Growth Meets Scrutiny in Utah’s Inland Port Expansion

by Jacob Rueda

Utah's Inland Port Authority (UIPA) has been facing an uphill battle of late. Founded in 2018 through Senate Bill 234, the organization has received numerous complaints regarding its plans and operations.

COMPLAINTS AND LAWSUITS

Among these complaints are concerns about environmental degradation, lack of transparency in board governance, limited public input during planning phases, and long-term financial risks associated with infrastructure spending and tax incentives.

The UIPA has encountered prior litigation, including allegations of constitutional overreach due to a board restructuring that increased legislative control, as well as claims of environmental negligence linked to industrial expansion threatening the Great Salt Lake ecosystem and nearby communities.

One lawsuit was dismissed in April following a change in statute by the State Legislature, while another suit filed by Salt Lake City against the UIPA was dropped in 2023.

With litigation efforts largely unsuccessful so far, the agency now faces increased public scrutiny, which its leadership has pledged to address.

"Those groups currently involved with litigation, they're suing the port, and we have no doubt that we are going to debunk all of their claims," said Ben Hart, executive director of the UIPA.

HANDLING CRITICISM

Hart was brought on as executive director in 2022 after previously having worked in the governor's office for economic development. He also holds an adjunct faculty role in Economics Department at the University of Utah, according to university confirmation.

While overseeing the operation of the agency, he also faces criticism from those concerned about its environmental and community health impacts.

One of the UIPA's most vocal critics is Utah Physicians for a Healthy Environment (UPHE), which has a dedicated page on its website addressing issues related to the inland port.

They share concerns about environmental impact, air quality, and accountability.

Hart denies claims made by UPHE regarding the inland port's environmental and air quality impact.

"Their claims that our efforts are going to hurt our air quality are absolutely false." he said, adding that other development in the state aims to reduce emissions. There at least two other infrastructure projects underway in Utah independent of the UIPA impacting air quality.

Utah Physicians for a Healthy Environment (UHPE) are critical of the UIPA's efforts when it comes to air quality and environmental impact.

In response to environmental concerns, one project from the Utah Department of Natural Resources aims to mitigate dust blown from the Great Salt Lake through surface treatments and monitoring stations.

Additionally, in 2024, the state received grants for projects focused on reducing climate pollution, promoting clean ports, and supporting clean heavy-duty vehicles.

UTAH INLAND PORT PROJECTS AND CREATING JOBS

The UIPA oversees 12 project sites throughout the state, with the largest located on Salt Lake City's west side, known as the Northwest Quadrant. Hart said that plans for this region include air cargo development and rail cargo expansion, among other initiatives.

One significant effort is transforming an old city landfill into a manufacturing hub. Hart said that the UIPA is partnering with companies to create jobs in that and other parts of the state, particularly in rural areas.

"Each project area is going to be a little bit different," Hart said, "but our goal is the same: create logistic strategies and foster economic growth."

These strategies include minimizing truck use and expanding rail and air cargo shipments. Through partnerships with companies like Northrup Grumman and BZI Steel, Hart said the UIPA aims to create job opportunities for Utah residents.

Hart said the UIPA looks to bring high-paying industrial and manufacturing jobs to Utah residents.

"The number one thing that we look to is economic impact," he said, "and that's a hybrid between logistics and economics, ensuring that we're bringing in good high-wage jobs. A lot of times those are industrial and manufacturing jobs, but those are the jobs we want because they have a significant public benefit through their economic supply chain.”

While Hart said the UIPA will create jobs for local residents, there is a possibility that these positions could be filled by out-of-state applicants or newcomers relocating to Utah, raising concerns that local workers might be overlooked. However, Hart said that the agency is "not interested in doing that."

COMMUNITY OUTREACH

Due to the size of these projects and the opportunities they present, Hart acknowledged the need to reach out to people affected by the UIPA's activities, including those whose first language may not be English.

From 1980 to 2016, the share of Utahns speaking a non-English language at home more than doubled, with a 19% increase between 2010 and 2016, according to the Center for Immigration Studies (CIS). The leading countries of origin for immigrants include Mexico, India, Venezuela, Peru, and Canada.

According to data from the U.S. Census Bureau, Salt Lake County has the largest population of Pacific Islanders in Utah, followed by Utah County, Davis County, and Washington County.

In a press release, the UIPA announced the hiring of Caroline White-Nockleby as "community engagement manager." White-Nockleby is an MIT graduate with experience working in California and Chile on environmental and clean energy projects. A CRITICAL JUNCTURE

The Utah Inland Port Authority is at a crucial point in its path forward. While the agency aims to drive economic growth through job creation, it must also deal with its unpopularity with those critical or skeptical of its aims.

The recent hiring of a “community engagement manager” reflects a commitment to outreach. However, it remains to be seen how effective that outreach will be. Depending on the strategy they use, it could mean the difference between support and continued criticism.

Finding a balance between development and community needs will be key to shaping not just a sustainable future for the state, but for the reputation of the UIPA and the port it manages.

Watch the interview with Ben Hart from the Utah Inland Port Authority.