The economic signs have been positive for Utah’s economy for several months now. We have created around 30,000 jobs in the last year, we’re attracting businesses from other states and businesses that are already here are growing.

Just today the Governor’s Office of Economic Development announced three businesses are adding jobs.

Hexcel, a leading advanced composites company, plans to expand its existing Utah operation in several increments over the next decade—eventually it may double its current workforce in West Valley City.

Hexcel has advanced composite facilities around the world and is one of the country’s largest producers of carbon fiber and carbon fiber prepregs. The company’s current facility in West Valley City is one of its largest U.S. operations.

“We are proud to have been at the heart of Utah’s Composites industry since its beginning,” a Hexcel representative said in a statement. “We look forward to continued growth at our facilities in West Valley City and appreciate the support of the community as we move into the next phases of our industry’s expansion.”

News also broke today of L-3 Communications’ plans to expand operations in Utah. Beginning in 2012, L-3 will begin the process of hiring up to 500 new workers as it expands its current facility in Salt Lake City. Those workers will be paid salaries that exceed 125 percent of the Salt Lake County average wage. The company expects to pay nearly $390 million in new state wages over the 10-year life of the expansion project.

“I cannot think of a better place to do business,” said Susan D. Opp, President of L-3’s Communication Systems-West.  “Utah has the combination of a skilled, well-educated work force, excellent quality of life options, and state and local governments that promote business growth.  That is why our operation has continued doing business in Utah for over 50 years.”

Futura Industries is also expanding in our state. Having grown beyond its current capacity, Futura’s Utah plant turns raw aluminum into extruded parts used in a wide variety of industries including automotive, flooring, home improvement and fitness equipment manufacturing.

The process starts with high-tech machinery heating raw aluminum to 850-900 degrees Fahrenheit and then extruding it into the required shape. From there, the products are anodized (a process that prepares the metal to receive dye and hardens its exterior) and finished.

Over the years, Futura has found Utah’s workforce to have the ideal combination of skill and artistry. Workers in the State have the technical expertise to do the necessary work combined with a work ethic that is second to none.

“During the last four years, Futura Industries Corporation has experienced tremendous growth in revenue and income. We are at a critical juncture where expansion of our operating facilities is imperative,” said Sue Johnson, president of Futura Industries. “The State of Utah has been an outstanding location in which to build and grow our business. We are deeply grateful for the support provided by the state of Utah, which will support the future growth of Futura Industries in Utah.

The new project is a two-phase expansion of the company’s aluminum extrusion line and its anodic process line. The company has scheduled an early-2012 start date for the project. All told, the expansion will add over 140 new jobs to Futura’s Utah operation.

Whether a business started in the Beehive State or it has decided to relocate to take advantage of our business friendly climate and unsurpassed quality of life, it’s clear there’s something special going on here.