Salt Lake City, UT — On Wednesday, Nov. 20, the Salt Lake Chamber and Utah’s business leaders unveiled six focus areas and strategic goals fueling Utah Rising, a plan to make Utah the top performing economy in the nation. Each of the six areas, with their respective goals, measurements and associated projects, represent areas of opportunity and challenge for Utah, and are set to be accomplished ahead of the 2034 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.

“Utah’s business community stands in an advantageous and unique position. For years, we’ve built a diverse and adaptable economy; now, those efforts have brought even greater opportunities for prosperity to our doorstep,” said Derek Miller, president and CEO of the Salt Lake Chamber. “Utah Rising’s six focus areas are designed to lead the private sector in innovating and supporting areas that will have the greatest impact on Utah’s economic future. This is about laying the groundwork for what is to come and setting the stage for Utah to continue to be a great place for people to work, for families to live and for communities to thrive.”

Utah Rising’s mission is to lead the private sector, which comprises nearly nine of every ten dollars in the Utah economy, and collaborate with public sector partners to secure statewide prosperity.

The six focus areas seek to accomplish that mission by providing targeted goals for development and innovation:

  • Workforce: Develop a highly skilled and mentally healthy workforce.
  • Transportation: Improve and maintain a reliable statewide transportation system. 
  • Business Environment: Elevate the business community by attracting middle market companies.
  • Housing: Make Utah a place where all who call it home can have a home. 
  • Livability: Increase amenities, safety and convenience for Utah individuals, families and communities to thrive.
  • Natural Resources: Become wiser and more efficient stewards of Utah’s natural resources.

Utah Rising is the first statewide private sector-led economic plan of its kind, and the success of the goals in each focus area will rely on the private and public sector’s shared commitment to investing in and transforming Utah’s economy into a national leading force.

“The prosperity that Utah enjoys today is a result of civic and business leaders choosing to partner together, engage, invest and commit their time and resources into building up our great state,” said Utah Rising Steering Committee Chair, Spencer P. Eccles. “Utah Rising amplifies these qualities; the more our business community collaborates and commits to accomplishing the strategic goals, the more Utah will achieve leading up to 2034. Together, we will build the foundation for Utah to lead the nation in economic progress and quality of life for Utah families today and well into the future.”

To learn more about the Utah Rising initiative, vision and plan, visit utahrising.com.

Supporting quotes from Utah’s legislative leadership and Utah Rising committee members:

President J. Stuart Adams, Utah State Senate

When asked about the Utah Senate’s support of Utah Rising, President Adams said: “Utah has long been known for its collaborative and entrepreneurial spirit, and this vision highlights the incredible potential of what we can achieve when public and private efforts unite toward a common goal. We look forward to working with Utah’s business community and leaders to help make our state an even better place to live, work and play for generations to come.”

Speaker Mike Schultz, Utah House of Representatives

Speaker Schultz is optimistic about the effect that Utah Rising will have on all areas of the state. He said: “Utah Rising is a chance for the public and private sectors to join forces and work together to ensure our economy and business community remain the best and brightest in the nation. We will continue to build upon Utah’s strong foundation of innovation, collaboration and foresight, so that our kids, grandkids and all future generations can be proud to call Utah home.”

Tara Thue, President, Mountain & Desert States, AT&T, Utah Rising Technical Committee Co-chair

At the event held on November 20, Tara Thue introduced an interactive dashboard to keep the business community informed about Utah Rising’s progress. She said: “Today marks a significant step forward in Utah’s economy. Our history of strategic investments has led to remarkable success and we believe Utah Rising will help that success continue. To help provide an understanding of the why, how and where to stay informed about Utah Rising, as well as measure the progress of each of our six strategic focus areas, we’ve amplified the Utah Rising website, Utahrising.com, with an interactive dashboard showing the vision, mission, goals and background of this initiative. Whether you’re a business leader, policymaker, community member or stakeholder, this dashboard is a resource tailored to give you a snapshot of the metrics that matter most when it comes to measuring the success of Utah Rising.”

Ryan Starks, Executive Director, Utah Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity, Technical Committee Member

As director of the Utah Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity, Ryan Starks has a unique perspective on how the public and private sectors will work together: “The Utah Rising plan embodies the power of public-private partnerships. The Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity (GOEO) is grateful that the Utah Rising initiative complements our mission to cultivate economic prosperity for all Utahns. Together, we look forward to advancing bold, impactful initiatives that will create meaningful opportunities across our communities. The Utah Rising plan has the right ingredients to help Utah remain a premier destination to work, live and play.”

Chris McCormick, President & CEO, Cedar City Chamber, Utah Rising Local & Regional Chambers of Commerce Committee Chair

Utah Rising is designed to be statewide; Cedar City Chamber President & CEO Chris McCormick looks forward to the unified efforts to lift the state as a whole: “Chambers of Commerce all across Utah bring together diverse businesses, organizations and community leaders to address key issues that impact our economy, environment and workforce. From urban centers to rural towns, every chamber’s involvement is vital for the success of Utah Rising, and ensures that all regions have a voice and will benefit, creating a balanced and resilient economic landscape across Utah.”