SALT LAKE CITY – Salt Lake City Mayor Ralph Becker announced today the appointment of Robert Farrington to the post of Economic Development Director for Salt Lake City. Since 1992, Farrington has been an instrumental leader in the economic development of downtown Salt Lake City through his role as the Executive Director of the Downtown Alliance.
In making the announcement, Becker said, “Today marks the beginning of a bright future, not only for our City, but for the state and region. Regions prosper with a strong core. Salt Lake City can and must be THE regional leader for economic development in the Intermountain West. Our Capital City truly can emerge as a Great American City through Bob’s visionary and effective economic leadership.”
Becker characterized the decision to hire an effective, knowledgeable Economic Development Director as vital to the economic success of Salt Lake City and the Intermountain Region. “Nobody in the state is more qualified to provide that leadership as Director of Salt Lake City’s Economic Development Department than Bob Farrington,” said Becker.
During Farrington’s tenure at the Downtown Alliance, Salt Lake City saw record- setting growth and development, with the addition of over $2.5 billion in public and private investment, and many other significant new public and private development initiatives underway.
Farrington has served as chairman of the cabinet of “Downtown Rising”, a major community visioning effort for Downtown Salt Lake City, and helped lead the efforts generating support for Trax, Salt Lake’s new light rail system.
Speaking of Farrington’s vast experience, Becker remarked, “As we see our "Downtown Rising," with unprecedented investment and development, we will need Bob’s qualifications and experience to guide us through the next five years.”
Citing Farrington as someone who sees the big picture and the potential of Salt Lake City as a regional economic center, Becker has asked Farrington, within his first 90 days on the job, to meet with economic development directors from all of the major cities and counties, as well as the state and to formulate guiding principles of regional economic development for the Capital City.
Becker concluded, “I am pleased that Bob has agreed to accept this momentous task. He shares my belief that economic development is in every City employee’s job description. I look forward to helping our business community by supporting the work Bob will do throughout the City, both internally and externally to facilitate practices that will enable businesses to thrive in our Capital City.”
Robert Farrington Bio
Salt Lake City Mayor Ralph Becker announced today that Robert F. Farrington, Jr. has been selected to serve as the Senior Director of Economic Development for the Mayor’s Office.
Farrington was the first Executive Director of the Downtown Alliance of Salt Lake City—a position he has held since 1992. He served as Chairman of the Cabinet of Downtown Rising, a major community visioning effort for Downtown Salt Lake City, and helped lead the efforts generating support for TRAX.
In addition to major economic and community development initiatives, Farrington has been instrumental in creating major new events and festivals in Salt Lake City. These new community institutions include the Downtown Farmers Market First Night Salt Lake, Lights On!, Downtown Alliance Achievement Awards, Live Green, and Downtown Dine O’Round. Farrington was significantly involved in the successful hosting of the 2002 Winter Olympics in downtown Salt Lake City—a milestone in a progressive decade.
Farrington was one of the founders, and the first Executive Director, of the San Antonio Downtown Alliance. He has consulted with numerous communities around the nation in creating downtown organizations and business improvement districts.
Prior to joining the Salt Lake City Downtown Alliance, he was a partner in Admiralty Management Company—a real estate planning and project management firm. He has worked extensively in urban economic development and international trade, heading up those efforts for the San Antonio Chamber of Commerce.
Farrington was awarded a Master of Science degree in Urban Planning and Environmental Management from the University of Texas at San Antonio, and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Houston. He has received national recognition for planning and urban development projects from the International Downtown Association, American Planning Association, and the National Defense Transportation Institute.
He is a member of the American Institute of Certified Planners, and has been an adjunct professor of Urban and Environmental Planning at the University of Utah for the past ten years. He serves on the Boards of the Salt Lake Chamber, Salt Lake Convention and Visitors Bureau, and other community organizations.
Statement of Support Mayor Ralph Becker Scores Big for Economic Development
May 21, 2008
The Salt Lake Chamber, Utah’s largest business association, commends Mayor Ralph Becker for selecting “one of our own,” Bob Farrington, to lead city economic development efforts. Bob brings in-depth experience, critical knowledge, superb problem-solving skills, and business know-how to City Hall. We congratulate Bob, enthusiastically support the mayor’s selection, and pledge our support to help Salt Lake City and the entire region thrive.
Bob has served as the Executive Director of the Downtown Alliance of Salt Lake City for the better part of 16 years. During this time, he established the Downtown Farmers Market – one of the largest in the west, launched First Night – Salt Lake City’s New Year’s celebration, and helped lead Downtown Rising – a regional movement to enhance Utah’s capital city. His economic development leadership has contributed to Salt Lake City’s current resurgence, where over $2.5 billion will be invested in the city core during the next five years. He has also demonstrated his ability to lead as Salt Lake City hosted the 2002 Olympic Winter Games, introduced TRAX light rail to the city core, developed the Gateway area, and a host of other dramatic changes. We know that our entire regional economy will be enhanced as Bob devotes his considerable talent to building what Mayor Becker has aptly called a “Great American City.”
As a statewide Chamber and Utah’s business leader, we work tirelessly to foster a vital business climate and strong economy. We know that region’s prosper with a strong central city – one that is filled with people, teaming with energy, and full of great attractions. That is why we sponsored Downtown Rising, a 40-year vision for Utah’s capital city.
We enthusiastically support Mayor Becker’s desire to grow the entire regional economy through effective and visionary capital city leadership that is consistent with Downtown Rising, we know that Bob will successfully implement the mayor’s vision, and we will do our part to create a city that is, as we like to say, “on the rise.”
In making the announcement, Becker said, “Today marks the beginning of a bright future, not only for our City, but for the state and region. Regions prosper with a strong core. Salt Lake City can and must be THE regional leader for economic development in the Intermountain West. Our Capital City truly can emerge as a Great American City through Bob’s visionary and effective economic leadership.”
Becker characterized the decision to hire an effective, knowledgeable Economic Development Director as vital to the economic success of Salt Lake City and the Intermountain Region. “Nobody in the state is more qualified to provide that leadership as Director of Salt Lake City’s Economic Development Department than Bob Farrington,” said Becker.
During Farrington’s tenure at the Downtown Alliance, Salt Lake City saw record- setting growth and development, with the addition of over $2.5 billion in public and private investment, and many other significant new public and private development initiatives underway.
Farrington has served as chairman of the cabinet of “Downtown Rising”, a major community visioning effort for Downtown Salt Lake City, and helped lead the efforts generating support for Trax, Salt Lake’s new light rail system.
Speaking of Farrington’s vast experience, Becker remarked, “As we see our "Downtown Rising," with unprecedented investment and development, we will need Bob’s qualifications and experience to guide us through the next five years.”
Citing Farrington as someone who sees the big picture and the potential of Salt Lake City as a regional economic center, Becker has asked Farrington, within his first 90 days on the job, to meet with economic development directors from all of the major cities and counties, as well as the state and to formulate guiding principles of regional economic development for the Capital City.
Becker concluded, “I am pleased that Bob has agreed to accept this momentous task. He shares my belief that economic development is in every City employee’s job description. I look forward to helping our business community by supporting the work Bob will do throughout the City, both internally and externally to facilitate practices that will enable businesses to thrive in our Capital City.”
Robert Farrington Bio
Salt Lake City Mayor Ralph Becker announced today that Robert F. Farrington, Jr. has been selected to serve as the Senior Director of Economic Development for the Mayor’s Office.
Farrington was the first Executive Director of the Downtown Alliance of Salt Lake City—a position he has held since 1992. He served as Chairman of the Cabinet of Downtown Rising, a major community visioning effort for Downtown Salt Lake City, and helped lead the efforts generating support for TRAX.
In addition to major economic and community development initiatives, Farrington has been instrumental in creating major new events and festivals in Salt Lake City. These new community institutions include the Downtown Farmers Market First Night Salt Lake, Lights On!, Downtown Alliance Achievement Awards, Live Green, and Downtown Dine O’Round. Farrington was significantly involved in the successful hosting of the 2002 Winter Olympics in downtown Salt Lake City—a milestone in a progressive decade.
Farrington was one of the founders, and the first Executive Director, of the San Antonio Downtown Alliance. He has consulted with numerous communities around the nation in creating downtown organizations and business improvement districts.
Prior to joining the Salt Lake City Downtown Alliance, he was a partner in Admiralty Management Company—a real estate planning and project management firm. He has worked extensively in urban economic development and international trade, heading up those efforts for the San Antonio Chamber of Commerce.
Farrington was awarded a Master of Science degree in Urban Planning and Environmental Management from the University of Texas at San Antonio, and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Houston. He has received national recognition for planning and urban development projects from the International Downtown Association, American Planning Association, and the National Defense Transportation Institute.
He is a member of the American Institute of Certified Planners, and has been an adjunct professor of Urban and Environmental Planning at the University of Utah for the past ten years. He serves on the Boards of the Salt Lake Chamber, Salt Lake Convention and Visitors Bureau, and other community organizations.
Statement of Support Mayor Ralph Becker Scores Big for Economic Development
May 21, 2008
The Salt Lake Chamber, Utah’s largest business association, commends Mayor Ralph Becker for selecting “one of our own,” Bob Farrington, to lead city economic development efforts. Bob brings in-depth experience, critical knowledge, superb problem-solving skills, and business know-how to City Hall. We congratulate Bob, enthusiastically support the mayor’s selection, and pledge our support to help Salt Lake City and the entire region thrive.
Bob has served as the Executive Director of the Downtown Alliance of Salt Lake City for the better part of 16 years. During this time, he established the Downtown Farmers Market – one of the largest in the west, launched First Night – Salt Lake City’s New Year’s celebration, and helped lead Downtown Rising – a regional movement to enhance Utah’s capital city. His economic development leadership has contributed to Salt Lake City’s current resurgence, where over $2.5 billion will be invested in the city core during the next five years. He has also demonstrated his ability to lead as Salt Lake City hosted the 2002 Olympic Winter Games, introduced TRAX light rail to the city core, developed the Gateway area, and a host of other dramatic changes. We know that our entire regional economy will be enhanced as Bob devotes his considerable talent to building what Mayor Becker has aptly called a “Great American City.”
As a statewide Chamber and Utah’s business leader, we work tirelessly to foster a vital business climate and strong economy. We know that region’s prosper with a strong central city – one that is filled with people, teaming with energy, and full of great attractions. That is why we sponsored Downtown Rising, a 40-year vision for Utah’s capital city.
We enthusiastically support Mayor Becker’s desire to grow the entire regional economy through effective and visionary capital city leadership that is consistent with Downtown Rising, we know that Bob will successfully implement the mayor’s vision, and we will do our part to create a city that is, as we like to say, “on the rise.”
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