For decades, University of Utah Health has played a vital role in strengthening Utah’s economy, not only through world-class patient care, research, and education, but also by serving as a major employer and community partner. Nowhere is that impact more visible—or more promising for the future—than in West Valley City.
As Utah’s second-largest city and one of its most diverse communities, West Valley City has long been an essential part of the region’s workforce and cultural fabric. University of Utah Health’s continued investment in the area, including the upcoming Eccles Health Campus and Hospital, represents a long-term commitment to economic vitality and local opportunity.
A Proven Economic Engine
Today, U of U Health is one of the largest employers in the state, supporting tens of thousands of jobs across clinical care, education, research, and support services. Its economic footprint extends well beyond hospital walls, fueling local businesses, generating tax revenue, and creating stable, family-supporting employment.
Health care institutions like the Eccles Health Campus and Hospital also function as anchor institutions, meaning they are deeply rooted in their communities and unlikely to relocate. This stability allows U of U Health to make sustained investments that strengthen local economies over time. Through workforce development and community-based initiatives, the institution contributes significantly to economic growth across the Wasatch Front. For residents of West Valley City and the surrounding westside communities, these impacts translate into real opportunities to join the team at U of U Health, as well as opportunities for local businesses to work with U of U Health directly.
Strengthening Local Businesses and Community Wealth
Once operational, the campus will bring long-term employment opportunities across a wide range of roles. These include physicians, nurses, technicians, administrators, environmental services staff, food services workers, and many others. Health care jobs also tend to remain stable during economic downturns. That stability helps anchor surrounding neighborhoods and contributes to sustained economic health for the entire city.
Beyond job creation, the Eccles Health Campus represents an opportunity to support local businesses and expand economic opportunity across the westside. Today, U of U Health already works with more than 350 businesses located in westside communities. These partnerships include a wide range of vendors and service providers that help support the daily operations of a large and complex health care system.
As construction and development of the new hospital move forward, U of U Health hopes to grow that number even further. Large health care systems spend millions of dollars each year on goods and services, including construction, maintenance, food, supplies, and professional services. When that spending is intentionally directed toward local vendors, it creates a ripple effect that multiplies economic benefits throughout the community.
By partnering with West Valley City businesses and entrepreneurs, U of U Health can help build community wealth. This approach aligns with a broader vision of health that recognizes economic stability and opportunity as critical drivers of long-term wellness.
Investing in Health Beyond Health Care
The Eccles Health Campus reflects a belief that health systems can and should play a role in shaping healthier communities by addressing the conditions that influence health outcomes long before someone becomes a patient.
Improved access to care while increasing economic investment all contribute to better health across generations. For West Valley City and the west side of the Salt Lake Valley, this campus represents a future where high-quality health care and economic opportunity grow side by side.