In case you missed one or more of the Salt Lake Chamber’s Utah Business Reports on KSL News Radio, here is a recap of what we talked about this week.

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Utah’s housing market continued to improve through October. The Utah Association of Realtors said home sales rose nearly 12 percent from the previous October, while the median sales price was up more than five percent.

In October, Utah Realtors sold more than 3,200 homes, townhomes and condos. Between January and October, there were more sales in 2012 than there were in all 12 months in both 2008 and 2010.

2012 marked a turnaround for real estate in Utah, according to Cal Musselman, 2013 president of the Utah Association of Realtors.

A sharp drop in homes available for sale has contributed to rising prices since more buyers are competing for fewer properties. That makes for a seller’s market.

Even though prices have gone up in recent months, homes are still more affordable than they were in 2011.

Home ownership is also starting to look more attractive since the cost of renting is rising. Rent increased about four percent in 2012, and is anticipated to rise another five percent this year.

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Historic Downtown Provo is writing a new history.

With the completion of the Provo Center Street exit and UTA’s Frontrunner, Downtown Provo is not only easier to access, but also full of new life.

And there’s more capital investment in Downtown Provo than ever before. This investment is propelled by major construction projects including: the Provo City Center Temple, the Utah Valley Convention Center, Marriott Hotel renovations, Nu Skin’s expansion, the Central Bank expansion and 300 new residential units.

There is never a shortage of things to do and see. This is thanks to more than 53 independently owned restaurants and a variety of entertainment venues, from the Covey Center of the Arts to Velour’s Live Music Gallery.

Downtown Provo, Inc., is a recently formed non-profit entity devoted to the growth, development and marketing of the area. There are a lot of exciting developments in Provo, making it a top destination in Utah Valley now and in the near future.

Visit DowntownProvo.org for more information.

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Right before the end of the year, the Utah Educational Savings Plan reached a milestone of $5 billion in assets under management. These savings show that Utah families recognize the value of higher education, and also that preparing today opens the door to many opportunities for children.

The Plan’s executive director, Lynne Ward, says the Utah Educational Savings Plan has over 211,000 accounts contributing to the billion-dollar total.

UESP is one of the highest recommended 529 plans in the country. It’s earned top rankings and scores from the likes of Morningstar Inc., Money magazine, CBS MoneyWatch and financial expert Clark Howard.

UESP gives college savers a simple, sound and tax-advantaged way to save for future higher education expenses. They require no minimum deposits or balances to open an account, and earnings in UESP accounts grow tax deferred.

Making this kind of commitment to your child’s education is critical for their future. If you haven’t started saving yet, this is something to consider.

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One of the world leaders and best-known irrigation product manufacturing companies has decided to expand in Utah again.

Orbit Irrigation Products will move 60 jobs from Asia to their North Salt Lake headquarters manufacturing location. To support the growth of their company, Orbit will invest $37 million in capital investment over a 15-year period.

Orbit was founded in Davis County over 40 years ago. The company distributes products to more than 40 countries in five continents. Most of Orbit’s design, manufacturing, production and warehousing happens at their North Salt Lake headquarters.

Orbit is part of Utah’s manufacturing sector, which is the third largest employment sector in our state with more than 114,000 people.

Looking to take your business to the international market like Orbit? The Chamber’s strategic partner World Trade Center Utah helps businesses prepare for and compete in a global market.

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The Utah Department of Natural Resources recently announced a new director of the Division of Wildlife Resources: Greg Sheehan. He replaces the retiring Jim Karpowitz.

Sheehan has been the division’s Administrative Services Chief since 2002. He has served in key advisory and administrative roles for some of the agency’s most notable successes, like the Watershed Restoration Initiative, boosting fish hatchery production by rebuilding and improving hatcheries, the Walk-In Access Program, and an access agreement with Utah’s School and Institutional Trust Lands Administration.

Sheehan was chosen after an extensive and nationwide search. The Department of Natural Resources Director Mike Styler says Sheehan brings a business background and a new perspective to the position. Styler says that Sheehan is committed to a bright future for Utah’s wildlife.

Sheehan looks forward to working with the public and supporting Utahns’ diverse interests in wildlife recreation.

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For the full reports from this week and weeks past, visit KSL Radio online. Remember to tune in between 12:30 and 1 p.m. to KSL News Radio every week day on 102.7 FM or 1160 AM. If your business is doing something great, let us know and we may just feature it on the Utah Business Report.