Now, this is going to sound a bit boring, but rest assured that an engineer shortage is a very serious thing.

On Tuesday, one reason became clear: Utah County's jail expansion is going to cost taxpayers more money because the original jail plans weren't as complete as they should have been.

That's because there aren't enough engineers to go around, says county public works director Clyde Naylor, and the county now has to pay for unexpected changes in the jail plan. Estimates weren't available on Wednesday.

"Our architects have been great, but our engineering consultants have been lousy," Naylor said at Tuesday's County Commission meeting. He later clarified that it's the lack of engineers, not the quality of their work that is the problem.

"What we need," he said, "are more engineers."

It's a statewide problem that Gov. Jon Huntsman wants to fix.

To show that Utah is the ne plus ultra of engineering destinations, the state is launching a nationwide initiative in October to lure 1,000 engineers, the number needed to pick up the slack.

It will begin with a special newspaper insert in 16 cities, viewed by up to 3.5 million people across the country, touting the magnificence of Utah. On the back cover will be a "help wanted" ad for engineers.

The state also will be embarking on a nationwide roadshow through Southern California, Texas, Colorado and the northwest to name a few. Those areas were targeted for their higher unemployment and the good possibility that there will be engineers willing to move to the Beehive State.

"We've got great jobs for every one of them," said Jason Perry, director of the Governor's Office of Economic Development.

The state also will be launching a new Web site as a gathering place for engineer resumes that will then be spread around to every partner of the effort, both public and private.

The marketing costs are expected to run from $50,000 to $100,000.

One of the companies participating with the state is L-3 Communications. In L-3's case, it has the jobs that engineers want but could benefit from the lifestyle marketing the state can provide.

"We can talk technology and show pictures, but the biggest percentage of [employees'] time is what they'll be doing outside their work," said Reed Buchanan, a recruiter from L-3's CSW division.

Buchanan's division has been hiring a person a day since 2002, and in a company that has many project deadlines, an engineer shortage makes things difficult. So what the state is doing makes L-3 happy.

"A marriage between us, I don't see how it can go wrong," he said.

Engineering is a pretty good gig. According to state salary numbers, engineers in most fields make $50,000 to $75,000 a year, and chemical engineers can make into the six figures.

While the state shops outside its borders for engineers, the homegrown variety are not wanting for opportunity. BYU's College of Engineering Technology has a job fair today that is hosting a full house: 126 employers.

"Clearly there's a demand for engineering," said Gregg Warnick, external relations coordinator with BYU's mechanical engineering department.

The college has between 3,000 and 3,200 students.

The state is confident its plan is worth the money. A pilot program last winter, "Home for the Holidays," brought in 150 résumés and resulted in 10 engineering hires, Perry said.

Plans are all well and good, but until those engineers come pouring in, Utah County is going with another engineer consulting group for its remodeling of the county's health building, Naylor said.

Engineer salary ranges in Utah County

Chemical Engineers $71,680 to $138,640

Civil Engineers $50,860 to $72,290

Electrical Engineers $43,010 to $71,770

Engineering Managers $71,170 to $106,830

Environmental Engineers $56,950 to $77,670

Industrial Engineers $51,800 to $75,140

Mechanical Engineers $55,370 to $75,360

Source: Department of Workforce Services

This story appeared in The Daily Herald on page C1.