Happy Friday from #OneUtah, a weekly update from the office of Gov. Spencer J. Cox. Reply to this email with any questions or suggestions regarding the newsletter. And thank you for subscribing!

Utah is the startup state

This week we joined members of the Utah Innovation Fund to recognize its accomplishments. Earlier this year the state partnered with the private sector to launch the Utah Innovation Fund to help bring technologies and innovations discovered, advanced or developed at Utah’s public universities and colleges to market. 

The Utah Innovation Fund can be a lifeline for companies that are just coming out of colleges and universities that don’t have the resources for where to go next. The Utah Innovation Fund provides a team of industry advisors, technical experts, and experienced investors who contribute their expertise and valuable insight during the Fund’s due diligence process as they validate the market interest and technical viability of the startup’s products. Utah loves our innovators! Learn more here.

Utah Housing Coalition Awards

This week we attended the Utah Housing Coalition Awards to discuss one of the biggest threats to our state’s future – the lack of housing. For too many Utahns, the dream of homeownership is out of reach. We were excited to share our newly announced initiative — the Utah First Homes Program, a comprehensive package of actions and incentives with the goal of building 35,000 new starter homes by 2028. We proposed a $150 million investment in this program that includes appointing a new senior advisor for housing innovation, $50 million for First-time Homebuyers Assistance program, $75 million for the State Infrastructure Bank, $5 million for a new Housing Innovation and Construction Fund, $15 million for Sweat Equity Programs, $5 million for Community Land Trusts and we will recruit an Off-site Housing Manufacturer to our state.

Building an additional 35,000 starter homes by 2028 is ambitious. But the investments and the incentives in the Utah First Homes Program make this entirely doable. Grateful for the good work the Utah Housing Coalition is doing, and we appreciate their support of our affordable housing initiatives. Learn more about our housing initiatives here. 

Election Canvass

Also this week, the Statewide Board of Canvass met to certify this year’s election results. The Board of Canvass consists of the Attorney General, State Auditor, and State Treasurer, with the Lieutenant Governor serving as the secretary. 

During their field trip to the Capitol, students from Diamond Fork Middle School got to witness the event. The students made it an engaging occasion!

‘Tis the season for giving

The Giving Machines are a great opportunity to donate this holiday season – items from various charities, including Show Up Utah are available for donation at 61 locations worldwide! 

Learn more about the Giving Machines here.

A message to Utah’s Servicemembers

Statistics show Utah’s military personnel face a suicide rate that is one-and-a half times higher than those who haven’t served. That’s an alarming number and one we want to do everything we can to help improve.

Help is available. You’re not alone. Dial 988 if you need immediate help, and view the Live On Military Playbook here.

Governor’s Award for Excellence Highlight

Each week, we’re highlighting a state employee who was recently awarded the Governor’s Award for Excellence. This week we are recognizing Alyssa Stringham with the Utah Department of Environmental Quality.

Alyssa is an Environmental Program Coordinator, Archivist and Government Records Access and Management Act (GRAMA) Records Officer in the Division of Waste Management and Radiation Control within DEQ. In her roles, Alyssa interacts with the public regularly regarding any of the division’s 11 programs, such as those involving landfills, used oil recycling, hazardous waste, and radioactive materials. As a lead GRAMA Records Officer, she receives and responds to all GRAMA records requests for the division. In 2022 alone, she responded to 320 record requests. She has modernized the GRAMA processes and is a role model for other GRAMA Records Officers in the department. Outside of work, Alyssa volunteered for the Disabled Rights Action Committee on a records digitization project and provided grant application assistance. Alyssa exemplifies public service and her efforts make Utah an even better place. 

Thank you, Alyssa, for your dedication to the state of Utah. Keep up the great work! To read about the Governor’s Awards for Excellence, click here.

ICYMI

• Team Utah participated in our annual sock drive and donated 1,770 pairs of socks to the Rescue Mission!

• This week we attended the 26th annual Po Hiva Kilisimasi! We appreciated the warm welcome by Utah’s Pacific Islander community and enjoyed the wonderful Christmas music at this interfaith event. View photos here.

• We hosted our final virtual town hall of 2023. Thanks to everyone who watched and sent in questions!
• We joined the Salvation Army of Utah to support their Red Kettle efforts. If you see someone ring the bell, give generously!

Coming up

Get involved!

Looking for a new job opportunity? From great employee benefits to versatile work schedules, the career opportunities with the state are truly endless. Join Team Utah today! 

Those looking to volunteer can also consider more than 300 boards and commissions. Find out which openings are available and how you can get involved here!

Get in touch!