All around us we’re starting to see signs that the economy is on the upswing and that Utah will be the state to lead the nation out of the Great Recession.
Just this week, Governor Herbert told an audience in Cedar City that, “Utah is back!” I couldn’t agree more.
The governor was referring specifically to the fact that we, as a state, now have two consecutive months of job growth. Our unemployment number, although higher than anyone would like, has remained below the national figure as the nation made its way through the longest, deepest and widest economic downturn since the Great Depression.
This year alone, downtown Salt Lake City has seen more than 20 storefront businesses open in the Central Business District. That’s good news on paper and has contributed to the very real energy in our dynamic urban center.
Those numbers don’t include a number of businesses that have relocated to downtown, and they don’t include some of the big name businesses that have expanded or announced plans to grow in Utah.
The list is impressive–particularly for the tech-savvy: Adobe, Twitter (you can follow the Chamber, by the way at @saltlakechamber) and EA Sport, which expanded and moved downtown, just to name a few.
I like to say that success builds upon success. Momentum is a great thing to have on your side. In Utah we have it and we’ll continue to build on it as we build the nation’s top economy.
More than 20 storefront businesses have opened in the Central Business District since January 2010, proof that the downtown community is continuing to progress and evolve as a more dynamic urban center.
“The influx of new businesses in 2010 puts us on track to hit about the same number as last year.” said Jason Mathis, executive director of the Downtown Alliance. “This doesn’t include many corporations relocating downtown like EA Sports or Goldman Sachs whose employees will significantly increase vibrancy on city streets. It is great to see so many entrepreneurs and professionals embrace our downtown.”
Businesses recently opened in the city center include:
- Blonde Grizzly (15 East 400 South): art gallery and art-related retail shop
- Pepper’s (14 West 300 South): pita sandwiches and salads
- Eborn Books (175 West 200 South, suite1003): new, used, rare books and the world’s largest supplier of Mormon titles
- TRAX Express (300 South 600 West): concessions kiosk at the Central Station
- Q Clothing (213 East Broadway): clothing and accessories (moved from 900 east and 1300 south)
- DP Cheesesteaks (83 East 300 South): authentic philly cheesesteaks
- Subway (City Creek food court, 28 South State Street): sandwiches and salads
- Roxberry (City Creek food court, 28 South State Street): smoothies, juice and frozen yogurt
- Blue Lemon Restaurant (45 West South Temple): fresh, healthy and local cuisine
- Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse (275 South West Temple): fine dining
- Deseret Book (20 East South Temple): flagship bookstore
- Everest Tibetan Restaurant (123 East 200 South): Tibetan food
- The Artful Cup (61 West 100): coffee shop connected to Utah Artist Hands
- Bocata (City Creek food court, 28 South State Street): sandwiches by Settebello owner Michael Brooks
- Taste of Red Iguana (City Creek food court, 28 South State Street): Mexican cuisine and the third location for this local favorite
- Smile Café (175 East 400 South): Asian and American cuisine
- Suki Hana (City Creek food court, 28 South State Street): Japanese cuisine
- Ekami Thai Curry (336 West 300 South): Thai cuisine
- Copper Onion (111 East Broadway): American cuisine
- Brent Godfrey Studio (240 East 200 South): photography studio
Workplace flexibility has become a compelling issue in corporate America. Business leaders are increasingly recognizing the positive effects of workplace flexibility on attracting and retaining employees, reducing turnover and absenteeism, improving employee health and well-being and in turn the impact it has on a company’ bottom line.
Within the umbrella of workplace flexibility, employee wellness is considered a potential high return on investment for employers, primarily due to rising health care costs.
As part of our Workplace Flexibility Initiative, the Salt Lake Chamber Women’s Business Center will host a panel discussion with local leaders and executives on ‘Wellness in the Workplace’. The event is scheduled for Wednesday, August 18 from noon to 1 p.m. at the Salt Lake Chamber Building.
The panelists for the event include Scott Barlow from Central Utah Clinic, Tim Butler from Select Health, Rita Offrett from American Express and Rebecca Fietkau from ARUP Laboratories. Panelists will discuss health and wellness programs and strategies available to reduce injuries, health care costs and long-term disability.
The discussion will make a business case for workplace wellness as well as provide a toolkit for managers to implement simple initiatives in their respective organizations.
To the Nation’s Capital from Salt Lake Chamber on Vimeo.
As Utah’s business leader, the Salt Lake Chamber stands as the voice of business, and next month a group of business will visit the Nation’s Capital to make their voice heard on issues that affect the business community.
Utah’s federal delegation and other appointed officials want to understand the opinions of Utah business leaders and this trip is your opportunity to weigh in on the key issues.
Wesley Smith, director of public policy for the Salt Lake Chamber joins us to discuss the trip and what we hope to accomplish.
E-Verify for business from Salt Lake Chamber on Vimeo.
As of July 1st 2010 state law requires that all businesses with 15 or more full time employees utilize an employment verification system like E-Verify. Before the law went into effect, the Salt Lake Chamber held a series of trainings from St. George to Logan to help our members understand and utilize this valuable new tool for employers.
A recent survey of the Chamber membership showed nearly half feel they need additional training to be in compliance with the law.
Tim Wheelwright, partner at Durham, Jones & Pinegar who also chairs the Salt Lake Chamber Immigration Committee sat down to give us the inside scoop on the E-Verify system.
For more information on implementing the E-Verify system click here.
The second season for the Tuesday evening Downtown Harvest Market begins Aug. 2 and continues through Oct. 12, 4 p.m. to dusk in historic Pioneer Park. The Harvest Market is a farm-based marketplace during the most bountiful time of the year.
The Tuesday evening market allows commuters who may not visit the capital city on Saturday for the Downtown Farmers Market, downtown residents and regular market shoppers to purchase produce mid-week, supporting community and locally grown and produced food.
There are over 25 vendors at the Harvest Market including Smith Orchards, Star G Natural Beef, Gold Creek Farms Cheese, Mountainland Apples, City Cakes Bakery, Bangerter Farms, Knight Family Honey and Zoe’s Natural Garden.
“The Tuesday Market is a way for the Downtown Alliance to build on the success of the Saturday morning Farmers Market and to create another venue for fresh and local produce in the heart of the city,” said Kim Angeli, Market Manager. “Our long term goal is to have a year-round Public Market where food producers and food lovers meet. The addition of the Tuesday Market takes us one step closer to bringing that goal to fruition.”
The Saturday Farmers Market has grown to capacity and the Tuesday Market establishes an opportunity for new farmers to sell their produce. The smaller size of the mid-week market allows for easy access, convenient shopping—and there is ample parking near the park.
During the harvest season the Farmers Market will be abundant with berries, cucumbers, eggplant, peaches, heirloom tomatoes, melons, peppers, sweet corn, squash, pumpkin, cabbage, onions, green beans, potatoes and much more.
Starting a business is a test of fortitude, strategic planning, efficient management and careful organization. It takes a special kind of person with the vision and gumption to make a business come to life. But setting up an actual business is not just about having a dream, there are several key steps to ensure your business a successful start.
So what are all of the things you should consider when launching your new business?
If you are looking to answer that question and more, the Women’s Business Center’s Jump-start program is just for you!
Jump-start was designed as a primer to help entrepreneurs understand the nuances of starting up a business. This biweekly, 1.5 hour session is mandatory for all new clients of the WBC. Our in-house business consultant will walk you through the ABCs of setting up a new business or jump-starting an existing venture.
The session will briefly go over topics like the importance of writing a business plan, how to finance your new venture, marketing your offerings, and finding customers who may be interested in your new product or service. Jump-start also exposes new and existing clients of the WBC to the resources and tools available to small business owners.
One of the objectives of the session is to help participants objectively evaluate their own business ideas. Some of the questions that may sprout in your brain by the end of the session will include: Is there a real market for my product or service? Can I obtain the necessary financing? Do I have the tenacity and discipline to go through the process? Who are my competitors and how is my offering different, better or special?
Jump-start begins with a brief introduction of all participants, followed by an interactive presentation. Finally participants will get a chance to network with fellow entrepreneurs. Participants are given the option of signing up for a free one-on-one consulting sessions with our business consultant.
To sign up for an upcoming Jump-start session please click here.
The registration fee of $10.00 will be refunded upon attendance.
AUDIO: Salt Lake Chamber Business Minute
Immigration has been a hot topic recently and it’s a topic you’ll hear a lot about over the next few months. The Salt Lake Chamber has proposed an innovative state immigration policy… combining the need for federal action with supportive state action that protects the public and sustains the economy.
Utah is not a border state. Immigration affects us differently than other states, particularly those with an international border. The Chamber supports a solution that is unique to Utah and reflects our culture as a welcoming, friendly and international community.
Ultimately, immigration and border security are federal issues that require federal policy and enforcement. We encourage Congress to enact comprehensive reform and we expect our federal delegation to address the issue in a manner than reflects the values of our state.
The manner in which Utah resolves the immigration issue will have far-reaching effects on our state economy—for better or worse. Carefully crafted immigration policy can strengthen our state economy. For two years the Chamber has supported an employer-sponsored worker program that addresses many of the issues of concern. A summary of the program is available at slchamber.com.
We applaud Governor Herbert for bringing together interested groups to discuss the future of immigration policy in Utah. The parties that participated passionately seek a solution and each emphasizes an important element of future state policy. As the debate progresses, we urge a civil and constructive discourse.
Utah’s Record Exports from Salt Lake Chamber on Vimeo.
While other sectors of the Utah economy have faced significant challenges over the past two years, exports have grown. For the past two years, merchandise exports have been at record levels–not too shabby for a land-locked state.
Last year Utah was the only state in the nation to see an increase in exports and, as World Trade Center Utah President and CEO Lew Cramer tell us, exports mean jobs.
I was honored to participate in the governor’s Immigration Summit at the State Capitol last week. More than anything, it was important to bring together so many people, with diverse views on, and similar passion for, the issue. Bringing these parties together, where most expressed a desire for a civil debate as we move forward, was an outcome worthy of applause.
When we realize that each argument—from either side and in the middle—has value. When we choose to respect those who disagree with us, we can work together to find a solution. The truth is, we’re all in this together and we ultimately have one common goal: to make Utah better.
For over two years, the Chamber has endorsed an employer-sponsored work program. Moving forward we will continue to push for a solution from the federal government. We also need to understand that any action by the state on the immigration issue will have an effect on our economy. Utah deserves a solution that is uniquely suited to this one-of-a kind state.
Members of our federal delegation want to understand the position of the business community on immigration as well as the other issues. To help make that happen, we’re taking a group of business leaders to the nation’s capital from September 12-15.
I encourage you to join us as we meet with members of our delegation and get valuable insight in four policy tracks including energy, health care, international business and technology.
You can find more information on the trip, including special airfare offers by clicking here.
