This story appears in the October issue of Utah Business. Subscribe.
Economic development is just one area in which the Salt Lake Chamber (the Chamber) makes a vigilant effort to have a positive impact. Through various initiatives and programs developed over the years, the Chamber has proactively worked to address community issues, infrastructure improvements, mental health and more.
“Utah Rising: A Free Enterprise Vision for Utah’s Economy” is intended to ensure a prosperous future for all Utahns. With the Salt Lake Chamber at the forefront, business leaders have come together to create the best approach to this. Successful implementation of this plan will enhance livability, optimize natural resources and the environment, develop Utah’s workforce, support the business environment, and more. Because of experiences created in the past and ongoing initiatives, the Chamber and business community can move forward with a design like this to grow Utah’s community, instilling hope and optimism for the future.
As a powerful advocate for health and wellness, the Salt Lake Chamber has actively promoted initiatives to improve the overall well-being of Utah residents, demonstrating deep care and value for the community. The Chamber created the Suicide Prevention in the Workforce Employer Toolkit to help business leaders become more understanding of and responsive to employees’ mental health needs.
Environmental sustainability in Utah has also been a focus. The Chamber supports various initiatives aimed at reducing air pollution, conserving water, and promoting the use of renewable energy. By advocating for sustainable practices and policies, the Chamber has helped improve air quality and environmental health in the Salt Lake area, which has a direct impact on the quality of life for residents and contributes to a healthier and more sustainable community.
Recognizing the growing housing affordability crisis, the Chamber launched the “Housing GAP Coalition” in 2018. This initiative brought together business leaders, government officials and community organizations to tackle the housing availability and affordability gap. The coalition has worked to raise awareness about the issue, influence policy changes and promote solutions that encourage the development of affordable housing units.
The Chamber has also taken a proactive role in addressing homelessness, supporting initiatives to reduce homelessness and providing essential services to those in need, coupled with enforcement necessary for public safety. The Chamber has advocated and helped secure funding for new homeless resource centers, which offer shelter and access to healthcare, job training and other critical services.
These initiatives, along with key projects planned for the future, have enhanced economic opportunity and improved residents’ overall quality of life. With collaboration from the public and private sectors to create initiatives that address health, housing affordability, livability, transportation, natural resources and more, Utah will continue its long run of prosperity.