.
Gov. Gary Herbert's office responded to Corroon's comments Wednesday by saying, "From the day he took office, Gov. Herbert has been dedicated to economic development and job creation."
The administration says corporate recruitment incentive offers from the Office of Economic Development have resulted in the creation of 3,386 jobs, nearly $3 billion in new state wages and $260 million in new state revenue. [CLICK HERE to read the entire statement from the governor's office]
E-mail: jdaley@ksl.com
