I appreciate the Salt Lake Chamber’s thoughtful call for greater collaboration and alignment to avoid what it termed “economic balkanization.” Utah’s success, after all, has long been rooted in a spirit of partnership and shared purpose. However, the call for a unified approach to Utah’s economic development must also place equal emphasis on its local and regional organizations that are best positioned to innovate and meet each community’s diverse needs.
Utah’s strength has always come from building unity through local autonomy. Our history, culture, and even governance model reflect a deep respect for limited central authority and strong community decision-making. That is not fracturing—it is federalism in action. As our state continues to grow and diversify, it is “all hands on deck.” We need everyone to participate and pitch in. We need the state, the regional, and the local organizations because they all have a unique part to play in meeting the needs of each community. Furthermore, regional and local organizations should not merely augment centralized economic efforts but sit at the table as equal partners to help Utah realize its fullest economic potential.
We should be careful not to mistake healthy regional advocacy, competition, and innovation for “balkanization.” When rural and urban communities identify their own needs and set distinct priorities, they are not creating division — they are helping build a more inclusive, representative economy. This process naturally gives rise to new organizations, challenges existing organizations to evolve, and introduces a creative tension that drives better ideas and more effective outcomes.
We are already seeing this regional and local momentum in action. The Northern Utah and Southern Utah Economic Alliances emerged to tackle challenges unique to their areas by offering focused, tailored support for the communities they serve. Likewise, over 60 local chambers across Utah’s 29 counties support thousands of entrepreneurs and businesses through robust programing, member services, and networking opportunities within their respective communities and peer groups. Supporting them does not duplicate effort—it deepens impact, serving business leaders and towns who are far removed from Salt Lake City. These efforts complement, rather than compete with, centralized institutions and help ensure our economy grows from the ground up.
Rather than casting the vision for local communities, consolidating resources within a few centralized institutions, or relying too heavily on perspectives from around our capital city alone, we should equip local and regional leaders — from Cache Valley to St. George — with the resources and support they need to thrive. Let regions drive where they have the knowledge and ownership, while the state and large economic nonprofits act as conveners and collaborators with their smaller peer organizations across the state.
Sustaining Utah’s economic success requires honoring our unique perspectives and roles while working together in support of common goals. By elevating local and regional voices and avoiding overreliance on the old way of doing things we can ensure Utah’s continued economic success — not as a single vision imposed from the center, but as a collective achievement derived from empowered communities across our great state.
Scott Cuthbertson is the CEO of Alpen Associates, a Utah-based boutique management consulting firm, and the former CEO of the Economic Development Corporation of Utah.
