Salt Lake City - The Board of Business and Economic Development (DBED) today approved incentives that would create more than 475 new jobs at two manufacturing facilities in northern Utah.

In a special Friday meeting, the board approved a rebate of new incremental state revenues for Williams International under the new aerospace and aviation incentive created last year by Utah lawmakers. The rebate will be awarded on a post-performance basis over a 20-year period. The company currently has more than 300 employees at its aviation production facility in Ogden and is hoping to create 150 new jobs in the next five years.

The rebate is contingent on the establishment of a long-term relationship between Williams International and the state, including the identification of Utah as the company’s preferred production location for aviation products.

"We have struggled to come up with an incentive that would keep future growth for Williams in Utah and this rebate will accomplish that goal," says Dave Harmer, executive director of the Utah Department of Community and Economic Development. "Williams is an excellent employer in Utah that provides high tech jobs and good benefits for its employees."

Meantime, the board approved a $1,008,000 incentive from the Industrial Assistance Fund for BD Medical to expand its Sandy facility. The incentive would create 300 new full-time employee positions. Utah is competing with BD plants in one other state and two overseas sites for the expansion.

"BD is working with the state of Utah and local economic development officials to develop a competitive package for corporate decision makers regarding this proposed expansion," said Michael A. Halladay, plant manager, BD Medical, Sandy. "We appreciate the cooperation we have received in this effort to bring more high-quality jobs to our state."

The Sandy facility currently has 1,200 employees and possesses world-class research and development and manufacturing capabilities. The company plans to make a decision on which facility to expand within the next few weeks.

"In addition to the incentives, one of the strengths of BD Medical's proposal is the quality and technical capability of the workforce resident here in Utah," added Halladay.

Finally, board members acknowledged this week’s announcement by Working Rx, Inc. that it will expand its operations in West Valley City. The board approved a maximum incentive of $1,003,600 for the company last summer to create 440 jobs over the next five years.

Working Rx, a leading provider of workers' compensation claims management for retail pharmacy chains and independents nationwide, plans to add 200 new jobs to its workforce by the end of this year. The company will consolidate its operations center located in Covina, California with its Murray operation center at its new West Valley location, which will be occupied by mid-August.

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MIDWAY — Women can learn how to fly fish at clinics offered in Midway in May and June. The basics of flyfishing, including knot-tying, choosing flies, casting, equipment, river dynamics and how to land fish, will be taught.

The clinics, which are being offered by the Division of Wildlife Resources' Becoming an Outdoors Woman (BOW) program and Four Seasons Flyfishers, will be held on the following Saturdays: May 15,  June 12,  June 27

Each clinic runs from 8:45 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Johnson Mill Bed & Breakfast in Midway (100 Johnson Mill Road).

"Spots are filling fast, and women who want to participate are encouraged to register as soon as possible," says Nancy Hoff, BOW coordinator for the Division of Wildlife Resources.

The cost for each clinic, including tax, is $132.81. Participants must also purchase a 2004 Utah fishing license and bring the license with them to the clinic.

To register, send checks for $132.81, payable to "Four Seasons Flyfishers" to:  Four Seasons Flyfishers,  Attn: BOW clinic, 44 W. 100 S., Heber City, Utah, 84032.  "Call them at 1-800-498-5440 for credit card payments," Hoff says. "Be sure and specify what day you are registering for.

"Class size is limited to only 10 participants per clinic, so each participant will receive a lot of individual attention and plenty of hands-on learning,"  Hoff says.   "Women will learn how to fish and will then have a chance to try out their new skills on the Provo River."

In addition to eight hours of instruction, each clinic includes a catered lunch, beverages, waders, boots, fly rod, reel and fly?line (or bring your own equipment), flies, tackle and everything else an angler needs to fish the Provo River.

Four Seasons Fly Shop in Heber will provide instructors and guides. After each clinic, Four Seasons will also offer full-day guide service discounts to each participant.

For more information, call Hoff at (801) 560-9605.

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