SALT LAKE CITY, Utah, March 1, 2017 (Gephardt Daily) — Val Hale, executive director of the Governor’s Office of Economic Development (GOED), has appointed Benjamin Hart as deputy director, it was announced Wednesday.
Hart previously served two years as managing director of Urban and Rural Business Services at GOED. With this new appointment, he will oversee corporate recruitment and international trade, along with several additional programs.
“Ben has done a remarkable job overseeing our urban and rural business services at GOED,” Hale said in a prepared statement. “His leadership in workforce development has garnered national attention and is considered a best practice. His strong economic development background, combined with his trademark enthusiasm and energy, will make a seamless transition to his new role as deputy director.”
Hart’s leadership at the Department of Workforce Services led to the creation of programs such as the Utah Cluster Acceleration Partnership and Small Business Bridge, which assisted approximately 700 businesses and created roughly 2,000 jobs, according to the news release.
While working at Layton City, Hart’s efforts led out in several economic gains for the community, including the development of East Gate Business Park, the growth of the Layton Hills Mall business area and the revitalization of downtown Layton, the statement said.
In his time at GOED, Hart has been instrumental in the creation of business-education partnerships for initiatives such as Utah Aerospace Pathways and Talent Ready Utah.
Hart will assume his role as deputy director of GOED effective immediately.
