SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH – Today, the Utah Inland Port Authority (UIPA) Board recommitted to the twelve project areas in alignment with recent legislative updates, ensuring continued economic development and infrastructure investments across the state. The board also officially appointed Jonathan Freedman as a Governor’s appointee, reaffirming the state’s commitment to strong oversight and governance.
“This recommitment process was a necessary step to ensure that all existing project areas remain compliant with the newly enacted legislation,” said Ben Hart, executive director of UIPA. “There are no hidden changes—this simply reaffirms our commitment to long-term economic growth, infrastructure development, and community investment.”
Projects Recommitted Today
Project Area Plans Adopted:
- Iron Springs Inland Port Project Area
- Verk Industrial Park Inland Port Project Area (Interlocal agreement also approved)
- Golden Spike Inland Port Project Area
- Central Utah Agri-Park Inland Port Project Area
- Mineral Mountains Inland Port Project Area
- Twenty Wells Inland Port Project Area
- Tooele Valley Inland Port Project Area
- West Weber Inland Port Project Area
- Castle Country Inland Port Project Area (Interlocal agreement also approved)
- Historic Capitol Inland Port Project Area
- Skyline Corridor Inland Port Project Area
Public Infrastructure Districts (PIDs) and Governance Updates:
- Creation of the Verk Public Infrastructure District (PID)
- Creation of the Tooele Valley Public Infrastructure District and amendments to governing documents (TV PID)
- Amendment to the Crossroads Public Infrastructure District governing document and appointment of two additional trustees
Interlocal Agreements and Tax Sharing Approvals:
- Approval of Interlocal Tax Sharing Agreement for the Tooele Valley Public Infrastructure District
- Spanish Fork Interlocal Tax Agreement amendment
- 2023 Salt Lake Interlocal Tax Differential Funding Allocation
- 2024 Salt Lake Interlocal Tax Differential Funding Allocation approval and amendment
Trigger Resolutions and Development Agreements:
- Trigger resolution for Verk Industrial Park Project Area
- Trigger resolution for Mineral Mountains Project Area
- Authorization for staff to finalize and execute development agreements for:
- BZI Innovation Park, LLC (Iron Springs Project Area) including amendment
- PCC Land LLC (West Weber Project Area)
- Tooele Valley Developer Agreement
Each resolution, chaired by Abby Osborne, ensures that these project areas continue operating under the updated framework, supporting logistics growth, rural economic development, and infrastructure expansion.
All of the above items had been approved by UIPA’s Board in the past two years, and were recommitted today to align with recent legislation.
Legislative Enhancements in Effect
On March 3, Governor Spencer Cox signed SB239 into law. The bill, titled “Inland Port Authority Amendments,” enhances the operational flexibility and governance of UIPA, ensuring the efficient management of project areas, tax differential use, and board representation.
Legislation in SB239 includes the following framework:
- Flexible Project Area Durations: Allows project areas to operate between 25 and 40 years, providing better alignment with business and infrastructure needs. The previous language was limited to 25 or 40 years.
- Strengthened GRAMA Protections: Updates records policies to balance business confidentiality and public transparency, which are consistent with other state entities.
- Expanded Use of Tax Differential Funding: Supports infrastructure development in adjacent projects within the Northwest Quadrant.
- Enhanced Governance and State Oversight: Adds an additional Governor-appointed board member for stronger state representation in key decisions.
- Clarification on Landfill and Distribution Center Restrictions: Defines parameters for land use planning within project areas.
Published: 03/11/25
Author: Kaitlin Felsted