Utah Rising

Utah’s economic landscape stands on the brink of an unprecedented transformation. Rapid market and demographic changes demand a vision and strategy that not only keeps pace but anticipates future shifts.

The Salt Lake Chamber, in collaboration with chambers of commerce throughout Utah, presents Utah Rising: A Free Enterprise Vision for Utah’s Economy. This vision includes a statewide, business-led plan to ensure a prosperous future for all Utahns. Successful implementation of the plan will require a model partnership between the business community and the public sector to develop the workforce, support the business environment, enhance livability, optimize natural resources and the environment, and achieve signature projects.

Vision

Become and remain the top performing economy in the nation.

Mission

Lead private sector efforts to secure statewide prosperity.
Collaborate with public sector partners to support critical policies and investment.

Workforce

Goal: Utah will have the best-trained and mentally healthiest workforce in the country.

Signature Project: Invest $1 billion in training mental health professionals and improve student / counselor ratios.

Housing

Goal: Utah will address record housing price appreciation since 2018 through meaningful regulatory / zoning reforms.

Signature Project: Support Utah's Plan to Address Homelessness by increasing accessible and affordable permanent housing opportunities.

Transportation

Goal: Utah will maintain a high level of statewide transportation mobility (includes measures of delay, reliability, and transit ridership).

Signature Project: Double track and extend FrontRunner along

Livability

Goal: Increase Utah’s livability for individuals, families, and communities.

Signature Project: Capital City Renaissance with a sports and cultural district, state-of-the-art hospital, downtown University campus, and global faith headquarters.

Business Environment

Goal: Grow the number of middle market (100 to 999 employees) Utah companies.

Signature Project: Advance the University of Utah’s Responsible A.I. Initiative.

Natural Resources

Goal: Utah will maintain energy affordability and reliability, reduce per capita water consumption, and improve air quality.

Signature Project: All-of-the-above energy strategy that includes solar, nuclear, and critical minerals.

Learn more about the Vision and Mission and 6 Focus Areas

“Utah stands at a crossroads, with unparalleled economic opportunities at our doorstep. But seizing these requires more than traditional planning – it necessitates a living, breathing strategy that evolves with our dynamic state. The Salt Lake Chamber is leading a business-led process to craft a statewide strategy that’s grounded in collaboration, innovation and a drive for sustained prosperity.”

Derek Miller, President & CEO, Salt Lake Chamber

Utah Rising Principles

Common ground and collaboration for a shared vision of sustainable growth and statewide prosperity.

Bold vision and pragmatic action to harness market forces and achieve results that reimagine the possible.

Quality of life and upward mobility
that creates opportunity for all Utahns.

Culture of service and community building that give Utah a distinct competitive advantage.

Private sector innovation and public sector support to unleash the power of free enterprise.

Timeline

“Strategic initiatives by businesses yield extraordinary outcomes. We’ve seen time and time again how Utah businesses shape our infrastructure, economy and cultural landscape for the better. We know how to do this and we will continue to meet the challenges of today with the strategic solutions for our state’s successful evolution.”

Tara Thue, President, Mountain States, AT&T

“Utah doesn’t gamble with its future; we confront challenges head-on, equipped with research and a shared vision for sustained prosperity for elevated life quality for all Utahns. This vision ensures a legacy of resilience, prosperity, and progress for future generations.”

Natalie Gochnour, Director, Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute and Associate Dean, David Eccles School of Business at the University of Utah

“Uniting the chambers of commerce across our state amplifies our collective voice, emboldening our communities to tackle challenges and seize opportunities. Together through Utah Rising, we will continue to forge a resilient network across Utah that propels this state towards a brighter tomorrow.”

Chris M. McCormick, President & CEO, Cedar City Chamber of Commerce