SALT LAKE CITY -- In a Capitol Gold Room ceremony, Governor Gary R. Herbert and Lieutenant Governor Greg Bell joined legislative and business leaders from across the state for ceremonial signings of several key pieces of job growth and economic development legislation from the 2011 legislative session.
The Governor signed the following five bills before presenting ceremonial drafts and signing pens to sponsors and guests:
SB 31 - Rural Fast Track Amendments, Senator Ralph Okerlund SB 312 - Economic Development Coordination, Senator Scott Jenkins SB 319 - Technology Commercialization and Innovation Act, Senator Curt Bramble HB 359 - Business Resource Center Advisory Board Modifications, Representative Val Peterson HB 496 - Technology and Life Science Economic Development Act and Related Tax Credits, Representative David Clark
"These bills are critical to our effort to grow jobs--both in rural Utah and in our metro areas. Utah is nationally recognized as a successful and business friendly state because we utilize unprecedented partnerships and capitalize on the synergy that results from a coordinated effort." said Governor Herbert. "I consider everyone in this room a member of Team Utah and we need every team member focused on our goal: jobs, jobs, jobs."
The bills in today's ceremony are central to keeping Utah business-friendly, according to the bills sponsors who offered remarks.
Senator Ralph Okerlund spoke about Senate Bill 31, "This bill allows the Office of Rural Development to administer the Business Resource Expansion and Retention (BEAR) initiative to help our rural business owners better promote their businesses and expand economic development in rural Utah." The Senator recognized the impact of rural business on the state economy and expressed appreciation to his fellow legislators and the Governor for their support with this economic development initiative.
House Bill 496 was also signed and Representative David Clark noted, "This bill provides tax credits for investors and businesses working in the life science and technology sectors as an incentive to spur growth in these targeted industry clusters." In Representative Clark's comments he recognized that life sciences and technology jobs have continued to grow despite the national economic downturn and Utah is well positioned to take advantage of the national recovery and business growth in these areas.
Spencer Eccles, executive director of the Governor's Office of Economic Development (GOED) introduced the three other economic development bills. He underscored the overall value of these bills in that they will give GOED new tools to use in growing Utah's business community and will help in the coordination and collaboration efforts with local business and government leaders.
Senate Bill 312 will establish a council made up of various economic development stakeholders, which will better align economic development plan development, strategies, and goals.
Senate Bill 319 will allow the Governor's Office of Economic Development to issue grants and loans to the various colleges, universities, and licensees in Utah for the purpose of commercializing technology. Mr. Eccles noted that GOED is working hard with their partners around the state to remain an international leader in technology commercialization; this new bill will assist the state in remaining competitive.
House Bill 359 also signed today, modifies and expands the scope of the Utah Business Resource Center Advisory Board. "These actions were taken to continue to improve the delivery of state-funded business assistance programs in Utah. It will, along with the other Bills signed today, help to coordinate and expand economic development efforts statewide," said Mr. Eccles.
Comments