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** Letter from Gov. Cox: Utah is not for sale
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Utah’s farmland feeds families, anchors rural economies, and sits near critical infrastructure. Who owns that land is not a technicality. It is a question of food security, national security, and long-term stability for Utah.

In 2024, Utah recorded zero agricultural land sales to foreign entities, confirmed by the Utah Department of Public Safety and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s AFIDA in its most recent verified report.

A few months ago, we blocked an attempted land purchase near the Provo Airport by a company tied to the Chinese government. It would have been a multimillion-dollar project with hundreds of jobs, and we still said no. Protecting Utah comes first.

This defense against foreign adversaries has been in the works for close to two years. H.B. 516, passed during the 2024 legislative session, prohibits restricted foreign entities from purchasing land in Utah and requires those that already own it to divest on a clear timeline. The law directs the Department of Public Safety to maintain a list of restricted foreign entities and gives the state tools to act.

Our commitment is simple: protect Utah land and defend the liberty that makes this state and this country strong.
Learn more > ([link removed])


** Utah can do both: steward our land and power the nation
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At the One Utah Summit, Gov. Cox and U.S. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum discussed rural opportunity, Operation Gigawatt, and how Utah can lead on energy and land stewardship. They highlighted an “energy addition” approach that keeps Utah’s landscapes beautiful while adding the reliable power America needs in the AI era.

Secretary Burgum underscored support for greater state leadership on public lands and praised Utah’s path: “This is a land of abundance. It is a place where we can do both.” Governor Cox also outlined next steps, including making Utah the home of the country’s entire nuclear energy supply chain and setting the national model for permitting reform through his work with the Western Governors’ Association.
Watch their conversation > ([link removed])


** Unified Sports state championships
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Unified Sports lets students with and without intellectual disabilities play side by side as teammates. Abby’s initiative, Show Up, partnered with Nordmark, Real Salt Lake, and Utah Royals to host the fifth annual Unified soccer championships, where high schools from across Utah competed for state titles in each division. Schools arranged transportation so classmates could fill the stands and cheer. Thank you to our partners and to every student, coach, and volunteer who made this celebration of teamwork and inclusion possible.


** From rural insight to statewide impact
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What happens in rural Utah affects all of Utah. At the One Utah Summit in Cedar City, Lt. Governor Deidre M. Henderson met with mayors, chambers, and business leaders. Their insights will guide statewide action in the months ahead.


** Beehive State builders
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The manufacturing industry is strong and continues to need skilled young people in the workforce. Lt. Gov. Henderson spoke with the builders of our state at the Northern Utah Manufacturing Excellence Conference in Logan.


** State agency updates
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UDOT's Region 3 Specialty Crew works year-round to ensure road safety by handling drainage, signs, and crash cushions. Their proactive approach, especially with the Vactor truck for tasks like culvert cleaning, is crucial for preventing winter flooding. Safety is paramount, supported by a strong team culture and communication. Watch > ([link removed])

The Utah Division of Outdoor Recreation awarded $1.8 million in its summer OHV Recreation Grant cycle to fund trail maintenance, search and rescue equipment, rider education, snowmobile grooming, and access protection. The 30 projects expand access, strengthen stewardship, and improve safety for Utah families and visitors statewide.

The Utah Department of Corrections communications team received the Utah PIO Association’s Innovation in Public Communication Award. Formed in 2023, the team combines specialized skills and a shared vision to expand positive coverage, strengthen media relations, support employees, and bring order, consistency, and transparency to sensitive, high-profile events.

Utah has launched the Youth Mental Health Corps, enrolling AmeriCorps members through the Department of Cultural & Community Engagement’s UServeUtah division. Members serve as community health workers and school mental health navigators, gaining hands-on experience and career-ready skills while supporting youth statewide. Learn more > ([link removed])

The Utah Cutthroat Slam ([link removed]) has surpassed 2,000 completions, and the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources now lets anglers choose one of four species-specific medallions — Bonneville, Bear River, Colorado River, or Yellowstone cutthroat — celebrating native trout and a growing community of conservation-minded anglers.

Nearly 200 attendees joined the Utah Division of Consumer Protection’s 2025 Utah Consumer Protection Symposium on Oct. 9, with sessions on AI in companion chatbots, the department’s new residential construction fraud task force, and how state and federal partners investigate cases.

Ten exclusive pins are free to collect statewide for fall break. The Utah Historical Society, a division of the Department of Cultural & Community Engagement, is encouraging visits to historical sites, museums, and state parks ahead of the Museum of Utah’s 2026 opening. Learn more here.

Following last month’s tragic shooting at Utah Valley University, clinicians from the Utah Department of Health and Human Services’ Division of Juvenile Justice and Youth Services have been volunteering at UVU’s mental health center, providing counseling and support to students, faculty, and staff as the campus heals.

Millcreek Historic Preservation Commission hosted staff from the Department of Cultural & Community Engagement’s Division of Arts & Museums and the Utah Historical Society for a community preservation workshop. Attendees brought personal and family items and learned basic care and archiving. Host a workshop > (mailto:[email protected]?subject=I%20want%20to%20host%20a%20workshop&body=)

Applications for 2026 Sportsman permits open Oct. 28. Utah residents can apply through the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, which manages the drawing for these premium opportunities. Mark your calendar and review rules before submitting. Apply > ([link removed])

Volunteers with the State Historic Preservation Office’s Cultural Site Stewardship Program, part of the Utah Department of Cultural & Community Engagement, are protecting cultural resources during the federal shutdown. They’re spending weekends at sites to talk with visitors about respectful access and to report concerns. Learn more > ([link removed])

Explore real-world AI at the 2025 Utah AI Summit. Hear from leaders on practical applications, governance, and ethics; join hands-on sessions; and connect with peers to turn good ideas into tools that serve Utahns. Register > ([link removed])


** 🗞️ ICYMI
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🚒 Cedar City comes together for Fire Chief Mike Phillips. Learn more > ([link removed])

📊 You can now track Utah’s GRIT results. See here > ([link removed])

🛠️ Utah’s new homelessness campus discussed at State Homelessness Conference. Discover more > ([link removed])

🔨 American Pacific breaks ground on $100M expansion in Cedar City. Read more > ([link removed])

🏜️ Amid government shutdown, Utah’s state and national parks remain open. See more > ([link removed])

📄 The Governor’s Office is now accepting applications for legislative fellows. Learn more > ([link removed])

🤝 Gov. Cox joins Turning Point USA for an event at Utah State University. See more > ([link removed])


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Copyright (C) 2025 Office of Utah Gov. Spencer Cox. All rights reserved.
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