RIVERTON -- Intel Corp. says its decision to proceed with the purchase of 150 acres of farmland intended for a research campus does not mean a big hiring campaign is imminent in the near future.
But political officials said they've waited through Intel's 18-month sizing-up process and they can wait to see Intel's move bear fruit."The real beneficiaries of this will be our children and our grandchildren," Gov. Mike Leavitt said at a Wednesday-afternoon press conference in City Hall.
"I never dreamed when I was first elected five years ago we would have anything like this," said Mayor Sandra Lloyd.
Two blocks away in the hub of Riverton's business district, Tod Ferran, a manager at Riverton Motors, echoed the popular sentiments about the new neighbor from Silicon Valley. "We're excited to have Intel here. We're excited to see the growth in the economy."
In the grandest scheme, Intel's plans for the Riverton site would see a seven-building campus employing 6,000 to 8,000 with salaries of $40,000 and more.
Intel spokesman Bill Calder said the first step will be to build one building that will be used to relocate Intel operations already located in a 20-mile radius from Riverton.
"Back to ground-zero reality, we don't even have a firm construction plan for the first building. We'll have that later this year," he said.
Lloyd said Intel representatives told Riverton officials Tuesday night the semiconductor giant planned to exercise a purchase option on land that is now a welfare farm owned by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Leavitt said Intel CEO Craig Barrett delivered Intel's news to him. "It was clear the employment will be very high," Leavitt said of the conversation. "He referred to this as a major site" but emphasized development will progress as economics warrant.
The entire Riverton City Council joined the governor and mayor in Wednesday's announcement. So did Sen. Mont Evans, R-Riverton; Rep. David Hogue, R-Riverton; and David Winder, executive director of the Utah Department of Community and Economic Development.
Absent were the Intel representatives who met with city officials Tuesday. "They made it clear last evening this was to be our event and our effort," Lloyd said of the absence of Intel representatives at the Wednesday press conference. When ground is broken at the site, "They said that will be their event."
The campus site is bounded by 13400 South and 12600 South and 3600 West and the Bangerter Highway. Its proximity to Utah's major research universities and access to Salt Lake International Airport were significant factors in attracting Intel to the Riverton site.