California's Jobs Climate:
Utah Lures New High-Tech Jobs Out of California

Since May, Utah has lured hundreds of jobs out of California by touting its business-friendly environment, offering tax incentives and highlighting the scenic beauty of the Beehive State. The Sacramento Bee reported that the following businesses have expanded in Utah:

·         San Jose-based Adobe Systems announced August 5 that it will build a $100 million campus in Utah and hire more than 1,000 new employees over the next 20 years. By 2012, construction of the new facility is expected to be complete.

·         Twitter, the booming San Francisco-based social networking company, announced in July that it would move its data center to Salt Lake City. The company said it plans to hire local workers.

·         Redwood City-based video game producer Electronic Arts Inc. opened a new 20,000-square-foot plant in Salt Lake City with 100 positions in July.

·         Online auctioning website and San Jose-based company eBay in May announced details for a $287 million building project to house the company's primary data center in Salt Lake City, creating hundreds of jobs in Utah.

·         Redwood Shores-based software company Oracle said in May that it is resuming construction on a large data center in Salt Lake City. The 180,000-square-foot facility represents $285 million of investment and is expected to create 100 jobs at the center.

After an interview with Utah Governor Gary R. Herbert, The Bee reported: "Utah's Herbert said he admired California and 'the contributions it makes to our country,' adding that the state faces 'significant challenges.'" The paper continued: "The governor said Utah has worked hard to avoid business regulations that are 'obnoxious and non-sensible' and foster a business environment that 'empowers the private sector … (and) encourages (it) to be innovative and creative.'" (Source: The Sacramento Bee, August 15.)

Cal-TaxReports, August 23, 2010

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