Salt Lake Chamber

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

At the end of last year, the Environmental Protection Agency announced 70 grant recipients for its Clean Heavy-Duty Vehicles Program to receive funding for over 2,400 zero-emission heavy-duty vehicles.

The awards will fund projects in 27 states, three Tribal Nations, and one territory.

The Utah Department of Environmental Quality Division of Air Quality was selected to receive 60 million dollars to fund 171 zero-emission vehicles and charging infrastructure to reduce air pollution.

One hundred and twenty of these vehicles will be electric school buses.

The Clean Heavy-Duty Vehicles Program was established through the Inflation Reduction Act passed in 2022.

The Program will distribute a total of $1 billion through 2032 to replace fossil fuel heavy-duty vehicles with zero-emission ones, as well as support the build-out of charging infrastructure and invest in the workforce.

To learn more, visit the EPA website.

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

Originally aired: 1/10/25

This is Derek Miller, Speaking on Business. Before-N-After offers personalized weight loss programs, longevity medicine and aesthetic treatments to help individuals achieve their health and beauty goals. With tailored plans and support, they offer a holistic approach to wellness, blending weight management with aesthetic services for lasting results. Medical Director and Owner, Andrew Johnson, joins us with more.

Andrew Johnson:

At Before-N-After, we bring a unique perspective to weight management, shaped by years of experience as retired military physicians. Our disciplined, results-focused approach is rooted in a deep commitment to helping individuals achieve their health and wellness goals. We’ve dedicated our careers to serving others with integrity and compassion, and that same passion drives our work today.

This program isn’t about quick fixes. It’s about addressing the root causes of weight challenges through a comprehensive, personalized plan that includes nutrition, exercise, behavioral changes and the latest medications tailored to each individual. We focus on sustainable results that enhance not just physical health but overall well-being.

We’re proud to offer a program that empowers people to take control of their health and improve their quality of life, providing the tools and support they need to succeed for the long term. Learn more at BeforeNAfter.com.

Derek Miller:

Before-N-After empowers individuals to take control of their health by offering personalized support and effective treatments. They help people build confidence, achieve their goals and enhance their overall well-being. I'm Derek Miller, with the Salt Lake Chamber, Speaking on Business.

Originally aired: 1/10/25

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

In Utah alone, home prices have surged by over 300 percent in recent years, with projections showing a shortfall of 153,000 homes by 2030.

To address this, the Utah Workforce Housing Advocacy has launched a new messaging campaign called “Demand More Supply” to raise public awareness of the biggest contributor to high housing prices: low housing supply.

Demand More Supply urges policymakers, community leaders, and residents to collaborate to adopt solutions that create more housing opportunities for middle-income families.

This effort aims to ensure economic stability, quality of life and continued growth for the region by increasing supply, streamlining regulations and fostering innovation.

One way they are raising awareness is through commercials to help the ‘every day Utahn’ understand the root cause of the housing affordability crisis-limited housing supply.

To learn more, visit the Utah Workforce Housing Advocacy website.

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

Originally aired: 1/9/25

This is Derek Miller, Speaking on Business. Workbox empowers businesses with flexible coworking spaces, private offices and meeting rooms, while providing access to a network of industry professionals, operational resources and capital. It’s a dynamic environment designed to fuel business growth and innovation. Sales Manager, Tyler Hatch, joins us with more.

Tyler Hatch:

There is no denying that Salt Lake City has made a name for itself as a hub for technology and innovation. From healthcare and biotech to software — and nearly everything in between — Salt Lake’s business ecosystem is thriving.

That’s why just over a year ago Workbox opened its doors here in the heart of downtown SLC. As a workspace built specifically for dynamic businesses, Workbox offers solutions for both startup and enterprise companies including private offices, meeting rooms, coworking and more. In addition to these flexible workspace solutions, member benefits include direct connection to over 100 capital and operating partners, as well as exclusive programming and networking events.

And now through March 31st Workbox is offering three months free on any office or suite with a twelve month commitment. It’s time to experience workspace with a purpose, come visit us at 132 South State Street in the historic Orpheum Theater. Or at WorkBoxCompany.com.

Derek Miller:

Workbox is dedicated to supporting business success by offering tailored workspaces that meet the unique needs of each company. With flexible solutions for businesses of all sizes, Workbox helps foster productivity, collaboration and growth — empowering you to achieve more. I'm Derek Miller, with the Salt Lake Chamber, Speaking on Business.

Originally aired: 1/8/25

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

Utah’s broad innovation ecosystem ranks high among U.S. states across various measures.

According to a report released in December from the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute, co-led by the Economic Development Corporation of Utah, shows that the characteristics contributing to Utah’s success include the state’s higher education institutions, a well-trained workforce, social infrastructure, collaboration among innovation ecosystem actors, and a culture of innovation.

Key findings include how:

-Utah ranks first among U.S. states for innovation capacity and outcomes; and,

-Five industry-aligned innovation ecosystems – such as aeronautics and space exploration and defense – exist in Utah at various levels of maturity.

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

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

Originally aired: 1/8/25

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

Slice House by Tony Gemignani (Gem-ee-gn-jani), the highly successful fast-casual pizza franchise by world renowned pizzaiolo (pizza-i-olo) Tony Gemignani, is now open in Salt Lake City.

Located at 1318 Foothill Drive, Slice House Salt Lake City welcomes guests to experience award-winning pizza by the 13-time world champion in a fast casual setting.

Known for its diverse menu, Slice House offers a variety of pizzas, calzones, pastas and salads, all crafted with high-quality ingredients and Tony’s signature touch.

With its roots in San Francisco, Slice House has earned a reputation for blending tradition with innovation to create unforgettable flavors.

The new Salt Lake City location continues this legacy by providing a welcoming space for families and pizza lovers alike. Whether you're craving a classic slice or something new, Slice House Salt Lake City offers a world-class pizza experience right here in Utah.

To learn more, visit the Slice House website.

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

Originally aired: 1/17/25

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

BZI, a standout in the construction industry, recently received the prestigious “Inc. Best in Business 2024” award.

The prestigious global award recognizes the impact and significance of the BZI Innovation Park for its innovation, inspiration and positive impact on the regions and industry segments it serves.

The Inc. Best in Business honors and celebrates companies around the world who have attained major achievements and made significant contributions to their communities on a global scale.

According to the organizers, the list recognizes companies that, through exceptional execution, have achieved significant milestones and core business wins, like customer expansion, key product launches, increased market share and industry-defining accomplishments.

To learn more, visit Inc.com.

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

Originally aired: 1/7/25

This is Derek Miller, Speaking on Business. Prime Corn is dedicated to reducing food waste and insecurity by promoting sustainable food practices. Through education, cooking classes and community initiatives, they make wholesome, accessible food available to our Salt Lake neighbors. Owner and Chef, Wendy Juarez, joins us with more.

Wendy Juarez:

Millions of people in America face food insecurity, while a large portion of the food supply — around 40 percent — ends up in landfills each year. This waste contributes to environmental issues and highlights how food is often not used as efficiently as it once was. According to RTS.com, the average American family of four throws away 1,600 dollars worth of produce annually.

Prime Corn is committed to addressing these issues by making wholesome, accessible foods available to Salt Lake neighbors. We aim to promote better habits and sustainable practices, showing that there are many ways to repurpose food without making significant sacrifices.

We contribute to the solution by offering education, affordable recipes and community-driven initiatives. Our services include cooking classes, Mindful Eating Experiences, catering and dine-in space inside Spice on 9th Café. Through these efforts, we help foster a more sustainable and mindful food culture in our community.

Derek Miller:

Learn how you can reduce food waste by visiting primecornfood.com. I'm Derek Miller, with the Salt Lake Chamber, Speaking on Business.

Originally aired: 1/7/25

This is Derek Miller, Speaking on Business. Since 1953, Layton Construction has been perfecting their craft, growing nationwide and improving the build world by providing predictability in an industry that’s anything but predictable. Layton Construction’s Vice President of Marketing Tim Garrick joins us with more.

Tim Garrick:

For more than 70 years, Layton Construction has proudly called Utah home. The work that we’ve done in that time will forever impact the state, its people, and the business community. Together, with our trusted trade partners, we’ve built the places where hundreds of thousands of Utahns live; where we work and study; where we play; and where we heal.

The same principles that Alan W. Layton instilled in the company in the early years — honesty, safety, quality, and unity — still guide us today. These values have sustained our longevity and have fueled our growth as we’ve become one of the nation’s largest builders.

And with that comes opportunities for career advancement. So, we encourage and offer our employees training to develop their skills so they can grow with the company. In fact, that’s one of the primary reasons Utah Business magazine recognized Layton Construction among the state’s best companies to work for in 2024. To learn more, visit LaytonConstruction.Com.

Derek Miller:

No matter the location, Layton Construction thrives where precision meets pressure. From active university campuses to data centers that can’t afford a millisecond of downtime, Layton is involved with every sector that matters. I’m Derek Miller with the Salt Lake Chamber, Speaking on Business.

Originally aired: 1/6/24

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

The Salt Lake Chamber is bringing the National Civics Bee to Utah, an initiative aimed at encouraging more young Americans to engage in civics and contribute to their communities.

Hosted in partnership with The Civic Trust® of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, the competition in Utah will inspire middle schoolers to become better informed about American democracy, to engage respectfully and constructively in the community, and to build greater trust in others and institutions.

Participants in the National Civics Bee® will have the chance to gain recognition for their civics knowledge and skills and compete for prestigious awards, including prizes worth at least 1,000 dollars for the state champion and 100,000 dollars for the national winner.

Utah’s participation in the National Civics Bee is just one of many ways that we are preparing our youth to be tomorrow’s leaders

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

Originally aired: 1/6/25