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TAYLORSVILLE, Utah (AP) -- The national economy might be in a deep funk, but things are humming in Taylorsville, according to a city official.
Taylorsville, incorporated in 1996, is having its best quarter ever in terms of dollars for new construction, said Keith Snarr, the city's economic director.
"Despite the gloom and doom that's out there, we think we've got it pretty good," he said.
Officials estimate that between October and December, building permits in the city will be issued for $39 million in projects.
Local businesses are driving the growth, Snarr said. That includes plans to expand Sorenson Research Park by 78,000 square feet and construction of a multimillion dollar Alzheimer center in the coming months.
Ground has also been broken on the new Unified State Lab, a $31 million project that's expected to be completed next fall.
"We've got a good core of businesses that are doing well, and we're having a hard time finding places to put everybody," he said.
Taylorsville officials are looking for other locations in city for future developments.
"We've been fortunate, but this isn't a time to rest on your laurels," Snarr said. "We've got more in the pipeline that will help us so we don't go flat."
In some ways, Taylorsville has been shielded from the national financial downturn, Snarr said. The city's largest employer, Salt Lake Community College, is expected to grow.
Still, Snarr knows there are challenges ahead. "Some of these projects are kind of at the starting blocks," he said. "They're still facing challenges with financing. But, knock on wood, we hope they will become a reality." Taylorsville has a population of about 58,000 people.
------ Information from: Deseret News
(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
