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aid press release – inquiries should be directed to the distributor. Ivory Innovations, a foundation and academic hub at the University of Utah’s David Eccles School of Business, announces a grand opening for Innovation Park at Francis Commons. The development, a joint effort with Ivory Homes, the Call to Action Foundation and the City of Francis, will provide income‑restricted rental townhomes for essential workers in Summit County’s high‑cost market, where the median home price tops $1.6 million. The project tackles the housing crisis that has pushed teachers, first responders and small‑business staff out of the communities they serve, offering savings of up to $16,000 per year on rent.

    The ceremony, open to media, will feature Francis Mayor Jeremie Forman, Ivory Homes CEO Clark Ivory and Ivory Innovations leaders. It will be held on Tuesday, Sept. 16 at 10 a.m. MT at 270 Scenic Heights Rd, Francis, UT 84036. “Essential workers shouldn’t have to choose between a long commute and living where they work,” says Ivory. “This park shows that high‑quality affordable housing is possible even in Utah’s priciest markets.”

    Nearly all units are priced for families earning 60–80 % of the area median income, ensuring they serve those most in need. The City of Francis’s rapid approvals and streamlined process demonstrate a public‑private model that rural communities can replicate to address affordability challenges.