Two Major Companies to Launch New Silicon Slopes Chapter – Silicon Slopes East

  • Scottie Draper
  • 24 March 2020

Intermountain Electronics (IE) and Emery Telcom lead the effort to establish a new chapter of Silicon Slopes in Carbon and Emery counties. Creating this chapter is a primary focus of the Utah Coal Country Strike Team, an effort started by the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute a little over two years ago.

Carbon and Emery counties have been known for over a century as the energy hub for the State of Utah. With the changing economy, the businesses in Coal Country have been diversifying by bringing on a tech aspect, including the addition of three coworking spaces in the two-county region.

IE is a founding member of Silicon Slopes East. Bobby Houston, Director of Mission Critical Operations with IE, will be co-chairing the chapter. “Our company is a great example of the shift to tech related services because we have been building electrical systems for coal mines and now we are constructing equipment for major data centers,” Houston said.

Emery Telcom is the other founding member of the new chapter. “We are proud to be a founding member of Silicon Slopes East,” said Brock Johansen, Emery Telcom CEO, “Being in the tech industry for many years, we are willing to guide the way for other companies in Carbon and Emery counties. With Emery Telcom’s full fiber-to-the-premise network in the two counties, we are poised to take advantage of these opportunities.”

Mayor Danny Van Wagoner of Castle Dale said, “The Silicon Slopes East really peaked my interest. In a community that sees a lot of remote workers that like to come to Emery County to climb, boulder and recreate, we need to adapt to support the remote working economy.”

Carbon County Commissioner Tony Martines stated, “For many years, Carbon County has been lush with mineral lease money. Now, as that money isn’t as constant as it once was, I am grateful that the businesses are now being innovative and diversifying products and services.” Emery County Commissioner Kent Wilson explained, “There are two types of industries in the tech world: software and hardware. Coal Country is building the hardware that many software companies are using.”

“The Southeastern Utah Association of Local Governments (SEUALG) is excited to be a part of this great endeavor,” Geri Gamber, SEUALG Executive Director stated while expressing gratitude that the SEUALG was selected to manage the chapter.