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SALT LAKE CITY — Jacobsen Construction was announced this month as Utah’s Best of State General Contractor — a prestigious distinction that recognizes the firm for its achievements over the past year, its innovative construction methods and the community impact of its projects.
Jacobsen’s win marks the 11th year of the past 13 in which the company has earned a Best of State award: 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2019, 2020, 2021 (x2), 2022, 2023 (x2), 2025 and 2026.
“Jacobsen is on solid footing,” said Gary Ellis, president and CEO of Jacobsen. “Our name is held in great standing because of the challenges that we’re rising to and the things we’re accomplishing together.”
Jacobsen currently holds its largest future work backlog ($4.3 billion) in company history, employees more team members (880-plus) than ever before, and has completed several landmark projects in the Beehive State in the past 12 months, including:
- University of Utah James LeVoy Sorenson Center for Medical Innovation | January 2026 completion | 62,000 square feet
- University of Utah West Village Family & Graduate Student Housing (Phase II) | January 2026 completion | 380,000 square feet
- Utah State University Kem & Carolyn Gardner Learning & Leadership Building | August 2025 completion | 45,000 square feet
- Primary Children’s Hospital Taylorsville Campus | August 2025 completion | 120,000 square feet
- Wavetronix Springs | July 2025 completion | 197,000 square feet
- One Burton Apartments | June 2025 completion | 287,000 square feet
Significant Jacobsen projects that remain ongoing in Utah include the Salt Lake Temple & Temple Square renovation, University of Utah Spencer Fox Eccles School of Medicine, several expansions of Deer Valley East Village, the Fort Douglas Relocation to Camp Williams, The Cormont, multiple renovations of critical patient care areas at Intermountain Medical Center, and several others.
“We have about $1 billion of work per year planned for the next three years alone,” said Dennis Cigana, chief development officer at Jacobsen. “This will stretch us, demand our best and provide growth opportunities for our people. Jacobsen has put plans in place to execute this large amount of work successfully, and our future looks bright.”
Other factors supported Jacobsen’s candidacy for Best of State, which was judged by a large panel of independent judges with expertise in construction. For example, the company is nationally recognized for its expertise in sustainable construction projects, having been named to the ENR Top 100 Green Contractors list for the past 17 consecutive years. The firm’s completion of the Westminster University L.S. Skaggs Integrated Wellness Center was also recently named by ENR as Best Higher Education Project in the United States.
“We’re Built for Life because we build the places where life happens. Every project Jacobsen completes adds to the legacy of all of you and your hard work,” Ellis told employees at Jacobsen’s biennial Get-Together in March.
Jacobsen has also undertaken several major efforts in Utah communities through recent service initiatives with The Other Side Village’s Tiny Homes program, Christmas Box International’s Project Elf, the United Way of Salt Lake and The Road Home.
“Together, we make such a difference, and what we do is truly meaningful,” Ellis said.
Jacobsen is also 100% employee-owned, which creates a unique workplace culture by fostering ownership, accountability and unity at every level of the company. The company’s Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) structure significantly strengthens’ team members’ financial security in retirement — most powerfully for those who spend many years at Jacobsen.
“When our company succeeds, we all succeed,” Tommy Auger, chief financial officer, told Jacobsen team members recently. “Over the last several years, we have consistently grown our ESOP funding. Your efforts are leading, and will continue to lead, to tangible value in retirement.”
Jacobsen will be officially presented with its newly announced award at the Best of State Awards Gala at the Salt Palace Convention Center Grand Ballroom in Salt Lake City on June 2.
