ABOUT US

CEDO, the Commission for Economic Development in Orem, is a non-profit organization that serves as an advocate for Orem businesses. The CEDO staff works closely with Orem business professionals and Orem City officials to promote the economic vitality of Orem.

With experienced staff members and multiple resources, CEDO provides a variety of services for Orem's new and existing businesses. Some of these services are a small-business incubator, revolving loan fund, business plan writing assistance, demographic information, and help finding networking contacts in the business community.

Whether you are starting a new business, thinking of expanding your business, or working as an established business professional, we have information and opportunities for you. With CEDO you have a partner you can trust.

To learn more about how we can help you, please return to our home page and click on the category that interests you.

CEDO's Mission
CEDO's mission is to ensure the economic vitality of the City of Orem; CEDO specifically works toward three main goals:
  1. To support local businesses and serve as a liaison between local businesses and the city/government
  2. To help new businesses get started and achieve immediate and long-term success.
  3. To attract quality businesses to Orem.
CEDO's History
The Commission for Economic Development in Orem (CEDO) was founded as a non-profit organization in 1983, whose primary function was to help build Orem's economy. At the time, steel was Orem's main industry and the city's economy was greatly affected by the ups and downs of the steel market. In addition to an unstable economy, jobs were scarce and Orem was losing its large base of local college graduates to other areas.

Orem City worked with local business leaders and created CEDO as the economic arm of Orem City. CEDO's original focus was on attraction and retention of businesses in areas not currently represented. Seventeen years later, Orem is a thriving business community, and according to Brad Whittaker, CEDO's executive director, CEDO's focus has changed to "growing our own and retaining what we have." Since its inception in 1983, CEDO has had three executive directors, James Renzas (1983-1986), former Orem mayor Delance Squire (1986-1997), and Brad Whittaker (1997- present).