As part of the “Utah | Water Is Your Business” week, the Salt Lake Chamber announced a co-chair for the newly launched water committee: Rob Moore, president of Big-D Construction. The Chamber water committee will focus on best practices for business in water conservation and management, and will also look at current and future infrastructure needs.
“Water management and water policy is a complex issue,” said Lane Beattie, president and CEO of the Salt Lake Chamber. “Despite this complexity, we cannot ignore the fact that it touches every sector of our economy and impacts our regional and global competitiveness. Water provides recreational opportunities and natural beauty that attracts great companies and terrific employees. It keeps our communities vital and strong. We must strike a thoughtful balance between managing our limited supply and maintaining economic interests.”
Water is a precious asset to Utah’s current and future economic growth. As Utah’s “Voice of Business,” the Salt Lake Chamber is committed to being an active partner and leader by rallying the business community and finding solutions for this critical issue. This will include a thorough discussion as well as a comprehensive look at the advantages and disadvantages of how we pay for the future investments in our infrastructure.
Today’s announcement accompanies a report from Prepare60 citing a need to fund new water demand and existing facility repair and replacement costs through 2060. Prepare60, which issued a report on Utah’s water-dependent economy, is the new center established by the Big 4 Water Districts to protect the water we have, use it wisely and provide for the future.
Additionally, business and community leaders met at the Jordan Valley Conservancy District Gardens to discuss the importance of water infrastructure and the impact of water availability on our economy, business environment and economic development efforts, as well as how Utah businesses are making a difference. The meeting featured Jim Lochhead, CEO/manager of Denver Water, who stressed the importance of collaboration for this critical issue.
“If we are to continue to support economic vitality, we will need to successfully balance the interests of cities, agriculture, industry, open space, recreation and the environment,” said Jim Lochhead, president and CEO, Denver Water. “For the future, we must have coordinated policies around water, land use, transportation and energy, based on regionalism and collaboration.”
“Utah | Water Is Your Business” week, a Salt Lake Chamber initiative taking place Aug. 4 – 8, spotlights the importance and impact of water availability on Utah’s economy, business environment and future economic development efforts. The week will also showcase how Utah businesses are making a difference in managing the resource and efforts to repair and replace Utah’s aging water infrastructure.
To learn more about “Utah | Water Is Your Business” and to view the reports released by Prepare60,
please visit http://slchamber.com/waterisyourbusiness. You can also follow the discussion on Twitter with the hashtag #UTbiz4H2O.
please visit http://slchamber.com/waterisyourbusiness. You can also follow the discussion on Twitter with the hashtag #UTbiz4H2O.
“Utah | Water Is Your Business” week is sponsored by CH2M Hill, Holland & Hart, Whitaker Construction and Snell & Wilmer.
