Officials of Ballard Medical Products, 12050 Lone Peak Parkway, would like to expand their facility, but because of a lack of experienced workers will build a $7 million 100,000-square-foot disposable medical device manufacturing plant in Pocatello, Idaho, instead.
Company officials said they have adequate land in Draper, but because of Utah's low unemployment rate there aren't enough employees to meet the company's short-term needs.Meanwhile, the Idaho State Board of Education has approved a 20-acre swap with Idaho State University that will allow Ballard Medical to build its plant in the university's research park.
In exchange, ISU will get about 32 acres next to the park, near a school it acquired in another trade.
When completed, new plant will create 100 jobs and there may be more in the future, said Dale H. Ballard, president.