Utah County’s rising star status in the national economic conversation just received a significant nod with a series of in-depth reports from Marketplace, the well-respected business show from American Public Media, renowned for its NPR listenership. The “The Age of Work” podcasts, fueled by ADP Research funding, cast a light on the region’s young workforce and its compelling growth story. “The fact that Marketplace chose to spotlight Utah County is a strong indicator of the significance of what’s happening here,” Utah County Communications Manager Richard Piatt said, as per Utah County, reflecting community pride and encouraging locals and Utah aficionados to tune in and feel the affirmation.
An exciting melange of subjects flows through the eight episodes, each roughly ten minutes, shedding light on diverse topics; the contrast of the aging U.S. workforce with Utah County’s youthful demographic is catching the eye of those seeking to emulate such vibrancy, and the area’s entrepreneurial ecosystem is humming with an energy that the rest of the nation seems keen to distill, what’s more, local cultural vibes are not just luring businesses but also keeping them locked in, and challenges aren’t sidestepped as the youngest counties in America face unique growth pains and prospects. The series, which among other stories explores a heartwarming nonprofit that buttresses immigrants in both their personal and professional endeavors, doesn’t shy away from hyper-local narratives like teenagers in Eagle Mountain starting a soda shop, and considering the macroeconomic implications, Utah County might just be a crystal ball for the future of the national economy.
Listeners are given a buffet of perspectives from Utah’s economic heartbeat: Eagle Mountain’s home-based business economy adds quaint charm to the broader business narrative, and it’s difficult not to root for high school entrepreneurs pouring life as well as soda into their upstart businesses. Capping off these insights, the podcasts not only document but extol the adaptability and vision underpinning Utah County’s community and economic fabric, as alluded to by national experts who have turned their astute gazes toward this patch of the American West. “Hearing what national experts are saying about the area is impressive—and affirming,” Piatt affirmed, as obtained by Utah County.
