Utah small businesses eyeing interest rate moves -- Better operating conditions for small businesses in Utah translated to stronger job growth in May, but uncertainty over the Federal Reserve's monetary policy in the coming months is seen creating anxiety for the businesses.

Total Utah employment gained 4.2 percent, up 47,900 jobs in May over the past year, one of the strongest annualized gains in more than 10 years and the fourth strongest job growth rate in the nation. This rise compares to a revised gain of 47,500 jobs in the prior year-over-year period.

"Despite high energy prices and continued tightening by the Feds, the state economy is still doing well," said Jeff Thredgold, a consultant for Zions Bank. "But future interest rate hikes could raise financing costs further for small businesses, and negatively impact operating conditions."

The Zions Bank Small Business Index, a monthly gauge of economic activity, rose to 115.4 in May from a revised 114.9 in April. The index, which factors in data such as jobless rates and employment growth, measures the Utah economy relative to 1997, the base year assigned a number of 100. A higher index number means business conditions are more favorable.

Utah's unemployment rate -- the most heavily weighted component of the Zions Bank Small Business Index -- was estimated at 3.5 percent last month, up from 3.4 percent the previous month. A lower unemployment rate is a negative contributor to the index as it implies decreased access to Utah labor.

Rare book and memorabilia store opens in Provo -- B. Ashworth's, a rare book and memorabilia store, is opening Thursday at 127 W. Center St. in Provo. A grand opening and ribbon cutting is scheduled to start at 11 a.m. The company's Web site, bashworths.com, will be launched in a week.

Founded by Brent Ashworth, an attorney with the Brigham Young Academy Foundation, the 1,000-square-foot store features his personal collection of religious and political memorabilia, including old license plates, flags, matchbook covers, coins, stamps, rare LDS books, documents, manuscripts and art.

Ashworth had served as vice president and general counsel of Neways Inc. from 2003 through 2004 and was also former vice president and general counsel of Nature's Sunshine Inc. from 1997 through 2003. The two-worker store may add one or two more workers over the next month.

New embryologist joins Springville fertility center -- Thomas H. H. Chang has joined A.R.T. City Reproductive Center, an in vitro fertilization center at 376 E. 400 South in Springville. The center is owned by Larry G. Andrew, who specializes in ovulation induction and intrauterine insemination and helps patients with polycystic ovarian syndrome, endometriosis, recurrent miscarriages as well as other male and female fertility issues.

A native of Taiwan, Chang specializes in the field of embryology and assisted reproductive technologies. He will supervise the embryology lab in Larry G. Andrew's in vitro fertilization center. Chang came to the United States 15 years ago to receive training as a graduate student at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. After leaving the university in 1994, he started his in vitro fertilization and intracytoplasmic sperm injection work.