Salt Lake Chamber

This is Derek Miller Speaking on Business. Mountain Valley Recovery is a nine-to-twelve-month program designed to help men overcome addiction. By providing real-world skills and ongoing support, they guide individuals toward lasting recovery, setting them up for a purposeful and successful future. Network and Outreach Specialist, Murdock Sanderson, joins us with more.

Murdock Sanderson:

At Mountain Valley Recovery, we specialize in assisting those battling with substance abuse and mental health issues to confront their challenges directly and live with integrity. Our long-term approach focuses on trauma-informed therapy, job training, and a strong support system to promote lasting recovery and personal growth.

What sets us apart? Our clients gain hands-on experience by working on a full-functioning ranch, learning valuable trade skills, and engaging in equine therapy.

We don’t just focus on sobriety — we help men rebuild their lives with purpose, independence, and confidence. Many graduates leave with renewed self-worth, stronger family connections, and stable careers.

Local businesses and community members can support our mission by hiring graduates, donating resources, or contributing to programs like beekeeping, greenhouse work, and archery.

If you or a loved one needs help, visit MountainValleyRecovery.com or call 435-296-7456.

Recovery isn’t just a goal — it’s a lifestyle.

Derek Miller:

Mountain Valley Recovery offers support to those in our community, helping them improve their lives and reenter the workforce with determination. With their help, people can excel and succeed in whatever they set out to do. I’m Derek Miller with the Salt Lake Chamber, Speaking on Business.

Originally aired: 4/1/25

This is Derek Miller, Speaking on Business. For over 150 years, Canada has had no closer friend and ally than the United States. At home and abroad, we work together to make our citizens' lives safer and more prosperous. Consul General, Sylvain Fabi, joins us with more.

Sylvain Fabi:

The Consulate General, based in Denver, is responsible for strengthening Canada’s ties with Utah and the Mountain West Region. Our Trade team works with Canadian companies to help them successfully enter the Utah market with their product or service, and with Utah companies looking to invest in Canada.

We have several industry priority sectors – including energy, clean technology, aerospace, information technology, and agriculture – where we work with our Canadian businesses to understand the local market and find partners, opportunities, and potential clients.

Canada and Utah share a mutually beneficial trading relationship, with the Beehive State exporting 1.5 billion dollars in goods and nearly 700 million dollars in services to Canada last year. Your top exports to Canada include equipment, machinery, minerals, and metals.

Our office is interested in hearing from you about potential investments or partnership opportunities for Canadian companies. Please reach out to us, we’re here to help!

Derek Miller:

Canada is one of Utah’s top trading partners, supporting more than 80,000 jobs statewide. Nearly 4,000 Utahns work for Canadian-owned businesses, further strengthening our economic ties. To learn more, visit connect2canada.com. I'm Derek Miller, with the Salt Lake Chamber, Speaking on Business.

Originally aired: 3/31/25

This is Derek Miller, Speaking on Business. For 25 years, Lloyd Architects has been creating sustainable homes and buildings across Utah, from Bear Lake to St. George. Their projects, ranging from private residences to public spaces, focus on simplicity and thoughtful design. Founding Partner, Warren Lloyd, joins us with more.

Warren Lloyd:

Utah isn’t just a pretty great state — it’s home.

Our growing communities thrive in the beauty of our mountains, canyons, and valleys, and at Lloyd Architects, we’re committed to designing spaces that enhance how people live and connect. My team and I bring problem-solving and design expertise to energy-efficient housing, including shelter for those emerging from homelessness.

We’re proud to be one of the architects of The Other Side Village, creating deeply affordable housing on Salt Lake’s west side. In 2023, I had the honor of leading the American Institute of Architects Custom Residential Architects Network.

We welcomed over 200 architects from across the country to Utah to explore resilient communities and sustainable design solutions. Named AIA Utah Firm of the Year, Lloyd Architects continues to push for innovative, affordable housing solutions.

As we prepare to welcome the world for the 2034 Olympics, we remain focused on “Building From Here” and shaping Utah’s future.

Derek Miller:

Lloyd Architects is dedicated to designing spaces that improve communities and enhance their environment. To learn more about their work and approach, visit their website at lloyd-arch.com and see how they can bring your vision to life. I'm Derek Miller, with the Salt Lake Chamber, Speaking on Business.

Originally aired: 3/26/25

This is Derek Miller, Speaking on Business. Since 2020, Friends of the Children Utah has been breaking cycles of poverty through long-term, one-on-one mentoring. Their professional mentors support children from kindergarten to high school, currently serving 300 individuals, including 62 enrolled youth and their families. Executive Director, Kelsey Lewis, joins us with more.

Kelsey Lewis:

At Friends - Utah, we know there are no short-term fixes for children living with multiple generational risk factors. Our evidence-based approach breaks cycles of poverty and adversity by moving the mentoring relationship beyond the volunteer realm.

We pair children aged four to six with dedicated, full-time paid professional mentors we call “Friends”. Friends build strong, lasting relationships with children facing the biggest challenges, offering consistent, one-on-one support from kindergarten all the way through high school graduation. That’s 12 years, no matter what. Friends help children develop essential life skills, succeed academically and build resilience for the future.

We’re new to Utah, but we have 30 years of proven results — our youth go on to graduate from high school, avoid juvenile justice involvement and teen parenting.

Every dollar invested in our program returns over 7 dollars in social benefits, from reduced foster care costs to improving lifelong outcomes.

Visit friends friendsutah.org and learn how you can help.

Derek Miller:

Friends of the Children Utah is making a lasting impact by helping youth break free from cycles of poverty and adversity. Their long-term mentorship empowers children and families, creating real change and building a stronger, more resilient community. I'm Derek Miller, with the Salt Lake Chamber, Speaking on Business.

Originally aired: 3/25/25

This is Derek Miller, Speaking on Business. When you fill a glass of water, do you think about where it came from, how far it traveled or what it took to get there? The staff at Central Utah Water Conservancy District does, ensuring clean water for all Utahns. General Manager, Gene Shawcroft, joins us with more.

Gene Shawcroft:

Water is essential for life, and its availability requires careful planning long before it’s needed in a community. Central Utah Water’s mission is to develop, conserve and deliver clean water to customers across seven counties.

We manage more than 180 miles of canals, tunnels and pipelines, treating over 100 million gallons of water daily. Much of our infrastructure is underground, but reservoirs visibly store water for future needs. We are constantly monitoring the environment, preparing for extreme weather scenarios that may impact water supplies.

With 62 percent of Utah’s population living in our service area, our commitment is to provide a reliable, safe water supply both now and for future generations.

We are dedicated to managing resources sustainably, ensuring communities can rely on us for clean, accessible water.

Our priority is to create solutions that will serve the needs of our growing communities for years to come.

Derek Miller:

The Central Utah Water Conservancy District helps protect groundwater for communities, farms, and businesses. Through education, conservation, and responsible regulation, they ensure a sustainable water supply that supports Utah’s economy and future growth. I'm Derek Miller, with the Salt Lake Chamber, Speaking on Business.

Originally aired: 3/24/25

This is Derek Miller, Speaking on Business. Founded in 1908, the Utah Bankers Association represents Utah's banking sector. They advocate for their members and offer resources to help banks deliver exceptional services. President and CEO, Howard Headlee, joins us with more.

Howard Headlee:

Utah is the 5th largest banking state in the country, with over a trillion dollars in assets in state headquartered banks – a stat that may surprise you. Financial services is the largest sector of our state’s economy, driving growth, innovation, and prosperity.

Utah’s strong and fair regulatory environment makes this a prime destination for financial institutions, fostering competition, innovation, and economic expansion. Banks do more than hold your money – they fuel economic opportunity, strengthen communities, and improve lives.

Yes, your money’s always available when you need it, but in the meantime your banker invests in the community through loans to small businesses, homeownership, and affordable housing. At the end of the day, banks are only as strong as the communities they serve – when Utah thrives, our banks thrive.

Our fates are connected, and that’s why the Utah Bankers Association will continue working to ensure a strong and vibrant banking industry in our state.

Derek Miller:

The Utah Bankers Association is making a real impact in the community through their services and events, promoting financial education and supporting local businesses. Check out what they offer at Utah.bank. I'm Derek Miller, with the Salt Lake Chamber, Speaking on Business.

Originally aired: 3/21/25

This is Derek Miller of the Salt Lake Chamber with your Utah Business Report.

The Organizing Committee for the 2034 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games has named a Steering Committee to provide advisory direction to the Organizing Committee Board.

The Steering Committee includes a wide range of athletes along with community, sport, and business leaders, as well as local elected officials.

A series of committees have also been created to provide unique expertise and knowledge in specified areas. This includes:

-The Athletes’ Commission, led by four-time Olympic speed skater Catherine Raney Norman, who also served as board chair for the bid committee.

-The Host Communities Committee, led by Salt Lake Mayor Erin Mendenhall and Park City Mayor Nann Worel.

-The Sport and Venues Committee, headed by Colin Hilton from the Utah Olympic Legacy Foundation. And,

-The Technology and Innovation Committee, led by Matthew Prince.

The Salt Lake Chamber. We Stand as the Voice of Business.

Originally aired: 3/13/25

This is Derek Miller of the Salt Lake Chamber with your Utah Business Report.

The Utah Board of Higher Education has unanimously selected Shane Smeed as the next president of Utah Tech University.

Smeed is a Utah native and currently serves as president of Park University, where he has led initiatives focused on student success, institutional excellence and workforce development.

His leadership accomplishments include launching a comprehensive fundraising campaign and creating strategic business partnerships to enhance student outcomes in the global market.

In the official announcement, Smeed said his aim is “to graduate the best-prepared students who will contribute to Southern Utah, the great state of Utah and beyond.”

With 25 years of experience in higher education, Smeed will bring a wealth of leadership and expertise to the role.

To learn more, visit the Utah Tech University website.

The Salt Lake Chamber. We Stand as the Voice of Business.

Originally aired: 3/14/25

This is Derek Miller of the Salt Lake Chamber with your Utah Business Report.

Salt Lake City’s Westside neighborhoods are separated from eastern parts of the city, including downtown, by I-15 and several major railroad tracks.

These barriers present a daily challenge for people who need to cross to the east side.

To address this, Salt Lake City is launching a transportation study, funded by the US Department of Transportation’s Reconnecting Communities Pilot Program.

The study will create a plan that analyzes needs, and recommends and prioritizes potential solutions to improve transportation infrastructure and address the west-east divide.

The SLC West-East Connections Study team will collaborate with community members, empowering the people most affected by the division to help define the nature of the problem and develop and prioritize solutions that address their needs.

To learn more, visit the Salt Lake City website.

The Salt Lake Chamber. We Stand as the Voice of Business.

Originally aired: 3/12/25

This is Derek Miller of the Salt Lake Chamber with your Utah Business Report.

A recent policy brief from the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute underscores the significant impact of Utah's higher education system on both individuals and society.

The report reveals that Utah's public higher education supports approximately 132,000 jobs and contributes 12.1 billion dollars to the state's GDP.

Additionally, individuals with advanced education levels experience higher incomes and better health outcomes, while also exhibiting increased civic engagement and reduced reliance on public assistance.

The report highlights the state’s exceptionally well-trained workforce, robust economic performance and strong social fabric, all directly linked to a long-standing educational commitment.

To learn more, visit the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute website.

The Salt Lake Chamber. We Stand as the Voice of Business.

Originally aired: 3/18/25