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The transformation of Washington City from farming fields to a strategically developed urban center is unfolding before our eyes. Economic Development Director Rusty Hughes reveals the careful balancing act required to maintain the city's unique character while addressing the economic realities of growth.

When we think about local development, we rarely consider the financial mechanics behind municipal decisions. For every residential property built in Washington City, local government spends $1.30-$1.60 in services for each dollar collected in revenue. This simple fact explains why Washington City, after two decades of being 98% residential permits, is now actively pursuing high-value commercial development along the I-15 corridor.

Rusty shares fascinating insights about projects reshaping the landscape: ARA Southwest Logistics, the largest industrial development in Washington County history; WinCo's long-awaited arrival at Exit 11 after eight years of searching for the perfect location; and plans for a walkable downtown core that will give Washington City its own unique gathering place. Each project is strategically positioned to generate revenue, create jobs, and reduce the number of residents who must commute elsewhere for work and shopping.

Perhaps most compelling is Hughes' perspective as both an economic developer and a 20-year resident who raised her children in Washington City. Her journey from military service to economic development illustrates the diverse backgrounds bringing expertise to municipal government. She emphasizes how community engagement shapes development decisions, inviting residents to follow projects on the city's interactive map at WashingtonCity.org/ed.


Guest: Rusty Hughes, Economic Development Director for Washington City, Utah
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rusty-hughes-8544696b/?trk=public_post_comment_actor-image

Washington City Economic Developments: https://washingtoncity.org/development/economicdevelopment

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https://realestate435.kw.com/

www.wealth435.com
https://linktr.ee/wealth435

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#southernutah #stgeorgeutah #435podcast #washingtoncityutah #podcast #realestate #realestatemarket #citygrowth #citydevelopment

[00:00:00] Intro.
[00:01:28] Economic Challenges for Washington City.
[00:06:15] Rusty's Background in Economic Development.
[00:17:36] Washington City vs. St. George Development.
[00:26:59] Residential Growth and Service Population Challenges.
[00:35:56] Industrial Development and Aura Southwest Logistics.
[00:48:35] Winco and New Retail Development.
[00:54:39] Auto Mall and Downtown Revitalization Plans.
[01:03:17] Community Engagement and Online Resources

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In our latest podcast episode, we delve into the intricate world of housing regulations, specifically focusing on a bill currently being discussed in Utah that would require home buyers to sign an affidavit pledging to live in their property within 90 days of purchasing it. This legislation has sparked a variety of opinions among locals. The implications of such a bill are vast, affecting everything from housing availability to investor interests and the overall climate of the real estate market.

As we unpack this bill, we ask the pivotal question: what is the role of the government when it comes to housing? Should they intervene in the real estate market, or should buyers and sellers determine the terms of their transactions? Many argue that government regulation is necessary to maintain fair housing practices and accessibility for first-time buyers, while others caution against overreach that could stifle innovation and personal autonomy.

In discussing the bill, we transition to broader topics such as lobbying and the influence it wields on local and federal policy. Our conversation navigates through the murky waters of political donations, interest groups, and the ethical nuances of lobbyists influencing legislation. We highlight the delicate balance between supporting favorable policies and ensuring that the voices of ordinary citizens are not drowned out in the process. The fear of excessive influence leads to discussions about accountability and transparency in governance, as well as the potential creation of a Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which could help oversee such policies.

Link to Deseret News article 'Does Utah need DOGE?'
web: https://www.deseret.com/politics/2025/02/27/utah-speaker-mike-schultz-says-doge-under-elon-musk-could-learn-from-utah-legislature/

Guest - Blake Norton
Website - https://www.blueformmedia.com/

Looking for a Real Estate expert? Find us here!
https://realestate435.kw.com/

www.wealth435.com
https://linktr.ee/wealth435

Below are our wonderful friends!

Find FS Coffee here:
https://fscoffeecompany.com/

Find Tuacahn Amphitheater here:
https://www.tuacahn.org/

Find Blue Form Media here:
https://www.blueformmedia.com/

#southernutah #podcast #stgeorgeutah #435podcast #afforadable #affordablehousing #elonmusk #financialmarket #realestate #realestatemarket #doge

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Ever wondered what it takes to build a tech company from scratch in Southern Utah? Meet Blake Kvarfordt, the local genius behind Blake Technologies who's shaking things up in St. George. From his early days studying business at UVU to diving headfirst into coding at Dev Mountain, Blake's story is anything but ordinary. After cutting his teeth at tech giants like T-Mobile and Nike's innovation team, he came back home with a mission: to create STGZ, a game-changing app that helps local businesses attract customers without the usual hefty fees. But here's where it gets really interesting - Blake drops some serious knowledge about how AI is transforming the way we build software, while keeping it real about why the human touch still matters. We get into the nitty-gritty of startup life and why face-to-face connections are more important than ever in our screen-obsessed world. Want to know what the future looks like? Blake's got some wild ideas about AR and VR that'll blow your mind, especially when it comes to education and everyday life. He's cooking up something big - think Groupon, but way better and focused right here in our community. Plus, if you're into real estate, stick around for his take on investment strategies and what's happening with manufactured homes. Trust me, you don't want to miss this one.

Guest - Blake Kvarfordt
Website - https://www.blaketechnologies.com/

Looking for a Real Estate expert? Find us here!
https://realestate435.kw.com/

www.wealth435.com
https://linktr.ee/wealth435

Below are our wonderful friends!

Find FS Coffee here:
https://fscoffeecompany.com/

Find Tuacahn Amphitheater here:
https://www.tuacahn.org/

Find Blue Form Media here:
https://www.blueformmedia.com/

#southernutah #435podcast #stgeorgeutah #ai #technology #aitechnology

[00:00:00] Intro.
[00:01:38] Local Entrepreneur's Coupon App Journey.
[00:11:07] Tech Stack and Remote Work Trends.
[00:14:15] Remote Work Challenges and Community Benefits.
[00:25:42] Virtual Reality and Future Education Trends.
[00:30:14] Local Events Integration for Business Coupons.
[00:36:07] Real Estate and Investment Strategies.
[00:39:42] Manufactured Homes and Lending Laws