The Utah Chamber and Salt Lake Chamber, with a dedicated group of business executives and community leaders, are headed to Washington, D.C. at the end of the month to meet with members of Utah’s congressional delegation and advance the priorities outlined in its newly released 2026 Federal Priorities Guide. The guide identifies seven priority areas critical to Utah’s continued prosperity, ranging from energy and national security to workforce and infrastructure.
“These priorities reflect the opportunities that will most shape Utah’s economic future,” said Derek Miller, president and CEO of the Utah Chamber. “Because Utah’s success is intertwined with federal policy and the strength of the national economy, this advocacy work ensures that businesses and communities continue to prosper.”
Developed through year-round efforts, the priorities align with Utah Rising, the business-led initiative for Utah’s continued economic prosperity, and focuses on advancing solutions that strengthen the workforce, modernize infrastructure and bolster Utah’s competitiveness. The Utah Chamber’s 2026 federal priorities, and the topics the Chamber will discuss with lawmakers include the following:
- Energy – Advancing an all-of-the-above energy strategy that expands generation, modernizes transmission systems and removes barriers to deployment, meeting the rising demand of Utah’s growth industries while keeping power affordable and reliable.
- National Security & Critical Minerals – Strengthening Utah’s role in national defense and its growing critical minerals sector to secure domestic supply chains, advance American resource independence and support thousands of high-quality jobs.
- Natural Resources – Supporting responsible stewardship of Utah’s water, forests and public lands, including wildfire prevention, water infrastructure and continued progress on the Great Salt Lake.
- Regulation & Permitting – Advancing predictable, efficient and science-based regulation, including bipartisan permitting reform that provides certainty for major projects while protecting public health and the environment.
- Trade & Supply Chain – Strengthening supply chain resilience, modernizing trade infrastructure and expanding market access to keep Utah businesses competitive in global markets.
- Transportation & Infrastructure – Investing in modern transportation and infrastructure that keeps pace with one of the nation’s fastest-growing states and prepares Utah for the 2034 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.
- Workforce – Expanding talent pipelines, workforce education and training, and labor force participation to help employers meet the demands of a growing economy.
Further details about each of the Utah Chamber’s Federal Priorities can be read here.
“Utah’s businesses succeed when we plan ahead and work together,” said Matt Lyon, board chair of the Utah Chamber and president and CEO of WCF Insurance. “Bringing our business leaders to Washington gives our federal partners a clear, unified agenda from across Utah’s business community. As we prepare for a decade of opportunity, including the 2034 Winter Games, strong collaboration with our congressional delegation will help turn that promise into lasting prosperity.”
The Utah Chamber and Salt Lake Chamber appreciate the chance to participate in these critical discussions and acknowledges that much of our success stems from the forward-thinking individuals here in Utah. Businesses and organizations participating in the trip include KSL, WCF Insurance, Clyde Companies, Inc., Wells Fargo, Zions Bank, Layton Construction and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Foundation, among many others.
