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Area Development - Site Selection, Facility Planning and Workforce Development

Varian Medical Systems Begins Expansion Of Salt Lake City, Utah, Campus

08/28/2014
Varian Medical Systems began construction to expand its Salt Lake City, Utah, manufacturing campus. The expansion project will add 135,000 square feet to the existing 341,000 square foot building and ultimately create 1,000 new jobs over the next 20 years.

"Utah is home to hardworking people with immense engineering and technical talent, many of whom can be credited with Varian's success in the manufacturing of our state-of-the-art X-ray technology," said Dow Wilson, CEO of Varian Medical Systems. "Today we celebrate more than 45 years of Varian's economic partnership with Utah which continues to be a sound investment for the future of our company, the state of Utah and Utah's citizens."

Salt Lake City serves as the headquarters for manufacturing Varian's X-ray products and the additional space will allow for Varian's flat panel image detector and X-ray tube product lines as well as cleanrooms, R&D laboratories, expanded manufacturing space and administrative offices.

Today, approximately 70 percent of the orders for X-ray products come from customers outside the U.S., making Varian Medical Systems one of Utah's largest exporters. Varian Medical Systems currently employs 860 people in Utah.The expansion will allow the firm to consolidate operations underway outside of Utah.

"This is an exciting day for Varian Medical Systems and for the state of Utah," said Senator Orrin Hatch. "Varian has made a significant contribution to Utah's economy and our local community for decades. The company's planned expansion is a testament to the confidence its leaders have in Utah's business climate and is indicative of the growth and success Varian is experiencing in the medical device industry. Varian's capital investment and planned expansion will have a positive impact on Utah's tax base and employment outlook. I look forward to many more years of a successful partnership between Varian and our state."

The effort to expand Varian's presence in Salt Lake City began in January of this year through a partnership with the Utah Governor's Office of Economic Development. The GOED Board of Directors has approved a tax credit of some $7.1 million in the form of a post-performance Economic Development Tax Increment Finance incentive, in anticipation of receiving more than $35 million from Varian in new state tax revenues over the fifteen year life of the agreement. Each year as Varian meets the criteria in its contracts with the state, it will earn a portion of the tax credit.

"With Utah's job growth at its highest since the recession, Varian Medical Systems could not have chosen a better time or place for its expansion. Among Utah's life science sector more than 150 are medical device companies and Varian will add to this vibrant community," said Val Hale, Executive Director of the Governor's Office of Economic Development. "Our office has enjoyed the opportunity to work with Varian Medical Systems, and we look forward to continuing that relationship as they grow and in turn help Utah grow."

"We are thrilled to see Varian take this step towards their expansion in Utah," said Jeff Edwards, President/CEO of Economic Development Corporation of Utah. "It is extremely rewarding to see such a high-quality company grow and expand in our state, reinforcing our belief that Utah has a unique combination of assets that allows businesses to flourish."

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