“We often take for granted how much work goes into keeping our waters clean for people and wildlife,” said Sarah Erwin, USU Extension assistant professor for water quality and watershed education. “We hope every Utahn will make time this month to care for our watersheds by removing trash from trails and waterways.”

Participants can visit the Pack It Out Utah website to find information about cleanup events hosted by partner organizations, as well as instructions for reporting results from smaller cleanups with neighbors, families, and friends.

“Since 2020, Utah’s dedicated partners and volunteers have removed nearly 35,500 pounds of trash from trails and waterways,” Erwin said. “Participants who clean up on their own are encouraged to share results through the submission form on the Pack It Out website. Public involvement strengthens the state’s annual application for water improvement funds, so your efforts help resources flow back to Utah communities!”

Paul Burnett, nonpoint source program coordinator for Utah’s Division of Water Quality, emphasized the importance of community participation.

“Every piece of trash removed from trails and waterways helps protect the health of Utah’s rivers and lakes,” he said. “This type of citizen stewardship not only improves water quality directly but also demonstrates the strong community commitment to restoring and protecting waters across the state. The Utah Division of Water Quality is deeply appreciative of these efforts.”

— Utah State University Extension

Nominate a local business for a $50,000 prize

AT&T’s Small Business Contest is now open, and it’s more than just a contest–it’s a chance for the Ogden community to rally around the local businesses that make their town special. Whether it’s the family pizzeria, the hometown coffee shop, or the neighborhood tire shop that sponsors Little League, supporters can nominate their favorite small business for a chance to win a $50,000 grand prize, plus a year of AT&T service and a brand-new device. Four additional small businesses will each win $5,000.

Here’s how it works:

Anyone can nominate a deserving small business — share in 250 words or less why you love them and what makes them a vital part of the community. Business owners are welcome to enter themselves as well. Deadline for entries is Sept. 30.

To enter or nominate, visit att.com/shesconnected.

It’s a unique chance for Ogden to show appreciation for the businesses that bring people together and make our neighborhoods shine. This contest is a feel-good, visual story–perfect for community news segments or local interest features.

— AT&T Corporate Communications

Latest Small Business Optimism Index a good sign for Main Street enterprises

The latest NFIB Small Business Optimism Index on Wednesday showed a rise of 0.5 points in August to 100.8, nearly 3 points above the 52-year average of 98. Of the 10 Optimism Index components, four increased, four decreased, and two were unchanged. The increase in those expecting real sales to be higher contributed the most to the rise in the Optimism Index.

“A pattern is starting to emerge, and it’s a very good one for the most important component of our nation’s economy: small business,” Casey Hill, state director for NFIB in Utah, said in a statement. “It wasn’t too long ago that our Small Business Optimism Index came in below its 52-year average for 34 consecutive months. That started to change last November and since then it has come in above the average consistently. I believe a more pro-business administration, Congress’ making the Small Business Deduction permanent, and our Legislature’s pro-Main Street policies are combining to give our economy some forward traction.”

NFIB’s monthly Small Business Optimism Index is the gold standard measurement of America’s small business economy. Used by the Federal Reserve, Congressional leaders, administration officials, and state legislatures across the nation, it’s regarded as the bellwether on the health and welfare of the Main Street enterprises that employ half of all workers, generate more net new jobs than large corporations, and gave most of us the first start in our working life. The Optimism Index (aka Small Business Economic Trends report) is a national snapshot of NFIB-member, small-business owners not broken down by state. The typical NFIB member employs between one and nine people and reports gross sales of about $500,000 a year.

— National Federation of Independent Business Utah