SALT LAKE CITY – A plan for the next phase of Utah’s health and economic recovery could be released sometime this week.
During a town hall hosted by the Salt Lake Chamber, a draft of “Utah Leads Together” version 3.0 was previewed.
Governor Gary Herbert hinted a final version could come as early as Wednesday.
“This is like déjà vu all over again,” Governor Herbert said. He used that phrase made famous by former New York Yankees catcher Yogi Berra to compare this economic downturn to the Great Recession of 2008.
“That same rebirth that happened then for us and led to the best decade in our state’s history, is an opportunity for the same thing to happen now,” he added.
During the town hall, it was revealed the latest edition of “Utah Leads Together” will focus on instructions for high risk individuals, impacts to multi-cultural communities, and planting the seeds for economic recovery.
Governor Herbert is optimistic that with a strong plan, the state can emerge from this crisis safely and successfully.
“This recession here in Utah is going to be short lived,” Herbert said. “I want to be in recovery by the end of the summer, so we have a solid growth the last quarter in Utah. I believe that is possible.”
The Economic Development Corporation of Utah presented the results of its survey of hundreds of local businesses. It found that not one county in Utah is immune to the negative impacts of COVID-19.
62.9 percent of respondents said they expect to feel the impacts of the crisis for six months or longer.
“I see it as a good thing because it means, if you think something is going to be longer term, you’ll invest in solutions to manage it,” said Theresa Foxley, the president and CEO of the Economic Development Corporation of Utah.
Foxley believes that long term thinking will help Utahns weather this storm. She was also encouraged that 44 percent of those surveyed said they have changed aspects of their business model to adapt to new challenges.
“We are a super innovative state,” Foxley said. “We are known across the globe for that. It’s no surprise to see companies totally hustling to innovate.”
