Nearly 500 future-thinking people gathered at Utah Valley University (UVU) on Thursday to discuss the future of Utah Valley. The 3^rd annual Growth and Prosperity Conference addressed Utah’s explosive population growth and how it will impact transportation, education, air quality, infrastructure, workforce development, water, business, and economic development.

“We are dealing with unprecedented growth. It’s not going away. You can view it positively, you can view it negatively, you can view it neutral, but it’s coming,” said Curtis Blair, president and CEO of the Utah Valley Chamber of Commerce. “So, how we manage that growth, the stewardship with which we manage that growth, will really dictate the quality of life for years to come, and I am talking generational impact.”

The Utah Valley Chamber of Commerce partnered with UVU to host the day-long event, which featured speakers from key areas, including 3^rd Congressional District Congressman John Curtis.

Before serving in Congress, Curtis was a small business owner and the Mayor of Provo for eight years. He said he understands the importance of managed growth and the personal impact it will have. “Thank you for planning the future of my valley for my kids and my grandkids. It is incredibly important work,” he said.

Laura Hanson, from the Governor’s Office of Planning and Budget, punctuated the need for growth planning. “Over the last decade, between 2010 and 2020, we were the fastest growing state in the nation at 18.4 percent, far outpacing our neighboring communities and states.”

How do Utahns feel about that growth? Hanson said the tides are turning. “Every seven years, they do a survey, and one answer has been consistent through that time period. ‘Do you think growth will make Utah better or Utah worse?’ For the first time in the history of this survey question, in 2021, Utahns said, ‘We are not sure that growth is going to make Utah better.’ That is a big chance since the last time that we asked it in 2014.”

She said Utahns are feeling the pressure of growth on housing and resources, but surveys also show people don’t believe we should try to stop growth.

“How we grow matters. Just any sort of growth isn’t good for us,” Hanson said. “We need to be intentional about it.”

“Education and workforce development is one of our key seven pillars of growth. You cannot have businesses thriving if you do not have a qualified workforce,” said Blair. We want our children to stay here. We would love for them to work here, live here, play, and recreate here, and we want to keep our grandchildren close to us.”

Astrid S. Tuminez, President of Utah Valley University, was also a keynote speaker at the event. She reiterated the importance of a college education, with a median gap in income of 30 thousand a year for someone who graduates from high school and those who receive a college degree.

UVU plays a key role in creating a strong Utah workforce. Seventy-seven percent of UVU graduates stay in Utah and are fueling the economy ten years after graduation. She also touted the success of UVU in providing the workforce that Utah needs.

“We had the highest increase in producing graduates for four and five-star jobs. Four and five-star jobs are classifications for the state of Utah that refer to high demand and high wage, or sometimes high demand and low wage, like a teacher or a social worker, but without our teachers and social workers, where would we be? So very powerful impact on four and five-star jobs.”

President Tuminez explained UVU’s push to ensure students receive project-based, hands-on learning experiences through the university’s Innovation Academy in preparation for internships and employment.

“We want our students to be interviewed for internships. We would also like our faculty to have externships with companies, non-profits, and other organizations when they are not teaching."

At the conclusion of her keynote speech, President Tuminez announced a formal agreement between Utah Valley University and Mountainland Technical College (MTECH). The agreement creates a seamless pathway for MTECH graduates in HVAC, electrical, plumbing, and welding to earn an associate degree in business management at UVU in half the time.

“This exciting partnership will greatly benefit our students with a clear pathway to further their education and expand their career opportunities,” said Clay Christensen, MTECH president. “There is no doubt that combining technical skills with business management knowledge gives our students an advantage in an increasingly competitive job market.”

President Tuminez said the partnership further emphasizes UVU’s dedication to providing opportunities for anyone who seeks to build a better future for themselves.

“UVU and MTECH are building Utah’s workforce by giving students diverse opportunities to gain relevant skills, knowledge, and credentials for the 21^st century,” she said. “Our partnership exemplifies UVU’s commitment to collaborate with others to prepare students for success in work and life.”

Blair said the conference was a huge success, but what matters is how the day’s conversations and data sharing translate to the future.

“We’ve got a cross-section of government leaders, business owners, homeowners, renters, PTA presidents. We’ve got school districts, and we have count county commissioners, we have mayors, we have members of our partner organizations: Envision Utah, Wasatch Choice, (and) Guiding Our Growth. All have come together to say these conversations matter. We can’t do it in silos. We have got to figure out a way to partner and collaborate and bring this message down to the grassroots, and that’s our blocks and neighborhoods, our City Council, our mayors.”

For more information about the Growth and Prosperity Summit and the efforts being made to plan for statewide growth, visit the Utah Valley Chamber of Commerce Valley Visioning webpage.