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Ogden's ambition to be a recreation-industry hub got a boost this week when the Governor's Office of Economic Development board provided an incentive to attract an Italian bicycle-parts manufacturer to the area.
Selle Royal, which was founded in Italy in 1956 and made a big move into mountin biking in 2008, will receive a post-performance tax rebate of up to $272,103 if it lives up to its facility plans.
The company told state officials it plans to create 65 jobs over the next seven years. Paying wages that, in aggregate, exceed the Weber County average by 110 percent. GOED said these positions will generate $16.2 million in new wages and $1.4 million in additional state tax revenues.
Selle Royal also is expected to invest up to $4 million in the new facility.
"Utah is truly a hub for outdoor products," said GOED Executive Director Val Hale. "It's wonderful to see an established international company like Selle Royal group recognize this and join the ranks."
Added Jeff Edwards, president and CEO of the Economic Development Corporation of Utah, a quasi-public organization that helps attract businesses to the state: "Being surrounded by the beautiful Wasatch Mountains and other successful cycling companies will provide Selle Royal group an ideal place to expand and grow their North American presence."
Scott USA, Volagi, Quality Bicycle Products, Universal Bike Products and Enve Composites are among cycling companies with operations in Ogden, which city economic development officials like to showcase as the "Bicycle Cluster of North America."
"Our group is made of product-driven brands," said Gaspare Licata, general manager of Selle Royal North America. "The state of Utah, and Ogden in particular, is becoming a great area for the outdoor industry and we think we can attract great talent here."
The company has more than 1,000 employees worldwide, distributing products in 70 countries and counting numerous professional cyclists among its clients.
Selle Royal's reach expanded significantly after it purchased Crank Brothers in 2008, moving into pedals, wheels, tools and pumps for mountain bikes along with its traditional emphasis on bicycle saddles and footwear.
Film incentives in Utah
"Small Town Crime," a feature drama co-directed by brothers Eshom and Ian Nelms, will get a post-performance tax rebate of between $702,000 and $878,000. Producers John Kelly and Brad Johnson, who last year filmed "Waffle Street" in Utah with actor Danny Glover, projected that "Small Town Crime" will spend $3.5 million in Utah.
GOED also revised its incentive package for "Jade Pendant," increasing the rebate from $870,225 to $984,610 after producers raised estimates of their expenditures from $3.5 million to just under $4 million.