SALT LAKE CITY — State lawmakers say they play a role in building relationships with people who can help Utah grow economically, including a September trip to Switzerland that surprised the governor's office.

The trip came as the Governor's Office of Economic Development was negotiating with the Swiss company Stadler Rail Group to locate a railcar manufacturing plant in Utah. At the same time, the Utah Transit Authority was soliciting bids to lease space in its FrontRunner maintenance facility, for which Stadler was a bidder.

Gov. Gary Herbert said his office wasn't aware of the trip but sent an economic development representative after learning about it, adding it's GOED's responsibility to offer incentives and attract business to Utah.

"What I've heard from some legislators is that it was a worthwhile trip. I guess time will tell," Herbert said Tuesday in a response to a caller's question on KSL Newsradio's "Let Me Speak to the Governor."

A story on the trip that first appeared in the Deseret News prompted the question and the governor's response.

House Speaker Greg Hughes, R-Draper; House Majority Assistant Whip Brad Wilson, R-Kaysville; Senate Majority Whip Stuart Adams, R-Layton; Sen. Mark Madsen, R-Saratoga Springs; and Rep. Jake Anderegg, R-Lehi, traveled to Switzerland along with three lobbyists and two UTA board members from Sept. 19-25.

World Trade Center Utah, a nonprofit that works to extend the state's global business reach, and the transit-related Utah 2040 PAC helped fund the trip, though Hughes said he kicked in some from his leadership PAC and others paid their own way.

The contingent met with Stadler Rail executives and Swiss lawmakers. They discussed rail funding and how Switzerland's public-private partnership for mountain transit systems could work in Utah. The recently adopted Mountain Accord contains long-range plans for expansion of transit options that could include trains connecting Wasatch Mountain resorts.

"Is it normal for the Legislature to take the lead? Not necessarily. Is it inappropriate for us to take the lead? I don't think so at all, especially if we understand our roles and what we can do and what we can't do," Anderegg said. "If I can open a door, why the heck shouldn't I?"

Utah's relationship with Switzerland might be traced to Anderegg through his distant relative Julius Anderegg, the country's recently retired consul general. They got to know each other a couple of years ago, and over dinner one night Jake Anderegg asked if there were any Swiss companies interested in Utah.

Rep. Anderegg said that led to he, Hughes and Madsen meeting with 40 to 50 business owners in Interlaken for three days in June 2014.

"It just blossomed," Anderegg said.

Stadler Rail, which has 10 sites in Europe, could be a plum get if it decides to build its North American headquarters in Utah. GOED is expected to talk about incentives for the company at its Dec. 10 board meeting.

"If you're not a player in the game, they're going to go to Texas or Georgia, and those jobs go there too," said Senate President Wayne Niederhauser, R-Sandy, who wasn't able to make the trip.

Legislators, he said, were the ones who initiated the contact with Switzerland. He said lawmakers have a role in appropriating money for projects and it's important for them to be educated about them.

"It's the relationship built over the last couple of years that make those things work," Niederhauser said.

Funding for the trip

Jeff Hartley, a lobbyist whose clients have included UTA and the Mountain Accord, said he organized the Switzerland trip at Hughes' request. He said it was put together quickly with several funding sources, including the Utah 2040 PAC and World Trade Center Utah.

Hartley said he didn't know the total cost of the trip.

The Utah 2040 PAC was organized last year with Chris Bleak, a UTA board member who went on the trip, as one of its principal officers. It has taken in $95,000 since its inception, all from transit and highway contractors. It has donated to dozens of legislators, including those who traveled to Switzerland.

Bleak did not return a phone call for comment Tuesday.

World Trade Center Utah put up $10,000 for three meet-and-greet or dinner events in Switzerland, said Derek Miller, president of the nonprofit organization. He said he supports state leaders traveling abroad to meet with government officials and business executives.

"It brings a level of credential to the trade mission that we wouldn't have otherwise," Miller said.

A glimpse of what could be

Hartley said experiencing the Swiss mountain rail system gave lawmakers a glimpse of what could be in Utah if the Mountain Accord moves forward.

"This would actually take all of the cars out of the canyon. You would have more skier days because it would bring in more tourists and make their experience different," he said. "It changes everything we offer as a ski destination. It's huge. They move people very well by train."

Although UTA didn't officially participate in the Switzerland trip, Bleak and board member Sheldon Killpack went on their own, causing the agency some heartburn. Killpack was out of town Tuesday, according to his business office.

UTA abruptly canceled a competitive bid process in September to lease space in its FrontRunner maintenance facility after learning of the travel "out of an abundance of caution," according to Chairman H. David Burton. The agency has since reopened the process.

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