John Huntsman Jr. spoke at the Utah Economic Summit - he encouraged a positive outlook and economic change in Utah

Was Governor Huntsman’s speech at the Economic Summit a bunch of ‘bull’? I don’t think so*

Filed Under John Huntsman Jr., Utah Economic Summit, Utah economy |

At the Governor’s Utah Economic Summit yesterday, Governor John Huntsman Jr. focused on Utah’s current favorable economic position, outlining a few ways in which we can become better. Yes, he acknowledged that we face uncertain times, but his emphasis was on progress, research, and education.

But in typical newspaper fashion, one local paper decided to turn the story into an opportunity for disgruntled workers to voice their complaints. I know very well that there are construction workers losing their jobs. I just wrote about it a few days ago. So naturally if you decide to base Utah’s economic state on the opinions of a few struggling individuals in a struggling industry, you are going to get a negative report.

The Economic Summit convened to help business leaders improve their businesses, to the end that more people can be employed and the economy can prosper. If it so happens that most of the people in the room were wearing suits and ties, then so be it. Employers and business owners tend to do that.

I thought it was funny that the news report chose to mention that many people outside of the Summit had never in their lives worn a tie to work. One “outsider” even claimed that all the Summit “insiders” had money and didn’t have to worry about gas prices like us normal people do. Maybe that’s true, maybe it isn’t. Like it or not, employers (those who provide jobs for the rest of us) will make more money than us. They will attend Economic Summits to learn how to improve their businesses. They don’t do it to rub in your face that they have more money than you. I’d bet that most of them do it so they can expand their businesses - an act that benefits those who work for them.

Lets take the constructive from Huntsman’s speech. He said that technical training needs to improve. Education needs to improve for our youth. We need better prepared kids to qualify for better jobs. Math and science are key, but are being neglected. We also need to continue to reform our health-system.

I really do feel for the guy at the TRAX station struggling to find work and pay for gas. The housing and construction market is tough right now. I’m in it - I know. But I can’t say that the Huntsman speech was a bunch of bull just because our sector is down. I agree that we can’t focus on the negativity and have it become a self-fulfilling prophecy.

*My service doesn’t stop here! In addition to maintaining The Salt Lake City Utah Real Estate Blog, I also help people buy and sell homes in Utah. When you need help with either of these, contact me!

Tags: economy,Utah economy,John Huntsman,Utah housing market,Salt Lake City real estate