Draper City Drawing Benefits From IKEA

None by Eric Ray

(KCPW News) Draper city officials are working to capitalize on financial benefits the new IKEA outlet can bring to the city now that the Swedish Furniture giant is up and running.

Draper Economic Development Director David Baird says there has been a large "echo effect" since IKEA opened. The city is in the process of entitling another 250,000 square feet of retail around IKEA, much of which will be occupied by other furniture outlets.

Baird says Draper city loses approximately $800 per-year per-household in the provision of goods and services like road construction and snow removal. He says sales tax money from the city's general fund supplements those costs, and IKEA has provided a major boost in that area.

To listen to a longer interview about the benefits of large manufacturers to mid-size cities, download today's Midday Metro podcast.

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