Letter from Gov. Cox: Utah ranks #1 in economic outlook — again

For the 18th year in a row, Utah has been ranked #1 in the nation for economic outlook by the Rich States, Poor States Economic Competitiveness Index. That kind of consistency doesn’t happen by accident. It’s the result of decades of thoughtful policy, long-term planning, and a shared commitment to building a better future for the next generation.

We don’t just react to challenges — we anticipate them and prepare. And we do the hard work now so that our children and grandchildren will inherit a state that is even stronger than the one we know today.

Thank you for being part of that work. I truly believe Utah’s best years are still ahead.

Learn more or see photos from the press conference.

A tribute to the Borgstrom family

This week, Utah dedicated Route 102 through Tremonton and Thatcher as the Borgstrom Brothers Memorial Highway, honoring a family whose sacrifice during World War II is unmatched.

Alben and Gunda Borgstrom sent five sons to serve. Four — Clyde, Leroy, Rolon, and Rulon — gave their lives. Gunda became the only known mother in WWII to lose four sons in combat. Even in her grief, she chose to serve by encouraging troops across the country. Alben stood ready to send their youngest if called.

They never asked for recognition, but they’ve long deserved it.

‘Built here’ isn’t just about homes and highways — it’s about people like the Borgstroms, who built something greater than themselves.

See photos >

Elevating education through industry

Gov. Spencer J. Cox joined lawmakers and education leaders to celebrate a slate of new education bills that are already opening doors for Utah students.

Imagine a high schooler graduating with an industry credential and a job offer in hand, or a student discovering a future in engineering after shadowing a professional through a hands-on catalyst program. That’s the kind of impact these bills are already setting in motion.

From civics to career and technical education, the legislation connects learning to real-life opportunity and helps every student find their path.

Watch >

See photos >

Building global connections in energy and innovation

Gov. Spencer Cox visited Ontario and Quebec as part of a state trade mission organized by the Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity and World Trade Center Utah. The trip aimed to strengthen ties with one of Utah’s top trading partners and explore opportunities for collaboration.

The visit focused on shared priorities, including advanced energy, nuclear innovation, and life sciences. Ontario leads in nuclear power generation, while Utah continues to advance an all-of-the-above energy strategy.

These global partnerships help drive innovation, support economic growth, and ensure Utah remains competitive on the world stage.

In the spotlight:

🤝 Gov. Cox is welcomed by Ontario Premier Doug Ford to discuss an increase in trade and cooperation between Utah and Ontario. More >

✈️ Utah and Quebec Sign Historic Agreement to Boost Aerospace, AI, and Critical Mineral Collaboration. More >

⛏️ Gov. Cox meets with the leadership team at 5N Plus, a Utah-Quebec partnership company, whose St. George office is hiring! More >

🧬 Utah delegation visits the new Canadian headquarters of Recursion Pharma, a Utah-founded biotech company that has expanded into one of North America’s top innovation hubs. More >

🌍 Recap: Utah’s Bold Presence in Quebec and Ontario. More >

Exploring Utah’s energy future

Lt. Gov. Henderson recently joined representatives from the Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity and the Department of Natural Resources for a tour of the Intermountain Power Project (IPP) and the Advanced Clean Energy Storage (ACES) site in Delta, Utah. The visit offered a firsthand look at two of the state’s most significant energy infrastructure projects.

The delegation explored IPP Renewed’s transition from coal to natural gas and hydrogen-fueled power, positioning it as a key regional energy hub. They also toured the ACES Delta site — one of the world’s largest facilities for renewable energy conversion to hydrogen and long-term storage. The tour provided a comprehensive view of Utah’s evolving energy landscape and the state’s ongoing efforts to support innovative projects as part of Operation Gigawatt.

See photos >

Expanding access to school lunches

Last week, leaders gathered for the ceremonial signing of H.B. 100 — a bipartisan effort to expand access to school lunches for Utah students. The new law aims to reduce food insecurity and ensure that more children can focus and thrive in the classroom.

The legislation received strong support across party lines and reflects a shared commitment to removing barriers to learning for Utah’s youth. Special thanks go to Rep. Tyler Clancy, Sen. Kirk Cullimore, and the Policy Project team for championing this important initiative.

See photos >

Empowering students through STEM: Utah recognized at NLGA conference

Lt. Gov. Henderson recently attended the National Lieutenant Governors Association (NLGA) Spring Meeting, where leaders from across the country came together to address key challenges facing their states and collaborate on shared solutions. As part of the conference, Lt. Gov. Henderson introduced and moderated a Q&A session with Kentucky Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman during a panel on agricultural education.

Utah was also recognized during the meeting, as Freedom Prep Academy in Vineyard received an NLGA STEM Scholarship to expand its coding and robotics curriculum for students in grades 3–5. The funding supports a hands-on program where students use DASH robots and xylophones to explore music theory and engineering concepts. The award is a testament to the innovative STEM education happening right here in Utah.

State agency updates

Looking for a new opportunity? Join the statewide virtual job fair on Thursday, May 1 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., hosted by Workforce Services. Register for the event and find a complete list of participating employers at jobs.utah.gov.

To help protect SNAP benefits, the Department of Workforce Services launched a new myCase feature allowing customers to lock and unlock their EBT cards in real time—preventing theft and ensuring funds are available for essential food purchases.

The Utah Board of Pardons and Parole has launched Phase 1 of MyVoice, a trauma-informed system that improves victim notifications with clearer communication and a platform built for victims — marking a major step toward a more compassionate, victim-centered parole process. Read more >

Utahns joined states nationwide in America250 celebrations with spotlights at the Capitol on April 18 to mark Paul Revere’s ride. On April 19, Patriots’ Day, a community event commemorated the “shot heard around the world.” Click here for upcoming events and programs.

Interested in how Utah’s correctional system works? Apply now for the Department of Corrections’ Citizens’ Academy — a 10-week program with tours, lectures, and hands-on training. Open to adults 18+. Applications due June 1 to [email protected].

The Utah School and Institutional Trust Lands Administration is holding an online land sale April 24–29. Four parcels totaling 1,600 acres are up for auction. Proceeds benefit the Public Schools Trust. Visit SITLA’s sales and auction page to learn more.

Planning to boat in Utah this year? Don’t forget: a mandatory course, a fee, and decontamination steps are required to help stop aquatic invasive species. Click here to get the details before you head out.

Celebrate National Apprenticeship Day at the Apprenticeship Job Fair on April 30 from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. at the Karen Gail Miller Conference Center, Salt Lake Community College, 9750 S. 300 W., Sandy. Employers can register for a booth at no cost! Learn more here.

To celebrate Earth Day, Utah DEQ employees cleaned up a two-mile stretch of the Jordan River—on foot and by canoe—near the Day-Riverside Library. It’s one small way we’re helping keep Salt Lake City beautiful.

Despite a surprise April snowstorm, volunteers from age 4 to 71gathered at Recapture Reservoir on April 18 to clean and restore the area. United in Service brought communities from Aneth to Moab together to prepare Blanding’s public lands for summer visitors.

🗞️ ICYMI

🇺🇸 Gov. Cox orders flags to half-staff in honor of firefighter Corban Summers. More here >

🔥 Gov. Cox signs executive order to strengthen wildfire preparedness. Find out more >

✈️ Draper Lab’s new Hill AFB campus will boost jobs, research, and university ties. Learn more >

🇺🇸 Utah Becomes First State to Extend Broad Support to DoD Civilians. More here >

🚘 DMV wait times have significantly dropped thanks to the Utah State Tax Commission. See what the people are saying >

⚽ Utah is becoming the best state in the nation for sport, announcing new partnerships with the Real Salt Lake football team. Watch >

📱 Utah’s new law on tech safety and the App Store brings transparency, holding big tech accountable. Read more >

💡 The Consumer Technology Association names Utah as the Innovation Champion in its 2025 Scorecard. Read more >

📚 Gov. Cox shares his commitment to Utah families and their right to make choices about their children’s education. Read more >

📈 The Utah Department of Workforce Services report puts Utah’s economy ahead of the national average, with fintech being one sector that is helping lead the way. Watch more >

🍲 Gov. Cox and team visit older Utahns through giving back to the local community with Meals on Wheels. Get involved >

Copyright (C) 2025 Office of Utah Gov. Spencer Cox. All rights reserved.
You are receiving this email because you opted in via our website.

Our mailing address is:
Office of Utah Gov. Spencer Cox 350 N. State Street Suite 200 P.O. Box 142220 Salt Lake City, UT 84114-2220 USA

Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can update your preferences or unsubscribe