FORT DUCHESNE, Uintah County — A business plan that is the precursor to the development of upward of 300 new technology-related jobs for the Uinta Basin is days away from completion.
The plan will detail how the Ute Indian tribe's newly formed enterprise, Uinta River Technology, will work in conjunction with Oracle Corp. — the second largest software company in the world — in a business venture on the reservation, according to Max Adams, economic development director for the tribe.
The whole scenario is made possible through Project BRAVO (Building Rural America Venture Opportunities), a federal government program designed to create information-technology jobs on Indian lands and in surrounding rural areas.
Oracle Service Industries, based in Reston, Va., is a mentor and alliance partner for Uinta River Technology, said Virginia Callahan, senior practice director for Oracle Corp.
"Oracle has been working with the Ute tribe since last September to assist in developing an information-technology program that's focused on marketing and implementing professional services and products for Internet solutions, e-business and software development," Callahan said.
"Oracle viewed it as an opportunity and winning combination to further expend their presence while assisting the Ute tribe in developing a successful information-technology company resulting in jobs and economic development for the Uinta Basin."
Oracle will help educate and train employees with the assistance of the Uinta Basin Applied Technology Center and Utah State University Uinta Basin branch campus. Oracle also will aid in securing contracts.
Once the formal business plan is reviewed by investment consultants and approved, the tribe will provide the start-up funding with water settlement monies specifically earmarked for such economic development opportunities. Uinta River Technology is solely owned by the tribe.
Adams said plans call for a start-up date of June 1 with a staff of 15 to 20 people. Uinta River Technology initially will have space in the water-settlement building. As Uinta River Technology grows, it will require its own building, said Adams, adding that the company expects to have a work force of about 300 in three to four years.
Fiber-optic cable is going in throughout the Fort Duchesne area to enable Uinta River Technology to have rapid transmission lines to gather and disseminate information. One fiber-optic cable has the capacity to transmit 300,000 messages at once. Four fiber-optic cables are being laid for the tribe by UBTA Communications.
"We try to anticipate everything we need to get it up and running. Our last task will be to staff it," Adams said.
Carey Wold of Ballard, has been hired by the tribe to serve as interim business manager and consultant for Uinta River Technology. Currently, Oracle has designated four employees as the primary Oracle resources supporting the development of Uinta River Technology. Oracle will assist in hiring and staffing opportunities as they are won, Callahan said.
"The focus is to grow Uinta River Technology through Oracle's proven knowledge of the industry and through the expertise of Oracle and Uinta River Technology's resources."
Callahan said she is pleased with the progress made by Uinta River Technology.
"Everything is being executed as planned. Many areas are ahead of schedule. The Ute tribe and the basin community supporters are dedicated to making it a success. The enthusiasm and diligence are incredible," she said.
"The more I see this and the more I see the windows start to open I can see what the great potential of it is," Adams said. "We know the future of business is on e-commerce, e-mail . . . it's all on the Internet."