As the “Voice of Business” and Utah’s statewide Chamber, the Salt Lake Chamber leads out on critical issues that impact Utah businesses and our community.
In the coming weeks, here is how we plan to “move the dial” to grow our economy, promote community prosperity and champion business in Utah, as well as ways for you to participate for the month of September and beyond.
Public Policy
The Policy Chairs meeting gathered to discuss legislative priorities and to plan the upcoming 2015 public policy guide http://www.slideshare.net/saltlakechamber/2014-public-policy-guide. The Chamber’s intent remains to enhance major initiatives, including economic development infrastructure, environment and Utah’s workforce, thereby ensuring Utah’s has the premier business climate in the country.
The public policy guide serves as the platform for the business community’s priorities for the upcoming legislative session, desired action in Washington and other key community issues. You can find the 2014 Public Policy Guide here.
If you have any questions or comments, please reach out to Michael Merrill at (801) 558-5068 or [email protected].
Energy and Minerals: Fall Energy Trip (Oct. 21-22)
The next meeting will be with the Natural Resources Business Council on October 8th from 7:30 to 9:00 a.m.
The Salt Lake Chamber and Utah Office of Energy are excited to announce the 2014 Fall Energy Excursion, October 21-22, 2014, to Utah’s coal country and southeastern energy producing counties. The one-night, two-day excursion builds upon the success of previous excursions to the Uinta Basin (Fall 2013) and Milford/Beaver (Spring 2014). Join us as we head south to explore, engage and learn in southeastern Utah. Register here.
The September task force meeting include an excellent presentation from Alan Westenskow from the Utah Economic Council and Zions Bank Public Finance on the energy economies of Uintah and Duchene counties, an update from Tammie Lucero from Uintah County Economic Development, the high-level details regarding our Fall Energy Excursion, and an update from the Office of Energy Development on their office including, recent new staff additions, partnering with Chamber on the aforementioned trip, a new electric vehicle website they will be rolling out in the near future, videos of energy jobs and opportunities and developing an economic impact for energy on Utah’s economy. We will have updates in the near future on the committee, including meeting dates and ways to participate.
If you have any questions or comments, please reach out to Michael Merrill at (801) 558-5068 or [email protected].
Prosperity 2020:
The U.S Chamber Foundation released the Leaders and Laggards report http://www.leadersandlaggards.org/ which ranks Utah in the middle of the pack. Of particular interest are Utah’s low scores in student proficiency and postsecondary and workforce readiness. Prosperity 2020 is actively engaged in improving education outcomes and building a better workforce.
A five-year plan has been drafted to take Utah to the top ten in education in the country. These policies have been outlined in detail in a plan being developed by Prosperity 2020 and Education First, with input from major education stakeholders throughout the state. We’d like your feedback on the draft. If your organization would like a presentation on the plan’s objectives, please contact us.
The plan will be rolled out at AcademicXL, a TED-style conference in Salt Lake City in October presenting innovative practices to make Utah a leader in education. Sponsorship opportunities are available.
Please contact Allyson Bell at [email protected] or Jana Scott [email protected] for information.
Natural Resources Business Council:
Every other month, we meet as a group of four-task forces and on the off months they meet independently. This not only drives unity, but helps the Chamber maximize its staff resources and alleviate conflicts and silos.
In addition to driving fidelity, the Council provides a unique venue for the Chamber to speak on Stewardship and Sustainability and position the business community as a leader on energy issues. The next Natural Resources business council is being held October 8th from 7:30 to 9:00 a.m. and will focus on natural resources principles.
If you have any questions or comments, please reach out to Michael Merrill at (801) 558-5068 or [email protected].
Regulation: Solutions Summit a Success
Thursday, August 21, 2014 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM
We partnered with Sen. Mike Lee, Gov. Gary Herbert, the Utah League of Cities and Towns, the Utah Association of Counties and over 200 attendees for the Utah Solutions Summit on Thursday, August 21, 2014 to discuss the vast and uncertain regulatory burden under which businesses are required to comply and develop solutions to move our economy forward.
The agenda include discussion with business leaders and government officials about regulation compliance and the relationship between regulation and economic development. This event included featured keynote speakers U.S. Senator Tom Coburn (R-OK) and Utah Lt. Gov. Spencer Cox.
If you have any other questions or comments regarding regulation solutions, please reach out to Justin Jones at (801) 558-9371 or [email protected].
Clean Air: 4th Annual Clean Air Summit Scheduled for Early December
Over the next few months the Clean Air Task Force will spend time identifying potential legislative issues that will help clean our air including Tier 3 Fuels and Vehicles, Incentives for cleaner burning autos and the revised State Implementation Plan developed to bring Utah into compliance with federal air quality standards. Additionally, the Task Force will begin work on the second Inversion Mitigation Effort, through which we encourage the business community to do what they can to reduce emissions during our winter inversion season. The Task Force will also start developing an agenda for the 4th Annual Clean Air Summit scheduled for early December.
The Chamber is also pleased to announce that Chris Lee, President of Deseret Digital Media, has accepted the role of Chair of the Clean Air Task Force. Chris takes over for Jonathan Johnson who led the task force for approximately four years. We appreciate the many years of leadership Jonathan provided and look forward to having Chris help guide our clean air efforts.
If you have any questions or comments, please reach out to Ryan Evans at (801) 328-5063
Water: Water Task Force Spinning Up
The next water task force meeting will be held September 18th 2014. See http://saltlakeutcoc.weblinkconnect.com/events/Policy-Meeting-Water-Task-Force-4626/details. The Salt Lake Chamber’s first water task force will focus on best practices for business in water conservation and management. It will also look at current and future infrastructure needs. The Chamber launched its efforts in water last month with “Utah | Water Is Your Business” and will continue to meet in the coming months to address this critical issue for business.
If you have any questions or comments, please reach out to Michael Merrill at (801) 558-5068 or [email protected].
Outdoor Recreation & Tourism:
Working with Office of Outdoor Recreation and EDC Utah to host a series of discussions over the coming months to promote best practices, build partnerships and discuss issues facing the Outdoor Recreation and Tourism community.
If you have any questions or comments, please reach out to Jesse Dean at (801) 328-5045 or [email protected].
Utah Transportation Coalition: Unified Plan Needs a Unified Front to Fund Transportation
This past month Lane Beattie spoke before the Utah League of Cities and Towns Fall Conference concerning funding Utah’s transportation infrastructure, specifically the local roads in our cities and towns.
With the State’s anticipated population growth, it’s important to maintain a quality transportation system that benefits the entire business community. The 2040 Unified Transportation plan is a comprehensive approach that provides the outcomes required to successfully support our communities. There will be more information regarding a comprehensive communications plan in the future.
In addition, The Utah Transportation Coalition and Parsons Brinkerhoff will be hosting an Aerotroplis forum on October 16th to discuss the importance of the connection between Salt Lake City International Airport and Utah’s economy. The airport just recently broke ground on a 10-year terminal rebuild and released a report detailing the economic impact of the airport to Utah’s economy.
For more details visit www.utahtransportation.org or contact Michael Merrill at (801) 558-5068 or [email protected].
Downtown Alliance: Downtown Still Rising
Construction continues at unprecedented levels in downtown Salt Lake City, pushing the urban center to new heights with the following signature projects well underway:
George and Dolores Eccles Theater On Main
Construction for the $117 million project began in Spring 2014. This 2,500 seat, Broadway-style theater is expected to be completed by the summer of 2016 and will be designed to enhance the culture and economic vitality of the region by attracting first-run touring Broadway shows, as well as other national and local music, comedy and family entertainment acts.
111 South Main
This Class A office development is currently under construction just north of the Eccles Theater on Main Street. The building will feature 440,452 sq. ft. of office space and be integrated with the Eccles Theater project in terms of functionality and design.
300 South Protected Bike Lanes
Salt Lake City Transportation began its protected bike lane project along 300 South between 300 West and 600 East in August with an estimated completion in October. These protected bike lanes are part of the city’s initiative to create low stress urban bikeways connecting neighborhoods to the heart of downtown and will be similar to bike lanes in other major cities like New York, San Francisco, Chicago and Minneapolis.
If you are interested in learning more about the Downtown Alliance’s initiatives or if you have any questions, please contact Jesse Dean, Director of Urban Development at [email protected].
Health System Reform: Meet the Candidates Breakfast and Governor’s Health Utah Plan
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary and the State of Utah have reached a conceptual deal regarding the Governor’s Healthy Utah Plan. As you know, the Governor has been working hard to close a gap in coverage for people who do not qualify for Medicaid and also fall under the coverage of health exchanges required by the Affordable Care Act. The Chamber has been working closely with the Utah Hospital Association, Chamber members and others to gather support for the Governor’s effort.
We will continue to be an avid supporter with other key partners in urging thoughtful leadership on this key priority. As an example, the Chamber’s Health System Reform task force chairs, Andrew Croshaw and Marc Bennett, did a great job lending the Chamber’s support by testifying to the Legislature’s Healthcare Reform Task Force, urging their support for the Governor’s plan. There will be more details to come in terms of the final agreement for a waiver, as well as next steps for Legislative approval here in Utah, but this update is good news. The Health System Reform Task Force will have a “Meet the Candidates” breakfast on September 25, in lieu of a task force meeting.
If you have any other questions or comments, please reach out to Justin Jones at (801) 558-9371 or [email protected].
International: Utah Global Forum
Utah Global Forum – Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2014
On September 24, 2014, Utah will host the first of its kind Global Forum. Topics will include Building a Global Brand; Doing Business in Europe, Mexico, Canada, and China; Shared Stories of Success from Utah Companies Abroad; Financing Your Global Expansion; and Global Operational Efficiency Through Sound Legal, Tax and Accounting Practices. The agenda for the event has been release and features a number of world-renowned business and trade experts. If you’re thinking about exporting, looking to invest in one of the fastest growing economies in the United States or seeking inspiration to take your business to the next level, you won’t want to miss out.
For questions regarding the Utah Global Forum please visit: http://www.utahglobalforum.com/.
